Latest news with #cosmetic
The Independent
3 days ago
- General
- The Independent
The beauty industry loves argan oil. But demand, and drought, are straining Morocco and its trees
Argan oil runs through your fingers like liquid gold — hydrating, luscious, and restorative. Prized worldwide as a miracle cosmetic, it's more than that in Morocco. It's a lifeline for rural women and a byproduct of a forest slowly buckling under the weight of growing demand. To make it, women crouch over stone mills and grind down kernels. One kilogram — roughly two days of work — earns them around $3, enough for a modest foothold in an economy where opportunities are scarce. It also links them to generations past. 'We were born and raised here. These traditions come from nature, what our parents and grandparents have taught us and what we've inherited,' cooperative worker Fatma Mnir said. Long a staple in local markets, argan oil today is in luxury hair and skin care products lining drugstore aisles worldwide. But its runaway popularity is threatening argan forests, with overharvesting piled on top of drought straining trees once seen as resilient in the harshest of conditions. Hafida El Hantati, owner of one of the cooperatives that harvests the fruit and presses it for oil, said the stakes go beyond the trees, threatening cherished traditions. 'We must take care of this tree and protect it because if we lose it, we will lose everything that defines us and what we have now,' she said at the Ajddigue cooperative outside the coastal town of Essaouira. A forest out of time For centuries, argan trees have supported life in the arid hills between the Atlantic Ocean and the Atlas Mountains, feeding people and animals, holding soil in place and helping keep the desert from spreading. The spiny trees can survive in areas with less than an inch of annual rain and heat up to 50 degrees Celsius (122 Fahrenheit). They endure drought with roots that stretch as far as 115 feet (35 meters) underground. Goats climb trees, chomp their fruit, and eventually disperse seeds as part of the forest's regeneration cycle. Moroccans stir the oil into nut butters and drizzle it over tagines. Rich in vitamin E, it's lathered onto dry hair and skin to plump, moisturize and stave off damage. Some use it to calm eczema or heal chicken pox. But the forest has thinned. Trees bear fewer fruit, their branches gnarled from thirst. In many places, cultivated land has replaced them as fields of citrus and tomatoes, many grown for export, have expanded. Communities once managed forests collectively, setting rules for grazing and harvesting. Now the system is fraying, with theft routinely reported. What's wrong with the forest But a forest that covered about 5,405 square miles (14,000 square kilometers) at the turn of the century has shrunk by 40%. Scientists warn that argan trees are not invincible. 'Because argan trees acted as a green curtain protecting a large part of southern Morocco against the encroaching Sahara, their slow disappearance has become considered as an ecological disaster,' said Zoubida Charrouf, a chemist who researches argan at Université Mohammed V in Rabat. Shifting climate is a part of the problem. Fruit and flowers sprout earlier each year as rising temperatures push the seasons out of sync. Goats that help spread seeds can be destructive, too, especially if they feed on seedlings before they mature. Overgrazing has become worse as herders and fruit collectors fleeing drier regions encroach on plots long allocated to specific families. The forests also face threats from camels bred and raised by the region's wealthy. Camels stretch their necks into trees and chomp entire branches, leaving lasting damage, Charrouf said. Liquid gold, dry pockets Today, women peel, crack and press argan for oil at hundreds of cooperatives. Much makes its way through middlemen to be sold in products by companies and subsidiaries of L'Oréal, Unilever, and Estée Lauder. But workers say they earn little while watching profits flow elsewhere. Cooperatives say much of the pressure stems from climbing prices. A 1-liter bottle sells for 600 Moroccan dirhams ($60), up from 25 dirhams ($2.50) three decades ago. Products infused with argan sell for even more abroad. Cosmetics companies call argan the most expensive vegetal oil on the market. The coronavirus pandemic upended global demand and prices and many cooperatives closed. Cooperative leaders say new competitors have flooded the market just as drought has diminished how much oil can be squeezed from each fruit. Cooperatives were set up to provide women a base pay and share profits each month. But Union of Women's Argan Cooperatives President Jamila Id Bourrous said few make more than Morocco's minimum monthly wage. 