Beauty Secrets From Around the World

By Alexandra Churchhill, LoveTwenty

As girls, we tend to get stuck in the same old beauty regimen: cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize. And we tend to stick to the same products we’ve been using for years. It’s time, ladies, to rethink your beauty routine and we have the tips!

Have you ever heard of emu oil…? African bar soap…? These are just some of the beauty tips women have been keeping secret for years, sometimes hundreds of years. I’ve scoped out some of the best beauty secrets from different cultures around the world for your benefit (and the benefit of your beautiful skin).

 

African Black Soap from West Africa
I know what you’re thinking: this funky bar of soap looks like it’s as comfortable as rubbing your face with a rock. But believe me when I say, it’s been West Africa’s secret to clean, exfoliated skin for generations. African black soap, also known as Anago Soap or Alata soap, originates from the tribes in Ghana Benin, Togo and Nigeria, and is a West African specialty. Each tribe uses different ingredients, but it usually contains water, plantain plant, palm tree leaves, banana tree bark, and pods of the coco plant. For centuries, African women have used black soap to clear acne, oily skin, and blemishes (not to mention it’s great for removing make-up). It’s also a natural soap for bathing and washing hair. Black Soap will leave your skin soft, clear and smelling delicious.

White Camellia Oil from Japan 
Have you ever wondered what the secret was to Japanese geishas’ revered beauty and their smooth, flawless skin? I’ll let you in on their ancient secret: it’s white camellia oil. This oil, used by women in Asia for centuries, contributes to moisturizing, conditioning, nourishing and softening benefits to the skin. Camellia oil gives your face a texture and glow and strengthens your nails.

 

Emu Oil from Australia
Emu oil is taken from the fat of the emu, a native bird to Australia. Australian aborigines have used it for thousands of years for the treatment of burns, wounds, bruises, and as a pain reliever. But one of the most exciting beauty properties in emu oil is its power to rejuvenate skin. It’s an excellent moisturizer that maintains moisture and increases the skin’s thickness – meaning fewer wrinkles later on! It’s also been known to promote hair growth.

Sand from Brazil

If you find yourself on a Brazilian beach, it’s common to see bikini-clad women rubbing sand on their bodies! They’re known to be some of the most beautiful women in the world. Why do they do this, you ask? It might sound crazy, but exfoliating with sand smoothens and stimulates the skin.