By Nancy H. Rosenberg

Every once in a while, we run across a product so complete, so effective, so perfect, that it is rewarded with a place of permanence in our beauty regimen. These products have very little in common: sometimes they’re fancy, sometimes they’re downright pedestrian, but the one factor they all have in common is their superiority to the competition.

AVEDA ROSEMARY MINT SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

This Holy Grail of hair care is, quite simply, our most-favorite in the world. The shampoo is thick and rich and it leaves your scalp feeling so clean it’s tingly. The conditioner is light but effective, and both products leave hair smelling herbally fresh. Both products are concentrated, so the 8.5-ounce bottles last for a while. Available in salons or online. 8.5 fl. oz. $9.50 (each).

AVEENO DAILY MOISTURIZING BODY WASH

If you ever see this stuff go on sale, buy it in bulk. It’s thick and goes on with a silky slick of soapy goodness, but the real payoff comes later, when your skin feels remarkably soft and touchable. Natural colloidal oatmeal means it’s very soothing, too, so it’s a great post-sun cleanse. You’ll never again feel the tight, dry skin that regular soap leaves behind, and it’s so gentle you can even use it on your face. 12 fl. oz. $6.79.

NOXZEMA TRIPLE CLEAN ANTI-BLEMISH PADS

Noxzema is one of those tried-and-true brands that stays loyal to its iconic properties: the smell, the tingle, the glow all belong to Noxzema. While the packaging design is new, the product hasn’t changed: it’s as inexpensive and effective as ever. Don’t make the mistake of thinking this is a product exclusively for teens; medicated salicylic acid means it’s great for cutting oil and reducing shine, especially during the dog days of Houston summers. (Bonus use: pack a few in a ziplock baggie for airplane travel. They’re great for invigorating, post-flight freshening.) 90 pads. $4.79.

RILASTIL AQUA HAND CREAM

OK, it’s expensive. But if you suffer from dry, cracked skin on your hands or feet, this chi-chi Italian cream can be a lifesaver. Rilastil is known for the quality of its ingredients and the effectiveness of its products. This thick, luxurious, healing balm is one product for which we happily splurge. Available at BeautyBridge.com. 2.54 fl. oz. $29.

OLAY COMPLETE AGELESS CLEANSER

This mildly abrasive cleanser leaves skin soft, clean and with a healthy glow. It’s safe to use on face and body. There are products out there that cost two or three times as much, but we still like this exfoliating cleanser best. Available at grocery and drugstores. 6.5 fl. oz. $8.99.

OBAGI NU-DERM SYSTEM

This transformative collection is designed to speed cellular turnover and reveal a youthful, vibrant complexion. There’s nothing fussy or cloying about this collection, which makes it great for women and men. Begin by cleansing with either the NU-DERM FOAMING GEL or the NU-DERM GENTLE CLEANSER, both of which remove impurities and prepare the skin for further treatment. Next, the OBAGI NU-DERM TONER helps to balance the skin, adjusting its pH balance. To exfoliate, you have your choice of OBAGI NU-DERM EXFODERM for normal skin types, or OBAGI NU-DERM EXFODERM FORTE for dull and damaged skin. To protect your skin from further UV damage, the OBAGI NU-DERM PHYSICAL UV SUN BLOCK SPF 32 is a broad-spectrum, chemical-free formula that contains zinc oxide. If your skin feels dry or generally uncomfortable, OBAGI NU-DERM ACTION is an intensive hydrator that relieves chapping and redness. Obagi is available through dermatologists and other skincare specialists. Although these products are super-concentrated, they’re still expensive: prices range from $33 to $60 per product.

STRIVECTIN-SD

Here’s the story: originally developed as a cream to diminish stretch marks, researchers noticed that, after experiments and testing with Strivectin-SD, fine wrinkles and skin imperfections (in addition to stretch marks) were greatly diminished. And a fantastic new skin care product was born. The best part of Strivectin is the way it makes your skin feel. Use it twice a day and your skin will feel soft, luxuriously moisturized and supple. (Strivectin has since branched out into a host of various specialty products, but we still like this best.) Available in department stores, online, and at Sephora. 6 fl. oz. $135.

J. PAUL GLIDE SHAVE CREAM

Houston-based J. Paul Industries’ shave cream is perfect for guys who have tough, coarse beards and develop frequent razor burn. With finely tuned ingredients such as natural oils like jojoba and aloe vera, Glide allows your blade to slice through hair with little friction and can even extend the life of your razor. 3 fl. oz. $19.95. Order online at Jpaulonline.com.