Duchess Marden Damascena Enzyme Exfoliant: Jen's Favorite Exfoliator

I love to exfoliate but get a little nervous applying very active peels or exfoliants during sunny months. Strong AHA (alpha hydroxy acid) products can photo-sensitize the skin, which can cause hyperpigmentation and burning if you forget to apply SPF. Plus, they're aren't suitable for sensitive faces.

The solution? An enzyme exfoliator. As a holistic esthetician and product rep for several natural skincare lines, I've tried an untold number of exfoliators-peels-scrubs. Among them all, my favorite is Duchess Marden Damascena Enzyme Exfoliant, suitable for every skin type.

Pretty factor: DM's Enzyme Exfoliant contains both pumpkin fruit enzymes to "unglue" dead skin cells and jojoba beads to gently sweep them away. The pumpkin here is fermented with lactobacillus lactis, a healthy bacteria commonly used in buttermilk and cheese production. When these two ingredients are combined, they release phytonutrients that have major antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits—resulting in smoother, firmer, healthier skin.

I was startled at the effect. There was no telltale tingling to indicate it was doing anything, but I noticed an immediate difference in my skin tone and texture: far less redness and irritation and my face felt smoother and plumper. As a bonus, this exfoliator is gorgeously but subtly scented with high-quality, organic rose damascena and geranium essential oils.

Tip: After any kind of exfoliating, it's best to follow up with a good mineral sunscreen or mineral makeup with SPF to protect your new, baby-soft skin.

Eco factor: Products by California-based Duchess Marden—which claims model Josie Maran as a fan—are beautifully pure: no sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol, petrochemicals, or synthetic fillers, dyes or fragrance.

To buy: $44 (for about a four month supply) at Whole Foods and duchessmarden.com

—Jen

New British Brand: Pai Skin Care

Is it the Europhile in me who thinks that everything across the pond is more progressed, or is organic skin care more de rigeur in Britain?

Whichever the answer, the catalyst of the question was a press release from Pai Skin Care. Pai is a new, sparkling clean, London-based brand formulated with sensitive skin in mind...and it's reasonably priced! It was an instant hit with British beauty editors and named the No. 1 organic skin care line by U.K. fashion magazine Grazia (beating out Nude and Care by Stella McCartney).

Pretty factor: Pai products contain bases of plant oils such as camellia, jojoba, and rosehip seed to heal and moisturize, followed by essential oils like lavender, geranium, and manuka to kill acne-causing bacteria, regulate sebum production and lend a scent as fresh as the English countryside after rain. The Chamomile & Rosehip Moisturiser is a beauty for sensitive skin, and the lightweight Geranium & Thistle Moisturiser—which won me over with its outdoors-y juniper oil—is perfect for exceptionally oily faces.

Eco factor: Pai products contain organic ingredients certified by the Soil Assocation. They come in glass bottles (no plastic!) and do not contain parabens, petrochemicals, sulfates, phtatlates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, genetically modified or animal-derived ingredients, or artificial colors or fragrances.

To buy: Prices range from just $8 to $30 at paiskincare.com. International shipping to the U.S. is only $6.49