I can't change the day I was born. But I can take care of my skin, my body, my mind and try to live my life and be happy.

~Olivia Munn (actress)

I read this quote recently in a magazine and it is simple yet powerful. We have choices and we must be accountable for our decisions because they will ultimately impact our lives, inside and out. I choose self-love.

Today, at the end of this mini-series on Loving the Skin You're In, I'm sharing the final and all-important steps in assuring proper skin care: moisturizing and--you guessed it--wearing sunscreen.

Step Three: Moisturize

When I was 13 years old my mother gave me my first bottle of Olay moisturizer (with sunscreen) and I've thanked her every day since. I am a couple of years shy of 40 and I am always told I look like I'm closer to 30. Maybe that's true, or maybe people are just really kind-hearted. Either way, a lot has to do with my spirit and attitude, but the skin does not lie. I attribute my skin's health and vitality to moisturizer and sunscreen. They are my greatest allies in my campaign to ward off wrinkles, sunspots and dehydration.

I promised myself I wouldn't preach, but I feel I would being providing a disservice if I didn't stress two very important facts. Smoking does affect the body, both inside and out. It wreaks havoc on your skin. Couple this with tanning beds/booths and you have a recipe for disaster. Okay, I feel better now that I got that out. Back to what you can do that's great for your skin...

You should choose a moisturizer based on your skin type, and you should have one for daytime and one for night. Your daytime moisturizer should have UV-A and UV-B sunscreen protection while your nighttime moisturizer should contain ingredients that nourish your skin and heal it from the environmental aggressors it is exposed to during the day. Nighttime is a time for renewal of mind, body and spirit.

Products I Love: Total Effects Fragrance-Free Daily Moisturizer by Olayfor daytime andboscia Recharging Night Moisture. This is where I splurge. This nighttime moisturizer gives me results overnight I never thought possible. It's also nice to treat myself every once in a while to something I really like.

Products for Men: Kiehl's Facial Fuel. As they advertise, men's skin is thicker and less likely to maintain proper hydration levels. Kiehl's has a rich history here in New York City and continues to create amazing products for men and women.

DIY: Tangerine Dream Moisturizer: This recipe is from Return to Beauty: Old World recipes for Great Radiant Skin by Narine Nikogosian. What you'll need:

• ¼ tangerine, peel and pith removed
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• ½ teaspoon flour
• 1 teaspoon rose oil

What you'll do:

Preparation: In a blender, combine the tangerine, sour cream, flour, and oil. Mix well.

Application: Apply this to your face every morning and evening after cleansing.

Step Four: SUNSCREEN

This is the most important part of your skin care regime. The following are only some of the negative effects of the sun: wrinkles, freckles/sun spots, damage to collagen, sun burn, thinning of blood vessels and skin cancer. There's more information on how sunscreen can curb these effects on Wikipedia. If there is anything I hope you will take from this post, it that using a little bit of education to be proactive can do wonders.

Products I love for Adults: Neutrogena Suncare with Helioplex. The higher the SPF, the more protection a sunscreen offers against UV-B (the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburn). I just started using this sunscreen and my skin is still as fair as I prefer. It works.

Products I love for Children: Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby. I put this on my son in the morning and re-apply throughout the day. It doesn't irritate him other than my applying it. I discovered Banana Boat Kids Max Protect & Play years ago when I needed extra protection for my tattoos (to prevent color fading). After 10 years my tattoos still look vibrant.

DIY Tips: Wear sunglasses all year around (the bigger, the better) with lenses that block 100% of UV Rays--it's worth investing in a good pair, even as much as I love Target's vast and affordable selection. Summer is hat season so be creative (floppy a la Nicole Richie for you and Sponge Bob or Dora sunhats for the little ones). Umbrellas are not just for rain. Use one at the beach, the park or if you are feeling like a celebrity, when walking around town. Last but not least, be sure to cover up--wear light clothing that will protect you.

Finally, I would like to leave you with this thought: take a moment, make a moment. Share the joy, spread the sunshine and wear sunscreen!

With gratitude,

Christine