Who makes the best skin care products?

I personally just wish everyone would become more familiar with the ingredients in the products they are putting on there skin. We (as a collective society) are finally starting to pay more attention to the foods we eat… it just makes logical sense to continue that trend and watch what we “slather” all over ourselves. Start by becoming familiar with the potentially harmful additives and preservatives in the products that you are using, even in popular brands you are familiar with and may have in your bathroom right now. Read up on them and do your best to avoid them, they really are not necessary, so why take the chance.

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Just like clothing, great skin care is available at all price levels. There are some drugstore products that are every bit as good as their pricier counterparts. Lines like Nutrogena, Biore, and Aveeno offer effective skin care and treatments. I mean, Cetaphyl is one of the best facial cleansers you can buy at any price, and Rosebud Salve is good for lips, cuticles, rough elbows – you name it. And then there's Nivea, which makes some of the finest skin care products around, from body lotion and anti-cellulite treatment to Q10 facial treatments and a comprehensive, top-quality line of men's skin care and shaving products.

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During the Summer months, I am always toting my Peter Thomas Roth Aloe Tonic Mist. It's a product I've used as part of my daily skincare regime for years. After cleansing and exfoliating, it’s a perfect finishing step to remove excess residue and restore skin to the perfect pH. I’ve also discovered that it’s the perfect product for all-over skincare. The Aloe Tonic Mist is incredibly refreshing after a day swimming in the pool or fighting the sand and surf at the beach. It’s also great for minor skin irritations, like pesky bug bites from a night out under the stars. Definitely a must have for all skin types and on-the-go spa pampering.

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Good skin is 50% genetics and 50% upkeep and maintenance. You can’t do anything about your genes, but you can certainly help Mother Nature work for you. Eating organically, getting enough sleep, drinking water, and regular exercise are all no-brainers, but they cannot be stressed enough. My morning cleanser is Rose Bath Oil (which I also use in my bath) from The Organic Pharmacy. At night to take off my makeup I use the Carrot Butter Cleanser (The Organic Pharmacy) with my muslin cloth. For people used to a foaming detergent cleanser for that ‘squeaky clean’ feeling, this will be a new concept-but once you try it you’ll be hooked for life. Always be sure to use your cleanser on dry skin so that the cleansing agent can interact with the makeup, dirt, and grime. I never use a night cream- only serums. I exfoliate 3 times a week with Jurlique face Wash Cream and I use the Julisis silver mask once a week-it’s almost as good as getting a facial, and it only takes 15 minutes! My toner is the Rose Spray by Jurlique that I use in the afternoon when my skin thirsts for hydration. And never leave the house without SPF. It’s a must. Yes, even in the winter. Yes, even when it’s overcast.

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Strivectin is wonderful for the eye area, but ONLY works when used religiously. If you can't commit, don’t spend the money. I love Crème de la Mer, but it is very heavy. Don't use if you have oily skin, and only use at night. Jo Malone body crèmes are to die for. They smell totally divine, and are great to use with her fragrances for a "layered" scent that will last all day. (Stunning perfumes, by the way) Tweezerman tweezers and eyelash combs are must-have items, and worth every penny.

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I recommend Dr. Murad’s antioxidant skin care products for anti-aging benefits. All of their products include the following: Hydrating ingredients - allows skin to absorb water and nutrients. Improves the skins barrier function. Anti-inflammatory ingredients - calms irritated skin and permits better hydration levels Antioxidant ingredients - includes pomegranate, which neutralise free radical activity, and strengthen and optimise the skin’s natural defenses.

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Great skin care products to buy at the drugstore are cleansers, eye makeup removers, suncreen and some cosmetics, like lip glosses and eyeshadows. Maybelline Expert Eyes, Oil-Free eye makeup remover is inexpensive and non irritating. Garnier makes a nice facial wash and a whole line of skin care products starting at about $5.99.

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Plants have developed the most effective sun-protection mechanisms (do you see plants getting sunburned?), so using skin care products based on plant extracts is my preference. However, this dichotomy between natural and non-natural is overly simplistic.Poison ivy is natural, but harmful. And synthetic ingredients are not inherently evil. Don’t get caught up in controversies created by the media, and use products that work for you.

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I cannot live without my Intraceuticals’ blue hydration gel. Due to my very hectic travel schedule, I am constantly in search of the best forms of hydration for my skin. I have yet to find any product that compares to our hydration gel, it has a concentrated amount of hyaluronic acid, it goes on nice and smooth, I feel it penetrating into my skin at a deep level and it leaves my looking and feeling refreshed when coming off of a flight. It is a wonderful travel companion, a must have for me!

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I am a firm believer in Retin-A micro, daily. Plus, I cannot live without Dr. Perricone’s nutritive cleanser. That, and a huge collection of hats. No sun for me!

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I am by nature a product junkie, so I love eye products and all serums and masks. You can build these into your skin care routine as weekly treats or home spa nights. Feeling good about yourself creates happy hormones, so don’t be afraid to love yourself and lavish your skin with treats.

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This is a very common question. And the answer is…the best skin care products to use are the ones that work for you and give you the desired result. A good rule of thumb is to not be fooled by fancy packaging or fancy ads in magazines but rather, look at the ingredient listing on the back of the jar or bottle. Although there is a purpose to every ingredient in cosmetics, in my opinion, there are certain ingredients that may not be appropriate for your specific skin condition. See Renee's answer to "Which skin care products should I avoid?"

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Use physicians' strength skin care (glycolic acid) and sun block. Glycolic acid is a natural derivative of sugar cane that helps exfoliate dead skin cells leading to a nice healthy glow, allowing physician’s strength products to run their course. Sun block helps protect further sun damage but make sure it has zinc and titanium dioxide for UVA and UVA protections. For example, Revaleskin, a new skin care line that I sell, contains a powerful antioxidant Coffeeberry, along with a UVA protection and SPF 15 sunscreen to protect and moisturize.

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Many brands currently on the market do a great job at addressing specific skin issues for different skin types. The are products out there for every skin type! The challenge is seeing through the advertising hype. When looking for a product for your specific skin type, look past the marketing at the actual ingredients. Do your research outside of the cosmetic company’s marketing spin to find out what ingredients are most effective for cleansing, treating, and coloring your specific skin type. For example, if you consistently react to specific products look at the ingredients to see what they all have in common and try to avoid this ingredient. A great way to narrow down what you may be allergic to is to go with a more natural product as they generally contain fewer ingredients overall. However, just because a product is natural doesn't mean you won't react to it. For example, many women with sensitive skin try mineral cosmetics and have a bad reaction. Often this reaction is due to a natural ingredient in many mineral cosmetic brands called bismuth oxychloride that can cause the skin to itch or break out. As with food, if you can isolate your ingredient allergy in your skin care and cosmetics you will be able to make wiser decisions at the make-up counter. In many cases, cosmetic companies will offer testers, samples, and money back guarantees for their products. Seek out these companies since they give you the opportunity to try before you commit to full sizes and stand behind their product's quality.

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