8 Beauty Tips From Around The World

From Cleopatra's milk bath to the ancient Roman habit of using ground oyster shell as a skin lightener, beauty rituals have abounded through generations and geographies.

But we've come a very long way since the days of using lead as a face mask and sheep sweat as night cream. Time has perfected our rituals -- we know what works and what doesn't. There's much to be learned, then, from the at-home beauty tips of women around the world. "Beauty rituals are as ancient as time. When I travel across the world, I see all sorts of natural remedies. And now, many of those products are being used in Western cosmetics," says beauty expert and HuffPost blogger, Carmindy.

Got a zit? Indian women swear by turmeric. Dry skin? South Americans recommend smearing an avocado. Want perfect teeth? Imitate the calcium-consuming habits of Masai women. We've compiled a list of eight of the best tips from around the world. Take a look.

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• Turmeric

  Turmeric -- the herb that gives a curry its distinctive yellow color -- is also an antiseptic with anti-inflammatory properties. In India, it's common tradition for brides and grooms to apply a paste of turmeric and chickpea flour before their big day. In addition to turmeric's bacteria-killing powers, chickpea flour is an exfoliant and a moisture-absorber. The herb is also used by brides in Indonesia. "(The traditional ceremony) begins with a <em>lular</em> scrub combining all the benefits of turmeric, rice, jasmine flowers, ginger and other herbs to energize the body," writes beauty expert Shalini Vadhera in her book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Beauty-Secrets-Becoming-Goddess/dp/0312349629" target="_hplink">"Passport To Beauty."</a>

• Pawpaw

  Pawpaw ointment, made from pawpaw or papaya, is commonly used as a cure-all in Australia. "It helps sunburn, bites, rashes and dry cracked skin and lips. I always have it in my medicine cabinet. I frequently put it on my cuticles," says beauty expert and HuffPost blogger Carmindy.

• Shea Butter

  Shea butter -- now the stuff of drugstore moisturizers -- comes from the nut of the karite tree of West Africa. In addition to its hydrating properties, it's known for its ability to protect skin from free radicals and prevent wrinkles. "In parts of West Africa ... Pregnant women give their expanding bodies a daily gentle rub with the vegetable butter. Many of my friends there have assured me that this daily routine prevents stretch marks," writes Jessica Harris in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Beauty-Book-Wonderful-Natural/dp/0062510924" target="_hplink">"The World Beauty Book."</a>

• Argan Oil

  Argan oil has been long known in Africa as a miracle of nature, and it's now becoming famous in the West too. Produced exclusively by Berbere women in Morocco, the oil -- extracted from the nut of the Argan tree -- is high in <a href="http://travel.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/travel/tmagazine/14get-sourcing-caps.html" target="_hplink">vitamin E and other fatty acids</a>. It has anti-aging properties, is an excellent moisturizer and is believed to help everything from acne to wrinkles. "Moroccan woman have beautiful hair because they've been pouring argan oil on it forever," says Carmindy.

• Monoi Oil

  An infusion of Tahitian gardenias and coconut oil, Monoi oil is used by Tahitian women to soothe and protect their hair and skin. It's both an emollient and a natural perfume. "I've never seen women who had such beautiful hair and skin who also smelled so great. I shipped back boxes and boxes of it for myself," says Carmindy.

• Camellia Nut Oil

  According to beauty expert Shalini Vadhera, camellia nut oil or tea seed oil is used by Japanese women as an antioxidant, to nourish and moisturize skin, treat burns, stretch marks and strengthen nails. It's high in vitamin E, antioxidants and oleic acid. "Two drops of camellia oil mixed with a tablespoon of sake is all it takes for clearer, smoother skin," writes Vadhera in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Passport-Beauty-Secrets-Becoming-Goddess/dp/0312349629" target="_hplink">"Passport To Beauty."</a>

• Avocado

  With their high fat and vitamin E content, avocados are both delicious and good for you. South American women use the fruit to nourish their skin and hair. "Virtually all parts of the avocado can be used in beauty treatments," says Jessica Harris in the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/World-Beauty-Book-Wonderful-Natural/dp/0062510924" target="_hplink">"World Beauty Book."</a> Take the peels and rub the interior on your face. The slightly grainy texture of the inside of the avocado peel is exfoliating, and the peel itself is rich with avocado oil. The combination is great for those with problem skin." Carmindy recommends a face mask made of avocados and honey. "Honey has anti-inflammatory properties and avocado hydrates the skin."

• Nightingale Droppings

  This might sound unappealing, but <em>uguiso no fun</em> or nightingale droppings have long been used in Japan to clear sun-spots, acne marks and pigmentation. The bird excrement -- rich in proteins and a whitening enzyme -- is sterilized, ground into a powder and sometimes mixed with rice bran. The powder is then applied to the face and washed off with water. It's the beauty treatment of geishas and Buddhist monks alike.

Comments

[Tourism Dental India]

08:20 AM on 11/29/2011

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[Tourism Dental India]

03:05 AM on 11/07/2011

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[phot9397]

12:49 PM on 10/30/2011

Herbs are used to add beauty to many women in Asia. It should be the highest skill and duration of use. Some herbs have more than one to achieve good results.
www.thaimassageonline.com

[mmerteuil]

09:37 PM on 10/25/2011

Aloe is GREAT for your hair. And it's so pure.

