Women and beauty could be the longest, honest and most beautiful love story ever exist. Women, of all ages from all over the world and since the beginning of humanity, take care of their beauty with natural ingredients. There is no solid evidence dedicates the time or the place where women started taking care of their beauty. However, research found that the very first civilization started taking care of beauty using natural sources is the Ancient Egypt, which is not surprising, as history recorded how Egyptian queens like Nefertiti and Cleopatra were obsessed with beauty. Moreover, the Ancient China has a significant impact on the world of skincare with using natural treasures. In this article, you will get to know more about beauty secrets from the two great civilization.
The Ancient Egypt
Beauty is the second important thing to talk about in this article. Do you know why? Because hygiene must come first and foremost. Hygiene was at the foundation of the beauty secrets in Ancient Egypt. Egypt is known for its hot weather for most of the year (except the North Coast and surrounding cities). Living at that time under the burning sun with sands dusting all over, will definitely require people to take intensive care of their personal hygiene. The use of soap was also quite common in Ancient Egypt. They used to make a paste from clay or ash mixed with olive oil to cleanse their bodies. Olive oil was a main ingredient in most of skincare essentials in the Ancient Egypt. Later, relevant studies, researchers and dermatologists proved the efficiency of olive oil and skincare companies incorporate it as well. Olive oil contains antioxidant that prevent premature aging. As the weather in Egypt is hot and sunny most of the year, applying olive oil on the skin after sun exposure may fight off cancer-causing cells. Nowadays, dermatologists have worked on formulating skincare products with the use of natural sources and olive oil is one of them. 7,000 years later, a company called Egyptian Magic brought to the world one of the most iconic skincare products. It’s an all-purpose cream made with natural ingredients. The very first ingredient is olive oil, then followed up with beeswax, honey, bee pollen, propolis and royal jelly. Egyptian Hydrating Magic Cream is one of the bestselling skincare products on Amazon and iHerb. This all-purpose cream works on hydrating and nourishing your skin to make it look healthier and smoother. It even works on enhancing the appearance of scars by minimizing the lines of the scars. It’s all natural ingredients, so it’s totally safe for people with eczema and psoriasis.
Cleopatra Body Care Routine
Cleopatra was known for her obsession with personal hygiene and beauty. She used milk baths as a skincare treatment, specifically sour donkey’s milk. The lactic acid exfoliates and rejuvenates the skin. She also added Dead Sea salts into baths, in order to remove impurities, which is a proven way to exfoliate your body and we still used this method until now. It was recorded in history that she used the well-known hair removal method which is sugaring. It appears to have been used to keep skin smooth and hairless by removing unwanted hair with a mixture of sugar, lemon, and water. This is a popular technique for hair removal in Ancient Egypt, and is still commonly practiced today.
The Ancient China
Asians in general know best how to combat signs of aging. They have been using natural ingredients thousands of years ago. The popular natural ingredients they used were honey, green tea, ginger root and herbs. For example, honey has antibacterial properties that reduce acne breakouts while moisturizing and nourishing your skin. Another example, green tea contains powerful antioxidants that protect against aging signs, while ginger root has anti-inflammatory benefits that may reduce redness and inflammation. Green tea is used in purifying and soothing cleansers to calm and moisture your skin. Writing a paragraph or even a whole article about the beauty secrets of Ancient China will never be enough. However, I will focus only on anti-aging secrets from this reputable civilization.
What Did the Ancient China Do to Combat Aging?
- Shape Your Face Features the Chinese Way:
Gua Sha is the first thing comes to my mind, which is not a trend as people think! It’s dated for around five thousand years ago. Gua Sha boosts circulation and aid lymphatic drainage. Often crafted from the precious gemstone jade. This tool improves circulation flow while lifting and firming the facial muscles.
- Daily Facial Massage for Better Looking Skin
Daily facial massage paired with tonifying actives make a powerful duo in the fight against wrinkles and signs of ageing. It also boosts the circulation system. Facial massage is scientifically proven for its efficiency to enhance the skin in many ways. For this reason, skincare companies compete with each other to create a massager that suits modern women lifestyle. One of the bestselling facial massager on Amazon is Face Massager Electric. It’s not just excellent for facial massage, but it also has advanced technologies for skin enhancement.
- Natural Retinol for Natural Beauty
Bakuchiol matches each benefit of retinol without the sensitized skin and downtime. It doesn’t only increase cell renewal and betters skin texture but also reduces lines and hyperpigmentation. It’s an amazing herb brightens the skin and diminishes damage from free radicals. Absolute Collagen Boosting Serum is the one to go for if you would like to have plumped, smoothed and soft skin. This serum is infused with bakuchiol and hyalronic acid. Bakuchiol helps you to get a fresh-looking skin, whilst hyaluronic acid will help to plump and smooth your skin.
- Raise Your Hands for the Glory of Rice
I’m sure you expected to see rice mentioned in this article, as Asians in general and Chinese in specific are the masters of rice usages. One of the oldest and most-used ingredients for skincare in Ancient China is rice. Rice water may reduce or slow skin aging as it reduces the activity of elastase, which is an enzyme involved in skin aging. It goes without saying that the skincare brands who incorporate rice water in their products are Asians. Here are two recommendations from two well known skincare brands. COSRX Ultimate Nourishing Rice Overnight Spa Mask is infused with rice extract and niacinamide. It’s nourishing overnight mask that provides intensive nourishment and deep moisturization. You can expect soft and supple skin instantly. The second rice water-based product is from the Beauty of Jason, which is one of the best skincare companies in the world. Glow Deep Serum soothe, moisture and calm your skin. It’s perfect for oily skin as it contains niacinamide. Leaving your skin fresh, glow and hydrated.
