Spa ingredients from around the world

This site is about travel. But you don´t have to leave the comfort of your home to travel around the globe to the most important countries in the Spa culture. You will discover Spa ingredients used in beauty rituals since ancient times, one destination at a time.

Milk and Honey Bath – from Egypt

Rumor has it that Cleopatra soaked herself in milk and honey baths to keep her skin beautiful. I’ve enjoyed this spa treatment at the Königstherme in Königsbrunn, Germany. Truly can I tell you that it is not a myth. Indeed it moisturizes and softens the skin.

Milk has lactic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs applied topically and regularly, help reduce the appearance of aging.
Honey is loaded with nutrients and healing compounds. It moisturizes, and has anti-aging and antibacterial properties.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of honey
• 300 ml. of whole milk

1. Warm the milk and honey, until the honey dissolves fully into the milk. Do not boil.
2. Allow the mixture to cool.
3. Pour the milk and honey mix into a hot bath.
4. Lie back in the bath and relax for the next twenty minutes.
5. Rinse your body afterwards.

Olive Oil as a Moisturizer – from Ancient Rome

Olive oil has many benefits for the skin besides being a great moisturizer. It is full of vitamins including vitamin E. It has antioxidant properties. Besides, it fights bacteria.

Taking advantage of the benefits olive oil is easy. You can use it it as a night-time moisturizer. Just apply a fine layer of oil on your face (except if you have oily skin). It will hydrate your skin overnight.

You can also put 5 drops of olive oil on a cotton swab to remove makeup.

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Avocado Face Mask – from Mexico

Ancient Aztec and Mayan people used avocados to beautify their skin and hair. Today, it is still a very common ingredient for DIY face masks in Mexico. Avocados are high in vitamins A and E, which help keep the skin moisturized.

Ingredient:

• One fully ripe avocado.

1. Mash the avocado pulp with a fork.
2. Spread evenly on your clean face.
3. Allow to remain for twenty minutes.
4. Rinse off with tepid water.

Rice Water Cleanser – from Japan

Rice soothes, hydrates and exfoliates the skin. Here is how to get those benefits at home from this ingredient used for thousands of years in Japan.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of rice
• 2 cups of water
• A bowl
• A spritz bottle

1. Rinse the cup of rice, place in a bowl and cover with water.
2. After sitting for about twenty minutes, pour out the water into a spritz bottle.
3. Use as a face cleanser on a cotton swab.
4. Keep the water in the fridge, it will last for about a week.

Mineral Water Toner – from Belgium

Well, the tribute to Spa ingredients from around the world can’t be complete without referring to the city of Spa in Belgium. And what a better ingredient to talk about Spas, than water.

Spring water is full of minerals that can nurture your skin.

You don’tt have to bathe in water brands such as Evian or Spa (but by the way, in those cities, the public Wellness Center has indeed that option available! And yes, bathing in spring water does make your skin feel renovated). You can indulge in the invigorating benefits of natural spring water, using it in your beauty regime.

Soak a cotton swab in the water (choose one of a certain acidity content) and give your face a once over thorough wipe after cleansing. Apply your regular moisturizer while your skin is still damp.