The Holy Trinity (Part One)

When I was in high school and university I knew a number of girls who were 'just too good to be true'. You know the type - she doesn't wear a scrap of make up, is never seen in anything more elaborate than a simple pair of jeans and a t-shirt (oh, occasionally on special occasions she might adorn her hand with a simple silver ring, nothing ostentatious mind) and flat sandals or sneakers. Now if most of us tried this carry-on we'd look like a Millie Tant social worker with an agenda about sexist stereotypes, but not this chick. No, she always managed to look stunning with her flawless skin, her shining eyes, her lustrous hair that wouldn't dare to frizz in the humidity.

I don't know about you but I hated this woman. Her presence on the planet made me (the late teens/early 20s me) feel inadequate beyond description. I mean, I NEED some sort of base to even out my skin tone, my eyes look 50 times better when made up than when not and God forbid I miss any of the numerous steps I have to take each time I wash my hair - condition, wet styling product, dry styling product. If I forget just one of those essential steps then my hair will assume the consistency of a used Brillo pad (hell it won't even wait for the humidity to give it its cue).

OK having said all of that I know one thing now that I didn't know in my late teens and early 20s. These perfect, oh-so-lovely and natural girls were really frauds. Trust me, it takes time and effort to look like that and in retrospect I realize these lassies probably spent more time at the makeup mirror than the rest of us put together. (As you know, it takes ages to apply make up to make yourself look as if you're wearing no makeup at all.)

Even if there is a girl out there who can look that amazing without hours of prep there is one thing I know for sure, if she says (as these lassies so often do) that her beauty routine is "Oh, I just splash a bit of cold water on my face and I'm good to go," she's LYING.

Listen ladies, this so-called routine works for no one, unless of course your desired result is dry dull skin with a fair representation of spots. Skin, especially delicate facial skin, needs to be cared for and a dab of cold water in the morning and the evening isn't going to cut it. The basis for every girl's beauty regime should begin and end with the Holy Trinity - Cleansing, Toning and Moisturizing. Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to take a look at the three components of the Holy Trinity and check out some of the better products on the market to help keep your skin in peak condition.

Right then, let's start at the beginning. Cleansers. Well, there's good news and bad news. The good news is that no matter what your skin needs, no matter how specific they are, there is a cleanser out there for you. The bad news is that with so much choice it's often easy to get confused or to pick the wrong one. I've got some recommendations this week for various targeted cleansers. Ultimately if you have more than one skin condition you want to address then you need to decide which is your highest priority and opt for the appropriate cleanser.

So let's take a gander at some of the better cleansers on the shelves right now. At the risk of getting ahead of myself I want first to talk briefly about moisturizers. For many many years those of us who are in-the-know have worshipped at the altar of Kiehl's Crème de Corps their super-duper body moisturizer. So imagine how great my excitement was when I heard they were introducing an entire Crème de Corps range, oh happy happy day. The new range includes a Nurturing Body Washing Cream ($18), which is a gorgeous rich product containing Jojoba and Shea Butters and cleans without drying so is especially good for those with sensitive or extra-dry skin. Lovely. (There'll be more about this new collection in subsequent Holy Trinity articles)

The traditional cleanser soap often comes in for a bit of a bashing in articles like this, and hey, it's often well deserved too. Most soaps are not designed with sensitive facial skin in mind and are often far too harsh and drying for use in this area. There is one big exception which is good news for those of you who are attached to the traditional soap bar, Clinique's Facial Soap with Dish ($11.50) part of their 3-Step Skin Care System, has been around for a very long time precisely because it is so popular. This is one of those products that if they ever decide to discontinue they will risk people rioting in the streets. Not only is it good for your skin, but is handy for traveling as it comes in its own enclosed soap dish.

Knowing they're on to a good thing Clinique have decided to expand their 3-Step Skin Care System and recently introduced Liquid Facial Soaps to the line. I tried out the Mild Liquid Facial Soap ($14.50) which is designed for people with dry/combination skin and found it to be every bit as good as the solid soap. The soap produces a lovely rich lather which leaves skin feeling clean but not squeaky clean. (Squeaky clean might be good for dishes and baths but it is very very bad for skin.) For problem specific skin I took a look at Oliglio 25 from Vichy Laboratories. This is a line formulated especially for women aged 20 - 30 years of age and includes a Foaming Face Wash ($12) which is designed to combat dull skin. The face wash lathers up nicely, (as the name suggests) and leaves skin feeling soft and clean without overly drying it. For anyone suffering from spots then Biore Pore Perfect Blemish Fighting Ice Cleanser might be a good choice as it helps calm skin whilst combating outbreaks with a salicylic acid oil-free acne treatment. Alternatively, you could try the ph Advantage AM/PM Acne Cleanser ($30) a product designed to be used twice daily and containing 2% Salicylic Acid which kills bacteria and helps unclog pores. AM/PM Acne Cleanser also contains Papain for gentle exfoliation, Green Tea Seed Extract, Ginseng Root Extract, Ginko Bilboa Leaf Extract and Algae Extract. ph Advantage have also formulated a Control Regime line designed for people who have healthy skin and wish to maintain it. The Polybead Moisturizing Cleanser ($35) is a basic all-in-one cleanser which gently cleanses, removes make up and leaves skin ph balanced and hydrated.

Osmotics also have a Balancing Cleanser ($27) a wonderful lightweight foaming cleanser that not only cleans the skin but thoroughly removes make up and other impurities without leaving your skin feeling stripped and sandpapery. It can also be used to remove eye make up. Horray for Osmotics, that's what busy girls want, products that will multi-task the same way we're expected to.

Girls with sensitive skin should look no further than the Aveda counter where they've got a whole new range of All Sensitive products. The cleanser which is extra-gentle for sensitive skin has been dermalogically tested and is aroma free. If it's a bit of luxury you're after then check out Laura Mercier Purifying Oil Cleansing Oil ($40) which comes in either Rich or Light. I love Laura Mercier. I want to marry Laura Mercier. I don't know what I did before I discovered her wonderful line of skin care products and make up. They are truly top class, every bathroom cabinet and make up bag should have at least one Laura Mercier product in it. There should be a law... Finally, if like me, you are a bit addicted to bathing then check out Philip B Body Washes, which are fun and delicious. For sheer indulgence wrap yourself in the fabulous Chocolate Milk Body Wash ($30) which not only looks and smells great but is actually good for your skin as well. Just don't be tempted to drink it. Seriously, it smells so delicious and chocolaty that it wouldn't take much to prompt a taste test. Don't. Do remember though this is one chocolate treat that is mercifully calorie free. If you're not a chocoholic (and what the hell is wrong with you if you aren't?) then try the Nordic Wood One Step Hair & Body Shampoo ($35). This two-in-one cleanser is scented with Norwegian spruce, balsam fir, white pine, cedarwood and white camphor which will apparently help deal with internal stress and tension. Whatever, I know if you're a sleepy head like me, those pine fresh scents will do wonders towards waking you up in the morning.