What are the best skin-care tips from around the world?

Today, you probably miss travelling, discovering new places, cultures, food… and of course, bringing back not only souvenirs, but experiences and tips that improve your life.

We miss the beauty we find worldwide, their places and their people, from sculpted and glowing skin in Mediterranean countries to luminous and flawless skin in Asia. There are so many skincare and beauty tips around the world, and here we bring to you of the best ones; no need to travel, just relax and enjoy the read!

NORTH AMERICA

Quickly becoming one of the most advanced beauty-savvy countries, the first tip is simple – “get to know your skin.” With an array of climates throughout the continent – from humid sub-tropical climates to hot and dry or cold and dry climates, it’s important to first be sure of your skin type. Dry, normal, combination, oily (acne prone) skins are the most common, however sensitive and dehydrated conditions might also be called out on any of the skin types, surprisingly quite often nowadays. 

The use of AI Apps, following brand blogs, online or virtual consultations and beauty services are enriching this community’s skin education, without a dermatologist appointment. Remember that depending on your skin type, some skin concerns (pores, blemishes, hydration, fine lines and wrinkles, firming) might become more relevant and need your attention. This will determine the best skincare routine and the right products for you. 

SOUTH AMERICA

Now, close your eyes. We are walking alongside the world-famous Copacabana beach. “Cariocas” (those born in Rio de Janeiro) know very well that skin doesn’t stop at your neck! They don’t only care about their face, but they care about skin from head to toe. Therefore, here, a body scrub is a must-have for any good skin care routine, making such a difference in the way your feet, heels and elbows, among other areas of skin on the body, look within minutes. An appropriate body exfoliator will remove dead skin cells, help to absorb any other body product(s), and make your skin look radiant, smoother…and nourished, if for example, Coconut Oil is included in the formula. Coconut oil might be a common ingredient in the skincare industry today, but a few years ago, it wasn´t, so just a few knew its beauty secrets. Extracted from the kernel of the coconut, coconut oil is known for its high moisturization effects because it is rich in fatty acids.

LET´S CROSS THE POND…

EUROPE

(FRANCE)

The French are known for taking skincare very seriously from a young age. Some of their beauty tips have been passed down through three generations, or more. Let´s discover some essential tips:

Simplify your beauty regimen because less is more. Known for the famous 3-step routine: Cleanse, Tone, Moisturize, but sometimes just adding 2 extra steps, such as exfoliation & a mask/serum help target any specific concerns. The French minimalist philosophy approach will not just maximize your time but will keep your skin in check, too.

Quality vs Quantity: too many active ingredients from many different formulas have the potential to counteract each other and prevent absorption, causing clogged pores or irritation and increasing sensitivity and/or acne prone skin issues.

Stick with what works; do not change your beauty products every week. Look for higher quality ingredients and safer formulation. Cleansing may be the most important step of the French skincare routine. Start choosing an effective cleanser that suits your skin type and needs perfectly, however, make sure that is very gentle and does not disrupt the acid mantle as it might dry skin and can lead to imbalanced pH. Dry skin is not just less able to defend itself, but it looks also older. Look for a cleanser that includes antioxidants, humectants such hyaluronic acid, and soothing botanicals.

(ITALY & GREECE)

More than 2,000 years later, their classical civilizations are still a referral of beauty in architecture, sculpture, and literature…. Some of the best beauty tips from these regions are linked to local heritage, ingredients and products used for centuries from recipes and traditional remedies. Today, these items or ingredients might be common in your kitchen, but they also offer incredible anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and skin perfecting properties –  we’re talking about Olive fruit and Grapes!

–Olive Oil is known as “Liquid Gold”. It is obtained from pressing the whole olive fruit and is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and inflammatory agents. It is an emollient that provides excellent hydration to the skin. Maslinic Acid is derived from dry olive-pomace oil, a byproduct of olive oil extraction and is and antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. 

–Grapeseed extract contains polyphenols and potent antioxidants which help prevent free radical build up in the skin. When combined with green tea, it increases intracellular levels of vitamin C and slows down destruction of collagen caused by environmental damage.

(SCANDINAVIAN COUNTRIES)

Travelling north, you will discover some of the most amazing, beautiful and wild landscapes on earth; from Norwegian fjords to Finland’s Northern Lights, these countries also offer unique beauty tips for a glowing, radiant skin, during any season.

–Hydration is key. Due to the weather conditions, from mild short sunny summers to long cold wintry months, maintaining the skin’s hydration levels and moisture barrier becomes a challenge. Solution -> be strategic in your skin care routine.

