Top Ten Favorite Health and Beauty Products

Advertisers and distributors for major household products count on brand loyalty. Companies like Proctor and Gamble as well as Johnson and Johnson realize that baby boomers have been around long enough to know what works and what does not. As an obsessive-compulsive person who has been around for awhile, here are my top picks for the best products on the market, especially in health and beauty.

ONE: Shampoo and Hair Care - PANTENE. No other product line will give you the shine and strength these products do. They rinse out cleanly, the conditioners truly restore the hair, and the smells are pleasant.

TWO: Razors for Women - GILLETTE VENUS/BREEZE. Forget the disposable and cheap ten-packs. Although these razors cost a little more upfront they are well worth it with the triple blade and pivoting head. Easy to hold and does not slip out of your hand. Glides easily over any surface.

THREE: TIDE WITH BLEACH ALTERNATIVE. Absolutely no other detergent gets clothes clean the way this product does. The bleach alternative kills any bacteria in sight, whitens whites (including socks) and the smell is nonoffensive. I use the liquid which is cost effective and blends easily into the water without caking.

FOUR: NOXEMA. Can be used as a moisturizer, cleanser and even for easing sunburn or other skin dryness. The nongreasy natural oils tingle with a cool refreshment and keep bugs away too.

FIVE: LANCOME, Paris. You may need to go to the department store to find this makeup, but the trip will be well worth it. All their cosmetics are easy to use and stay put on your face. The compacts and pencils which hold the makeup look rich and do not take up a lot of space in your purse. Look for department store giveaway specials with purchase. You can get a free makeover and delightful little makeup bag free complete with mascara, eye shadow, lipstick, perfume samples and wrinkle creams during these promotions with a small purchase.

SIX: WETONES, Antibacterial. Absolute must if you have kids and pets. In today's day and age you cannot be too clean and these handy little packets are great for the car or camping or anytime. They have a nice smell, do not sting, and can be carried easily in a pocket.

SEVEN: FEBREEZE. This really does take odors out of musty furniture and carpets and is safe for kids and pets. Sprayed carefully in a clothes closet it does no harm either. It works on smoke, pet and cooking odors and is great for sleeping bags, pillows and furniture.

EIGHT: BOUNCE. These nicely scented little dryer sheets deserve their weight in gold. I do not know why more people do not try them. They not only freshen your clothes, but get rid of some wrinkles and static cling. I use dryer sheets in dresser drawers and closets as a deodorizer.

NINE: DOVE SOAP. They advertise that it has cleaning cream in the bar which helps soften skin. The bar is nicely shaped, smells wonderful and keeps if kept in a proper soap dish. The reason for this soap's popularity down through time is that it comes in unscented and other varieties and does not offend even sensitive skin like many body washing lotions do.

TEN: TILEX MOLD AND MILDEW. Finally a bathroom cleaner that works and does not offend. Some of the older products, if they worked at all, had noxious odors, burnt fixtures or damaged the tile. This spray bottle liquid holds its own without destroying everything in sight. I have used it successfully to get bathroom sinks to drain better as well. Like bleach, it whitens the toilet bowl and gets rid of any scum on contact.