The Natural Way To Arab Beauty

posted on: Dec 8, 2020

By: Annika Wolfe/Arab America Contributing Writer

It is without a doubt that Arab beauty secrets are in high demand, along with tips and tricks for men’s face routines as well. Walking through an Arab household, you’ll see a lot of raw material and pieces that eventually makeup to the best secrets to youthful, healthy-looking skin.

EXFOLIATE

The Loofah is a fibrous plant seed pod that grows as a flowering annual vine. The loofah uses the fibers from the plant to create this tough mass that makes for the perfect scrubbing sponge. The natural cellulose fibers can be used in multiple ways to pamper yourself. Exfoliating your body when showering is key to jump-starting fresh new cells to the surface. It also gives you the opportunity to use all the secret Arab beauty remedies which allows you to penetrate and invigorate deeper into the skin.

HYDRATE

Olive Oil is the simplest, most popular, and most hydrating at-home remedies. Of course, every Middle Eastern household has olive oil accessible and is a standard of Arab beauty. Applying olive oil was common during ancient and present times within the Arab community.

After using the loofah to exfoliate your skin, apply olive oil directly on dry skin. Although you aren’t consuming the oil directly, you are still applying it topically to the skin, which is the largest organ. Olive oil is one of the healthiest hydrates to apply. It is loaded with, but not limited to, anti-inflammatory properties due to the Omega-3 and 6, and resistant to high heat due to its high properties of monounsaturated fat.

To develop and maintain your body’s cell life, oils rich in monounsaturated fats also contribute Vitamin E into your diet, which is an antioxidant you are allowing the body to protect against harmful pollutants and UVA/UVB damages. The hydration is from squalene, a hydrating agent that helps lock in moisture in lipids. It also has an extra boost of antioxidants.

FACIAL MASKS

Fixing the texture of the skin, as well as brightening and/or hydrating it can be done with either one of these facial masks.

Yogurt is an easy recipe to find within an Arab household. They use it to eat with rice, meat, breakfast, and sandwiches, etc. They also use it as a facial mask, but instead of using fresh yogurt, they use it once it turns sour. Once too old to eat, the lactic acid is very potent for your face. 

Yogurt is loaded with the following vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants:

LACTIC ACID  

An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) helps reduce the reduction of surface imperfections.

• Acne scars
• Wrinkles and fine lines
• Hyperpigmentation
• Brightening and clarity  

ZINC

• Contains anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce red swellings caused by acne or rashes.
• Is a mild astringent, which means it can help tighten tissues.
• Is necessary for cell reproduction and growth of tissues.
• Alleviates acne and pimples.
• Helps regulate oil production in the sebaceous glands, thereby preventing oily skin and frequent acne breakouts.

CALCIUM

Much of the epidermal layer of the skin consists of the calcium our body needs, and vitamin C to help balance the vitamin D your body receives from sun rays.

• Contains antioxidants that help prevent and heal dry skin
• Facilitates skin renewal

B Vitamins

Yogurt is rich in vitamin B2 (riboflavin), B12, and B5. A serving (one cup) of yogurt contains 20 to 30 percent of the daily recommended value of riboflavin.

• Glowy and hydrated
• Assist with the cellular growth and regeneration
• Protects skin cells from oxidative damage by free radicals
• Vitamin B5 is responsible for facilitating the manufacture of healthy fats in cells

Now that we understand the amazing health benefits loaded in yogurt, adding lemon or strawberries helps with brightening your skin. Follow the directions below.

LEMON/STRAWBERRY & YOGURT FACE MASK

• Brightening and lightening skin
• Fighting acne
• Removing bacteria from your skin
• Moisturizing

LEMON & YOGURT FACE MASK INGREDIENTS:

• Yogurt
• Lemon/Strawberries
• Honey

LEMON & YOGURT FACE MASK RECIPE:

1. In a small mixing bowl, mash 2 ripe strawberries with a fork or freshly squeeze 1 lemon
2. Add 1 teaspoon honey and mix well
3. Measure out 1 teaspoon yogurt and stir it into the lemon/strawberries and honey

HOW TO APPLY A LEMON/STRAWBERRY & YOGURT FACE MASK:

1. Wash your face and neck with warm water and a cleanser to remove makeup
2. Apply a thick layer of the mask all over your neck and DON’T forget your chest!
3. Let the mixture dry on your face for 15 minutes.
4. Gently remove the mask using lukewarm water
5. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel

EGG WHITE FACIAL

Arab beauty routines also include eggs. Now that we have a heavy load on internal nutrition, you aren’t going to be surprised by using egg whites on the surface of your skin, right? Of course not! Eggs are our morning protein and our bodies love them. Why not take a look and see the unique, yet powerful, natural ingredients that our bodies recognize and allow our reparative process to start. The most amazing part of all is the tightening of pores and prevention of excessive oil, dirt, bacteria, blackheads. It also prevents acne breakouts. The removal of the oil helps to balance the skin since it doesn’t encourage any dryness.

EGG WHITE & HONEY FACE MASK INGREDIENTS:

• 1 egg
• Honey

EGG WHITE & HONEY FACE MASK RECIPE:

1. In a small mixing bowl of egg whites only
2. Add 1 teaspoon honey and mix well
3. Apply on with a flat facial brush for even application

HOW TO APPLY AN EGG WHITE & HONEY FACE MASK:

1. Wash your face neck and chest with a cleanser and warm water to prepare and clean your skin
2. Apply a thick layer of the mask all over your neck and DON’T forget your chest!
3. Let the mixture dry on your face for 15 minutes
4. Gently remove the mask using lukewarm water
5. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel

YEAST FACE MASK

Yeast masks are unique and typically used in Arab beauty routines. It is another common ingredient found within any Arab household for our freshly made pita. Yeast is a compound of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. This is essential for smooth radiant skin, but most importantly anti-aging and anti-bacterial. Yeast will dissolve the blackheads and pimples at the surface of the skin while working underneath to clear the blemishes. This mask takes a little cooking at the stovetop but certainly worth it!

YEAST FACE MASK INGREDIENTS:

• 20g of yeast
• 1 tbsp. of flour
• Honey
• yogurt/kefir

YEAST FACE MASK RECIPE:

• In a small mixing bowl add a combination of yeast and flour
• Add 1 teaspoon honey and mix well
• Then dilute with warm yogurt/kefir
• Mix well together and then apply onto the face with a flat facial brush for even application

HOW TO APPLY A YEAST FACE MASK:

1. Wash your face neck and chest with a cleanser and warm water to prep skin and clean skin
2. Apply a thick layer of the mask all over your neck and DON’T forget your chest!
3. Let the mixture dry on your face for 20 minutes
4. Gently remove the mask using lukewarm water
5. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel

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