The Uttwiler Spatlauber apple tree in Switzerland may not mean anything to you, and until several years ago, it didn’t mean much to anyone else, either. The fruit it bore was tart – too tart to eat. And, as in a fairy tale whose heroine is lonely and much neglected – ugly on the outside, though beautiful underneath – no one came to pick these apples.

As years went by, the trees started to dwindle until there were only three left. But even as the trees  were dying out, the apples were hanging on. Once picked, an Uttwiler Spatlauber apple lasted months longer than its shriveled cousins (this is indeed the reason the variety was first cultivated in the mid-eighteenth century: its excellent storage ability). If the tree’s bark or unpicked fruits’ skin was punctured, it would heal itself, like human skin. What was keeping these apples alive? What was their secret to such prolonged youth? And, naturally, how quickly could this miracle ingredient be put into a skin cream, fully harnessed to stop the aging process – in people?

          The scientists at Mibelle, a Swiss biochem lab, went to work. They discovered that the key to the apple’s longevity lay chiefly in its unusually resilient stem cells. Stem cells in plants function much as they do in people: Their job is to maintain and repair tissue. Adult stem cells in human skin have a limited life span, and as we age and as we expose ourselves to inevitable environmental assaults – like UV light, i.e., sunshine – they decrease in number, as does their ability to regenerate tissue. The result is the familiar loss of skin elasticity and radiance, and finally, wrinkles. Aging.

          Enter the apple. New technology made it possible to replicate the cells of the nearly extinct Uttwiler Spatlauber in the lab; researchers called the ingredient PhytoCellTec Malus Domestica. In clinical tests, the apple’s stem cells appeared to be protecting human stem cells. Like a youth tonic, they were nourishing and stimulating them, defending them from UV radiation (like a natural SPF booster), even delaying their aging and death. In a skin-care trial targeted at crow’s-feet, a generic face cream spiked with PhytoCellTec reduced wrinkle depth in 20 subjects by 15 percent after four weeks.

          Word got our. 3Lab immediately put the apple-stem-cell extract in its deluxe M Cream, Super h Serum, and Perfect C Serum, out this month. Chantecaille promptly incorporated it into its Nano Gold Energizing Eye Cream. “This is like the new retinol,” says creative director Olivia Chantecaille. “They found the apple doesn’t age – that’s why we create beauty products, so we won’t age!” Lancome tweaked its own version of the apple complex in the new Absolue Precious Cells cream – so named because the skin’s most precious cells are, after all, its stem cells. When Francesco Clark, founder of Clark’s Botanicals, heard about the Uttwiler Spatlauber, he didn’t think twice, either, before formulating his Cellular Lifting Serum with it. “We launched it on a Tuesday, the day after Obama repealed the stem-cell act,” says Clark. “It was a total fluke.” And apart from the legions of loyal fashion-world friends who are snapping it up – at a cool $355 (“It lasts three-and-a-half months!”), even in this economy – Clark has a fan in Washington, too. Michelle Obama. “She wrote me al letter!” For a more recession friendly apple-stem-cell fix, though, Scandinavian company Lumene offers its new ExCellent Future Deep Repairing Cream and Serum, both just under $30.

          And so, this fairy tale has a happy ending. Today, the endangered Uttwiler Spatlauber trees (there are now seven) are protected by the European environmental group ProSpecieRara. The apples themselves are so revered, in 2008, the Swiss government put them on a postage stamp. Maybe someday we’ll even eat them. Imagine what  that could do for you. – SARAH BROWN

Your kitchen is full of wonderful ingredients that make a 'natural homemade mask' easy and nourishing for the skin.  These ingredients have been used for centuries in skincare.

Plain Yogurt:  A popular natural beauty ingredient for the skin.  Can be used alone or added to many facial recipes.  Offering cleansing properties, as well as aids in healthy skin, and body. Yogurt contains natural lactic acid which soothes, softens and tightens the skin.  It is ideal for all skin types including dry sensitive skin.  When using yogurt for acne purchase "live" yogurt.  Live yogurt enzymes help kill bacteria.

Honey:  Honey is probably one of the most important and versatile ingredient in skin care.  It is full of nutrients, antioxidants, healing and anti-aging properties.  Before antibiotics 'RAW HONEY' was used topically as an antiseptic.  Raw honey promotes new tissue growth.  Containing bee pollen, propolis and other componants that stimulate growth of new cells.  It is ideal for all skin types and conditions.

Avocado:  Although avocados have not been proven to be beneficial in anti-aging, it does have a number of ingredients that are truly beneficial for skin.  Avocados are loaded with essential fatty acids which provides moisture to the skin.  Vitamin A and E are powerful antioxidants aiding in protection from free radicals.  Avocados are high in Sterolins which are reputable in being helpful in scar healing and sun damage.  Creams containing avocados are not always 100% natural.  It is best when seeking a natural avocado mask to make your own.

