Ed’s Note: Meet our new beauty columnist! (No, that’s not her at the left. That’s Lindsey Wixson.) Contessa Schexnayder is a makeup artist and has been shackled to the beauty industry for over nine years, working for such lines and retailers as Nars, MAC, Bobbi Brown, Blue Mercury, and Space NK. She is a self-proclaimed ingredient know-it-all, and likes long walks on the beach.

When faced with hundreds of bottles of lotions and potions, the drugstore aisle and department store can be overwhelming places. Do you need a seven step facial regimen? How worried should you be in your 20s about an anti-aging treatments? Should you just give up in your 40s?

We’ll attempt to answer these questions with a handy guide for every age group, complete with product recommendations.

Click through for some advice and pointers.

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