The best of the beauty aisle: Shape editors joined forces with beauty pros and more than 6,000 readers to pick these new skin, hair and makeup favorites

Shape, Sept, 2006 by Sally Wadyka

1 facial cleansers

AVEENO ULTRA-CALMING FOAMING CLEANSER ($7; at drugstores) Long known for being a super-sensitive line of skin care, Aveeno's done it again with this cleanser that left testers' faces feeling soft and clean, and without irritation. "It contains calming feverfew plant extract, an ingredient that's been proven to decrease the redness that often occurs in sensitive skin," said dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D.

SHISEIDO WHITE LUCENT BRIGHTENING CLEANSING FOAM ($30; sca.shiseido.com) One of the unfortunate effects of sun exposure and age is that your complexion not only loses radiance, but you also can end up with dark (hyperpigmentation) spots. This vitamin-C-rich cleanser, part of an entire Brightening product line created by Shiseido, helps fade those dark areas, evening out skin tone. Plus testers loved how easily it removed makeup too.

2 body cleansers/scrubs

OLAY BODY WASH PLUS BODY BUTTER RIBBONS ($4; at drugstores) "I loved that it came out of the tube in a pretty swirl of colors," said one user. But it also got glowing reviews for its function: Rich almond oil (among other emollients) left testers' skin super soft.

LANCOME RESURFACE MICRODERMABRASION BODY ($46; lancome.com) This exfoliating cream contains microscopic aluminum-oxide crystals (similar to what professional microdermabrasion offers). Testers reported that it left skin touchably smooth and glowing, "a must!"

3 facial moisturizers

DOVE ENERGY GLOW BRIGHTENING MOISTURIZER SPF 15 ($11; at drugstores) Testers called this a "powerhouse" because it moisturizes, protects and leaves skin with a "welcome glow." Added dermatologist Darrell S. Rigel, M.D.: "skin does look brighter after application."

ESTEE LAUDER DAYWEAR PLUS MULTI-PROTECTION ANTI-OXIDANT LOTION SPF 30 ($38; esteelauder.com) This lightweight formula boasts a high level of sun protection--plus a potent dose of the antioxidants white tea, grapeseed extract and vitamins C and E. Testers loved that it "absorbed quickly without being thick and greasy," and "the titanium and zinc oxide in it offer gentle, effective protection from the sun's ultraviolet rays," says Rigel.

4 body moisturizers

NIVEA BODY AGE DEFYING MOISTURIZER ($9; at drugstores) Many women slather anti-aging creams on their faces but neglect the rest of their bodies. That's why this body lotion has creatine--a protein that's naturally found in skin and helps keep it soft and younger-looking. "I never really paid attention to the skin on my body, but after using this regularly, I noticed how much better it looked," said one tester. "This lotion helps strengthen the skin's moisture barrier, so it stays supple," said Downie.

ORIGINS SHEDONISM DEEPLY HYDRATING BUTTER CREAM ($32.50; origins.com) Seriously parched skin needs serious moisture, and, according to testers, this rich cream (with almond and coconut oils) is definitely up to the challenge. "My legs always get dry and scaly, but this product left them soft all day long," raved one tester.

5 facial exfoliators

ALMAY 15 MINUTE FACIAL ($7; at drugstores) "My skin looked instantly brighter and firmer," after using this clay-based mask, said one tester. That's thanks to the finely ground pumice (which removes dulling dead skin cells), vitamins A, C and E and pore-declogging salicylic acid.

CLINIQUE TURNAROUND CONCENTRATE VISIBLE SKIN RENEWER ($36.50; clinique.com) This "fast-absorbing serum" keeps skin looking vibrant, said one user. Ingredients salicylic acid and acetyl glucosamine (an amino sugar) work to speed cell turnover for smooth, even-toned skin.

6 eye care

AVON ANEW CLINICAL EYE LIFT ($28; avon.com) This unique product is actually a two-in-one: on one side, a gel that firms; on the other, a rich cream that moisturizes and minimizes fine lines, dark circles and puffiness. One tester used it for 30 days straight, and said that her dark circles definitely got lighter and that her puffiness was significantly reduced. Shape readers also saw results, declaring this eye treatment to be one of their favorites.

CLINIQUE REPAIRWEAR INTENSIVE EYE CREAM ($38.50; clinique.com) Taking care of the delicate area around the eyes requires more than just your daily--or nightly--moisturizer. This rich, but lightwight, cream is chock-full of antioxidants like vitamin E and Resveratrol, lipids that improve skin's moisture barrier (to keep skin hydrated) and a peptide to help boost production of the skin-firming tissue collagen. Clinique's own clinical testing showed a reduction of fine lines and wrinkles of up to 40 percent after eight weeks of daily use.

7 anti-aging

NEUTROGENA HEALTHY SKIN ANTI-WRINKLE INTENSIVE SERUM ($17; at drugstores) Retinol is the over-the-counter ingredient that's most recommended by dermatologists--like Ruth Tedaldi, M.D.--for helping skin to build new collagen, improving skin's overall texture and reducing the look of wrinkles. In addition to retinol, this serum packs antioxidant vitamins C and E and hyaluronic acid (which makes skin look plumper by helping it to better hold in moisture). One tester reported seeing "visible results on [her] fine lines" within days. And at just under $20, it's every woman's must-have.