Worldwide Wellness – Beauty Products for Mamas

Living in the wonderful cultural melting pot that is Dubai exposes us to all the cool parenting styles, customs and traditions from all over the globe plus enables us to pick up tips on everything from recipes to beauty.  Ever wondered how Japanese women appear not to age and Brazillians have amazing beach bodies? Well wonder no more, for we have asked our mamas of the world for the secrets that keep them looking and feeling their very best. From Brazil to Morocco, India to Japan – here are our top 4 finds from afar.

MOROCCAN MAMAS

ARGAN OIL – THE HAIR HERO

Used for centuries by the Berber women of Morocco, Argan Oil has become a modern-day beauty must-have. Produced from the kernels of the Argan Tree that grows in semi-arid conditions in southwest Morocco, it is one of the rarest and most expensive oils on the market. No surprise then that it is being dubbed the ‘liquid gold’ of the beauty industry and is now one of the most sought after ingredients for skin and hair products around the world.

Containing 80 percent-unsaturated fatty acids, it works wonders on healing skin ailments including acne, eczema and burns. It also prevents stretch marks, is an anti-inflammatory, has sun-protective and disinfectant properties, and can protect against premature aging. With high levels of Vitamin E and antioxidants, Argan Oil helps to neutralize free radical damage – a key function in today’s world where we are over exposed to pollution and harmful chemicals. it also keeps hair and skin soft thanks to its high levels of sterolins that reduce inflammation and promote moisture retention.

If that was not enough, Argan Oil has the power to transform tresses by restoring, renewing and repairing. It stimulates growth, improves hair elasticity and hydrates to leave locks smooth and soft. Thanks to Omega 9 and Omega 3, it also helps strengthen hair by rebuilding its protein structures.

Try Redken’s new All Soft Argan-6 Oil – enriched with Argan Oil, it has instantly absorbed (meaning no nasty, greasy residue) to nourish, strengthen, protect, and improve elasticity – leaving locks luminous and luxuriously silky.

Available at L’Oreal Professtional accredited Salons

JAPANESE MAMAS

COLLAGEN – THE WRINKLE REMOVER

Famed for their smooth skin and youthful complexion, the Japanese are always inventing new, innovative (and sometimes bizarre) ways of keeping young and beautiful. In addition, although collagen was used in anti-aging products for decades, how it is used is seriously changing. Most of us think of collagen coming in fillers or pills, but in Japan, it is now being consumed as a drink. Woman across the country are boiling beef and chicken tendons to make their own beauty-boosting beverage. Unlike creams which work solely on the epidermis (outer layer of skin), ingesting an ingredient works from the inside out to target the deeper layer of skin (the dermis).

Collagen is a protein that gives skin structural support and is key in maintaining firm, supple skin. It slows the formation of fine lines and wrinkles, improves elasticity and helps retain moisture. The good news is we naturally produce collagen. The bad news is that as we get older we produce less of it. Therefore, it is no wonder the Japanese have developed yet another helping hand to keep them young and beautiful.

If boiling up beef is not quite for you, try the Pure Gold Collagen Drink. Containing hydrolyzed collagen derived from fish, hyaluronic acid and a host of vitamins – it packs up to 20 times the punch of a collagen pill.

Available at Planet Nutrition Dubai Mall

INDIAN MAMAS

TURMERIC – THE SKIN SPICE

Turmeric is not just the secret to the perfect curry; it is also the key to perfect skin. A natural anto-inflamotory loaded with these anti-oxidants, it is used in natural medicine to fight heart disease, reduce the risk of blood clots, slow the progression of Alzheimer, and fight free radicals and cell damage to prevent cancer. It is one super spice.

Used for thousands of years by Indian woman, not only in cooking but also in their beauty regimes, Turmeric plays a vital role in the Indian wedding tradition of Haldi – where both the bride and the groom are covered with a paste made of Turmeric the night before the big day. A natural emollient, antibacterial and antiseptic, it helps reduce signs of aging, fights blemishes, reduces pigmentation and evens and brightens the complexion – making the perfect pre-event skin savior.

Fats becoming one of nature’s most in – demand ingredients in skincare, even actor Thandie Newton declared Turmeric her “secret weapon” – revealing she mixes the spice in with her products to add a beauty boost. Therefore, for a flawless face, Turmeric is the ticket.

Spice it up with 3Lab’s Hydrating- Vita Cream, a vitamin-rich moisturizing gel packed with potent antioxidants, essential nutrients and vitamins, and (of course) Turmeric. Works a dream on dehydrated skin – replacing dryness and moisture loss with hydrated healthiess.

Available at Bloomingdales Dubai Mall

BRAZILIAN MAMAS

ACAI – THE BEAUTY BERRY

Brazilians are known (and envied) the world for their beauty, bodies and, of course, booties. So if you too want to look like Gisele (well, almost) then you need to make sure Acai features in your diet and skincare. These dark purple Amazonian berries were used by indigenous tribes to treat ailments and to provide nutrition (they are crammed with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, protein and omega fatty acids). They are now found in cosmetics around the world, and in almost every smoothie being sipped by a Brazilian beauty, due to their healing and highly powerful properties.

Not only are they amazing anti-agers, Acai berries fight free radicals and inflammation due to the powerful antioxidant anthocyanin (of which it has the most out of any other food) and they’re nearly 1000 times higher in antioxidants than any other fruit and vegetable. If that was not enough, they boost immunity; raise the metabolism and aid in digestion. These berries may be small, but they come with some seriously big beauty benefits.

The Kiehl’s Acai Damage Repairing Serum is an ultra-concentrated formula that has been penetrated and absorbed quickly to repair tone, texture and elasticity damage caused by oxidization, sun damage and external stress – all with a smoothing, light moisturization.

Available at Bloomingdales, Harvey Nicholas & Kiehl’s Dubai Mall. 

Frankie is a sassy aunt to 4 little people (who she loves to spoil!). A self proclaimed beauty junkie she has worked for a number of magazines including Tatler and online title hip ‘n healthy before moving out to Dubai a couple of months ago as beauty editor for gulf news. When she’s not testing a new product or trying a new spa she likes to indulge her icecream addiction whilst watching a movie or five.

 

Top Image sourced via Pinterest