'The people who sell the final product are the ones making the money," she said. Some businesses say large multinational companies use their size to set prices and shut others out. Khadija Saye, a co-owner of Ageourde Cooperative, said there were real fears about monopoly. 'Don't compete with the poor for the one thing they live from," she said. "When you take their model and do it better because you have money, it's not competition, it's displacement." One company, Olvea, controls 70% of the export market, according to data from local cooperatives. Cooperatives say few competitors can match its capacity to fill big orders for global brands. Representatives for the company did not respond to requests for comment. Mounting challenges, limited solutions On a hill overlooking the Atlantic, a government water truck weaves between rows of trees, pausing to hose saplings that have just started to sprout. The trees are a project that Morocco began in 2018, planting 39 square miles (100 square kilometers) on private lands abutting the forests. To conserve water and improve soil fertility, argan trees alternate rows with capers, a technique known as intercropping. The idea is to expand forest cover and show that argan, if properly managed, can be a viable source of income. Officials hope it will ease pressure on the overharvested commons and convince others to reinvest in the land. The trees were expected to begin producing this year but haven't during a drought. Another issue is the supply chain. 'Between the woman in the village and the final buyer, there are four intermediaries. Each takes a cut. The cooperatives can't afford to store, so they sell cheap to someone who pays upfront,' Id Bourrous, the union president, said. The government has attempted to build storage centers to help producers hold onto their goods longer and negotiate better deals. So far, cooperatives say it hasn't worked, but a new version is expected in 2026 with fewer barriers to access. Despite problems, there's money to be made. During harvest season, women walk into the forest with sacks, scanning the ground for fallen fruit. To El Hantati, the forest, once thick and humming with life, feels quieter now. Only the winds and creaking trees are audible as goats climb branches in search of remaining fruits and leaves. 'When I was young, we'd head into the forest at dawn with our food and spend the whole day gathering. The trees were green all year long,' she said. She paused, worried about the future as younger generations pursue education and opportunities in larger cities. 'I'm the last generation that lived our traditions — weddings, births, even the way we made oil. It's all fading.' ___ Islam Aatfaoui contributed reporting. ___ The Associated Press' climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders' Rita Simons reveals she's having her fillers dissolved after ‘really regretting' them
EASTENDERS legend Rita Simons has revealed she's having her fillers dissolved - after 'really regretting' them. Viewers best know the actress for playing Roxy Mitchell on the BBC soap from 2007 to 2017. 4 4 Alongside sister Ronnie, the character became iconic throughout her decade in Walford. Viewers were devastated when the pair were killed off together in 2017. Taking to Instagram, Rita, 48, shared that she was having her fillers dissolved. The actress penned: "Going on a little journey with the wonderful @drhennessycosmetic …. "I'm not one to pretend I don't have a little I've really regretted having fillers over the years. "They have built up over time and I was starting to resemble a pillow. "So lovely @drhennessycosmetic started dissolving them last week and today we've done the last bit." Rita added: "Will update results when it all settles with some before and afters. "I'm not adverse to fillers but I've definitely learnt you need to be super careful about over doing it! "FYI in advance for the 'you don't need it' comments…I know! That's why it's going!" EastEnders fans are only just realising Rita Simons has a very famous uncle as he appears on her TikTok begging her to return to soap One follower commented: "You don't need any work. "You are lucky enough to be naturally beautiful and look good always." A second wrote: "Lovely and gorgeous Rita xx." Former EastEnders co-star John Partridge - who played Roxy's BFF Christian - penned: "Fillers or not... always gorgeous." Rita joked back: "Ahhh! Well... I mean you should see me in the morning." Another fan asked: "Was the fillers just in your lips?" Most devastating soap deaths SOAP viewers are frequently left heartbroken after watching some of their favourite characters bite the dust. Here is a list of the most devastating deaths that have taken place in soapland over the years. EASTENDERS Barry Evans - Evil Janine (Charlie Brooks) lured her trusting fiance to Scotland for a quickie marriage after learning he was dying. Her plan to inherit Barry's fortune was thwarted when Barry told her that the doctors had mixed up his medical