I've been trying some new skin care products recently, trying to refine my routine for the cooler weather. I find I am going back to some old favorites (Orjene Nourishing Aloe Vera Deep Skin Moisturizer at VitaminMall.com, Renee Rouleau Triple C & E Complex) but I am also always in the market for something new.

Shiseido The Skincare Gentle Cleansing Foam ($23.50)
I had been wanting to try Shiseido's The Skincare ever since it came out, but just never got around to it. Unfortunately, I am disappointed with this foaming cleanser. Even though The Skincare is supposed to "offer calming solutions for stressed-out skin", my skin was more "stressed-out" after using it. I got dry, flaky patches on my nose and my whole face felt tight and dehydrated. This might work for me in the summer, but for fall/winter, I think I'll stick to gentler lotion cleansers. If you have oily skin and like generous lather, you might like it.

Shiseido The Skincare Cleansing Massage Brush ($20)
For extra exfoliation and stimulation, Shiseido recommends using this brush with their foaming cleansers. Unlike their original brush, this one combines regular bristles with silicone cushions (like little fingers) to clean and massage your face. If I could actually use a foaming cleanser without my face totally drying out, I would use this brush with it. It feels great and does double duty in the shower to help clean and exfoliate all at once.

You can learn more about these and other Shiseido products at Shiseido.com.

Renee Rouleau Activating Liposome Complex ($68.50 for 1.12oz)
I have suffered with hormonal acne since I was pregnant with my daughter over 3 years ago. Thankfully, things are getting back to normal and breakouts are, for the most part, an occasional rather than weekly occurrence. When the seasons change, though, my skin needs a little extra help to stay on track and not turn into a complete mess. I've had good luck with Renee Rouleau's products in the past, so I asked her about this product and decided to try it. While not an acne treatment per se, it is designed to help the skin normalize itself, so if it's acting sensitive and breaking out in reaction to something, this gel can help. It also has antioxidants and phospholipids to help the skin stay hydrated. I've been using it for almost two weeks and I do see an improvement. It's a great product to use during the season transition when everyone's skin seems to go a little haywire (I wish I had it sooner!).

Renee Rouleau Chinese Tea Night Creme ($27.50 for 2oz)
Aside from the hormonal acne, my skin is basically normal to dry, leaning more towards dry in the fall/winter. Hydrating and calming creams are essential to my face's happiness so I am constantly hunting for the best day and night creams. I saw this one on Renee's site and decided to try it. It's designed for sensitive skin that gets easily irritated and dried out (that's me!). Given its light texture, I'd say it's best for combination or normal skin; if you are dry, like me, you'll need a little something extra, like an essential oil blend underneath (Astara makes some great ones). I like this cream, but it's just not emollient enough for me.

You can find these and other Renee Rouleau products at ReneeRouleau.com.