Diminish Signs of Fine Lines with a 3-Step Program

If you have a big event like a wedding (or your high school reunion) and want gorgeous skin, you can follow a three-step program many celebrities use to get ready for awards shows and red carpet premieres.

Renowned dermatologist Harold Lancer, MD, spilled his three-step secret for reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles to Harper's Bazaar a few years ago and I kept the article so I can share his secrets with you. Here's how to get glowing skin just in time for a special event.

Step 1: Cleanse with a salicylic acid cleanser

Lancer suggests you cleanse face, neck and upper chest with a 2% salicylic acid cleanser. Salicylic acid cleansers are typically used to treat acne, but work well as exfoliants by getting rid of dead skin cells.

Angela Palmer, About.com's expert on acne, explains more about salicylic acid in this article.

Check out my list of the best salicylic acid cleansers available, including a few you can get at any local drugstore.

Step 2: Follow cleanser with a five percent glycolic acid toner

Lancer suggests this second step to bring blood flow to your face, neck and chest. While I wouldn't recommend toners for every day use (they can be drying on anything but the oiliest of skin), I researched toners and can recommend Neutrogena Pore Refining Toner.

Step 3: Finish with a slather of moisturizer

The secret here is using the right moisturizer. Lancer suggests an aloe-vera/retinol-blend moisturizer (he suggests you look for the ingredient "retinol palmitate"). This ingredient tightens pores and plumps skin.