The Perfect Cleanser

Cleansing is arguably the most important step in your daily skin care regimen. A good cleanser not only removes the daily grime from your skin, it provides the perfect basis for further treatment steps. If you're still cleaning your face with a bar of soap, it's time to update. Here's a few suggestions.

Amino Genesis Really, Really Clean Cleanser features a blend of 17 amino acids to hydrate, nourish and defend your skin in one refreshing step. This moisturizing cleanser helps to rebuild collagen and elastin for a more youthful appearance.

Formulated with aloe and algae, Astara Botanical Cleansing Gele is a gel-based cleanser designed for all skin types. Its natural softening properties helps to diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and also makes it excellent for shaving.

For oily and acne-prone skin, try Avene Diacneal Gel Cleanser. This fragrance-free cleanser uses lactic acid, an AHA derived from milk, to gently remove pore-clogging debris and bacteria without exacerbating flare-ups.

For those with sensitive skin, try Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser or Caudalie Gentle Cleanser. Each is formulated with natural ingredients that nourish the skin, and don't have any alcohol content, which can dry and irritate the skin.

Sensitive/Acne Prone Solutions

Acne is a very common word these days, and one of the most common skin conditions. Acne is described as an inflammatory disease of the skin, characterized with lesions known as papules or pustules, generally referred to as pimples, breakouts or zits. Acne is usually fairly easy to treat; however, treatment can get somewhat more difficult if you have acne, but also have sensitive skin.

If you have a hard time finding a cleanser for acneic/sensitive skin, try Avene Diacneal Gel Cleanser, which contains lactic acid that gently exfoliates while hydrating the skin and is fragrance, colorant, and soap free. Oligopur Purifying Cleansing Gel from Phytomer contains natural marine elements that purify and draw out impurities.

Treating breakouts directly is important and effective in reducing present lesions. PCA Skin Acne Cream – pHaze 33 includes soothing ingredients like allantoin and aloe vera while lactic acid and tea tree oil fight the bacteria that initially causes breakouts.

Incorporating a mask into your regimen is very beneficial as they contain high amounts of active ingredients. Try Juara Lime Puree & Cucumber Clarifying Mask. Citrus ingredients slough off dead skin cells, while cucumber extract calms and soothes.

TLC for Hypersensitive Skin

Hypersensitive skin is characterized as skin that is extremely reactive and becomes intolerant and irritated easily. Skin that is hypersensitive generally needs products that are free of ingredients that are found to be irritating to the skin. Many times hypersensitivity is associated with other skin conditions like rosacea and dermatitis.

Those who suffer from acne will also have to deal with hypersensitive skin as well which becomes difficult to treat. To help reduce breakouts without irritation try Avene Diacneal Gel Cleanser morning and night followed with your regular skin care routine.

For light moisture, Pharmaceutical Specialties Vanicream Lite Skin Care Lotion can be used over the entire body and face. This moisturizer is perfect for those with eczema or very dry skin.

Sensitive skin actually needs stimulation to help it build resistance to future irritation. Refine 4% from CosMedix is great for night time use to regenerate collagen and elastin production and to slough off dead skin cells.

Sun protection, although extremely important for all skin types and conditions, is even more important for those with hypersensitive skin because they tend to react to sun exposure moreso. California Baby SPF 18 Moisturizing Sunscreen – Everyday/ Year-Round works well for extremely sensitive skin because it is formulated for the delicate skin of a baby.