THOSE WHO MOST NEED A CERTAIN SKIN care product have no means of getting it because either it doesn?t exist yet or if it does, it is only available abroad or is prohibited by some medical condition.

My skin care suppliers have sent me these hard-to-find products for specific needs.

Acne eliminator for pregnant women is perhaps the biggest breakthrough in skin care, as pregnant women are prone to the worst acne breakouts.

The Vitamin A and salicylic acid found in most effective acne medications are linked to birth defects so moms are cautioned against taking a formula with those ingredients.

Chari Cabral, owner of Jeunesse Manila, presented me with F2F or Face to Face, which are skin care capsules from the Netherlands that boost healthy skin from within. They prevent acne and keep skin clear, soft and smooth.

The best part is that F2F doesn?t contain Vitamin A so it is safe for pregnant women.

Those who are lactose-intolerant may take this without feeling discomfort as well. The effective ingredient is Praventin, a Lactoferrin preparation from milk protein.

Check out www.F2F4U.com for more information.

For the longest time the only known anti-acne capsule was Accutane, which was tough to find in Manila. In the US, it was available via prescription from a dermatologist with a United States license. It was also very expensive.

Erick Armigos, my Glutathione capsule supplier, presented me Lactoferrin capsules.

Active ingredients are: Lactoferrin, which is clinically proven to reduce blemishes and redness associated with bad skin; Linumlife, which is extracted from Flax and helps deal with hormonal imbalance that causes the skin to break out, look dull and excrete excess oil; and Zinc Gluconate, which neutralizes testosterone which leads to acne breakouts.

A single capsule has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

A favorite

M2, aka MaMa, consists of Mandelic and Malic Acid as potent exfoliators which are gentle on skin. This is a godsend for those who find that Glycolic acid stings too much or for those who don?t like aggressive peeling but have a problem with pigmentation.

This has been my favorite as it has actually eliminated some stubborn brown spots on my face. The rest have been lightened and the big ones have broken up to more manageable tiny pieces: My pores look smaller, no acne breakouts at all; whiteheads and blackheads have been reduced as well.

But MaMa contains a bit of Vitamin A, so those trying to conceive or are pregnant have to stop using it.

There are just two easy steps in the morning and three easy ones at night. I advise using an SPF 30 during the day as your third step and a mattifier like OC Eight above that for step four, if you do not like the greasy feel.

There?s no obvious peeling so you can go about your daily routine without redness.

Expensive

Would you pay P56,500 for skin care?

That is how much La Prairie?s Cellular Cream Platinum Rare costs.

What is in it to merit such a price tag? It contains nano-sized platinum particles which help maintain the skin's electrical balance; malachite for energy flow; hematite for strengthening; smart crystals that transport antioxidants; Resveratrol for anti-inflammatory and lightening; and red algae of Irish moss for soothing and moisture.

I know of several Hermes Birkin collectors who would not think twice about buying it if it were proven effective and for the mere status of saying that nobody else uses the same thing. Who is it for, really? Women with very dry, dull, dehydrated skin who want 24 hours of dewy moisture. Its silvery cast from the actual Platinum it contains adds a glow to the complexion, and you wake up the next day looking rested. It?s exclusively available at Rustans.

Those interested in F2F, M2 and OC Eight should call 6723599 to find the doctor nearest you that distributes them. Doctors price them differently.