Remede skincare, made by Remede Ltd. now in the US (formerly in Canada), is fast becoming a hit with those of us in search of a flawless face (and let's face it: Who isn't?). With its emphasis on vitamins, botanical ingredients, hydration and oxygenation, Remede's 16-item product line appeals to people with all skin types, but especially to those who have given up hope of finding help for problem skin.

I first learned about Remede the way many others have -- by way of little blurbs in Vogue, InStyle and other fashion magazines. And when I finally had it with my oily, breakout-prone skin, I scheduled a free consultation at Manhattan's Bliss Spa, which was the only carrier of Remede that I'd ever seen listed. The aesthetician diagnosed my skin as dry on the surface/oily underneath from using too many harsh skincare products. Apparently I was drying out my skin with the toners, gel cleansers and anti-acne medication I was using, and my skin was overproducing oil to compensate, giving me major skin problems as a result.

These are the products I began using on the aesthetician's recommendations and what I think of them. Make no mistake -- Remede products are not cheap, but a little goes a long way. The company would win more fans if it provided its distributors with samples for customers, but until then, you're largely out of luck.

Milky Wash (200 ml tube for $28): A creamy cleansing milk suitable for any skin type. Milky Wash was the first product I tried from the Remede line. The night I got home from my consultation at Bliss, I washed with it and instantly knew this product was different. I massaged some onto my dry, still-made-up face (the best way to use it, I find) and watched my makeup disappear, then I rinsed it off by splashing my face -- no rubbing or scrubbing with a facecloth. My face wasn't red and irritated as it usually was post-washup, but it still felt very clean. I initially was skeptical, because I didn't know how something creamy could possibly be good for my oily, acne-prone skin, but this felt so good and cleaned so thoroughly I didn't care!

Sweep (80 ml tube for $36): An extremely gentle exfoliating scrub for the face that provides exfoliation without irritation, even for the most sensitive skins. Prior to using Sweep, I'd been using Freeman's Alpha Hydroxy Sugarcane scrub, and before that, St. Ives Apricot Scrub. Little did I know how much damage I was doing to my face with those two products. Sweep is different from most other facial scrubs in that its scrubbing granules -- made from marble powder -- have rounded edges, which make them much, much gentler than the sharp-edged drugstore brand scrubbies, but still very effective. I usually mix in a dab of Sweep with my Milky Wash to cleanse and exfoliate simultaneously. Warning: This product is extremely addictive!

Body Care Cream (200 ml for $36): A rich and creamy hand and body cream. Nothing to write home about, especially considering the high price tag. But it's very gentle and has just the faintest fragrance, which is good for people who like a nondescript lotion that won't interfere with a favorite perfume. Ingredients include antioxidants, humectants, and botanical extracts.

Dissolve (100 ml for $22): A non-oily makeup remover that will remove every trace of mascara and any other stubborn makeup residue. I liked Dissolve because it didn't sting my eyes the way some makeup removers do, but unless you're a die-hard Remede fan, I think a drugstore-brand makeup remover would work similarly well.

Energy (80 ml for $65): This product is difficult to describe and explain. It's touted as an oxygenating moisturizer and is used on the premise that oxygenating skin will rid it of bacteria, one of the main culprits of breakouts. Available in normal/dry and oily skin formulas, it's a great lightweight moisturizer that for me, at least, seems to help keep breakouts under control. At Bliss, the aesthetician applies this cream to my face before spraying it with liquid oxygen straight out of the tank during the infamous "double-oxygen facial." I only use this cream in the fall and winter when I need a moisturizer, not all year 'round...

In short, I am a big fan of Remede skincare. It is very pricey, but the change in my skin since I started using it is more than worth it to me. I just try to use everything sparingly to really get my money's worth. This is one product line that really lives up to the many rave reviews it receives.

Where to Buy Remede

Remede products can be ordered from Bliss Spa in Manhattan by calling (212) 219-8970; from the spa's BlissOut! catalog at 1-888-243-8825; in person at 568 Broadway in New York City; or, on the coming soon BlissOut! Web site at http://www.blissworld.com

Remede also is available at EFX Salon & Spa in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C.