files. Furious that she was no longer set for a windfall, she pushed Barry off a cliff after telling him their love was 'fake'. Bradley Branning - Bradley was accused of killing Stacey Slater's rapist Archie Mitchell (Larry Lamb) after he punched him twice on the night he died. He was spotted in the Square by a police woman who chased him up a fire escape. Bradley lost his balance and tragically plunged to his death. CORONATION STREET Tina McIntyre - Tina was getting it on with Peter Barlow - despite him being married to Carla Connor. When she threatened to reveal the truth, Carla's brother Rob got into a physical altercation with her. Tina lost her footing and fell off a balcony - then warned Rob she was going to tell the cops he pushed her. In a panic, Rob brutally clobbered her over the head with a metal pipe. Molly Dobbs - Molly was one of the victims in Corrie's 2010 tram crash, alongside Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold). Married to Tyrone (Alan Halsall), Molly had been having an affair with Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) in the months before her death. This resulted in the birth of their son, Jack (Kyran Bowes), who was named after Jack Duckworth. As fate would have it, Kevin's wife Sally (Sally Dynevor) was by Molly's side in her final moments. Sally was stunned as Molly confessed Kevin was Jack's father, before dying of her injuries. Vera Duckworth - Having appeared regularly in Corrie since the 1970s, there was no denying Vera Duckworth was an iconic character. Alongside her husband Jack, the pair formed one of the soap's most beloved couples. Viewers were heartbroken when Vera was killed off in 2008, being discovered having passed away peacefully in her chair. Liz Dawn, who played Vera, made a brief return two years later for Bill Tarmey's exit as Jack. Paul Foreman - Fans were heartbroken when Paul Foreman succumbed to his illness after battling motor neurone disease. Introduced in 2018 as David Platt's (Jack P. Shepherd) cellmate, he later embarked on a romance - and marriage - with vicar Billy Mayhew. The MND storyline was announced in 2023 - with the expectation it would result in the character's death. EMMERDALE Sarah Sugden - After the family got into financial problems, Sarah's son Andy (Kelvin Fletcher) decided to make some quick cash from an insurance company by setting fire to the Sugden barn. He didn't realise his mum was inside the building, and she got trapped in the blaze. Nine villagers - The shocking 1993 plane crash episode brought in 18 million viewers for Emmerdale. Mark Hughes was killed by a falling wall, Archie Brooks was burned by jet fuel, Elizabeth Pollard was killed by debris and newcomer Leonard Kempinski died in a car crash caused by the crash. Five other non-recurring characters from the village also died. HOLLYOAKS Carmel McQueen - The talented singer died in shocking scenes when a train crashed into a her family's car. Carmel managed to free her cousin Theresa from the rubble - but got stuck in it herself. Moments later the train exploded and Carmel died in the arms of her family members, promising to be their guardian angel. To which Rita replied: "Lips and cheeks", while adding an 'X' to the end. Elsewhere, the star's famous uncle has suggested how she could return to EastEnders. Lord Alan Sugar, 78, who many know as the star of The Apprentice, is her uncle by marriage. Rita recently shared a TikTok video of the pair jokingly discussing how she could possibly return to EastEnders. 4
The Sun
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Katie Price wiggles her bum in lace thong as she gets MORE fillers weeks after BBL injections
KATIE Price showed off her inflated bum in a lace thong again after getting it pumped with filler. The 47-year-old glamour girl proudly wiggled her enhanced booty as she laid on her front inside Harley Street's Clinic Club, declaring: "My bum's all done! Wooo!" 3 She also had her plump pout boosted with lip filler for good measure. Appropriately filled, Katie headed to get a manicure and pedicure, admitting she hated how her nails looked before the technician put on new acrylics and colour. Her tanned and tattooed legs were on display as she had her toenails clipped. The star previously revealed that she had regrets over the amount of cosmetic work she's had done. Insisting her new tweakments carried minimal risk, Katie said: 'If I'd had my bum done in Turkey it would be more dangerous. I'd be put to sleep, it would be more dangerous and they use your own fat. "This is just filler. Come up here for an hour and a half and it's done, amazing…' Fresh from a sun-soaked break in Dubai, Katie showed off her plumped lips in a close-up clip on Monday and declared: 'See, you can tell I haven't had much today. Gone a bit more classy.' She then winked and added: 'I just need to get my lashes done now…' Later, she