Nuts about healthy skin? Try this

They taste like heaven wrapped in chocolate and pack a nutritional wallop in trail bits, mixed with those dry-tasting herbs and chunks of what looks like mineralized pretzels, but almonds are also great for the skin. According to the Almond Board of California (sounds like a co-op for a building of nuts), almonds, the best friend of Cadbury, are cholesterol-free and a good source of dietary fiber. Rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals, biologically-active compounds found in foods that possess potential health benefits, studies have shown that this particular nut can lower the risk of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease and other chronic illnesses. It’s official: not only do they taste great, but people with science degrees are saying almonds are healthy.

Yet, to beauty enthusiasts across the globe, almond has a few other qualities more important than preventing a silly heart disease or two. With its high mineral content and naturally-occurring vitamins (including A, B1, B2, B6 and E), it’s a natural moisturizer that softens and smoothens dry, itchy skin. Not only that but it’s known to promote a younger-looking complexion as well. Right now, as I write this, aging women are banging almond trees with bats hoping to rub the healthy nut across their faces and sagging cleavage.

In Provence, almond trees were considered a waste of space, making it difficult for tractors to make their way across the terrain. The age-old practice of banging the almond tree, called "pole beating," a quaint process done by men which involves shaking the tree branches with sticks so the nuts fall to the ground and the women can pick them up and bang them up again – this time, of course, to extract the fruit from the hard outer shell–was practically forgotten. Now, L’Occitane is supporting a project to revive the cultivation of almond trees in Haute-Provence, so that aging women won’t have to bang on these trees on their own, which is thoughtful of them.

The French label has been famous for churning out shea butter products that make the skin glisten from health. Now, that they’ve discovered the power of the almond – and are harnessing it (the way mutant super heroes do in over-budgeted action films, but that’s neither here nor there) – they’ve developed a series of products utilizing the nutritional assets of the almond.

Wash On, Wash Off

Under L’Occitane’s delightful almond series, the Delicious Paste, an exfoliating and defining scrub, combines crushed almonds and shells with sugar crystals to gently exfoliate the body and stimulate cellular activity. Meant to be used in the shower, simply massage over wet skin, which transforms the thick, creamy texture of the paste into milk, and rub in circular motions to activate microcirculation. This formulation leaves skin smoother and delicately scented.

Like the many cleansing oils that have been hitting the local market of late, leaving many Filipinos less wary of applying oil in the bath (perhaps with this extremely hot weather, they can’t help but think they’re oily enough), the Shower Oil of L’Occitane refreshes thirsty skin with its luxurious moisturizers. With its combo powers of almond oil and nourishing lipids, you can feel the difference as you soon as you glob on some of the stuff and hit it with a jet of water. It foams up immediately and, after it’s washed off, leaves a light veil of fresh almond fragrance and soft, moisturized skin.

The Milk Concentrate, a blend of soft silicium and almond proteins, which enhances collagen synthesis, restores skin’s support tissue and fights gravity, is every woman’s answer to aging. This firming tonic is meant to be applied daily (for a minimum of 3-4 weeks) for firmer, more elastic skin.

The finale of the series, Blossom Dew, is a perfuming and toning solution with almond proteins, which has a unique gel consistency that leaves a light fragrance.

For women who want to retain their youthful glow to an extreme degree, plastic surgery or its less-invasive siblings are often the answer. But for others who know the power of restraint, of living life well and avoiding the sun and taking care of skin with a healthy diet and skin regimen, then L’Occitane’s almond series is the cherry on an already well-preserved sundae.

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L’Occitane is available at Rustan’s Essenses Makati, Shangri-La Plaza, Alabang Town Center, Gateway Araneta Center, Robinsons Place Manila and Ayala Center Cebu.