How To Have Perfect Skin:

SENSITIVE SKIN

HOW TO IDENTIFY IT: Can react to weather, cleansing and whatever you put on it with stinging, itchiness and redness.

Cleanse: Opt for a lotion cleanser, advises Bruce E. Katz, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. Make it "fragrance–free" (fragrance is the number–one skin irritant) and noncomedogenic. Especially gentle: Neutrogena Non–Drying Cleanser. And take it easy! Scrubbing is skin harassment! (See "Kindly Cleansing" for clean–up how–tos.)

Tone: Toners may be more than your type can take, cautions Katz. Try a sensitive–skin formula in the T–zone only–but stop if skin gets rough or red. Moisturize: Look for an oil–free, fragrance–free lotion made for sensitive skin.

Troubleshoot: Get the gentlest form of any treatment: grains in an unscented cream base; fragrance–free, non–drying mask; creamy benzoyl peroxide; or a salicylic acid formula. Katz suggests you pre–test any new product. Dot a dab just in front of your ear, then wait 24 hours to see what happens. Cool it on any product that doesn't agree with skin—your skin won't "get over it." Avoid using fragrance near your face, not just perfumes and lotions, but hair products like scented shampoo, conditioner and stylers.

Makeup: A hypo–allergenic, fragrance–free formula, like Almay Clear Complexion Light & Perfect Makeup, pampers skin.

Extra Advice: Got a skin reaction you can't handle? Take rashes or very rough, red, irritated skin to your M.D., pronto!

COMBINATION SKIN

HOW TO IDENTIFY IT: It's got a split personality—dry and maybe flaky at the edges and oily down the middle.

Cleanse: Use a mild liquid cleanser for your entire face two to three times a day, says Katz, to prep oily parts for toning without stripping dry areas.

Tone: Follow cleansing with salicylic acid astringent on the T–zone only. Take along astringent pads for during–the–day de–greasing, again on T–zone only. Use no more than twice daily or skin can flake!

Moisturize: Your formula should be oil–free and non–clogging. Smooth only on dry areas after cleansing.

Troubleshoot: You can use creamy grains or a clay mask twice a week to exfoliate the T–zone. Troubled by breakouts in oily regions? Follow "Blemish–Prone" advice.

Makeup: An oil–free, shine–blotting formula suits your T–zone and will work for dry areas too, if you moisturize first.

Prize shine–fighter: Origins Zero Oil Instant Matte Finish for Shiny Places applied under makeup.

Extra Advice: OK, a complicated balancing act can seem like a bummer. But stay with it and you'll see real results.

KINDLY CLEANSING

• Scrub NOT! It dries skin, gets blemishes red and angry, raises your scarring risk and can cause more breakouts. Apply soap or cleanser and wash with gentle, circular motions for 30–60 seconds max.
• Avoid overwashing. Two or three times per day's the limit!
• Leave the hot zone. Hot water strips skin and overdries it. Test: Water shouldn't burn, feel hot or turn skin pink. If you steam skin before a mask, use warm water for 10 minutes only.
• Standard clean–up equipment–fingertips, fluffy washcloths, or for more sensitive skin, a soft cotton handkerchief. Make sure they're clean before you use them.
• Turn on the rinse cycle. Left–over cleanser equals left–over dirt and oil. Rinse with tepid water till skin feels clean and smooth and no longer slippery or soapy.
• Pat skin dry. Rubbing can rub skin the wrong way.
• Handling instructions. Gently stroke on toner, moisturizer, medication and makeup. This saves skin and delivers the best coverage.
• Always wear sunscreen, even in winter, because skin–damaging UV rays are out there all year 'round. Try an oil–free "faces–only" sunblock or look for sunscreen in moisturizers and makeups.