shared footage of her newly enhanced bum, complete with plasters poking out from under a pink lace thong. Katie said: 'So I've just done my BBL in under an hour. So quick, the plasters are on and ready to go. Love it! Woooo! BBL in your lunch hour.' Back in May, Katie opened up about her heartbreaking obsession with procedures. In a candid confession, the Page 3 legend revealed what fuelled her relentless pursuit of perfection, admitting her countless surgeries are about far more than just looks. She's had numerous breast surgeries (implants and reductions), facelifts, and other procedures like a "fox eyes" procedure. In a TikTok Live, a fan asked her: "Why do you keep getting surgery?" Katie replied: "That is a very good question, so obviously I've had lot of therapy because I've had trauma in my life. "I think surgery stems from something from when I was younger, and me feeling I'm not validated or good enough. "It must have started from there. But to be honest, I quite like having the surgery it makes me look fresh. "I'm 47 in May, and when I look at people I went to school with, I think they look haggard, you can grow old gracefully, but I don't want to grow old gracefully. "If there's these procedures out there to be done I will take advantage of them and at least I'm being honest." Katie live-streamed her previous cosmetic procedure to thousands of stunned fans. Two clinicians worked on the TV star simultaneously, injecting her bum with 50 needles of filler. Katie previously said she had cancelled the op and was hitting the gym to make her bum bigger naturally, but she eventually gave in to temptation. In the TikTok broadcast, the mum of five appeared upbeat and relaxed as she spoke with viewers while receiving 500ml of filler for her latest BBL to give her rear a boost. 'I'm having it done now, filler put in as we speak,' she explained mid-procedure. Katie Price's Surgery: A Timeline 1998 - Katie underwent her first breast augmentation taking her from a natural B cup to a C cup. She also had her first liposuction 1999 - Katie had two more boob jobs in the same year, one taking her from a C cup to a D cup, and then up to an F cup 2006 - Katie went under the knife to take her breasts up to a G cup 2007 - Katie had a rhinoplasty and veneers on her teeth 2008 - Katie stunned fans by reducing her breasts from an F cup to a C cup 2011 - Going back to an F cup, Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers 2014/5 - Following a nasty infection, Katie had her breast implants removed 2016 - Opting for bigger breasts yet again, Katie had another set of implants, along with implants, Botox and lip fillers 2017 - After a disastrous 'threading' facelift, Katie also had her veneers replaced. She also had her eighth boob job taking her to a GG cup 2018 - Katie went under the knife yet again for a facelift 2019 - After jetting to Turkey, Katie had a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift and a tummy tuck 2020 - Katie has her 12th boob job in Belgium to correct botched surgery and a new set of veneers 2021 - In a complete body overhaul, she opts for eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, fat injected into her bum and full body liposuction 2022 - Katie undergoes another brow and eye lift-and undergoes 'biggest ever' boob job in Belgium, her 16th in total 2023 - Opting for a second rhinoplasty, Katie also gets a lip lift at the same time as well as new lip filler throughout the year 2024 - Katie has her 17th boob job in Brussels after revealing she wanted to downsize. She performed at Dublin Pride just days later and surgeons warned the lack of recovery posed a risk of infection 'Two surgeons so it's quicker because I'd rather have it both done at the same time. Teamwork makes the dream work.' Katie continued: 'I've just had Endo laser and filler, I'm having it put in my bum. 'It will dissolve over time, but it can last up to two years. "Something can always go wrong. Anaesthetic is always a risk, but I haven't been put to sleep for this - I'm awake, talking to you guys.' As the filler continued being injected, Katie remarked: 'We are numb but I can feel it getting stingy now, which I know is very normal. I'm not feeling sore… I'm feeling good.' Despite the £1,500 cost of the treatment, Katie admitted she was getting it done for free to promote the clinic. Thousands of fans tuned in, flooding the comment section with a mix of support and shock. In 2019, Katie had a full body transformation in Turkey, including a facelift, eye and eyelid lift, a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and a tummy tuck. She hasn't used the word 'addiction' herself, but confessed she's aware of how many surgeries she's had and the toll it's taken on her body. While she's no stranger to tweakments, Katie's now urging girls to think twice before following in her footsteps - saying she's learned the hard way.
