Argan is oil right for the skin

Dear Lucy,

Where can I get pure Argan oil? I am told that the ones commercially available are scented already. Have you tried Argan oil? What is its composition that makes it effective?

Prima

Argan oil, which is meticulously extracted from the nut of the Argan tree, is an organic oil replete with beauty benefits. It has vitamin E, which is a natural and powerful antioxidant, and omega 6 and 9, which are fatty acids. In its purest form, it is also apparently used as a food supplement although I have not tried that yet. I have tried it on the body though and the skin feels velvety smooth but never greasy. The oil is absorbed very easily and you feel luscious in a big way.

Argan oil can also be used for a lot of skin conditions, including allergies/rashes, psoriasis, eczema, even acne (mainly because it stops the overproduction of sebum and controls it), dermatitis, dryness in areas like the heels and elbows. I hear it is also effective for healing wounds and preventing scars.

Extra Virgin Argan Cold Pressed Argan Oil is available through L’oro della Vita Inc. Call Fides at 09156999184 or 869-3627. It is also available as a food supplement in a soap bar.

Lucy

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Shaving grace for pregnant women

Shop and shave: Nivea For Men Anti-Irritation Shaving Foam Extreme Comfort gives a close, smooth shave without irritations.

Hi, Rissa!

I am four weeks pregnant. Found out there are so many things to avoid. I shave my legs. What cream is safe to use? 

From @mrspiedg via Twitter

It’s pretty much safe to shave even while pregnant. Shaving is a much safer option than using depilatories or hair removal creams which can irritate the skin or trigger allergic reactions because of the strong chemicals and fragrances used. I’m five months pregnant and I’ve shaved my legs several times already, so have my other preggy friends. I’m not very particular about my shaving cream, but I’ve noticed shaving creams for men not only work better; the options and variety are more readily available at the grocery, too.

Yup, I almost always pick up a can of shaving cream for men. Who’s going to know that you’re using it other than you? They’ve given me the smoothest shaves. Men generally have thicker hair and skin so their shaving creams are formulated to prep even the toughest shaving conditions! The last shaving cream I picked up at the grocery was Nivea For Men Anti-Irritation Shaving Foam Extreme Comfort. I’ve been using it throughout my pregnancy and it’s given me a close, smooth shave without irritations. But do bear in mind that skin gets more sensitive during pregnancy. For your skin products, always opt for the sensitive skin variant, preferably fragrance-free because your sense of smell will also become very heightened while pregnant. Everyday and ordinary scents can suddenly become very irritating to you so take a whiff of the product before purchasing it. Lastly, always do a patch test on a small area. When in doubt, it’s always best to check with your doctor.

Rissa

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For pore-free skin

Hi, Regina!

Just pore you: Clinique’s Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector is specifically geared towards covering up large pores.

I have open pores on the sides of my nose and some on my forehead. Can you please give me some advice on how to minimize them or cover them up?

Erica

Pores are absolutely necessary so that your skin can “breathe,” so you stay moisturized (with the oil your skin produces — it’s not a bad thing!), and so that the toxins in your skin have an exit. But larger pores can be due to a number of factors — genes, age, and oiliness being just a few of them. Your pores are actually extra-big in the areas you specified because that’s where our skin is oiliest. Unfortunately, there’s no way to make large pores shrink permanently. In fact (and I hate to throw you into a panic like this), large pores will only get larger as you age and lose elasticity in your skin. But that’s still a long way off, so nothing to worry about just yet.

One of the best things you can do to keep your pores looking as small as possible is to establish a good cleansing regimen. Dirt and sebum trapped in your pores can make them look even larger than they already are, so it’s important to exfoliate at least twice a week. Just be sure not to cleanse too harshly. If your face feels squeaky clean after washing, then chances are, you’ve overcleansed. Then, your skin will compensate for the dryness by producing even more oil, which you definitely don’t want.

To cover pores up, try a primer. (Many of them include silicone, which helps even out your skin’s texture. Some are even specifically geared towards covering up large pores, like Etude House’s Goodbye Pore Ever and Clinique’s Pore Refining Solutions Instant Perfector.) You can wear it alone, or under foundation.

Regina

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Send e-mail to Lucy Torres-Gomez at ltg@pldtdsl.com. E-mail Rissa Trillo at stylesos_rissa@yahoo.com or follow her on Twitter @RissaMananquil. E-mail Regina Belmonte at vivatregina.tumblr@gmail.com.