Welcome to the Cosmetic Report^™ newsletter. It's our goal to bring you unbiased information about cosmetic products and trends so you can make educated buying decisions. If you've been searching for straightforward beauty information and advice, you've found it here. The Cosmetic Connection Panel of reviewers are consumers just like you who face the same issues and challenges, and look to the beauty industry to help solve them.

Lisa is in her early thirties, and hails from from Columbus, OH. She has very fair skin that tends to be "combination," with unexpected rages of sensitivity. Lisa's heritage is rather mixed - mostly Hungarian, with some Scottish and French mixed in with a dash of Native American. Her very fair skin tans like nobody's business, and produces a myriad of freckles, so she always wears plenty of sunscreen (Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-lite spf 30). Lisa has golden-green eyes, and mop-thick brown hair, which she keeps under control with Terax Conditioner. Lisa's main beauty concerns are puffy, sensitive, "circled" eyes, (which she remedies with Creme de La Mer applied at night, and Avon Lighten Up Plus in the daytime) and keeping her sensitive skin calm and clear.

I recently had the opportunity to try some great products from Garden Botanika, a line I've always loved because of their natural, gentle ingredients (no artificial dyes or other nasties) and reasonable price tag for such high-quality products.

For my face, I tried the Hydrating skincare trio for normal to dry skin. Now usually, my skin is pretty much in oil overdrive this time of year, but I've been using a lot of self-tanner lately (lots of summer parties, which require sundresses, and a golden glow to accentuate said sundresses), which has a tendency to make my complexion a bit drier. I needed something that would provide extra moisture without irritating my often-cranky complexion.

First in the three-step program is the Hydrating Creamy Cleanser. This is a non-foaming, cream-based wash that has all sorts of cruelty-free, natural ingredients like Avocado, Jojoba and Sunflower oils, in addition, Provitamin B complex, Beta Glucan, Olive Leaf Extract and Vitamin E. Top it off with Cucumber, Elder Flower, Linden Flower, Irish Moss and Kelp extracts (whew) and you've got quite the cleansing cocktail.

I loved how soft and supple it made my skin feel. However, if you wear an average amount of makeup, be sure to use a nice, old, nubby washcloth to best remove all traces of makeup and cleanser (one of my best beauty secrets!). I found that just rinsing it with water wasn't going to remove my mascara or longwearing foundation as well as using it with a cloth.

Next step was the Hydrating Facial Tonic. Now, I'm a big fan of toner - always have been - but while I love the clean, tingling feeling it gives my skin, I don't like the fact that many formulas strip every last bit of protective sebum from my complexion. This toner contains many of the aforementioned goodies, while adding a super surge of glycerin to stay "parch-free" all day (or night). For once, dry skinned gals will actually benefit from the "toner step"!

Last, there's the Hydrating Moisture Cream. Even though my skin has been on the dry side lately, this cream is still too rich for me during the summer months. But boy, will I be lovin' it from November through February! This cream is packed with the same cocktail of natural oils, extracts, and fatty acids as the other two products in the hydrating line. It felt deliciously rich, and made my skin look fresh and hydrated. Even though it was a bit heavy for my skin, it didn't encourage a breakout. Like I said, this will be a real treat for my winter-ravaged complexion.

Whether your skin is dry, oily, sensitive, or somewhere in-between, Garden Botanika has all sorts of "three-step" skincare regimens to suit your particular complexion needs. Check out the line at gardenbotanika.com - they even have a discount program!

I also tried some items from the Olive Soy line of body care. For hundreds of years, the olive and the soybean have been prized by Mediterranean and Asian cultures, respectively, for their skin soothing and anti-aging properties. Garden Botanika has added them to a wonderful collection of soaps and moisturizers.

The Body Cleanser is gentle, with loads of moisturizing bubbles. Antioxidant-rich Olive Leaf Extract joins moisturizing Ceramide 3 and Soybean Extract for a restorative, skin-loving wash. And the smell! Even if you don't normally do fragrance, this subtle "green" scent is herbal and sweet at the same time. A great choice for you if your nose is a bit "allergy-sensitive."

The Body Polish is both cleansing and exfoliating. Olive Husk Powder gently scrubs away oil, grime, and skin-cell build-up, while Olive Oil delivers moisture and Soy Amino Acids protect skin from dehydration. Skin emerges smooth and glowing! The perfect first step before applying self-tanner.

The Body Lotion is based on olive oil as a key ingredient. This lotion is midweight and really fast-absorbing, and doesn't leave a greasy feel in hot weather. Soybean Extract and Ceramide 3 reputedly help your skin's ability to retain moisture, while plumping up surface skin cells for a smoother appearance. And, if all the research about anti-oxidants protecting skin from environmental damage is true, this lotion is jam-packed with all the best stuff. Of course, the smell alone is reason enough to keep me slathering myself with this moisturizer all summer long!

For seriously dry bits, there is the Body Butter. This is an ultra-rich formula for things like dry elbows, knees, and ankles. It has olive and soybean oil, along with shea butter and avocado butter. Be warned, a little goes a VERY long way with these types of products. Use a thin layer, or it will feel too oily.

As usual, Garden Botanika products are a real treat to use and review. If you haven't already tried this line, you should really treat yourself. Most of their scents are lovely, and their unique formulas feel really luxurious. Be sure to check out the clearance section of their website for some really great deals (budget-conscious divas rejoice)!

We hope you enjoyed this issue of The Cosmetic Report!