Apricot-kernel oil
apricot-kernel oil/ (ap-ri-kot kur-nl oil)/ n./ 1. Oil extracted from the inedible kernels of the apricot pit; / n./ 2. Rich in vitamins A and E, apricot kernel oil also boasts high levels of essential fatty acids that help skin maintain moisture levels without leaving it greasy, e.g. “Dry skin is the pits—slather on some apricot-kernel oil for hydration and a natural, healthy glow.”
Try it: L’Occitane Shea Butter Body Lotion, $30, usa.loccitane.com
Ingredients Deciphered: Caviar
CAVIAR/(kav-ee-ahr)/n./ 1. Eggs of a large fish, especially sturgeon, typically served as hors d’oeuvres at highbrow get-togethers; /n./ 2. Rich in mineral and vitamin content (B1, 2, and 6 as well as A, E, and D), caviar lifts and adds glow to aging skin; e.g., “A taste for caviar could be the result of maturing skin as well as a maturing palate; roe extract has been shown to help reverse the ill-effects of gravity while smoothing fine lines and wrinkles.”
Try it: La Prairie Skin Caviar Luxe Body Cream, $375, www.nordstrom.com
ASTAXANTHIN/(az-tax-ahn-thin)/n./ 1. An antioxidant extracted from marine microalgae in the hot lava fields of Hawaii; /n./ 2. Five hundred times more effective than vitamin E, astaxanthin protects and heals skin affected by sun damage and irritation caused by chemical peels and other harsh facial treatments, e.g., “No need to clear your social calendar after your next medi-spa appointment. Regular application of an astaxanthin-based serum will make post-op public appearances completely painless.”
Try it: Esenté Red Volcanic Seaweed Complex, $68, www.esente.com.
BLACK CUMIN/(blah-ek kuh-min)/n./ 1. A plant native to the Mediterranean region and cultivated in North Africa and Asia for its black aromatic seeds; /n./ 2. Also called nigella oil, black cumin oil is rich in essential fatty acids and is frequently used in skin and scalp treatments for its protective, regenerative, stimulating, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, e.g., “Black cumin oil belongs in your bathroom, not in your curry, as it packs an emollient punch that adds luster to skin and hair.”
MALACHITE/ (mal-uh-kahyt)/ n./ 1.A semi-precious green stone;/ n./ 2. Billed as a powerful antioxidant, malachite’s high levels of copper also give it the reported ability to increase collagen and elastin levels in the skin, e.g., “Turquoise and jade might keep you in fashion, but only malachite will keep your skin radiant—and your friends green with envy.”
Try it: Banana Republic Malachite Body Cream, $28, www.bananarepublic.com
ARGAN OIL/(are-gan oil)/n./ 1. The extraction from the pulp and seed of nuts from the argan tree, found in Morocco and Algeria; /n./ 2. Typically harvested by women’s cooperatives and high in vitamin E content, argan oil has exceptional moisturizing properties and has been proven to have age-defying and skin-healing capabilities, e.g., “Do something good for your skin—and your sisters in agribusiness—and seek out products rich in argan oil.”
Try it: Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Skin Salve with Fairly-Traded Argan Oil, $25, www.kiehls.com
PUMPKIN/(puhmp-kin)/n./1. A squashlike fruit ranging in size, shape, color, and appearance originating in North America;/n./ 2. Packed with active enzymes and the anti-aging power of vitamin A, pumpkin can help speed up the skin’s cell-renewal process while providing gentle and effective exfoliation, e.g., “Turn that jack-o’-lantern trick into an easy, skin-pleasing treat, and let pumpkin help you carve out a more radiant complexion.”
Try it: Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Peel, $44, www.sephora.com
TAMANU OIL/ (tuh-mahn-oo oil)/ n./ 1. A thick, brown oil extracted from the nuts of the Tamanu tree, native to Southeast Asia;/ n./ 2. Tamanu oil promotes the formation of new tissue and also boasts anti-inflammatory properties that can treat everything from sunburn to skin blemishes and rosacea, e.g., “If your skin tends to veer towards the greasy side, fight oil with oil—tamanu oil, which is nature’s answer to the dreaded pizza face.”
Try it: Aveda Outer Peace Foaming Cleanser, $25, www.aveda.com
BUCTHER’S BROOM /(boo-cherz-broom /n. / 1. A shrubby European evergreen, that comes from the lily family; /n. / 2. Butcher’s Broom contains the phytonutrient rutin, which has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, legs, and hands while also acting as an anti-inflammatory agent, e.g., “Although its name might sound like something you’d find in a slaughterhouse maintenance closet, don’t be put off—Butcher’s Broom has been known to help maintain circulation and can calm irritated skin.”
Try it: Borghese Effetto Immediato Spa Soothing Tonic, $29, www.drugstore.com.
BEARBERRY/(bair-ber-ee)/ n./ 1. A small berry grown on low shrubs in the high mountains of Europe, Asia, and North America;/n./ 2. A favorite of hungry bears, this succulent, bitter pink fruit contains arbutin, a natural plant-based compound with hydroquinone, which helps to fade hyperpigmentation and enhance overall skin tone, e.g., “If dark spots and blotchiness have you avoiding public appearances, bearberry’s complexion-brightening powers will bring you right out of hibernation.”
MARSHMALLOW/(mahrsh-mel-oh)/n./ 1. A plant native to Europe and naturalized in the marshes of eastern North America; /n./ 2. Marshmallow contains vitamins A and C and is a naturally conditioning herb that helps nourish and detangle curly hair, e.g., “More than just a campfire staple, marshmallow’s moisturizing capabilities make it the perfect treat for dry, unruly hair.”