[JessieB101]

09:26 AM on 10/11/2011

Well at least these beauty treatment are natural and don't contain cancer-causing ingredients!!!! I am striving for the public to become aware of the foods that we eat and the products we use and what they do to our bodies! This is a link about which beauty products cause cancer, http://manyrandomfacts.blogspot.com/search/label/Cancer

[bonnieb333]

08:22 PM on 10/10/2011

If the product, Monoi Oil, is derived from coconut oil and the Tahitian gardenia, why is Huff Post showing a photo of a Plumeria (frangipani)???

[lmn1965]

02:37 PM on 10/10/2011

My mom drinks tumeric powder with warm milk for sciatic pain. It really has helped her.

[lifeandvictory]

05:59 PM on 10/10/2011

Yep, natural anti-inflammatory. Tell her to try ginger tea as well. Works wonders for the swollen joints. Not to be taken all the time though. Cheers.

[rsfeys]

12:50 PM on 10/10/2011

If your going to silence the clip because I muted the commercial...the F.... You! I don't need to see it.

[glockenspiel323]

12:35 PM on 10/10/2011

There's a store in LA called Erewhon (on Beverly near Fairfax)
they sell Monoi de Tahiti.

[Time Share]

12:25 PM on 10/10/2011

And had a great time!

[c00kieo21]

11:35 AM on 10/10/2011

Want nice smooth skin (forget t the tumeric and chick peas) I have the cheapest, yet best solution. Each night before bedtime, just smooth some petroleum jelly all over your face (I use Vaseline-- no commercial intended here, just that my grandma used that product). I also use the product during the day if I am not going out. To remove the product, just wipe it off with a paper towel and splash your face with cold water and and pat dry with a towel. .You are then ready for your daily make-up . Finally, it's " I am ready for my close-up, Mr Demille." (By the way, if you tend toward acne, discount all I have stated.)

[900]

11:51 AM on 10/10/2011

Vasaline is really a good protectant for your face in the wintertime it protects your skin from windburn I put it on my face when I clear the snow out of of my courtyard area and when I go for walks with my dog (in winter). But I have oily skin and wash it off when I come back into the house.

[lifeandvictory]

06:02 PM on 10/10/2011

OH MY GOOOSH! Your bringing back bad memories lol. I used to ski when I was a kid and before I hit the slopes, my grandmother used to slather vaseline all over my face. My nostrils were even coated lol, I remember not being able to breathe from it for a second or two and panicking lol.

[rennycat]

12:32 PM on 10/10/2011

Just thought you'd like to know that petroleum jelly (name gives you a clue) is made with petroleum products, i.e., crude oil refined just like what we put in our cars......so for me, I rather use an organic herb product which gives wonderful results and yet my skin (hence, my body) doesn't absorb gasoline. Just saying.......

[acchomedesign]

10:39 AM on 10/10/2011

It would have been helpful to list places in Americ that these exotica can be founf..otherwise, one more misleading and useless article from the advertiainf agency known as HP

[900]

11:34 AM on 10/10/2011

Argon oil can be bought on Qvc Josie Marran or HLN Signature A. I started useing it last winter for a bad dry patch on my wrist from being exposed to much that I had been putting all kinds of creams and lotions on for two years.. I could not believe my eyes, with in a week ( really no kidding) that patch of skin was smooth and hydrated.(I know I sound like an ad) It really works. I went to several health/organic stores and they never heard of it. so these are the only two places I have found it. Signature A's is thicker and last much longer the Q's. Oh yea.. the best part is that this oil is not oily its like your skin is thirsty for it and sucks it right up, and you can use it in your hair too.

[Alexis Elizabeth Drob]

03:02 PM on 10/10/2011

I am sure that if you googled some of these simple spices and herbs you would no doubt find them.

[phdpamela]

10:35 AM on 10/10/2011

I can vouch for the Shea butter. Used a popular thick Suntan product while tanning daily when I was pregnant 40 yrs ago. I didn't get one single stretch mark. I was tanning probably 5 days out of the week 4-5hrs a day, so I was using a good bit of the stuff. I didn't think much of it, but bought some again years later when I became pregnant again (nah, done with tanning by then..lol) and again, I didn't get any stretch marks. So there might be something to the Shea butter!

[sharon1122]

05:25 PM on 10/10/2011

Any good Doctor would have told you that it is dangerous for pregnant people to stay in the sun. They burn extremely quickly.

[Gregory Schwartz]

10:30 AM on 10/10/2011

Q: What's pink and wrinkled, and smells like Ginger?
A: Fred Astaire's nose!!!!!

[c00kieo21]

11:21 AM on 10/10/2011

That is really stupid-really!

[Alexis Elizabeth Drob]

03:04 PM on 10/10/2011

Stick to the topic at hand or go back to your playpen!!

[ironchefjay2]

10:29 AM on 10/10/2011

Having been to Japan many times I must question where they got the picture of their so called "Geisha." To me she looks like one of those fake ones you see at tourist traps. No way a real geisha stops and poses for a pic.