In Winter, use a cleansing oil that leaves the skin hydrated, layer with an intense serum and antioxidant rich cream, and lastly, use a face mist to stay balanced and moisturized throughout the day.

–Maintain a holistic approach to beauty. They believe many factors, both from the inside and outside of the body, impact skin health. They spend many hours in fresh air, so a balanced and healthy diet, and being active is built into the traditional Scandinavian lifestyle and definitely impacts how they approach wellness and beauty as well.

ASIA

(JAPAN)

Some of the most amazing experiences when it comes to flying is probably crossing the North Pole on your way from any Scandinavian capital to……Japan!

We might consider Japanese beauty regimens as one of the most complex we could find, but actually, it is quite the opposite. Japanese beauty, or as some say, “J-Beauty,” is all about:

1. Simplicity and minimalism. Each step has one purpose. Each product provides a single benefit and does its job extremely well.
2. Be gentle, respect your skin. If you persevere, your prize will be radiant, beautiful skin. Remember it’s not just about how much product you apply, it’s about HOW you apply it. Make sure use the right massage techniques and movements to ensure the maximum benefits of each skincare product.
3. Skincare is just one aspect of overall well-being. Avoid the three “S” Factors – Sugar, Stress and Sun. Include antioxidants such as green tea in your diet, exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week while enjoying at least 7 hours of beauty sleep every night. And apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even on a cloudy day, as the worst and yet most easily correctable bad habit is sun exposure. This will help prevent and protect skin from premature photoaging, skin cancer and hyperpigmentation. Did you know, an astonishing four out of five wrinkles are directly caused by sun damage alone (10 minutes, 10 years – Dr Fredric Brandt)

(SOUTH KOREA)

We must admit it, one of the most life changing experiences in beauty can be visiting Seoul. As in Japan, they also follow a multi-step routine and enjoy the art of layering products. While the sheet masks trend has stormed the beauty world in recent years as the SOUL of the Korean skincare routine, there is also the HEART that you might not know yet: the ESSENCE, a lightweight formula packed with a concentrated blend of hydrating, anti-aging and brightening complexion ingredients. The aim: to hydrate and stimulate cell turnover. When to apply: daily after cleansing, exfoliating (1 or 2 x week) and toner, before treatments (serum, boosters, ampoules). Where: face and neck. Remember the Korean beauty philosophy “It’s not about having more products than you can count, but rather about having the right products that do the right things, and using them in the right order.”

Talking about South Asian countries, as well as areas in the Middle East. There, beauty rituals are more about understanding the importance of ancient, natural-based rituals that have withstood the test of time—because they work.

(MYANMAR)

Moving South, but not following the usual tourist paths, next to Thailand we can find Myanmar or Burma. Never heard of them? You might say the same about Thanaka. For more than 2000 years, Thanaka served as a traditional skin care product to the people of Myanmar. This mysterious miracle beauty secret is made of a type of wood that is native to Burma. According to a 2010 study conducted by the University of London and Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thanaka bark is highly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and absorbs UV rays, contains the active ingredient marmesin which serves as a natural UVA protectant. The study also revealed that Thanaka inhibits tyrosinase, the enzyme that triggers melanin synthesis and affects skin discoloration–hence, it helps even skin tone! Traditionally, Thanaka is applied as a face mask by grinding the bark, wood, or roots of the Thanaka tree with a small amount of water on a circular stone slab called kyauk pyin to form a liquid paste. To use, apply on face and allow it to dry for at least 20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water then follow with a couple of splashes of cold water, to close your pores.

(INDIA & MIDDLE EAST)

Almost as an Arabian Nights’ tale could take us back in time, generations of beauty tips from India and the Middle East include  simple, natural ingredients that the princesses and queens might have used way, way back. 

–No need for fancy formulas here, rose water has been a timeless beauty secret in this region. As simple as spraying it from a spray bottle as a hydrating mist as well as a toner, or applying with a cotton ball, this complexion-boosting ingredient is known to help reduce visible skin irritation. Oil from rose flowers offers an inviting scent and can replenish lost moisture for soft, smooth, hydrated skin.

–Lemon is another simple, and multi-tasking natural beauty secret. Use it as a complexion perfecter: cut the lemon in half, and rub it over the entire face. Wait 5 minutes before rinsing to help rid skin of blackheads. As a second step, take the rind of the lemon and use it as an exfoliator. Thousands of women from South Asia or the Middle East had the right idea: the acids in lemons make it the perfect natural skin brightener, blackhead buster and exfoliator.

Still on a globalized world, it´s amazing how we can find new beauty tips to step up our skincare routines, enjoy a better lifestyle and encourage wellness.