Interested in research-based body care that's more than skin-deep? Something that goes beyond makeup and skin creams to help you retain a youthful, healthy appearance? Then you'll want to take a look at Arbonne, a company with products ranging from nutrition and aromatherapy to Swiss formulated anti-aging skincare products. Not to mention makeup, weight loss, and hair care products. But it is the skincare products that make up the company's flagship product line - and it's the anti-aging skincare regimen, called RE9, that caught my eye.

The company
This ambitious company hits the mark, I think, with products that address the issues we care about. There is a focus on getting the ingredients right. The nutrition products use standardized botanicals and herbs, and the dietary supplements are color, caffeine, and preservative-free. Skincare products are especially well designed: botanically based, pH balanced, hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, and free of mineral oil, dyes, and fragrances. And all Arbonne skincare product formulations are proprietary blends. You won't find products like these anywhere else.

The company was founded in 1980 by Peter Morck, along with a group of bio-chemists, biologists, and herbalists. Morck's goal was to provide a pure Swiss-formulated line of skincare products based on natural, botanical principles. Today, Arbonne Institute of Research and Development (AIRD(tm)) contracts with Swiss expert Pierre Bottiglieri to manage the research and development of the their skin care formulations, and Bottiglieri in turn consults with master chemists around the world in order to keep abreast of the latest ideas, research, and technology. Bottiglieri also has other associations in the skin care industry, but his work with Arbonne is exclusive in the United States.

Anti-aging skincare
Arbonne's line of anti-aging skincare products was introduced in 1998 with the release of NutriMinC RE, a combination of plant-derived nutrients and vitamins, including an active form of vitamin C, packed into an advanced liposome delivery system. If that sounds like a mouthful, you should know it's really just a summary a far more complex formulation.

NutraminC RE is now part of a whole line of anti-aging skincare products, called RE9 for the nine different elements contained in them. Let's see: there are seven plant nutrients, vitamin C, and elastins. And there are two patented ingredients: Elhibin, which promotes smoothness and softness, and Stimu-Tex, a unique moisturizer that minimizes water loss from the skin. There's also alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant, and kojic acid, to reduce the signs of sun damage. And there are alpha and beta hydroxyl acids for sloughing off dead cells, copper for smoothing and firming skin, and peptides to lessen the appearance of wrinkles.

The anti-aging cleansers are gentle and moisturizing; they seem to strip away less of the skin's own oils than most facial cleansers. Perfect for dry skin and all skin after 40 or so! Women in their teens or 20's might prefer another Arbonne product line. There are products designed especially for teens. But, back to the RE9 skincare line: the moisturizers are creamy without being oily, and they're substantive on the skin, as you'd expect from products with this many key elements.

The Recover Night Crème and Repair Corrective Eye Crème have a somewhat citrus-like scent and a smooth, creamy, substantive feel. The RE Reversing Gelee Transforming Lift, a daytime product, is a thin, translucent, non-oily liquid. While putting it on, this product feels light and glides on smoothly. When it's dry, it somehow adds firmness to the surface of the skin in a way I've never experienced with any other product. You really have to experience this for yourself!

The Reactivating Facial Serum is transparent, light in texture, and cooling to the skin. It smells like alphy-hydroxy acids, and quickly disappears into the skin while leaving a soft, healthy-feeling finish. Designed for night and day use, this product makes makeup go on much smoother. And with alpha and beta hydroxy acids in it, I know it will remove the dead cells that make pores get clogged and leaves skin looking dull in general. I think I have a new favorite! This is a product I would use daily. Arbonne's expert consultant, Dana Frank, also raves about the Facial Serum, saying, "I feel certain that the serum has powerful effects, and I love the sensation."

Dana's advice on keeping skin healthy and younger-looking? "Take care of your skin with quality products. Cleanse, tone, and moisturize day and night, and don't forget your neck. Exfoliate regularly, and protect against the sun. Ditch smoking and alcohol, but drink a lot of water." She also points out the anti-aging benefits of the Arbonne nutritional supplements.

For men too
A four-product line of NutriMenC RE skincare products is available for men: the same benefits in a simpler regimen. These products contain the same proprietary mix of vitamins, botanicals, and anti-aging elements as the women's line.

Makeup
One of the nicest things about Arbonne's makeup line is the wide range of shades. Fifteen shades of water-based foundation and fifteen shades of mineral powder foundation as well. Customers can choose from six different translucent powders, ten eye pencil shades, 32 eye shadows, 28 lipstick shades, 24 blushers, and more.

Sold through independent consultants
Arbonne products are sold by independent sales consultants. Each consultant owns his or her own business. The benefits of being an Arbonne consultant, according to Dana, are "low start-up cost, minimal overhead, long-term client loyalty, and easy-to-sell products."

Arbonne consultants get more than just the profit from running their own business. They also receive bonuses, life insurance benefits, incentives, and even participation in a Mercedes Benz Cash Bonus Program. Dana tells me, "Through Arbonne, I help people grow personally and financially. I love being able to tell everyone about the products for their health and well-being." Want to know more about Arbonne? The company's web site is www.arbonne.com. Expert Arbonne consultant Dana Frank can be reached at http://www.danafrank.myarbonne.com/.