Some people are lucky enough to walk through life without so much as a pimple or a dry patch on their face (I've never met any of them but apparently they do exist!).

Some people get the odd spot or sensitive area but generally have a pretty even complexion. Others have somewhat of a chaotic time trying to balance their skin's sensitivities - eczema, adult acne, hypersensitivity, redness and menopause-related pigmentation being some of the skin issues that make some people feel like their face is on a roller coaster of epidermis mayhem.

What is needed is a treatment designed to focus on helping the skin naturally strengthen its own rebalancing functions. Dr.Hauschka have created a series of 28 day spray on Intensive Treatments, specifically developed to support different skin conditions. They have used natural saline from a therapeutic spa, rhythmitised herbal extracts and specially prepared precious metals and gemstones to create a treatment for any skin condition.

Intensive Treatment 01 calms and clarifies oily, acne teenage skin, Intensive Treatment 02 calms and clarifies oily, acne adult skin age 25+, Intensive Treatment 03 calms and strengthens hypersensitive skin (for blotchy, red, sensitive skin), Intensive Treatment 04 firms and vitalises mature skin (smoothes and prevents dryness lines), and Intensive Treatment 05 balances and fortifies the skin during menopause (reduces redness, pigmentation, corrects decreasing vitality of the skin).

You use these treatments in place of your toner in the morning and evening. Cleanse as per usual and add day cream after the treatment. In the evening, according to Dr.Hauschka's no night cream principles there is no need to apply a cream after the treatment so you can leave it, independently, to do it's best work whilst you sleep dreams of clear, calm, glowing skin.

This is definitely a stereotype but one that can often rightly be put into use: teenagers are ‘looks' absorbed. Not all, but most - it comes with the territory of chaotic hormone activity during puberty, figuring out what your equally paddling-like-a duck-underwater peers think and adjusting to the ideals of the world (mostly the ideals of pop icons and rock gods).

So to get the attention of teens when it comes to the greener issues of life it's good to pretty it up a bit. I came across this green website the other day called Teens Turning Green. It's basically teenagers giving other teenagers advice on how to be healthier and more sustainable the eco way. They investigate areas of lives where they are exposed to toxins. They also work to advocate change in policy and habits not only amongst their peers but also their schools and communities.

The Project Green Prom Toolkit caught my eye as a useful and charming way to get teens beauty green. The Project Green Dorm Toolkit is another nifty idea. As you can tell the site is American - it would be great to see a similar site set up for other countries by enthusiastic teens.

The UK based skin care company Green People realise the influence teenagers can have on setting the bar and eco standards of the next generation of politicians, eco entrepreneurs and mothers. Their new Oy! Organic Young range of skin care products make a great Christmas present for all teenagers - especially the ones who care about their complexions and the environment.

Putting oil on your face can be an odd concept, let alone odd feeling when you apply it for the first time. Most organic moisturisers, cleansers and toners have oil bases anyway so applying an oil on its own shouldn't feel too foreign on the skin, especially once it has absorbed.

There's a big misconception out there that facial oils give you spots but this simply isn't true. Plant oils are actually closer to your skins molecular structure than complex lotions, particularly those that contain synthetic ingredients. The body produces it's own oil of course so it recognises the similar structure and can absorb it more effectively.

The other great thing about facial oils are they don't need preservatives because bacteria cannot breed in oil, only in water. Many with sensitive skin often try to avoid preservatives which is why the facial oil is a good candidate for moisturising their skin.

A few good organic ones are:
• Rose and Vanilla Face Oil by Spiezia is quickly absorbed into the skin and makes a good protective base for your make-up or on it's own to guard you skin against wind and adverse weather condition. Certified by the Soil Association this is a pure oil containing only four ingredients: jojoba oil, rose essential oil, vanilla and wheatgerm oil.
• Rejuvenating Facial Oil by Green People is also certified organic. Rich in Omega-3 & 6 and antioxidants this oil helps to reduce wrinkles and premature ageing. Key active ingredients: hemp seed oil, pomegranate oil, Vitamin E and myrrh oil.
• Orange Flower Organic Facial Oil by Neal's Yard is, you guessed it, certified organic. The Green Beauty Bible say using this oil you notices the ‘extra smoothness and plumpness' on your skin as well as ‘less fine lines, more bounce and a feeling of ease' (we think that means more smooth and less tight!).

Many liquid and compact foundations make you look all ‘caked' up and can also clog your pores. People with skin problems like adult acne are often advised by doctors to stop using foundation as it can further irritate the already sensitive skin.But here lies the brilliant alternative - mineral foundation has actually been proven to improve skin. They allow the skin to breathe and contain no fillers or powders like talc so won't settle in fine lines or dry the skin out.

