Want healthy skin? Then you need to be proactive, say the Mayo Clinic experts.Why? Because skin becomes thinner and more wrinkled as we age, oil-producing glands grow less active, and the number of blood vessels decrease.

Skin becomes more and more fragile with the passage of time. Here's how you can keep it looking youthful.

• Avoid the sun during high-intensity hours -- that's 10 AM to 4 PM -- and wear protective clothing, and use a sunscreen with an SPF greater than 15. Be sure to apply 20 minutes prior to going outdoors.
  
  

• Don't smoke if you want to minimize aging and wrinkling -- smoking accelerates both.
  
  

• Wash skin gently with warm, (not hot) water and minimize your time spent bathing. Avoid harsh soaps -- my dermatologist recommends Dove -- and irritating additives. Pat your skin dry.
  
  

• Moisturize regularly to maintain moisture levels. Moisturizers provide a seal over your skin to keep water from escaping.
  
  
• Shave carefully to avoid skin irritations. For a smooth shave, press a warm cloth on your skin before shaving to soften the hair. Apply shaving cream, lotion, or gel to protect and lubricate skin. Shave in the direction of hair growth, not against it. Rinse skin afterward with warm water. If shaving leaves your skin irritated, avoid alcohol-based products.