IMO there is too much emphasis on piling on more and more products and lotions with the newest ingredients and the newest claims, in lieu of the basics—cleaning one’s face well.

I have owned what I consider an investment item, a ($195) Clarisonic Skin Brush, for many years. At the risk of sounding like one of these ads, the brush really works and cleans my face more effectively than a washcloth. The company improved it recently with a really gentle, sensitive skin, brushhead, perfect for me (the brushheads can be replaced and interchanged). Clarisonic promises smaller looking pores and reduction of fine lines, and can be used in the shower—a real plus. My dermatologist, who I go to for skin cancer checkups, sees a positive difference in how my skin looks because of this brush. I definitely see the difference.

I have always had oily/combination skin (still do at 53), which I believe, although a bane in my youth, accounts for less wrinkles as I have aged. I need very little lotion on my face, and the one I adore is from Aubrey Organics—Rosa Mosqueta Hand and Body Lotion. I don’t need separate (read: expensive) lotions for my face and body. Aubrey is excellent quality, feels wonderful, is not tested on animals and has no parabens or other scary ingredients.

I’d be interested in hearing what others have to say about this.

I agree, Kermie. The key element to having a good complexion and skin-tone is the combination of effective and gentle cleansing and regular visits to a dermatologist.

When I was in my teens, and just starting to wear makeup, my grandmother, who passed away at 80+ with barely a frown-line, told me her cardinal rule: never go to bed with make-up on your face. "If you come in at 3:00am, dead tired, still take five minutes to remove every trace of makeup, and then apply moisture. And start every day the same way, no matter what else you do." Good advice!

Like you, I realize not that I was blessed with a mostly oily skin, and that helped reduce the risk of wrinkles. (I hated it as a young woman, though, since my skin got "shiny" and make-up seemed to slide off in minutes!) And after a few years of trying to get one of those St. Tropez tans, this Scots/Itish/Anglo paleface finally gave up the struggle and started staying out of the UVs. So that helped, too.

I use a VIC washcloth on my face every morning and every evening - it has just enough texture to give a little exfoliation, without irritating my skin. I use a lot of Kiss My Face products, which I find soothing and mild as well as exceptionally rich without being overly oily. Once a week, I go all out and do a home facial that includes some steaming, followed by a very rich moisture cream. After I remove the moisture with a very warm face cloth, I do a Joan Crawford (no relative): I splash my face with ice-cold water. I feel revved up and energized. And people tell me I have good skin, so between genetics and basic care, I guess I feel good about my complexion. Do I have wrinkles? Well, sure. I earned them, and I’m not a fanatic about having them. I will never rule out Botox or some other injectable, but at this point, I don’t think of it as a priority.

One product I would love to see re-introduced: Revlon’s Moondrops. That was the first moisturizer I used, and it was wonderful. It just soaked in leaving no greasy residue, smelled great and made even temperamental adolescent skin look and feel great. Then it disappeared, and I still miss it.

A few years back, I heard a dermatologist on a talk show praise alpha-hydroxy products.  I ditched my old products and invested in AH moisturizers and night creme.  It has definitely made a difference in reducing fine lines and making my skin more supple.

Susan, if you’re looking for a good lightweight moisturizer, try Neutrogena’s oil-free version for sensitive skin. It’s lightweight and disappears instantly. I’ve been using it for years.

Actually, Neutrogena is about the only line of skin-care products I can use. Thankfully the quality is wonderful, and they have oil-free, fragrance-free, plant-free products. I use the alpha-hydroxy serum at night to slough off dead cells, then use Clinique Men’s Face Scrub (the women’s version seems very greasy to me) about three times a week. At 46, my skin looks better than a lot of women ten years younger than I am.

I don’t even own foundation, but I’d die without a little concealer and mascara. Blast these blonde eyelashes! 

I do have one complaint. So many products are crammed full of plants these days that I cannot use them. Chamomile is a member of the daisy family - if it touches my skin I have to take Benadryl for 48 hours until the reaction dies down. Aloe makes me itch furiously, and washing it off doesn’t help (I’m not alone in this. Apparently it’s a pretty common reaction).  

I’d like to see some labeling changes. Many products that are labelled "hypoallergenic" are not. ANY product that contains even the tiniest speck of plant matter CANNOT by any definition be considered "hypoallergenic". "Unscented" and "fragrance-free" are NOT the same thing, either. Masking fragrances can be just as much of a problem as perfume in a skin-care product.

There was a time when I could use several different lines of skin-care products, now I can’t even go near most of them. Even Clinique and Prescriptives, both of which were renowned for being safe for allergies and sensitive skin, have changed to the point where I can only use one or two of their products.  

Actually Chamomile is in the ragweed family.  If you have a ragweed allergy, there is a slight chance you will have a reaction to chamomile. I get this reaction.

I use AHAs, the Wexler products, Perricone vitamin C, and Retin-A.  I’ve had folks tell me that they thought was almost 30 (about 15 yrs younger than I really am).  Looking youthful works great in my profession!

 And I didn’t start a skin care routine until about 6 or 7 yrs ago.(other than the retin-a which I’ve been using for decades). 

 Oh, and they should have mentioned Creme de la Mer.  Great for scars!