Here on the Jersey Shore many of us have been lax in protecting our skin, leading to overindulgence of sunlight in addition to poor skin care habits. In order to keep your skin looking its best, a simple home regimen is often the easiest and most inexpensive course of action to implement.

The first step to better skin is the use of a good sunscreen or sun block. The ideal sunscreen would be one that not only blocks sun exposure and improves the skin's texture, but one that is also sweat and water proof.

Unfortunately, there are no existing sunscreens with all of these capabilities. Most of them will protect the skin for a few hours at best, some can irritate the skin enough to cause a reaction, and all of them lose their efficacy quicker when exposed to water. A new t-shirt will have an SPF of about 15, so a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher should protect your skin just as well.

The second step for rejuvenating your skin is to improve collagen synthesis and decrease free radicals. Green tea is a very potent antioxidant and is also one of my favorite products to add to a skin care regimen. Ultraviolet rays increase the number of free radicals, which cause damage to the skin and result in skin cancer and premature aging.

Antioxidants absorb these free radicals and help to prevent any skin damage. Green tea also acts as a mild rejuvenator to improve collagen production. When combined with other rejuvenators such as alpha hydroxyl acids or vitamin A and C, a powerful rejuvenator and antioxidant is created.

Using a product containing green tea on a regular basis will improve skin tone, decrease the effects of aging, and restore a more youthful appearance. The effects of a topical regimen usually takes 3 - 4 months, but when implemented into one's daily routine, it can improve the skin enough to postpone the need for other skin therapies.

Call 927-5885 or find information at www.dermdr.net.