Charles Dickens once called every wrinkle "a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life."

	French women consider facials to be a necessity, not a luxury. Click photo for larger image.

But legions of men and women wish those "notches" would appear much later, much less visibly, and somewhere besides the face. And increasingly, for Americans determined to preserve (or regain) a youthful complexion, it can be done without the aid of knife or needle.

While genetics plays a key role in visible aging, environment is another major factor. With that in mind, here are 10 ways to postpone visible signs of aging in the face:

Limit direct sun exposure

Sunbathing under direct sun might feel great, but it's potentially dangerous to your skin. And the lighter the skin, the greater the risk. Limit sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and remember that antibiotics and some medications can make you more photosensitive. Wear wide-brimmed hats to keep the sun off your face and sunglasses to protect your eyes (ultraviolet light can cause cataracts) and the sensitive skin around them.

"The average person needs about 15 minutes a day of exposure to natural sunlight to allow enough vitamin D absorption, yet the average person usually abuses that exposure, spending one to two hours or more outside without proper protection," said Ms. Dispensa.

Use an eye cream daily

The skin around the eyes is some of the thinnest skin on the body, and thus more susceptible to wrinkles, puffiness and dark circles. Some eye creams have helped users diminish the appearance of age signs, but the products are more effective when used preventively, rather than correctively.

Sunscreen applied everyday can guard against the sun's ultraviolet rays. Click photo for larger image.

The 20s are not too early to start using an eye product. Some are formulated specifically for men, who tend to have thicker skin that helps stave off the signs of aging longer. And don't forget to wear sunscreen over eye cream when applied -- gently pat it on, never rub.

"Those with vitamin K also help to stabilize the blood vessels" that can cause blueish and dark discolorations around the eyes, said Dr. Cook-Bolden. "We don't have a lot of extensive research in this area, but we have seen that there is some benefit" to using eye creams.

Wear moisturizer with sunscreen every day

The sun's harmful ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B rays break down collagen and elastin in the skin, contributing to wrinkles, sagging, discolorations and pre-cancers. Nothing completely blocks the ultraviolet rays, but for maximum protection against them wear broad-spectrum sunblock (minimum SPF 15). It should be the final product you apply to your face. Do it at least one half hour before going outdoors, reapplying as necessary throughout the day.

"This certainly should be the No. 1 tip," said Dr. Fran E. Cook-Bolden, a clinical assistant professor in the department of dermatology at Columbia University. "People are aware of the need to wear sunscreen now, but the challenge is how to use it correctly. Sunscreens only do their optimal performance up to two hours, and after two hours you need to re-apply."

Michele Dispensa grew up basking in the California sun until she became aware of the realities of sun damage and created Relish Beauty to offer sun-protection products.

"UVA penetrates more deeply into the skin and is responsible for contributing to wrinkling of the skin, premature aging, and skin cancer," she explained. "UVA causes skin to tan and poses a risk year-round, even on cloudy days."

Exfoliate regularly

The skin naturally exfoliates, or sheds, but speeding up the process enhances radiance and luminosity. Most over-the-counter exfoliants, such as products containing glycolic acid, are gentle enough to be used several times a week. Use fingertips or soft pads and rub gently -- never scrub -- in circular motions to avoid injuring skin and causing clogged pores. And beware products that contain ingredients hard enough to scratch the skin.

Microdermabrasion, a more intense exfoliating procedure, should be done much less often. There are numerous at-home kits that are effective and cost less than a professional treatment, as well as simple recipes that use items found in the typical kitchen.

Get a facial regularly

Once a month may sound extravagant, but one key to the enviable complexions of French women is that weekly facials are common. They consider facials a necessity, not a luxury, because they unclog pores, remove impurities from the skin and add nourishing ingredients that fight the effects of environmental pollutants. Like eye creams, facials are more effective as maintenance, rather than as crisis management.

"They help stimulate cell growth for healthier looking skin," said Ruth Kane of Mec barber spa in Mt. Lebanon.

Use products containing peptides and retinol

These two ingredients promote smooth and firm skin by exfoliating and aiding collagen growth. Retinol is "tried-and-true" while peptides are among the newest anti-aging ingredients, with the most sound research behind them, said Dr. Cook-Bolden.

"Using it on a regular basis would be helpful," said Dr. Stephanie Mackey, a dermatologist based in Lancaster, Lancaster County. "There are prescription brands that are stronger. They are the best."

Take a multivitamin

Medical research shows that people who take dietary supplements generally do not suffer the same fate or health problems as those who don't. This has consequences for health in general and the skin and complexion in general. It's impossible to get all the nutrients your body needs every day through diet alone. The most common form of dietary supplementation is a multivitamin. Choose those with the highest-quality ingredients and the highest absorption rates you can find, and take them daily as recommended. Many vitamins cost less than a cup of coffee a day, and the antioxidant benefit they provide in terms of fighting free radicals (which contribute to visible aging) is worth it.

"This goes way beyond the skin and delves into your antioxidants and the vitamins and the properties they have for the heart and other processes that make the body function optimally," said Dr. Cook-Bolden.

Drink lots of water

Not only is plenty of fresh water necessary to aid the efficacy of vitamins and supplements, it's essential for overall health. The body is composed primarily of water. Drinking water helps to flush out waste, allowing internal organs and the rest of the body to function better. Water contributes to skin elasticity, and dry skin tends to be more susceptible to disease.

Tap water is generally fine. If you want to improve its quality, boil or filter it. And remember that you don't need to over-drink water.

"Once the skin reaches its normal hydration limits, there are no additional benefits from drinking water," said Dr. Danny Petrasek, co-founder of SkinApparel. "Therefore, moisturizing creams and lotions become important. Complementing each other, water keeps the skin hydrated and moisturizers and lotions keep the hydration locked in."

Get regular exercise and adequate rest

Both aid the skin's natural healing process, and there is no substitute for either. Regular physical activity stimulates blood circulation and oxygenation, which promote healthy skin.

Just as important is adequate rest. Experts say the average person should get at least 5¹/₂ hours of uninterrupted sleep, and a nap wouldn't hurt.

"Rest and exercise are important because skin needs to replicate to be healthy and youthful," said Dr. Petrasek. "Adequate rest and exercise help maintain circulation and cell metabolism, which keep the skin regenerating, young and harmonious."

Detoxify internally from time to time

Although this is more anecdotal than scientific, many practitioners say it enhances their skin and overall health. Detox programs can range from at-home liquid fasts every couple of months to costlier procedures such as colonics administered by trained professionals.

Identify a process of internal cleansing that works for you. Pollutants, food additives and environmental toxins build up in the body over time, affecting your energy level, taxing your immune system and making you more susceptible to illness and disease.

Other factors can accelerate visible aging in the face, including smoking, alcohol consumption, caffeine, stress, constant squinting and overly aggressive face washing. The more of these you can eliminate, the longer you may be able to postpone Botox injections or facelifts.

"Prevention is the best thing," said Dr. Mackey. "If you start young, you can do a lot more. But it's never too late to start protecting your skin."