5 Luxurious Beauty Secrets From Around the World
Have you ever wondered whether your hair and skincare regimens are the best one out there? Beauty aficionados from around the world have incredible secrets that help them achieve gorgeous skin and thick locks. These luxurious, at-home beauty treatments — inspired by spas in the coldest corners of the world — will leave you relaxed and stunning all winter long.
Iceland: Smooth wrinkles with an algae mask.
Many Icelanders use masks made with microalgae derived from the country’s Blue Lagoon waters to ensure their complexions stay line-free. How it helps: Omega-3 fatty acids in the plant stimulate collagen production so skin appears smooth and firm.
To try it yourself, apply a thin layer of a microalgae mask onto clean skin. Let sit 10 minutes before rinsing. We like the Blue Lagoon Algae Mask (buy from Blue Lagoon Skincare, $49). Enter code “WomansWorld” at checkout for 20 percent off!
Poland: Soothe rashy skin with a mineral bath.
Whether done in natural springs or at wellness centers, people from Poland ease skin irritation by bathing in the country’s thermal waters. They’re rich in skin-repairing and barrier- strengthening minerals that heal and prevent rashes. Get the benefits at home by adding thermal spring–sourced bath salts to your bathwater and soak for 15 minutes! (For other ideas, check out these tips on soothing baths.)
Looking for one to try? We love Kneipp Deep Breathe Pine & Fir Mineral Bath Salt (Buy from Ulta, $4). ]
Japan: Reverse thinning with a scalp rub.
Wondering about the beauty treatments Japanese women use? They often turn to “head spas” for scalp-exfoliating massages to help treat hair loss. How they work: The exfoliating scrub removes fallout-causing buildup, while the massage increases blood flow to follicles, encouraging new, healthy hair growth.
For similar results, rub a palmful of a scalp scrub all over a damp scalp using circular motions for 10 minutes, then rinse. For an invigorating experience, try the Renpure Apple Cider Vinegar Scalp Scrub (Buy from iHerb, $7.68).
Canada: Soften rough patches with a maple scrub.
The top Canadian export used in the country’s spas to target rough, flaky skin? Maple syrup! The sweet sap (its antioxidants lock moisture into parched spots) is mixed into a scrub with coconut oil (its lauric acid hydrates) and brown sugar (its granules exfoliate) so skin looks and feels baby-soft, stat.
To try it yourself, mix 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 1 ⁄2 cup of brown sugar, and 1 ⁄2 cup of coconut oil. Rub a quarter-sized amount onto damp skin while showering for one minute, then rinse. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Switzerland: Shrink cankles with a hot stone massage.
Swiss spas treat achy, swollen ankles by massaging legs with heated stones. The warmth eases inflammation, while massage helps move and expel pooled fluids.
See for yourself! Run stones — like Bacaby Extra Large Hot Stones (Buy from Amazon, $21.90) — under hot water, and let cool for two minutes. Place a stone on each side of the ankle and move up to the knee in long strokes, then from the heel up to the back of the knee. Do this 10 times per leg.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
