When I heard about gold as an ingredient in a beauty product, I thought it was just ridiculous. Upon research, I found out gold is actually a good anti-aging treatment.

How? Gold actually helps in better skin absorption of ingredients. It also works like an antioxidant by reducing oxidation. There is also a super-luxe, 24-carat gold facial offered by select dermatologists for anti-aging.

But prevention is now the key to battling aging. The earlier we start taking good care of our skin, the cheaper for our pockets in the long run.

Luckily, for all of us, Pond’s has Pond’s Gold Radiance line, which has the power of Pond’s Age Miracle (with CLA complex, AHAs, retinol and retinol boosters, etc).

Yes, it has real gold in it, for better absorption and more radiance. The micro particles used in Pond’s Gold Radiance is 99-percent real gold, which, since gold is a natural mineral, is known to give instant radiance to the skin while helping replace dead skin cells with healthier ones. It also aids in the skin’s elasticity.

The Pond’s Gold Radiance range aims to target signs of skin aging such as rough skin, unevenness and dullness, giving us radiant tight skin and that youthful glow we all want to keep.

Pond’s Gold Radiance Day Cream (P799) relieves dullness and reveal skin’s youthful radiance. It has SPF 15 PA++ for sun protection.

Ponds Gold Radiance Night Cream (P799) regenerates skin while one sleeps.

Red Cross Ball beauties

Beauty surely also must radiate from the inside and out. This Sunday will be the fifth year of the Red Cross Ball, and here are some beautiful women who support this wonderful charity and have maintained their radiance. Let’s find out their secret.

Trina Alindogan is chairman of the National Bookstore Foundation. which undertakes literacy and back-to-school programs.

Her projects are fully supported by her sweet, smart, loving husband and best friend Noji, especially since Trina is a passionate parent who wants to cultivate in her kids strong family values and principles.

Her active lifestyle requires a beauty regimen of cleansing, moisturizing, and sun block lotion everyday.

Aside from developing the cable park of Camarines Sur, a center of world water sports, Lara Villafuerte, wife of Gov. L-Ray Villafuerte, also works for Gawad Kalinga, the social housing program.

The young mother said exercise and yoga (or anything that makes one sweat and release endorphins) keeps her on top of her game.

Coming from a family of cancer survivors, Lara donates to philanthropic endeavors such as the National Children’s Hospital and KYTHE Foundation, which aids pediatric cancer patients.

Tina Maristela-Ocampo, widely known as a fashion icon and entrepreneur, is noted for her charity work. She has been a board member of Museo Pambata for eight years now.

Tina said family life with hubby Rico and her kids is far more powerful than any creams or beauty procedure. “I don’t think there’s a substitute for loving and being loved, in terms of beauty,” she said.

She added sleep is also a great boost to one’s beauty regimen.

Restaurateur Beng Dee said she’s kept young by being in love with hubby. They’ve been married for 28 years now.

“I smile whenever I see him,” she said. “He always knows how thrilled I am that he’s there with me and how miserable I would be without him.”

Feeling good and healthy and having positive thoughts are the most natural beauty ingredients, she explained. Working for charity also helps one feel young. Beng said. She supports Red Cross.

Dermatologist  Aivee Teo also keeps young by being in love.

“I met a cute, funny, thoughtful, sweet, smart, hard-working and God-fearing gentleman,” she said. “Now he’s my partner, my best friend, and my husband brings out the best in me and allows me to pursue my own passion. He is a perfect fit for me. But the current apple of my eye is my four-month-old baby boy, Kenzo!”

Aivee practices living a healthy lifestyle. She tries to minimize sun exposure and uses daily sunblock and anti-aging creams.

She also suggests regular visits to one’s favorite dermatologist.

Aivee supports the Red Cross and conducts a  weekly charity skin clinic for indigent patients with severe and chronic skin diseases. She’s also part of the Las Pinas Green Card Hospitalization Program, which provides free hospitalization and medical care for the poor of Las Pinas.