by Lori Farrow

Despite being plagued with skin problems throughout my adult years -- from extreme oiliness in the summer, to dry, flaking skin in the winter, I have never been disciplined enough to follow a skincare regime for any length of time -- mostly because of the exaggerated claims of the products and my disappointment but I've often discontinued using a product because of adverse reactions to the harsh chemicals in many products.

AVEENOŽ, a pioneer in the study of natural ingredients for effective skin care (many will remember using AveenoŽ oatmeal products in their youth) has designed a line of natural soy-based products designed to even out skin tone and texture. The AVEENOŽ facial care line cleanses, tones, moisturizes and exfoliates the skin, resulting in a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Although sceptical of the claims, I resolved to use the products (AVEENOŽ Skin Clarifying Cleanser, Skin Clarifying toner and the Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer) faithfully for at least two months.

I began to incorporate the products into my daily regime in September. Because of the unusually high seasonal daytime temperatures and cold nights, my skin was a mess at the time -- an oil slick had settled on my nose and forehead while the skin on my cheeks and jaw were rough and flaking. A bout of acne that wasn't clearing up added to my problems, making my skin very sensitive.

I immediately liked the AVEENOŽ Skin Clarifying Cleanser (200ml pump bottle - $10.99). It had a subtle, fresh (not flowery or perfumy) smell and is conveniently bottled in a pump that dispenses the perfect amount -- eliminating waste. Unlike many of the heavy, creamy cleansers that I have tried, this oil-free and soap-free product produces a gentle foaming wash that rinses clean away and is able to take off all my make-up without leaving a heavy residue.

As mentioned previously, my skin was extremely inflamed and most toners would cause my skin to burn after using them. The AVEENOŽ Skin Clarifying Toner (200ml pump bottle - $10.99) caused no irritation and left my skin feeling soft and supple not tight or dry.

The AVEENOŽ Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer (30g tube - $21.99) combines soy extract, pure vitamin A (Retinol) and vitamin C in this new lotion, and is my new favourite in the morning. Much gentler than other Retinol products that I have tried, it causes no discomfort, dryness or irritation. When I first applied the product, I was concerned that it was a bit heavy for my skin type because it didn't seem to absorb into the skin very well, but after 20 minutes or so, my skin felt soft and supple. Initially, I didn't observe any difference but after using the product for three weeks, my husband (who doesn't even notice when I change hair colours) commented on how radiant my skin looked. I ran to the mirror and noticed a marked difference in the texture and tone of my face. My ruddy, dull-looking skin was visibly brighter and more even. I wasn't even developing a mid-afternoon oil slick in my t-zone area. After two months of continual use, much of the discolorations on my face due to acne had disappeared. As a bonus, I no longer use a heavy corrective foundation to even out my skin. AVEENOŽ Skin Brightening Daily Moisturizer is available with and without a SPF of 15.

AVEENOŽ's soy-based product line can be purchased at major department and drug stores everywhere and is priced at a fraction of the cost of what I normally spend on skin care products. They have earned a permanent spot on my bathroom counter. I give the entire line four out of five stars.

Buy these products from (use "Aveeno" as your search word) -- and get a free Burt's Bees Best of Burt's Kit ($11.99 value) with a nonprescription purchase of $15 or more.

Visit evalu8.org's Archive of previously featured gift suggestions...