A trip abroad usually means experiencing new tastes, sounds and architecture. But there are other things to learn when travelling such as local beauty tips. France is famous for its wine so it's no surprise perhaps that some women there treat their skin with a substance called resveratrol which is found in grape vines.
"Resveratrol has a direct effect on the aging process of cells and slows it down. That helps keep skin smooth," explains dermatologist Stefan Duve. "Resveratrol also has anti-oxidizing properties that are much higher than those of vitamin C." Anti-oxidants help guard skin against harmful environmental influences, such as from ultraviolet light.
In Germany, cosmetic products containing honey are booming. "Honey has long been known for its healing properties and as an ingredient in skincare products," says Birgit Huber from Germany's association of cosmetics makers, IKW. Honey has anti-bacterial properties and contains several elements including zinc that help skin regenerate. "Vitamins C, E and niacinamide have been proven to be excellent anti-oxidants," explains Anna Mokosch. Honey also has a low pH-level. "That helps our skin protect itself against acids," says Stefan Duve.
It's well known that drinking plenty of water is a simple way to keep skin young. But in Scandinavian countries women use mineral water with carbon dioxide in it to amplify water's healthy benefits. Mineral water is regarded there as a quick way to pep up tired or swollen skin. "They use moist compresses a lot in dermatology there to reduce swelling," says dermatologist Anna Mokosch. "Water helps to cool and sooth skin."
In Italy olive oil is not just used in cooking but also for the skin. Many Italian women use it to soften dry lips or hands. It's especially effective when used overnight by wearing soft cotton gloves that have been moistened with olive oil. It's also used to treat dry hair and split ends by massaging it in and then leaving it for 15 minutes before washing the oil out. "Olive oil is used in beauty care because it contains linoleic acid. In combination with other fats contained in olive oil, it helps soften dry hair," says Duve. It also helps to regenerate hair's natural protective barrier.
In Japan a perfect complexion is highly prized as a sign of great beauty. Green tea plays a big role for Japanese women who want to improve their skin complexion. It contains many vitamins, minerals and trace elements that are good for skin. "Green tea is also a wonderful radical interceptor," explains dermatologist Joerg Fraenken. "It also contains mineral salts that help retain moisture. That's why green tea extracts are used in so many creams that help prevent cellulite."
The women of Morocco have been using a natural mineral clay called rhassoul for centuries. Its fine particles help remove dirt, dead skin cells and excess fat, making rhassoul an ideal cleansing agent for oily skin. Argan oil is also used in skincare in Morocco. "Argan oil can be used to treat very dry skin," says Mokosch. "But I do think its anti-oxidizing and special properties are exaggerated." Argan oil does contain vitamin E, which is an anti-oxidizer, but in much lower quantities than wheat-germ oil, for example.
"Argan oil is recommended for treating acne and I think it can be effective there." In central African countries stretching from Senegal to Ethiopia, the nut of the shea tree is used to make shea butter. It contains vitamin E and allantoin that sooth and heal skin. "It also has anti-oxidizing and anti-inflammatory properties," says Fraenken. "However, there is one drawback to shea butter: traces of latex have been found in it." That is because shea fruit contains a natural form of latex. "This can cause problems for people who have an allergy against latex."
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