The fascinating process of ageing is still a mystery, and until we find unravel it, it\'s vital that appropriate external care is taken to preserve youthful skin, to delay the formation of lines and wrinkles. Here\'s what you can do: Protect your skin The daily use of moisturisers and sunscreens acts as a barrier between the skin and the elements. The application of a sunscreen before stepping out in the sun helps to protect against UV rays. Since the skin is exposed to external factors, it loses moisture through the day, which can me compensated for with the regular use of a good moisturiser. Exfoliation Exfoliation with scrubs is an integral part of skin care. Masks help in the removal of dead cells, apart from other benefits too, like improving blood circulation to the skin surface, tightening the skin and keeping it soft, smooth and youthful. Cleansing Night time cleansing helps to get rid of the pollutants that have settled on the skin during the day. Remove all make up with a cleanser, rather than a soap. Apply a nourishing cream daily at night, after cleansing. Massage it on the face, with outward and slightly upward movements. Wipe off with moist cotton wool before bedtime. Vulnerable areas During your skin care routine, pay attention to particular areas of the skin, which begin to show ageing signs earlier than other parts of the face or body. These include the neck, the area around the eyes and the hands. The skin around the eyes is very thin and delicate. It can get easily pulled or stretched. So, be gentle while removing make up and creams. Apply a cleansing gel around the eyes and wipe it off with moist cotton wool. Then apply an outer eye cream and leave it on only for ten minutes. Wipe it off with moist cotton wool. Apply cream and massage it on the skin around your neck, starting from the chin and going downwards. Use both the hands, one hand following the other. The pressure should be applied while going down towards the chin. The hands begin to show ageing signs earlier than most other parts of the body. Protect them by wearing rubber gloves when you perform your washing chores. Massaging a cream into the skin after your bath, or after household chores. Home ingredients which can be used as anti-ageing treatments: Scrub: Take one teaspoon oatmeal and one teaspoon ground almonds. Add curd. Apply on the face and rub gently with circular movements. Then wash it off with water. For dry skin, use only once a week. For oily skin, use three or four times a week. Orange and lemon peels can also be dried, powdered and added to scrubs. Vegetable mask: Boil carrots, cabbage and turnip in water. Strain, cool and keep the water. It can be used to wash the face. Mash the vegetables into a pulp and apply as a nourishing face mask. Wash it off with plain water after 20 minutes. Fruit mask for all skin types: Mash fruits like banana, apple, papaya and orange and mix together and apply it on the face. They should be mashed or made into a pulp. Keep it on for 20 to 30 minutes. Papaya is rich in enzymes and helps to cleanse dead skin cells. Banana tightens the skin. Apple contains pectin and helps to cleanse the skin. Orange is rich in Vitamin C. It restores the normal acid-alkaline balance. Mask for normal to dry skin: Mix half a teaspoon honey with the yolk of an egg and one teaspoon dried milk powder. Mix into a paste and apply on the face. Remove after 20 minutes with plain water. For the area around your eyes: Apply pure almond oil sparingly around eyes and massage gently for one minute using only the ring finger. For puffy eyes: Apply a compress of iced water or cold milk directly over closed lids and leave for 15 to 20 minutes. For hands: Take 2 tablespoons granulated sugar and add a few drops of oil and lemon juice just before application. Take it on the palms and rub hands together till the sugar dissolves. Leave on for 10 minutes and wash off with water.