The Sun
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Katie Price shows off HUGE new lips and reveals new bum lift – despite admitting she regretted the last one
KATIE Price has shown off her HUGE new lips and bum lift - despite admitting she regretted the last one. Former glamour model Katie, 47, underwent a Brazilian Bum Lift and lip filler top-up during a single visit to The Clinic Club on London 's Harley Street. 5 5 Sharing the latest tweaks with fans on Instagram, Katie revealed: 'So my lips are done. I haven't gone too big and now I'm gonna do my bum. "Literally, got the train up, having my lips done, having filler in two areas of my bum, then taking Harvey to his new place.' The star previously revealed that she had regrets over how far she'd gone - but that didn't stop her from opting for more tweaks this week. Insisting this time was less risky, Katie said: 'If I'd had my bum done in Turkey it would be more dangerous. I'd be put to sleep, it would be more dangerous and they use your own fat. "This is just filler. Come up here for an hour and a half and it's done, amazing…' Fresh from a sun-soaked break in Dubai, Katie showed off her plumped lips in a close-up clip and declared: 'See, you can tell I haven't had much today. Gone a bit more classy.' She then winked and added: 'I just need to get my lashes done now…' Later, she shared footage of her newly enhanced bum, complete with plasters poking out from under a pink lace thong. Katie said: 'So I've just done my BBL in under an hour. So quick, the plasters are on and ready to go. Love it! Woooo! BBL in your lunch hour.' Back in May, Katie opened up about her heartbreaking obsession with going under the knife. Katie Price continues to spark concern as she shows off her very slim legs in new video In a candid confession, the Page 3 legend revealed the real pain fuelling her relentless pursuit of perfection, admitting her countless surgeries are about far more than just looks. The reality star is known for undergoing numerous cosmetic surgeries, including breast surgeries (implants and reductions), facelifts, and other procedures like a "fox eyes" procedure. In a TikTok Live, Katie addressed where her desire to have cosmetic surgery came from. A fan asked her: "Why do you keep getting surgery?" Katie replied: "That is a very good question, so obviously I've had lot of therapy because I've had trauma in my life. "I think surgery stems from something from when I was younger, and me feeling I'm not validated or good enough. "It must have started form there. But to be honest, I quite like having the surgery it makes me look fresh. "I'm 47 in May, and when I look at people I went to school with, I think they look haggard, you can grow old gracefully, but I don't want to grow old gracefully. "If there's these procedures out there to be done I will take advantage of them and at least I'm being honest." Katie live-streamed her previous cosmetic procedure to thousands of stunned fans directly from the operating table. Two surgeons worked on the TV star simultaneously injecting her bum with 50 needles of filler. Katie previously said she had cancelled the op and was hitting the gym to make her bum bigger naturally, but has now given in to temptation. In the TikTok broadcast, the mum of five appeared upbeat and relaxed as she spoke with viewers while receiving 500ml of filler for her latest BBL to give her rear a boost. 'I'm having it done now, filler put in as we speak,' she explained mid-procedure. Katie Price's Surgery: A Timeline 1998 - Katie underwent her first breast augmentation taking her from a natural B cup to a C cup. She also had her first liposuction 1999 - Katie had two more boob jobs in the same year, one taking her from a C cup to a D cup, and then up to an F cup 2006 - Katie went under the knife to take her breasts up to a G cup 2007 - Katie had a rhinoplasty and veneers on her teeth 2008 - Katie stunned fans by reducing her breasts from an F cup to a C cup 2011 - Going back to an F cup, Katie also underwent body-contouring treatment and cheek and lip fillers 2014/5 - Following a nasty infection, Katie had her breast implants removed 2016 - Opting for bigger breasts yet again, Katie had another set of implants, along with implants, Botox and lip fillers 2017 - After a disastrous 'threading' facelift, Katie also had her veneers replaced. She also had her eighth boob job taking her to a GG cup 2018 - Katie went under the knife yet again for a facelift 2019 - After jetting to