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Beauty regimens aren't anything new under the sun. In fact, the women before us all over the world had their own way of preserving, maintaining and achieving healthy-looking skin without a nearby Sephora. They took from the Earth using plants, mud, fruits and vegetables to adorn themselves with beauty. Take notes on skin care from the history of the beautiful women who came before us.
Israel
The Queen of Sheba and Cleopatra both traveled from Egypt to bathe in their personal spa at the Dead Sea in Israel. Bathing in the Dead Sea remains so popular that celebrities and beauty believers alike travel to Israel to slather themselves with the goodness of this sea. The Dead Sea has high levels of minerals like calcium, magnesium, bromide and potassium, great for replenishing dry, dehydrated and compromised skin. If you can't make it to the Dead Sea to wallow in the mud, you can find many products made from the sea's materials, such as Ahava and Seacret Spa.
India
For thousands of years, women in India have used oils and spices to keep their hair and skin intact and prevent the signs of aging. For an amazing body polisher, used by women all over India, use turmeric, chickpea flour and milk to create a natural face cleanser that exfoliates your skin and gives you a healthy glow. The milk finishes the job by firming up the skin while the turmeric naturally disinfects.
Africa
Shea butter has been used in Africa for centuries to combat dryness, moisturize the hair and keep elbows ash-free. But you don't have to hop a flight to the Mother Land. Now you can simply pick up a tub of shea butter from the street vendor on the corner or find it in the aisles of popular natural and organic stores.
Japan
You may dismiss your morning cup of tea as a simple treat or thirst quencher, but the Japanese knew the importance of getting in their daily intake of green tea. Filled with antioxidants for glowing skin, drinking green tea can also fight cancer and heart disease. Not only an internal beauty drink, you can apply it topically to treat beauty blemishes. Turn your green tea into a refreshing facial to calm down irritated skin, acne, inflammation and dehydration.
