An apple a day keeps aging away

A gourmand-loving  beauty junkie like myself should be careful around L’Occitane’s new Almond Apple collection. Aimed at women 25 to 35, it’s the Provencal company’s most scrumptious range yet, and therefore fatally seductive to someone like me. It’s almost too good to be true that these four products meant to stave off the first signs of aging are also luscious enough to eat. But for its young target market, which is susceptible to mouthwatering yet non-caloric treats, it’s perfect. According to derm research, some skin functions start slowing down as early as 25, no thanks to natural biology, our ravaged environment and high-stress lifestyles. Studies show that around age 30, your hormones maximize the size of your oil glands, causing pores to become more visible (how attractive). Skin begins to slacken. Fine lines may start to appear. Polluted environments break down our skin’s defenses, allowing free radicals to damage cells.

This delectable, mostly organic line addresses every skin concern by combining almond and apple from Provence in a well edited, competitively priced range of Cleansing Oil, Toning Cider, Velvet Concentrate and Sweet Peel. Only L’Occitane could squeeze so much goodness from a fruit and a nut. With regular use, your skin is supposed to become firm and soft like an almond; smooth and plump like an apple. Be, look, and smell delicious, indeed. I’ve given up all resistance and become a hardcore addict. Try it and you will, too.

Almond Apple Cleansing Oil (P995)

Recipe: Almond oil nourishes, softens and preserves the natural oil barrier of the skin; organic apple oil extract stimulates the skin’s natural exfoliation process; vitamin E protects by fighting free radicals; almond-apple fragrance lightly scents skin

Prep work: Apply with dry hands on dry face, avoiding eye area. Emulsify with water, massage and rinse off.

Each serving provides: Good value for money, because you get a skin cleanser and makeup remover in one. This formula is lighter than most cleansing oils I’ve tried and transforms into a creamy milk once it hits water. Applied with dry fingers I can see it dissolve all my makeup, including waterproof mascaras and stubborn gel eyeliners. It leaves my skin soft, fresh and glowy, not tight or dry. And the scent is quite tasty, like an almond-apple custard.

Almond Apple Sweet Peel (P1,750)

Recipe: Crushed almond shells slough away dead skin cells; almond oil nourishes, softens and restores the normal oil barrier; organic apple cider vinegar cleanses and minimizes pore appearance; and organic apple extract stimulates natural exfoliation

Prep work: Gently massage on damp skin, rinse. Use once or twice a week to maintain a healthy-looking complexion.

Each serving provides: A delicious exfoliating treat. This is one of my friend Cecile’s favorite products, and I can see why. With its fine applesauce consistency, this scrub smells incredibly yummy and is gentle enough to use twice a week, though you’ll become so addicted you’ll want to use it every day. The crushed shells are tiny and don’t feel like they’re nicking your skin, like some scrubs do. Sweet Peel smoothes on like butter and rinses clean without leaving a residue. And like everything else in this line, it left my face fragrant, smooth and moist, like a freshly scrubbed apple. The packaging is gorgeous as well: a retro-sleek glass jar that would look adorable on your bathroom counter.

Almond Apple Toning Cider (P995)

Recipe: Almond proteins help restore the skin’s support tissues; organic apple cider vinegar cleans and minimizes the appearance of pores; organic apple extract stimulates natural exfoliation

Prep work: Apply with a cotton ball or pad after cleansing. Sweep over entire face, neck and décolleté.

Each serving provides: Refined skin. Those who say toners don’t work haven’t tried this Toning Cider, which acts in synergy with the Cleansing Oil. Regular users say it helps reduce the size of their pores, especially on the nose area, and even takes off the “flakies,” that dead surface skin that makes your face feel rough. It did improve the appearance of my combination skin, leaving it soft, smooth yet moist, and smelled so disconcertingly like apple juice I had to stop myself from chugging it.

Almond Apple Velvet Concentrate (P2,750)

Recipe: Almond proteins, silicium and coriander essential oil inhibit loss of elasticity and re-densify skin; organic apple vinegar acts as an astringent to clean and minimize pores; organic apple fruit extract stimulates natural exfoliation and fights free radicals; almond oil nourishes, softens and restores the skin’s natural oil barrier; almond milk softens

Prep work: Day and night, gently massage into face, throat and décolleté.

Each serving provides: Velvety moisture. Like whipped cream, this white balm glides on like a dream. I love massaging a big dollop of it into my face, and my skin drinks it up like water. Another nice thing is that there’s no greasy afterfeel and it leaves a matte finish — perfect for the younger set who have oilier skin — but the amount of moisture it provides might be more suited to those 35 and below. Those with drier skin (and very dry cheeks like me) could use more hydration from a richer formula such as the Very Precious Cream from L’Occitane’s Immortelle line. Like the Sweet Peel, though, Velvet Concentrate comes in a screw-top glass jar that provides rustic chic to your vanity or countertop.

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L’Occitane is available at Rustan’s Essenses.