A friend sent in a request for me to write something about my skincare regimen, so here goes. I've never denied that vanity has often been the impetus for me seeking out healthier alternatives in all things—the fact that they are actually more effective and make you feel better turns out to be a real bonus. I've posted a picture of myself so you can see that I have my fair share of wrinkles. (Full disclosure: It's been 9 months since I stopped getting the Botox injections that were first offered to me 10 years ago at my dermatologist's office in Los Angeles. Doctor: You have a little crease between your eyes. Have you thought about Botox? Me: Never heard of it—give it to me!! ) I'm pushing 50 and I have the usual issues with my face: sagging upper eyelids, enlarging pores, loss of elasticity and those little brown spots that seem to crop up overnight. This is what the cosmetics industry refers to as "mature skin." I have wrestled with the idea of getting my eyes done, and I still maintain that if I ever get a big turkey wattle, I will have it removed, but I don't want to struggle to look young. I want to be my truest, most authentic self, and feel good about it. (I'm even experimenting with letting my hair go grey, after coloring it every 3 weeks for years and years. It's going to be a rough transition, so wish me luck!)

All things considered, I feel pretty good about my skin, and I owe most of it to this gorgeous creature. Claudia Colombo is a walking advertisement for her own services. Not only does she have the most beautiful skin on the planet, but she is the best facialist ever. I have been seeing her every 6 weeks or so for the last 5 years. I first visited her in a state of crisis over my perimenopausal cystic acne. She has a holistic approach to skincare (which means she'll ask what you eat, how you deal with stress, etc.), and she uses and sells wonderful, natural products that still contain very "active" ingredients. The great news is, even if you're not in New York, you can visit her website and order products there. Claudia will even consult with you over email. I am totally addicted to the CosMedix line she sells. Their products are based on the theory that inflammation is the core cause of all skin conditions, and they use chiral technology to purify their ingredients, which are free of artificial additives, paraben, glycolic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate and benzoyl peroxide. The bottom line is, they really work! Everyone I have ever sent to Claudia (men and women alike) agrees. There is no denying that my skin is clearer, smoother and more radiant than I would have thought possible at this age.My other recommendations are:Always wear sunscreen! UVA rays penetrate glass! Melanoma is on the rise in this country.Eat a well-balanced diet of whole, unprocessed foods. Don't skimp on fats, you need them for good health. Cut way back on sugars. They cause inflammation and you can see the effects of it in your skin.Drink plenty of water. Duh.And most importantly: Be happy and love yourself. Radiance derives from this.