1

Buy the products made for your skin type.
It’s important to know whether you have normal, dry, oily, or combination skin and buy the correct cleanser, because using the wrong product could cause acne or inflammation. If a person with oily skin uses a product for dry skin, the extra layer of moisturizer could block the pores and lead to breakouts. (See our Q and A with Amy Newburger, M.D.)

2

Choose the right product.
If you barely have time to use the bathroom, you may like the ultraconvenient pad cleansers, which are quick and easy to use. They’re also great for traveling and for quick cleanups after a workout. Or you might want to opt for liquid cleansers, which you can use in the shower or at the sink.

3

Take a whiff.
If you can’t stand the smell of a cleanser, you’re not going to like using it. So if you can, open a container at the store and do the sniff test before plunking down your money. And if you have sensitive skin, look for cleansers labeled “fragrance-free.” (Note that cleansers labeled “unscented” might still contain a fragrance to mask chemical odors.) Fragrances can cause more allergic reactions than any other ingredient.

4

Decide if you like it gentle or rough.
Some face washes, like the Aveeno Positively Radiant Daily Cleansing Pads, are dual-textured with a rougher side that exfoliates the face. Other products, like the Lancôme Self-Foaming Mousse Cleanser, are foams that give you a lighter cleaning and might be better if you have sensitive skin.

Find out more about facial cleansers in the October/November issue of ShopSmart, available now! Can't find ShopSmart in your local bookstore? Order it online or call our toll-free number to get your copy now.

Click any of the links below for a selection of articles from the October/November 2007 issue of ShopSmart;) Editor's Letter Greetings from ShopSmart Editor-in-Chief Lisa Lee Freeman 3 online shopping trends you'll love New ways to save time and find the absolute greatest deals In the bag Paper or plastic? Choose neither! Tote your own cloth bag. 9 tips for finding a great-fitting shoe Follow these steps so you can treat your feet to a supercomfortable pair Design a laundry room that works Make a tiresome chore unboring with our decorating tricks Candy calorie countdown How much damage are you really doing with these Halloween treats? Can't find ShopSmart in your local bookstore? Order it online or call our toll-free number to get your copy now.