Can you imagine living one day without your body lotion, soap, or face wash? Obviously, no. In today’s world, no one is ready to live without skincare. But what about our ancestors? How did they achieve healthy, radiant, and glowing skin without the modern skincare products we use today?
Ancient beauty secrets come from natural skincare ingredients like turmeric, aloe vera, honey, etc. The world follows its unique rituals, which showcase ancient wisdom and reflect regions and their peoples. Here, we have selected skincare rituals from 6 countries to find the best routine for your skin.
Japanese Minimalism: The Art of Skincare
Japanese skincare rituals focus on minimalist routines known for gentle cleansing and extensive morning and night routines. Some common aspects of Japanese skincare rituals are
1.Double Cleansing -
In the morning, wash your face with cold water. Clean your face with an oil cleanser in the evening and follow it with a mild facial wash.
2.Bathing and Onsens -
Bathing at home, at a sento (Public Bath House), and an onsen (natural hot spring) shows the Japanese culture. This ritual is known for its therapeutic qualities like relaxation, unwinding, and refreshing your body, mind, and soul.
3.Balanced Diet -
One soup three dishes (ichijyu sansai) along with the staple of rice and pickled vegetables is the traditional meal that reflects healthy, radiant, and glowing skin.
4.Reverence for Rice -
Applying rice bran on the skin, washing hair with starchy rice water, and consuming okayu (A type of Japanese rice) will give anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits.
5.Green Tea -
Daily consumption of 2-4 cups of green tea reduces redness, strengthens the skin, treats acne, and protects from premature aging.
Ayurveda in India: Holistic Skincare Traditions
Indian culture believes in Ayurveda for a healthy lifestyle. Ayurvedic skincare focuses on metabolism, doshas, moisture, and circulation. Some aspects of Ayurvedic Skincare are as follows -
1.Abhyanga -
A self-massage with warm oil improves circulation, nourishes the skin, and reduces stress. The type of oil used depends on your doshas -
- Pitta - Use coconut oil
- Vata - Use sesame oil
- Kapha - Use sunflower oil
2.Ubtan -
Ubtan is an ancient Ayurvedic skincare ritual that can be incorporated into a daily skincare routine. A herbal scrub made from chickpea flour, sandalwood powder, turmeric, and rose water exfoliates the skin and brightens the complexion.
3.Panchakarma -
A Panchakarma helps to boost immunity, restores metabolic activity, improves skin complexion & slows down aging. A detoxification and rejuvenation therapy that involves cleansing techniques like purgation and enema.
Korean Multi-Step Routines: Hydration and Patience
South Korea follows the multi-step routine which results in hydration and patience in achieving radiant skin. These multi-step include cleansing, exfoliating, toning, and moisturizing. Some tips for Korean skincare are -
1.Oil Cleansing -
Oil cleansing involves massaging an oil-based cleanser to remove the makeup and SPF.
2.Use Rice Water -
Rice water helps to promote translucent skin and strengthen the skin’s barrier.
3.Honey Lemon Mask -
Mix honey and lemon juice to create a natural exfoliating mask which helps to clarify the skin and minimize the pore's appearance.
4.Use Snail Mucin -
Snail mucin is a key ingredient in Korean skincare and it is rich in glycoproteins, hyaluronic acid, and glycolic acid.
Moroccan Argan Oil: A Liquid Gold Treasure
Morocco uses natural ingredients as their beauty secret. Natural skincare ingredients like rose water, argan oil, and black seed oil give healthy, radiant, and glowing skin. Some skincare rituals are -
1.Hammam -
This ritual involves exfoliating with a scrub, applying a clay mask to detoxify and purify the skin, and then finishing with argan oil to hydrate. The Hammam can be a stress-relieving experience.
2.Ghassoul -
This ancient remedy is a lava clay from the Atlas Mountains that can treat acne, fade hyperpigmentation, and detoxify the skin.
3.Argan oil -
This oil comes from the nut of the argan tree and is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids. It can treat a variety of skin concerns, including eczema and dry hair.
Indigenous Wisdom from New Zealand
Indigenous skincare wisdom from New Zealand includes the use of native plants and a holistic approach to beauty.
1.Manuka Honey -
A natural remedy with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Maori people have long used manuka honey for its skin-healing properties.
2.Kawakawa Leaves -
A native plant with anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Maori women traditionally use kawakawa leaves for skin care.
3.Holistic Approach -
Maori people view skincare as a holistic practice that involves the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of an individual. This approach emphasizes the harmony between humans and nature.
Scandinavian Rituals: Nature’s Touch
Scandinavians believe that everything in the body is connected, so they consider how their food, exercise, oral health, and mental balance affect their skin. Scandinavian skincare includes -
1.Saunas -
The dry heat from saunas increases blood flow, brings nutrients to the skin, and sweating removes toxins.
2.Winter Bathing -
Jumping into an ice-cold lake or ocean after a sauna helps reduce inflammation and rejuvenate skin.
3.Woolwax -
Vikings used wool wax to smooth their skin.
4.Butter and Oils -
Vikings used butter and oils to moisturize their skin.
5.Kohl -
Vikings made a kohl to protect their eyes from the sun using crushed antimony, burnt almonds, lead, oxidized copper, ochre, ash, malachite, and chrysolla.
From Japanese minimalism to Moroccan liquid gold, these ancient practices offer natural solutions for radiant, healthy skin. Start your journey towards a glowing complexion today by embracing the wisdom of these cultural traditions. Which ritual will you try first? Share your thoughts below!
