According to Bonnie Holmes, health and skincare advocate, good circulation is the key to managing many of our most troublesome skin problems. She has a simple collection of cleansers, moisturizers and exfoliants that are designed to care for the skin and increase circulation. Since I was only able to try one cleanser, one moisturizer and one exfoliant this time, I hope to expand the review soon to include more of her other options.

Creme Cleanser ($30 for 4oz)
Open up the jar and you'll swear the label "cleanser" must be wrong - it looks just like a moisturizing cream. This rich cream is like a modern day cold cream for dry skin; rather than tissuing it off, you apply it to dry skin, then work it in with a bit of water, adding more water as it thins out and eventually rinses away. You are left with clean and supple skin that is not stripped in any way. If you want a "cleaner" feeling, you can also choose to remove it with a washcloth or facial sponge. For dry skin, especially with cold weather around the corner, this cream has the richness that many cleansers lack. I can definitely see using this cleanser when my skin is at its driest.

Pure Skin Balm ($75 for 2oz)
I've tried quite a few creams for dry, delicate and sensitive skin, and this has to be one of the most soothing and protective. Somehow Bonnie figured out all the right elements to making this cream ideal for irritated skin. Vitamin E, grape seed oil, jojoba oil, green tea extract, aloe extract, wheat germ oil, panthenol, chamomile extract, and cucumber extract together create the perfect environment for the skin to heal. You warm a small amount in your hands, then gently press it onto the skin. You can be as firm or as gentle as your skin needs, and you can easily concentrate more on areas that need more buy just pressing some of the balm in with your fingertips. For as rich as it is, Pure Skin Balm absorbs well and makes the skin feel comfortable and protected.

Roll-Away Creme ($60 for 2oz)
There seems to be a trend toward these types of "gommage" cream exfoliants that you apply and let dry like a mask, and then rub away with your hands (like an eraser) to remove, manually exfoliating the skin. This one has the added benefit of papain, a fruit enzyme, to break up the dead skin cells so they slough off more easily. This exfoliant is a key product for better circulation, and you control how firmly you rub it off. I am still getting used to this type of exfoliant, so I am looking forward to trying Bonnie's other products, like the Mineral Skin Polish (a more traditional scrub).

After just about a month, I can't say my circulation seems any better, but my dry skin is definitely under control. You can find Bonnie Holmes skin care products at ABeautifulLife.net, and more general information at BonnieHolmes.com.