As promised, this week I am pleased to bring you reviews of Aqua Glycolic, a drugstore glycolic acid line of basic skin care products. What makes AG different is the higher pH (4.4) of their products, which makes them gentler than many salon AHA lines, like Murad (3.6) or MD Formulations (3.8), while still being effective.

Step One of this minimalist "system" is the soap-free lotion Facial Cleanser ($12.50 for 8 ounces). Applied to dry skin, it removes face makeup well (use a separate eye makeup remover, though) and gently begins the exfoliation process with 12% glycolic acid. If you have very sensitive skin, you may experience some stinging at first, but since most of the AHAs rinse away with the cleanser, it shouldn't last. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.

If your skin is oily at all, either all over or just in the T-zone, your next step would be the Astringent ($9.95 for 8 ounces) with 11% glycolic acid, designed specifically for oily skin. I was wary of using this on my face, even on my slightly oily T-zone, because it contains alcohol and menthol, but I took a chance and was fairly pleased with the results. The initial stinging from the alcohol was a bit uncomfortable, but I found the extra glycolic acid helped clear my pores and get rid of those pesky nose and forehead blackheads better than the cleanser alone. For oily skin, I give AG's Astringent 4 out of 5 stars.

For those of you with dry skin, your step two in place of the Astringent is the Face Cream ($15.95 for 2 ounce jar) with 10% glycolic acid. Although this cream is aimed at dry skin, its lightweight, oil-free texture would be great for any skin type. It's a good final step that I give 4.5 out of 5 stars.

One word of caution: both AG and myself (from personal experience) recommend that you DO NOT use the Astringent and the Face Cream on the same areas of your face at the same time. This layering can cause temporary but unnecessary stinging or irritation. I tried it to see what would happen, and wow, did it ever make my skin itch! Either use the products just on the areas you need them, or use one in the morning and the other at night.

For more information about Aqua Glycolic, you can call their customer service line at 1-800-253-9499.

Prowling the drugstores and cosmetic counters for new products is always a favorite activity of mine, especially when I find a really great deal. This week I found an outstanding bargain on L'Oreal's new Vita Vive shampoo and conditioner - $2.50 for both! Vita Vive claims its B3, B5, and E vitamins will improve the strength and resilience of your hair, and make it shinier and healthier. Pretty lofty claims for fairly basic products, but they still do a nice job on your hair. The clear shampoo cleans well and smells nice, and the medium weight conditioner smooths and softens the hair without weighing it down. The vitamins really don't do anything, so don't buy it just for that. If you can find the promotional package with the shampoo and conditioner together, it's a great buy for a decent product. I give Vita Vive 4 out of 5 stars.

Searching for a perfect sunscreen for summer? This month's Feature, Sunscreen Favorites, is your perfect summer shopping guide to some of the best sun protection products available.

The Makeup Diva is in! If you are looking forward to summer but your feet aren't quite ready, don't miss this week's Ask The Makeup Diva column. Miss Diva makes giving yourself an at-home pedicure easy.