Mineral foundation respects the skin. It has excellent hypoallergenic credentials offers protection from the sun and, if you pick the right brand, contains none of the chemical ingredients traditional foundations have in them.

Two of the main ingredients in mineral foundation are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which are both found in sunscreens for their UV blocking properties (this is what gives Inika mineral foundation a natural SPF of 20). The zinc also soothes the skin and is excellent for people who suffer from eczema and rosacea. Being oil free lasts throughout the day. In fact some converts don't even cleanse it off in the evening and wear it to bed as a treatment for the skin.

There is one trick to be had when applying mineral make up. You need the right brush. A soft, good quality Kabuki brush is ideal. To apply swirl the brush in the pot just allowing the tip to pick up the powder. Tap the hard end of the brush to allow the powder to drop evenly through the brush. Finally buff over face.

If you have particularly dry skin you may wish to use a Mineral Primer before your apply the foundation. This helps the foundation adhere better as well as offering the skin a little more moisture. If you have very oily skin use a Mineral Setting Powder after you have applied the foundation. This will help absorb any sheen, naturally soaking up your skin's excess oil. For people with large pores the Setting Powder also helps to reduce their appearance.

Besides foundation, you can also find other mineral make up with equally beneficial properties including eyeshadows, blushers and bronzers.

Everybody's skin is different; different from each others and different from one decade to the next. Sometimes it even changes day to day. Age, hormone levels, weather, genetics, pollution levels and diet can all affect how our skin looks and feels. Cleansers and face washes being one of, if not the, most important components of a beauty regime (because they clean and rebalance the skin) it's vital you choose one that's most suitable for your skin type.

Product	Virtues	Active Ingredients	Skin Type Suitable for	Price Point
Rosa Fina Creamy Face Wash           by Barefoot Botanicals	Gives super clean feeling but doesn't dry face, Vegan	Rose Hip, Aloe Vera, Vitamins B5 & E	Combination Skin, Oily, Acne Prone	£16.95 (100ml)
Deep Purifying Foam             by Madara	Deep cleansing, leaves skin feeling silky, safe to remove eye make up, Vegan	St. John's Wort, Yarrow	All	£13.50 (150ml)
Lifeguard Soothing Face Wash          by SOS Barefoot Botanicals	Very gentle, leaves skin feeling moisturised	Mallow, Jojoba, Evening Primrose	Sensitive, Dry, Eczema, Psoriasis, Dermatitis	£13.95 (100ml)
Facial Cleanser       by Spiezia Organics	100% organic, deep cleansing, dissolves waterproof mascara, remove with muslin flannel	Clary Sage Clove, Coconut, Eucalyptus	All	£21.55 (50ml)
Cream Cleanser       by Trilogy	Vegan, moisturising, removes eye make up, great value	Rose Hip, Evening Primrose	Normal, Dry, Mature, Sun-damaged, Scarred, Sensitive	£20.95 (200ml)
Relax Cleanser      by Lavere Intensive System	Promote skins natural repair function, makes skin look energised, removes eye make up	Olive Oil, Sweet Almond, Shea Butter	Mature Skin (35+)	£16.50 (125ml)
Creamy Coconut Cleanser       by Essential Care	Skin conditioning, light cleanser, doubles as a light body moisturiser	Coconut, Olive Oil	Normal, Dry, Sensitive	£14.00 (150ml)
Cleansing Cream           by Dr.Hauschka	deep cleansing, maintains the pH balance, leaves skin feeling extremely smooth	Sweet Almond Oil, Calendula, Peanuts, Wheat Germ	Normal, Oily, Dry, Sensitive, Mature	£13.70 (50ml)
Gentle Cleanse       by Green People	Dissolves make up including mascara,  leaves skin soft & thoroughly cleansed	Aloe Vera, Hemp, Jojoba, Rose Geranium	All	£14.50 (200ml)
Oily & Impure Skin Cleansing Gel             by Lavera	deep cleansers, Improves circulation, contains natural anti-inflammatory ingredients	Mint, Sage, Rosemary, Tea Tree	Oily	£6.75 (75ml)

The table below will hopefully help you to easily compare and select an organic cleanser that's right for your skin as it is now.

For more information on any of the above products click on the links below:

Rosa Fina Creamy Face Wash by Barefoot Botanicals
Deep Purifying Foam by Madara
Lifeguard Soothing Face Wash by SOS by Barefoot Botanicals
Facial Cleanser by Spiezia Organics
Cream Cleanser by Trilogy
Relax Cleanser by Lavere Intensive System
Creamy Coconut Cleanser by Essential Care
Cleansing Cream by Dr.Hauschka
Gentle Cleanse by Green People
Oily & Impure Skin Cleansing Gel by Lavera