Cucumber:  Cucumbers are known for their wealth in water, vitamin E and natural oils which make for one of the best remedies for external skin care. Cucumbers are an excellent source of 'silica', a trace mineral that aides to the strength of our connective tissue.  They also contain ascorbic and caffeic acids'.  These acids help in preventing water retention.  Making cucumbers a great topical application for tired puffy eyes, burns, and other skin conditions.  With all their natural oils and water, they soften and hydrate the skin.  Cucumbers contribute to improving and rejuvenating the skins texture, while reducing fine lines and wrinkles.

Oatmeal:  Rolled natural oats (not instant) make a great skin treatment for all skin types, especially good for dry, sensitive skin.  Oatmeal can be used to  make a gentle and effective skin cleanser, facial scrub, and soothing facial mask.  Oatmeal helps to relieve dryness, reduce discomfort, restore moisture balance, and aids in minor skin irritations.  When cleansing with oatmeal, the oats absorbs and removes surface dirt, and impurities.  It provides the skin with a gentle exfoliation, leaving smooth, soft, clean skin with out the use of soap.  As a mask or exfoliator oatmeal will deep cleanse the pores, remove dead skin cells without drying or irritating the skin.  Your skin will be left with a natural, healthy glow.

Lemons:  Lemon juice squeezed from natural lemons is the best to use, otherwise it maybe diluted.  Lemons are loaded with vitamin C making it a natural powerful antioxidant.  For those who are prone to dark spots lemon juice assist in slowing down hyperactive melanocytes which aids as a skin lightener.  Lemon juice is know for its tyrosina inhibitor factors in preventing pigmentation.  Some say lemon juice has helped in reducing pimples.  Caution: Lemon juice is not for sensitive or dry skin.  You can use lemon juice by adding other ingredients and using less of the juice.  Proceed with caution as it can irritate the skin making conditions worse.

Natural Avocado Mask
Good for all skin types, especially dry skin
½ Ripe Avocado Mashed
1 – 2 TB Plain Yogurt
3 TB Honey soft or runny (can soften honey by heating your spoon under hot water)
2 drops Neroli Essential Oil or Rose Essential Oil (optional) Use only 100% pure essential oils.
In small bowl mash avocado, add yogurt, honey and oil (opt.). 
Mix well.  Apply with sea sponge.  Leave on 10 –15 min.
Makes enough for 2-3 Masks
Can store in refrigerator 2-3 days.

Cooling Mask
Soothing / Good for all skin types
1 TB Plain Natural Yogurt, room temperature
1 TS Honey soft or runny (can soften honey by heating your spoon under hot water)
Combine.  Apply 15 min.
Dry skin add extra tsp honey
Oily skin add few drops of fresh lime juice
Remove with warm water and wash cloth.

Cleanse & Rejuvenating Oatmeal & Yogurt Mask
Good for all skin types.
1 TB Oatmeal Plain (finely ground)
1 TB Live Organic Oatmeal Plain
2 – 3 drops Honey
3 TB plain Yogurt
Add yogurt to oatmeal mix, warm honey so it is runny, then add honey. 
Stir mixing well.
Apply mask.  Leave on skin 10 min.  Rinse using warm water and washcloth.

All Natural Sugar Exfoliator
Use only sugar, not salt.  Salt is to abrasive for skin.
3 TB warm water
2 TB sugar
Mix water and sugar together.  Stir until granules are dissolved.
Apply to face using gentle upward circular motions. Messaging mask around
face, avoiding eye area.  Remove with warm water & washcloth.

Dry Skin  / Sun Burn Healing Mask
3 TB Aloe Vera Juice
1 TB Aloe Vera Gel
2 – drops Rose 100% Essential Oil
Mix all ingredients well.  Apply evenly where needed with cotton pad.
Leave on 5 – 7 minutes.  Rinse with cool water.

Deep Cleansing Clay Mask
Recommended for Oily Skin
Mask once a week for a month.  Then as needed after.
3 TB Green or French Clay  (Prefer French Clay.  Find at health food store)
3 TB Hot Water
2 – drops Rosemary 100% Essential Oil
2 – drops Lemon 100% Essential Oil
Mix all ingredients well with fork.  Until mixture is a smooth
paste.  Add more hot water if needed.
Apply evenly.  Leave on 7 – 30 minutes depending upon skin.
Rinse completely with warm water.

Home made masks are easy and effective.  Make sure when applying that your skin can tolerate mask.  If skin burns, turns red, or feels irritated remove immediately. Everyone is different & your skin can change.  Always listen to your skin.  Most of these ingredients are very safe for all skin types and conditions.  Please use at your own discression.