Turkey, Katie had a face, eye and eyelid lift, Brazilian bum lift and a tummy tuck 2020 - Katie has her 12th boob job in Belgium to correct botched surgery and a new set of veneers 2021 - In a complete body overhaul, she opts for eye and lip lifts, liposuction under her chin, fat injected into her bum and full body liposuction 2022 - Katie undergoes another brow and eye lift-and undergoes 'biggest ever' boob job in Belgium, her 16th in total 2023 - Opting for a second rhinoplasty, Katie also gets a lip lift at the same time as well as new lip filler throughout the year 2024 - Katie has her 17th boob job in Brussels after revealing she wanted to downsize. She performed at Dublin Pride just days later and surgeons warned the lack of recovery posed a risk of infection 'Two surgeons so it's quicker because I'd rather have it both done at the same time. Teamwork makes the dream work.' Katie continued: 'I've just had Endo laser and filler, I'm having it put in my bum. 'It will dissolve over time, but it can last up to two years. "Something can always go wrong. Anaesthetic is always a risk, but I haven't been put to sleep for this - I'm awake, talking to you guys.' As the filler continued being injected, Katie remarked, 'We are numb but I can feel it getting stingy now, which I know is very normal. I'm not feeling sore… I'm feeling good.' Despite the £1,500 cost of the treatment, Katie admitted she was getting it done for free to promote the clinic. Thousands of fans tuned in, flooding the comment section with a mix of support and shock. In 2019, Katie had a full body transformation in Turkey, including a facelift, eye and eyelid lift, a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and a tummy tuck. She hasn't use the word 'addiction' herself, but confessed she's aware of how many surgeries she's had and the toll it's taken on her body. While she's no stranger to tweakments, Katie's now urging girls to think twice before following in her footsteps - saying she's learned the hard way. Katie has also spoken openly about her reliance on cosmetic procedures and the impact they've had on her. She has expressed regret about the number of surgeries she's had and the potential for long-term physical and emotional repercussions, including the recovery process, pain, and potential for a desire to return to a "before" state. 5 5
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Here's what to do before and after getting lip fillers
Swelling and bruising are common side effects after getting lip fillers. While these symptoms typically resolve on their own in a few days, what you do (and don't do) directly after your appointment matters most to help minimize swelling and bruising. Below is the advice that I give my patients after getting lip fillers. What to apply to your lips after fillers Right after your lip filler treatment, apply topical arnica to the injection sites. Arnica is a natural remedy known for its strong anti-inflammatory properties and ability to reduce bruising by promoting circulation and stimulating white blood cell activity. You can also take oral arnica tablets before and after your lip filler appointment to help minimize bruising. If you do develop bruising, you need Alastin INhance Post-Injection Serum. It contains lactoferrin, a naturally-occurring protein that binds to iron receptors and helps to break up the blood cells in the skin that cause discoloration. Studies have shown that, when applied after injectable procedures like lip fillers, Alastin INhance reduced the intensity of discoloration caused by bruising by 73%. What to avoid after lip fillers Avoid anything that will cause heat for the first 48 hours after getting lip fillers. Heat increases blood flow and inflammation, which can worsen swelling and make bruising more likely after lip fillers. This includes: No exercise, which increases body heat. No hot showers. Use cool water to wash your face. No hot drinks like coffee or tea. Bottom line Topical and oral arnica are the best things you can take and apply to your skin to help prevent bruising after lip fillers. You should also avoid anything that causes heat, which can increase swelling and bruising. If you do develop bruising after fillers, use Alastin INhand Post-Procedure Serum, which has been clinically proven to significantly reduce post-procedure bruising. I'm still on sabbatical and no longer run Baumann Cosmetic Institute, so please follow @SkinTypeSolutions on social media, or visit if you have questions.
