I had been cutting back on trying new skin care products for a while, to give my face a break from so many new things all the time. I am pleased to say that my bathroom is yet again overflowing with countless cleansers, toners and potions. Considering that my skin can be sensitive, I have focused my return to trying new skin care on products that have fairly natural ingredients and minimal preservatives and fillers. My search lead me to two lines recently, Naturopathica and Ole Henriksen.

What turned me on to Naturopathica is that they use no synthetic solvents, thickeners or emulsifiers, and no petroleum-based ingredients, artificial dyes, or fragrances. According to their literature, they use botanical ingredients grown on their own farm and other small independent farms. I decided to try a few products (at these prices, it's hard on the wallet to really splurge).

Naturopathica Skin Renewal Gel 10% ($45 for 2 ounce bottle)
Even though my skin can be sensitive, it definitely benefits from daily exfoliation. Getting rid of dead skin cells really helps minimize my breakouts, so I am faithful to a daily scrub, AHA, or BHA product. This lightweight clear gel got my attention because its ingredient list is so simple and straightforward: Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Gel, Glycolic Acid Complex (Sugarcane), Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (Stabalizer), Allantoin (Comfrey Root). I've been using this for a couple of months and really like it. It feels light on the skin, absorbs quickly with no stickiness, and since it's a gel it works well for any skin type. Someone with oily skin can use it since it's not heavy like a moisturizer, and someone with drier skin can just layer it under their regular cream. Skin Renewal Gel comes in a dark blue glass bottle with a medicine-dropper style dispenser in the cap; I've found that about a third of a dropperful is plenty for your whole face. I've enjoyed the texture and effectiveness of this AHA so much that I doubt I would go back to a cream or lotion.

Naturopathica Pumpkin Enzyme Peel ($45 for 1.7 ounce jar)
Do you ever stop by a cosmetics counter at a department store and get lured in by a pretty display for something new? That's what happened to me online one night while shopping at beautyjungle.com. After clicking around a bit, I went back to the home page and saw a photo for this mask. I was curious so I clicked on it. Much like the AHA gel, this peel has a short list of ingredients: Super-Concentrated Pumpkin Extracts, Pumpkin Wine, Pumpkin Enzymes, Beta Fructan, Methylparaben (a preservative). After cleansing, you apply a layer of this tempting orange goo to your skin, wait 3-5 minutes, then rinse. I've used this peel about half a dozen times, and unfortunately it's not as remarkable as I had hoped. I don't notice much difference in my skin, except for some temporary rosiness. I will use up my jar, though, because it smells fantastic! It's like smearing pumpkin pie on your face, and the delicious smell lingers even after you rinse it off. I wouldn't recommend it just for the smell, though :)

Naturopathica Honey Vanilla Lip Balm ($13.50)
To round out my Naturopathica purchase, I also picked up this lip balm. I thought it was a little spendy at first, but I can tell this tube will last a long time. You only need the tiniest dab to do the job, but it smells and tastes so yummy, you might not be able to resist piling it on! Unlike most waxy lip balms made of petroleum, Naturopathica's has Cold Pressed Organic Virgin Olive Oil, Unbleached Organic Beeswax with Propolis, Organic Honey, Shea Butter, Orange Wax and Madagascar Vanilla, Ylang Ylang, and Tangerine Essential Oils. It's nicely slippery and leaves your lips smooth and soft.

You can find Naturopathica products at ibeauty.com, indulge.com, looks.com (for international orders), naturopathica.com, and Sephora.com.

Ole Henriksen products have been recommended to me a few times from readers and from several members of the Cosmetic Connection Product Panel. Ole is considered a facialist to the stars and has an interesting collection of products like Grease Relief Face Tonic, Seven Day Skin Care Transformation Kit, and Truth Serum. I selected the ones that sounded most compelling to me.

Ole Henriksen Clear and Gentle Primrose Soap ($18 for 3.5 ounces)
I have never been a soap user, but this clear orange soap came highly recommended by both Lisa and Nava of the Cosmetic Connection Product Panel. It's a solid bar encased in a shallow plastic jar with a screw-top lid. You use Ole's Complexion Sponges ($6 for package of 2), dampened, to work up a lather and wash your face. The sponge exfoliates while the soap cleans, so you end up with a fresh, clean and rosy complexion. I found the soap to be gentle and effective at removing makeup, although I chose not to use it around my eyes. It contains botanical extracts of Marigold, Comfrey, Chamomile & Aloe Vera Gel, English Evening Primrose Oil, Glycerine, and vitamins E, A, D & F.

Ole Henriksen Pick Me Up Face Tonic ($16 for 4 oz, $28 for 12 oz)
I don't always use a toner, but this one is a nice complement to the Primrose Soap. It contains Purified Soft Water, Witch Hazel, Fruit/Plant Phytos of Rose Hips, Blueberry, Blackberry, Peach and Mixed Citrus Extracts, Aloe Vera Gel, Sea Kelp, Alpha Hydroxy Acids, Chamomile, Lavender, Vitamin C (Ester-C), Xanthan Gum, Glycerin and Sorbitol (vegetable source), Panthenol, Methylparaben (preservative), and Citric Acid. It has a fruity aroma, feels slightly tingly (sensitive skin users should use caution), and leaves your cheeks rosy and skin smooth. My normal to dry skin reacted just fine. Combined with the complexion sponge and primrose soap, this is all the exfoliation you need.

Ole Henriksen Roll-On Blemish Attack ($22)
Although I have normal to dry skin, I also get monthly hormonal breakouts along my jawline and on my cheeks (even as I approach 30). I know many of you can identify with this and spend as much time searching for a good blemish treatment as I do. My current favorites have been Sage Miracle Zit and Peter Thomas Roth BPO Gel 5%, but now I think I can add this one to the list. I like the roll-on packaging, which keeps possibly dirty and oily fingers off your face. It combines many popular blemish fighters into one product: Salicylic Acid, Benzoyl Peroxide, Bilberry Extract, Sugar Cane Extract, Sugar Maple Extract, Orange Extract, Lemon Medica Extract, Kaolin, Bentonite, Thermal Clay, Zinc Ascorbate, and Tea Tree Oil. It is not for super-sensitive skin - I found for some zits I could only apply it every other day because it's fairly potent. You are also supposed to just use it at night because benzoyl peroxide can make your skin very sensitive in the sun. For the minor pimples I've had, it gets rid of them with two nights of treatment. For larger ones, it takes 3-4 nights.

Ole Henriksen Vitamin Plus Balancing Creme ($30 for 2 ounce jar)
For my Ole moisturizer, I selected this lightweight cream. It has Aloe Vera Extract, Comfrey, Chamomile, Hops, Horse Chestnut, Witch Hazel, Hazelnut Oil, Apricot Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, NAPCA, Sunscreen (but no indication of SPF, so I used a separate product), Swiss Collagen, Elastin Protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Korean Ginseng. Even though it has several oils, it's not at all greasy or heavy. It has just enough moisture for my skin with a refreshing, slightly astringent scent and silky texture. I could see this cream working for any skin type.