I am one of those typically frustrated, oily skinned people who will try just about anything to stanch my overactive sebaceous glands. That includes ordering products from the shop-at-home channels.

While I've never ordered any other type of product from a shop-at-home channel, I couldn't help myself when it came to Serious Skin Care on the Home Shopping Network. It was as if some otherworldly force put the phone in my hand and removed the credit card from my wallet.

Watching the presentations is an amusing break from mundane network television. Because Serious Skin Care is one of Home Shopping's top selling lines, their monthly visits take place during prime viewing hours. A perky HSN host is joined by Jennifer Flavin-Stallone (wife of Sylvester) and Lesa Stock, the creator of the Serious Skin Care line. While Ms. Stock tries valiantly to drive home the scientific, clinical benefits of her line, she is always overshadowed by Ms. Flavin-Sallone's incredibly overzealous pleas to the acne afflicted to plunk down their money and experience a facial epiphany, as she has.

To her credit, Flavin-Stallone has gorgeous looking skin. When you see her "before" photos, her acne was not of the disfiguring variety. A few small, red bumps seemed to be the extent of it. Since I suffered from the disfiguring variety and needed prescription drugs to get rid of it, I could see how a few innocuous skin care products were her solution. I couldn't help being skeptical of Serious Skin Care.

At Home Shopping, they make it very easy for you to try a lot of Serious Skin Care products at what seem to be very reasonable prices. I ordered during one of their anniversary shows this past April. I took advantage of several special offers and received about twenty different products. The best deal was the Anniversary Tote for $79.95. Along with a silver tote bag, I received 17 full size and try-me size products.

My favorite products are as follows:

Glycolic Cleanser ($36.95, plus shipping for a 12 oz. bottle*)
Much as I hate to admit it, this is a gem of a cleanser. It doesn't contain a lot of fancy ingredients, but boy, does it work! The best way to describe this cleanser is a turbo version of Cetaphil. A small amount will remove foundation, eye make-up and other assorted grime and gunk. It may be a bit harsh for drier, sensitive skin, even though it is recommended for all skin types.

Unplugged ($23.00, plus shipping for two 2 oz. bottles*)
This is an alcohol-free "toner" spray. The product is touted as a "skin balancer" to even out the dry and oily portions of the face. It contains an ingredient, "Isolutrol", which is derived from shark cartilage. I find this handy to keep my oily T-zone in check.

"A Force" Serum ($24.00, plus shipping for a 1 oz. bottle*)
This is a vitamin A, C, E, antioxidant and glycolic acid cocktail. They always make a big deal out of this product during the presentations on HSN, using "before" and "after" photos of a woman's skin under a special lamp to show how "A Force" Serum will rid the skin of free radicals and reverse sun damage. In all honesty, if you use it after cleansing your skin, it will leave it soft and smooth.

One Million IU's Vitamin A Cream ($26.00 plus shipping for a 2 oz. jar*)
Even though this cream is meant for dry, mature skin, I like to use it along with the "A Force". The combination of these two products manages to keep my oily skin under control, and smooth the fine lines I am starting to get around my eyes and mouth. By the way, you can't tell from reading the ingredient list if there actually are one million IU's (international units) of Vitamin A in this cream. But, the very mention of them always induces a lot of "ooh-ing" and "aah-ing" among the testimonial callers to Home Shopping.

Emu and Aloe Soothing Cream ($23.00, plus shipping for a 2 oz. jar*)
This cream is meant for sensitive skin, and for people who are using heavy-duty acne treatments. Its main ingredients are Aloe Vera and Emu Oil. It did, in fact, feel very soothing, as its name implies.

Glycolic Renewal Gel ($23.00 plus shipping for two 4 oz. bottles*)
You can get this individually, or as part of the Five Piece Acne Treatment Kit. It is described as a "cross category solution serum, helpful to both problem and maturing skin". When you compare the ingredient listings of this product and the "A Force" Serum, they are very similar. However, this one feels a little sticky on the skin after you apply it.

Super Hydrate ($22.00 plus shipping for one 4 oz. bottle*)
This product is also sold as part of the Five Piece Acne Treatment Kit. It contains Aloe Vera, Sodium PCA, and Sodium Hyaluronate, which makes it perfect for oily skin. It is a decent, light gel moisturizer.

Clearz-It Acne Treatment (*No price given for the individual product. See below.)
Also included in the Five Piece Acne Treatment Kit, this is a 5% Benzoyl Peroxide acne lotion. I've always been prone to irritation from Benzoyl Peroxide, and this product proved no different. I used it twice on a smallish pimple that appeared below my jawline. Even though it got rid of the blemish quickly, I had significant redness in the area.

Overall, Serious Skin Care is worth trying. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and effectiveness of the products I used. If you are on the eternal quest for "hope in a jar", like I am, Serious Skin Care is a good pit stop along that journey.

*Please note that all prices are approximate. Whenever Serious Skin Care is sold, there are always special kits and sale prices offered on particular products. Keep in mind that there will be a shipping charge attached to each product you order. There is no break for multiple purchases. For more information, call the Home Shopping Network at 1-800-284-3100.