10 Beauty Products that are Worth the Investment

This exfoliating facial cleanser features microbeads and glycolic acid to help slough off and dissolve all those dead skin cells that leave your
skin looking dull and flaky. The result: soft, glowing skin that leaves you looking and feeling fresh and young. Vivate Exfoliating Facial Cleanser is also beneficial if you're struggling with adult acne -- the glycolic acid combined with salicylic acid will help to release clogging oils from your pores. You'll want to choose a more gentle cleanser if you suffer from rosacea, however, since the glycolic and salicylic acids can be irritating to those with more sensitive skin.

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If you have dry, sensitive, acne-prone, or mature skin, this gentle cleanser might be the right one for you. Bentonite clay and fermented grain extracts provide deep-cleaning power while soothing irritated skin, making it a great option for those who can't use traditional chemical and physical exfoliating cleansers. Jojoba and almond oil provide a perfect dose of the extra moisture that some skin-types need and leave even dry, flaky skin feeling soft.

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Counter-intuitive though it may sound, this oil-based moisturizer is most beneficial for those prone to acne and oil-clogged pores. The theory: natural plant oils will help draw clogged oil from deep in the pores. Plus, when we cleanse natural oils from our skin, our bodies produce more oil to compensate, thus making oily-skin conditions even worse. Giving your skin the oil it craves will cut down on pore-clogging overproduction.
This combination of plant oils and soothing herbal extracts is also recommended for those with sensitive skin. One friend who was dubious about using oil on her skin credits Dr. Hauschka Normalizing Day Oil with rescuing her face from the throes of rosacea. Just be patient -- and sparse -- when you apply it, since natural plant oils absorb more slowly into the skin than their synthetic counterparts.

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This non-irritating mineral foundation is perfect for everyone, especially those with sensitive skin, rosacea, or persistent acne. A light brushing of Amazing Base powder will even out your skin tone for a totally natural, silky-smooth look. Amazing Base provides long-lasting, water-resistant coverage -- one application will last you the whole day. Even better, it contains titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, so you'll get some skin-preserving UVA and UVB sun protection to boot. Unlike most foundations, Jane Iredale's Amazing Base is safe to use after microdermabrasion and light chemical peels.

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Women rave about the staying power of this combination of lip stain and lip gloss. Apply a light coat of the stain for long-lasting color. When dry, cover with the included lip gloss for a smooth shiny finish.

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Unlike some of the cheaper brands, Lancome's fragrance-free mascara isn't thick or clumpy, and it does a fabulous job of separating the lashes for a full and rich -- but totally natural -- look. In 2010, Consumer Reports rated Lancome Definicils as their top mascara. Even better, it is safe for women who wear contact lenses.

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Unlike some of the cheaper brands, Lancome's fragrance-free mascara isn't thick or clumpy, and it does a fabulous job of separating the lashes for a full and rich -- but totally natural -- look. In 2010, Consumer Reports rated Lancome Definicils as their top mascara. Even better, it is safe for women who wear contact lenses.

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Finding the right conditioner can be challenging for those who react poorly to sodium laurel sulfate (the detergent that creates lather). Even more challenging is finding an unscented product for those who are plagued by skin rashes and flaky scalps even with natural fragrances. Fortunately, Jon Masters delivers. Bare Unscented Detangler (a rinse-out conditioner) leaves out these irritants -- all while providing much-needed moisture to dry and chemically-treated hair. Even better, Bare Unscented Detangler rinses out well, even in hard water.

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Finding the right conditioner can be challenging for those who react poorly to sodium laurel sulfate (the detergent that creates lather). Even more challenging is finding an unscented product for those who are plagued by skin rashes and flaky scalps even with natural fragrances. Fortunately, Jon Masters delivers. Bare Unscented Detangler (a rinse-out conditioner) leaves out these irritants -- all while providing much-needed moisture to dry and chemically-treated hair. Even better, Bare Unscented Detangler rinses out well, even in hard water.

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Love to paint your fingers and toes but hate the smell of regular nail polish? Then Butter is the brand for you. Their lacquers are free of formaldehyde, toluene, and DBP -- the three big culprits in giving traditional nail polish that strong chemical smell. The result: better smelling polish that is also less likely to damage your nails. Butter has a fabulous assortment of unique colors that will set you -- and your nails -- apart from the crowd.

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Lisa Farino is a Seattle-based freelance writer who swears by MoroccanOil and is eager to add some Dr. Hauschka and Jane Iredale products to her beauty kit. She also looks forward to painting her toes with some glittery Butter Nail Lacquer.