Beauty & Wellness Secrets from Around the World

Women have tapped into nature’s secrets to look and feel their best for nearly all of time. From shiny hair to radiant skin, they glowed from inside out with the help of many fresh ingredients. Once you learn their beauty and wellness tips, try them out for yourself—you might even be able to find some of these ingredients right in your own kitchen.

The secret of brides

Turmeric may be growing in popularity today for juices and lattes, but this special ingredient has been used in India for nearly 5,000 years. Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties made it essential in cuisine and medicine. Traditionally, Indian brides also used turmeric to look extra radiant on their wedding days. Since turmeric helps to reduce irritation, generations of brides applied a mask of turmeric, honey, and lemon to make their skin glow. Try this trick by mixing turmeric powder with yogurt and honey to create a thick paste. Apply it as a mask and leave it on for 15 minutes.

De-puffing gold

Thousands of years ago in East Asia, jade was a precious stone comparable to diamonds and gold in the West. This royal gem was also used for more than 7,000 years in health, beauty, and wellness treatments. Chinese royalty smoothed the stone along their skin to draw out bad energy and keep their spirits high–and now jade rollers are used to produce a similar calming result. Rolling the naturally cold stone along your face helps to increase circulation while reducing puffiness and under-eye darkness.

A bath fit for a queen

Cleopatra was known not only for her smarts but also her beauty. One of her secrets to looking gorgeous was soaking in a decadent mixture of milk, honey, herbs, and essential oils. This unique beauty trick was a smart one as milk has moisturizing and exfoliating properties. The lactic acid helps to remove dead skin cells while being gentler than harsh chemicals. Indulge in a milk bath at a luxurious spa or try one at home by adding powdered milk to a bath along with dried flowers and essential oils.

Pure as ice

How do Scandinavians stay so radiant even in the harshest of winters? They turn to something they’re already pretty used to: the freezing cold. In Scandinavian countries, splashing your face with cold water in the morning or ending a shower with a 30-second cold rinse is common. It’s all part of an ancient technique known as hydra-therapy which uses cold water to improve circulation, release endorphins, and reduce anxiety.

Rosemary miracle

To keep locks extra shiny and bouncy, the women of Greece get help from Rosemary. This aromatic herb was used by generations of princesses and queens when bathing to keep them smelling lovely. Nowadays, Greek women use a rinse of rosemary water to deep clean and remove buildup from their hair. Simply boil some sprigs of rosemary in water, let it cool, and pour it over your hair for a relaxing and refreshing rinse.

Soft as butter

I’m sure you’ve seen this ingredient when walking down the skincare aisle, but did you know it’s harvested from trees in western Africa? Shea butter is made from the nut of the shea tree which is indigenous to many African countries, such as Ghana and Uganda. It’s the number one beauty ingredient used by women in the region to keep skin protected from strong UV rays. It’s also rich in vitamins A and E which are proven to restore skin’s elasticity. Next time you go reaching for your shea body butter, you’ll have this African tree to thank.

Going green

Not only is Matcha used to make delicious beverages, it also has deep roots in Japanese culture for its benefits to the body. With an abundance of antioxidants and minerals, matcha green tea is a superfood for skin, hair, nails, and overall well-being. It’s also believed that applying matcha as a hair mask can have nourishing effects on your strands. Mix matcha powder with coconut oil or olive oil and apply it all across the scalp to promote shine and prevent hair loss. Put this beauty secret to the test by applying the mixture to your hair and letting it sit for 15 minutes.