2007 Ad

Natural Health, Oct, 2007 by Olessa Pindak

EVERY YEAR we have an important job to do: test hundreds of beauty products to determine which are the safest and most effective in their categories. So we scrub and slather and shampoo for weeks on end. Then we ask two groups to help us out: a panel of dermatologists, who evaluate the ingredients, and you, the readers. While we look for formulations with few chemicals, you remind us of the importance of price, availability, and familiarity. With your input (more than 700 readers participated), we picked 27 of this year's best products. All of them have a natural component, and while most are found at health food stores, many are increasingly available at drugstores or online.

By OLESSA PINDAK Product photography by DASHA WRIGHT Portrait by CARRIE PROPHETT

OUR EXPERTS

Sandy Sharon Tsao, M.D., associate program director for procedural dermatology, Harvard Medical School

Diane Madfes, M.D., clinical dermatology instructor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City

Alan Dattner, M.D., a holistic dermatologist in New York City and New Rochelle, N.Y.

Concealer

The creamy, smooth formula of JANE IREDALE ACTIVE LIGHT ($25; janeiredale.com) covers imperfections, while mica reflects light, cucumber extract and white tea tighten and soothe skin, vitamin K lightens dark circles, and avocado and sunflower seed oils help moisturize dry patches.

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Nail polish

Like all of the brand's polishes, SALLY HANSEN SALON NAIL LACQUER ($6; sallyhansen .com) contains no toluene, DBP, or formaldehyde (ingredients that have been linked to birth defects). Available in 24 shades, it has marine botanicals to condition nails and UV protectors to prevent fading.

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Eye shadow

AVON PERSONAL MATCH MINERAL EYESHADOW ($5; avon.com) is made with 100 percent minerals. It has no talc, fillers, fragrances, preservatives, or chemical dyes, so it's especially good for sensitive skin, explains Tsao.

Blush

PHYSICIANS FORMULA MINERAL WEAR TALC-FREE MINERAL BLUSH ($11; at drugstores) comes in six shades and has a marbleized surface with multiple colors that when blended create a natural-looking flush. "Kaolin clay in the product absorbs surface oils," says Madfes. Testers had fun using the varied palette to customize color and experiment with shades as highlighter or eye shadow.

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Foundation

Many powder foundations can leave skin looking dry and Cakey. Not so with LAURA MERCIER MINERAL POWDER ($35; lauramercier.com), which glides on easily, providing even coverage and a silky finish "Fifteen natural amino acids nourish skin. and zinc oxide provides an SPF of 15," says Tsao.

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Mascara

MAYBELLINE NEW YORK DEFINE-A-LASH MASCARA ($8; at drugstores) contains Acacia senegal gum (a natural binder that creates hold) and beeswax that nourishes lashes to give them a flexible, natural look. "It's everything I suggest my patients seek in a mascara--hypoallergenic, safe for contact lens wearers, and eye-doctor tested," explains Tsao.

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Lip color

Available in eight colors, KIEHL'S LIP GLOSS ($13-50; kiehls.com) is infused with fruit extracts, beta-carotene. and vitamin E. "Extracts of mango and grapeseed oils. rose hips, and apricot kernel may provide an antioxidant benefit to your lips," says Tsao.

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Lip balm

BURT'S BEES lip balms, made with beeswax and lanolin, are classics. The latest incarnation is REPLENISHING LIP BALM WITH POMEGRANATE OIL ($3; at drugstores), which has a sweet pomegranate taste and antioxidant power to fight free radicals from the sun. "The essential oils create a pleasant natural scent," says Dattner.

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Acne

NATURE'S GATE NATURAL RESULTS EXTRA STRENGTH SPOTCORRECTOR ($10: natures-gate.com) contains blemish-fighting salicylic acid along with amino acids and botanicals like yucca and pumpkin seed to soothe inflamed skin. "The amino acids and salicylic acid help reduce bacteria and clear blemishes without irritating your skin," says Tsao

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Mask

PANGEA ORGANICS JAPANESE MATCHA TEA WITH ACAI & GOJI BERRY FACIAL MASK ($31; pangeaorganics.com) has an authentic mud-mask fee. and the antioxidants in acai help leave skin soft and glowing. "Scented with essential oils, this mask is made of natural ingredients with no synthetic preservatives," says Dattner,

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Eye cream

CLINIQUE ALL ABOUT EYES RICH ($27.50; clinique.com) was our hands-down favorite for the thinner, more sensitive skin under the eyes. "The soothing botanicals like wheat germ barley extract, green tea, and sage make this a nonirritating cream," says Madfes.

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Cleanser

AVEENO POSITIVELY AGELESS DAILY EXFOLIATING CLEANSER ($9; at drugstores) gently exfoliates the top layer of skin, leaving it looking refreshed. "The shiitake and mannentake mushroom complex is believed to slow the aging process by increasing skin turnover and blocking proteins, which cause collagen breakdown," says Tsao.

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Makeup remover