Philosophy Cleansers: One for Every Skin

Philosophy creates award-winning skin care products intended to keep your skin looking and feeling young and radiant, no matter what skin-type of you have, so that you can have flawless skin without make-up. They make a variety of cleansers so you can be sure of finding a perfect fit. Their products are made with natural ingredients, and contain nothing that will irritate your skin. As a bonus for your mind and soul, each product comes with its own "philosophy."

The first cleanser they made was Purity Made Simple, a one-step gentle cleanser that removes dirt from your skin while leaving it feeling moisturized, not tight and dry. Ingredients include meadowfoam seed oil as a moisturizer, sodium trideceth sulfate as a surfactant to cleanse without irritation and with no residue, and a blend of 12 essential oils, including sage, rosewood, and sandalwood, to leave your skin feeling smooth, soft, and younger. In 2008, Purity Made Simple won a Best of Sephora award. The 8 oz. size, that lasts at least two months, costs $20. If you want to try it with a smaller size, you can get a 3 oz. bottle for $10. The small size is also a great travel size. Lee says: this cleanser does what it says, leaving skin clean, fresh, soft, and hydrated, and with it you don't need make-up remover or toner or any other product you may associate with cleansing; but Lee doesn't like the way it smells.

There's another formulation for Purity Made Simple these days: High-foaming Daily Cleanser. This one-step product cleans and hydrates just like the original Purity Made Simple, but does it with a luscious foam, leaving your skin feeling, well, pure. And not dry or tight. The 6 oz size costs $21.50. Lee says: Foam is good. This one has it all, and without the smell that some people actually like. The price seems higher but it actually lasts slightly longer than the 8 oz size of the original formulation.

If you have sensitive skin but are prone to acne breakouts, try On A Clear Day. This gentle foaming cleanser includes salicylic acid to battle break-outs and prevent new ones, along with Canadian willowherb, an antimicrobial and anti-irritant botanical that will soothe and soften your skin, and propranediol, a natural emollient that keeps your skin hydrated. The 6 oz size is $25, but as with the foaming Purity Made Simple, it does last at least two months, using it twice daily. Lee says: I haven't used this, but the ingredients sound good for acne-prone skin, and nothing in this product should irritate even the most sensitive skin.

Looking for a good cleanser for oily skin? Look no further than Never Let Them See You Shine, a cream cleanser that deep-cleans pores and emulsifies the oil it comes into contact with. It's long-lasting oil-control formula ensures that you won't start seeing T-zone oil in your afternoon meeting. The 5.5 oz tube is $20. Lee says: One of my product testers, who wasn't happy with the ProActiv line of acne care products, said that this one works as well as ProActiv but her skin isn't irritated the way it was with ProActiv.

If your skin is exceptionally dry, or you live in a dry climate that sucks the moisture from your skin the minute you walk outside, Philosophy offers When Hope is Not Enough Cleansing Balm. It contains Omega 3-6-9 fatty acid to rehydrate your skin, and gently cleans away impurities, the environmental dirt, and make-up. Ingredients like olive oil, sunflower seed oil, and squalene also help restore your skin's moisture barrier, to keep it from drying out during the day. The 4.5 oz tube costs $25. Lee says: If you don't need lather or foam to feel clean, and your skin is dry or middle-aged, this is the perfect cleanser for you.

The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash won an award in 2008 for its cleansing and scrubbing performance, and you can use this "micro-peel" and massaging exfoliating treatment product every day. It removes dead skin and lets your new young skin shine through, and doesn't strip your skin of its own essential oils. It also includes anti-oxidants to fight free radicals and help heal sun-damaged skin. An 8 oz. bottle is $25. Lee says: I can't use this every day unless I want my face to look red all the time. For me, it's a once-a-week treatment, not a cleanser. But another of my product testers, a woman in her mid-50s, uses this daily, and calls it her "spa in a shower" for its spa-facial feel.

Of course the Philosophy line of products includes more than just cleansers, and too many products to put in one article. Start your morning and evening routine with one of these effective and gentle cleansers, then moisturize and treat your skin. You can purchase Philosopy products on-line at www.philosophy.com,www.sephora.com, and www.QVC.com. You can also find Philosophy stores in really large malls, and Philosophy counters in high-end department stores. Your skin is your best friend and your largest organ, so take good care of it!