Try it: Dr. Hauschka Conditioner with Jojoba and Marshmallow, $14, www.drhauschka.com
SUNFLOWER OIL/(suhn-flou-er oil)/n./ 1. An oil extracted from sunflower seeds; /n./ 2. Sunflower oil is rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E and can help rebuild the skin’s moisture barrier when applied topically, e.g., “Much like the emotional effects of receiving an unexpected bouquet of the yellow-petaled stalks, sunflower oil will keep your skin glowing.”
Try it: Origins Youthtopia Skin Firming Cream, $48, www.origins.com.
IGER GRASS/ (tahy-ger grahs)/ n./ 1. Also known as Gotu Kola, a plant native to Asian countries that thrives in and around water./ n./ 2. With anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, tiger grass can be used externally to treat everything from itchiness to sunburn. When extracts are ingested, it is also thought to enhance mental clarity, e.g., “Not a fancy strain of hallucinogen, tiger grass’ restorative powers can still cure what ails ya— and will leave you considerably more lucid than other ‘herbal remedies.”
Try it: Sundari Gotu Kola and Walnut Body Exfoliator, $76, www.skinstore.com
LOTUS/(loh-tuhs)/n./ 1. An aquatic plant native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves and fragrant pinkish flowers; /n./ 2. Extracts from lotus petals are ultra-moisturizing and also help to exfoliate dead skin cells, minimize fine lines, and soothe sensitivity, e.g., “So much more than a tropical drink garnish, lotus’ reparative properties can give your skin the fresh-faced look of a relaxing week spent in Bali (minus the after-effects of any palm brandy abuse).”
Try it: Wei East White Lotus Eye Dreams, $65, www.weieast.com
LIPO HYDROXY ACID (LHA)/(lip-oh hy-drok-see as-id)/n./ 1. A molecule derivative of salicylic acid; /n./ 2. Being touted as the next big thing in antiaging ingredients, LHA is six times more effective than salicylic acid, with highly exfoliating properties that reverse the signs of sun damage, the appearance of fine lines, dark spots, and skin imperfections; e.g., “Bearing no real resemblance to the body-contouring procedure of similar name, LHA’s skin-regenerating effects can, in fact, make you look like you’ve gone under the knife—no post-op support hose necessary.”
Try it: La Roche-Posay Biomedic LHA Cleansing Gel, $42, www.skincarerx.com.
POMEGRANATE/ (pom-a-gran-it)/ n./ 1. A biblical fruit native to the Mediterranean region, with a reddish rind, sweet aromatic scent, and filled with hundreds of edible seeds; / 2. A traditional representation of fertility, pomegranate is packed with antioxidants that fight free radicals, which can age the skin, e.g., “Modern goddesses continue to enjoy the natural, youth-enhancing properties of pomegranate, a beauty staple from the cradle of Western Civilization.”
Try it: Click here for some of our favorite pomegranate offerings that transcend the fruit’s seasonal availability.
.
TOMATO/(tuh-mey-toh)/n./ 1. A plant native to Mexico and Central and South America, bearing a mildly acid, pulpy, usually red fruit; /n./ 2. Packed with great astringent and cooling properties to help reduce pore size and brighten dull skin, tomatoes are also rich in the carotenoid lycopene, which protects against free radicals and sun damage, e.g., “A tasty solution to fighting the visible signs of aging, tomatoes should be an integral part of your secret sauce for obtaining healthy, youthful skin.”
Try it: Eminence Organic Tomato Lycopene Masque, $48, www.dermstore.com.
ACEROLA/(as-uh-roh-luh)/ n./ 1. The cherrylike fruit of the small tree Malpighia glabra, common to the West Indies and adjacent areas; / n./ 2. Also known as the Barbados cherry, this emerging superfruit is said to be 20 to 30 times richer in vitamin C than the orange and is becoming prevalent in the beauty industry for its ability to even skin tone, boost collagen and elastin levels, and defend against the damaging effects of free radicals, which can age skin prematurely, e.g., “Acai is so three years ago. To maintain a youthful appearance and your trendsetting status, get your antioxidant rush from acerola.”
Try it: Nude Skincare’s Advanced Smoothing Complex, $90, www.sephora.com.
One of Chic Report’s favorite scent shop has finally made a home for itself in the big city! Today, Diptyque is opening the doors to its first New York retail space, located at 377 Bleecker Street, between Perry and Charles Streets. We’re loving the Benjamin Noriega Ortiz-designed decor; taking inspiration from an oversized Edwardian mural, the space includes white feather and crystal chandeliers, black Astroturf carpet, Lucite furniture, and flat screen TVs featuring burning Diptyque candles. And though it was originally planned as a holiday pop-up shop, not to worry: the store will be redesigned in 2009 to become Diptyque’s permanent NYC flagship. What better place to pick up Christmas gifts for your fellow sweet-smelling chicettes?
BREWER’S YEAST/ (Bru-erz Yeest)/ n. / 1. A type of fungus formally known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, which is frequently used to brew beer, bake certain breads, and as a nutritional supplement in its inactive form; / n./ 2. A non-leavening agent that provides the body with vitamin B, proteins, and minerals, and helps to regulate the production of sebum produced by the skin, maintaining a healthy pH 5 level and keeping acne at bay, e.g., “A tasty topping for popcorn, brewer’s yeast can also put the cap on breakouts by balancing oily skin.”
Try it: Biologique Recherche Masque Vivant, $66, www.paullabrecque.com
Beauty Counter blog