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Have you ever found yourself standing in the skin care aisle staring at the sheer number of products and wondering what to choose? Many of us have. How do we decide which products are necessary? Does a daily skin care routine make a difference?

Skin care routines can be straightforward or complex, depending on your goals. For some, a consistent skin care routine including cleansing, moisturizer, and sunscreen may be all they need for overall skin health. Others may desire a more aggressive approach to slow the signs of aging and skin damage.

It depends on what you are hoping to accomplish. To some extent, you may get what you pay for in terms of the quality of extra ingredients, but not always. More expensive doesn't always mean better. "My biggest advice to patients is to spend what you are comfortable spending," says Matthew Stephany, MD, Nebraska Medicine dermatologist. "I have had numerous patients tell me that they love their cheap moisturizer compared to the expensive product, and vice versa.  When it comes to these products, the biggest risk is to your pocketbook."

A true skin care routine may seem complicated, but the focus should be on skin protection, cleansing, moisturizing, prevention and support. While we can't prevent all signs of aging, there are strategies that can help protect and improve our skin.

The four categories to include in your skin care routine include:

UVA and UVB protection with a broad-spectrum sunscreen is essential to protect our skin. A recent study demonstrated that higher SPFs do provide further cancer protection. In addition to sunscreen, you'll also get protection from a brimmed hat and covering up with clothing, especially polyester, which by nature provides 50 SPF protection. There are also clothing brands on the market which provide various levels of sun protection.

 "The best way to treat your skin is to do your best to prevent excess UV radiation," says Dr. Stephany. "We don't have to cover up from head to toe, but we want to be smart about our UV exposure. How different levels of sunscreen SPF plays out for each individual may be different, so proper use of sunscreen is just as important as what SPF you are using." 

Sunscreen types at a glance:

Clean skin is an important aspect of overall health. The most common active ingredients in cleansers are benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid. Here are some tips:

Moisturizing fights off dry skin and provides multiple benefits, including improved texture and appearance and decreased inflammation (itch). Lotions (creams with water and alcohol), creams (ointment with water), and ointments (petroleum jelly) are different from one another, so watch for these words when shopping.

Sun protection must be a priority every day. Even while driving, you're still getting UVA exposure through a window. As we age, we lose collagen and elastin, resulting in wrinkles and more easily bruised skin. We also lose subcutaneous fat and natural moisture, resulting in dry skin and more irritation. 

"For most individuals, a consistent skin care routine using sunscreen and moisturizer is all that's needed for overall skin health," says Dr. Stephany. "Skin aging will occur even with the most diligent use of sunscreen, but photoaging is what we can help prevent with sun protection."

What is photoaging? Basically, sun damage. UV radiation creates free radicals, which alter the DNA in your skin cells. This process leads to fine lines and wrinkles. 

"Changes in aging skin require changes to our daily routine," says Dr. Stephany. "The desired outcome will determine how aggressive your routine should be." 

Options for treating aging skin: 

Additional anti-aging support products: Newer research has revealed that the natural properties of collagen in the skin may be improved with various peptides and small molecules, including certain products containing hyaluronic acid, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and tocopherols (vitamin E).

Begin with cleansing, followed by an anti-aging product, moisturizer and sunscreen. Additional tips include:

Dermatology patients can purchase various skin care products that are hand-selected by Nebraska medicine dermatologists. Products are available at the Lauritzen Outpatient Center and Elkhorn Health Center locations.

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