From Russia with love: 6 beauty secrets

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Oils and herbs are included in any cosmetics, but you can use them in their natural form. In different regions of Russia, many secrets have been preserved that over the centuries have provided youth and beauty to local residents.

Model and actress Rachel Hunter, host of the program "Rachel Hunter: In Search of Beauty Secrets" (12+) on the Fine Living channel, talks about recipes for health and longevity.

Kelp (northern Russia)

Laminaria is widely used in cosmetology, because it has a number of beneficial properties: it improves the general condition of the skin, helps fight inflammation, stretch marks, cellulite, and promotes weight loss and rejuvenation. Many beauty salons offer expensive wraps using these algae, but you can do such procedures at home - kelp is freely sold in pharmacies in the form of whole dried leaves or powder.

Before wrapping, it is necessary to soak the algae in water at room temperature and leave for 30-40 minutes. Then apply kelp to the body and wrap in cling film. The duration of the procedure is from 30 to 40 minutes.

Despite the positive effect of algae, you should not use them for wrapping people with diseases of the heart, blood vessels and thyroid gland, as well as during pregnancy and severe skin damage. Nevertheless, scrubs and face masks have practically no contraindications, they are suitable for any type of skin and will only have a healing effect.

Milk thistle (Siberia)

The healing properties of this plant were already known to ancient Egyptian healers. After all, it has not only a cosmetic, but also a healing effect. Especially valuable and rich in nutrients is the oil obtained from the seeds of the plant.

123RF / Olga Tkachenko

It contains a large amount of flavonoids, which are responsible for the regeneration of the skin, strengthen the cell membranes, have an anti-inflammatory and anti-aging effect. To moisturize, protect the skin from external influences, and give it a radiance, just take 3-4 drops of milk thistle oil and apply them in the evening on cleansed skin of the face, neck and décolleté. The result will be noticeable in the morning.

Mumiyo (Altai)

Mumiyo is a mineral product that is formed under the influence of wind and temperature changes in rock cracks. Tablets from this substance are widely used both in medicine and in cosmetology, they have no contraindications. Shilajit has a noticeable rejuvenating effect on the skin: it smoothes wrinkles, tightens the face contour and promotes cell regeneration.

To prepare a mask from this natural component, it is necessary to grind 2 mumiyo tablets into powder, dissolve the mixture in boiled cold water until a thick state and apply on the skin for 15 minutes. The course consists of 7-10 procedures, which are done with a ten-day break. It will be possible to repeat the complex of masks only after six months.

Pine nut oil (Siberia)

Another indispensable aid in the struggle for the beauty and youthfulness of the skin can be pine nut oil. It has a powerful antioxidant effect, saves from inflammation and flaking, fights wrinkles and age-related changes, and accelerates cell regeneration.

123RF / Yana Gayvoronskaya

Siberian cedar oil contains vitamins of groups B, A and D, vitamins E and F, polyunsaturated fatty acids and protein, which are indispensable in the preparation of cosmetics for care at home. Heated in a water bath, the oil can be used as a make-up remover for the face, as well as applied in the form of compresses twice a week for 15 minutes instead of anti-aging care. In addition, in the cold season, it can be used as a night cream, it will nourish and moisturize the skin well. However, keep in mind that you should keep cedar nut oil in the refrigerator.

Sea buckthorn (Sayany, Tuva, Altai)

In sea buckthorn, everything is valuable for beauty and health: berries, leaves and even branches. This plant is especially widely used in hair care products. Sea buckthorn can make them strong and shiny and give them a healthy look.

To do this, prepare a decoction: 2 tbsp. dried berries and leaves of sea buckthorn need to be poured with 2 tbsp. boiling water and leave for 3-4 hours. Then rub the resulting infusion into the hair roots overnight - this will accelerate their growth. In addition, this broth can be diluted with warm water and used as a rinse after washing.

Blackberry (Western Siberia)

These berries are not only very tasty, but also have a positive effect on the health and appearance of the skin, and therefore are widely used in cosmetology.

123RF / Konstantin Tronin

Various creams and scrubs are made on the basis of blackberries, but using them in their natural form will further enhance the effect. After all, it contains vitamins necessary for the skin: B, C, E, K, as well as iron and pectin, which improve metabolic processes and saturate cells with oxygen. To narrow pores and remove oily shine, just knead the berries and apply the resulting mass on your face. Alternatively, you can use a blackberry leaf decoction to fight inflammation and even out skin tone.

It is worth remembering that individual intolerance can be to all components, including natural ones. That is why, before using cosmetics, it is recommended to test them on a small area of the skin.