?Nature gives you the face you have at 20; it is up to you to merit the face you have at 50.??Coco Chanel

MANILA, Philippines?You?ve heard it time and time again. All the beauty articles talk about it and all dermatologists nag you to do it? moisturize! It?s the key to looking young.

Maintaining your skin?s moisture balance and keeping it hydrated is fundamental to keeping your skin healthy. Weather, environment, changes from indoor to outdoor temperatures, time in the sun and even diet can all affect the moisture level of our skin. Regular moisturizing will help your skin maintain its vibrant elasticity and prevent premature wrinkles and fine lines.

Perhaps one of the biggest misconceptions about moisturizers is that it hydrates the skin. The truth is moisturizers form a film over the skin and lock in the skin?s natural moisture. This in turn not only increases the skin?s water content, but also protects the skin and encourages an orderly desquamation (shedding) process that makes the skin appear smoother.

Everyone, no matter what skin type (except for those with acne), should moisturize. Whether oily or dry, both types will benefit from moisturizers. What differs is the texture of the product you choose which depends on your skin type. If you have normal to dry skin, a lotion or creamy lotion texture is best. If you have normal to oily skin, a gel, serum or toner texture is ideal.

I asked three women, whose beauty has graced countless magazines, to share their favorite age-defying products that have helped them in the path to beautiful, healthier-looking skin.

Charmagne de Guzman, model

Avalon Organics CoQ10 Wrinkle Defense Serum, from Healthy Options, is perfect for my skin. Living in a city as polluted as Manila, you tend to look for something organic to lightly moisturize your skin and leave it supple and radiant. I love its refreshing aroma, plus I can wear it alone or under makeup.

Marina Benipayo, model

I use The Face Shop Flebeute? Collagenic Collagen 70 Cream. It replenishes the moisture level of my skin. It is also a wrinkle-diminishing product, so my skin looks toned and revived.

Sandra Gfeller, restaurateur & painter

I use DMAE-Alpha Lipoic C-Ester Retexturizing Crème, from Healthy options. It not only hydrates my skin, it also reduces facial sag and firms it. Because it?s enriched with vitamins and botanicals, I?m reassured that I?m not only hydrating my skin, I?m also nourishing it.

How to moisturize

Step 1: Massage a pea-sized amount of facial moisturizer between your fingertips.
Step 2: Apply to your face and neck using an upward and outward circular gentle motion to massage it in until absorbed.

Do?s and don?ts

Do?s

Moisturize at night because your skin loses more water while you are asleep than when you are awake.

A lotion with SPF protection is important for daily use. A deep penetrating cream is ideal to use overnight. Creams replenish more deeply than lotions.

Don?ts

Pulling down on your skin will only stimulate the negative effects of gravity. So always moisturize using upward strokes.