The Natural Way To Arab Beauty

posted on: Jun 27, 2018

By: Myrna Daher/Arab America Ambassador/Blogger

Typical Mediterranean skin ranges in shades from olive to moderate brown and rarely burns, yet tans easily. These shades are type V pigments, commonly found in people from the Middle East, parts of Africa, Latin America and the Indian subcontinent. Common features of Arabs are black hair, thick eyebrows, and almond-shaped eyes. Arabs take pride in their resourceful and easily accessible beauty tips and tricks, especially their skincare routines! Many items and ingredients from these simple recipes are easily found in Arab households and are some of 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 start fresh new cells to the surface and allowing all the secret Arab beauty remedies go-deeper into the skin

HYDRATE

Olive Oil is one of the simplest, most popular, and hydrating of home skin-care remedies. Almost every Middle Eastern household has olive oil and it has been used for both cooking and skin-care throughout the centuries.

After exfoliating your skin with a loofah, apply olive oil to dry skin. Although you aren’t consuming the oil directly, the healthy hydration is absorbed through your largest organ, the skin. Olive oil is full of the anti-inflammatory properties of Omega-3 & 6 as well as high properties of monounsaturated fat, making it resistant to high heat. This wonderful oil can be used to develop and maintain your body’s cell life, and add vitamin E into your diet, giving your body an extra boost to protect itself against harmful pollutants and UVA/UVB damages.

FACIAL MASKS:

Facial masks can be used to fix the texture of the skin, brighten, and hydrate. Yogurt is a popular and accessible product in any Arab household. We eat it with rice, meat, breakfast, and sandwiches, etc. If you plan to make yogurt for your face mask, follow the directions as you usually do and then allow the yogurt to turn sour. While the yogurt is not good to eat, it is full of potent lactic acid that is great for your skin.

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

LACTIC ACID  

An alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that 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 calcium our body needs 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 with yogurt, lemons and strawberries are also effective and good for your skin. A true Arab tradition is waiting until your Lebneh is sour and to squeeze fresh lemon or smash and mix. Follow the directions below.

LEMON/STRAWBERRY & YOGURT FACE MASK USES:

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

LEMON & YOGURT FACE MASK INGREDIENTS:

• Yogurt
• Lemon/Strawberries
• Honey

LEMON/STRAWBERRY & YOGURT FACE MASK RECIPE:

1. In a small mixing bowl, mash 2 ripe strawberries with a fork
2. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into the strawberries
3. Add 1 teaspoon honey and mix well
4. 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 face and neck-DON’T forget your chest!
3. Let the mixture dry on your face, neck, and chest for 15 minutes
4. Gently remove the mask using lukewarm water
5. Pat your skin dry with a soft towel

EGG WHITE FACIAL:

As it turns out, egg whites have their uses beyond the breakfast table. Our bodies love them inside and out! The idea of putting egg whites on your skin may seem odd, but this protein-rich breakfast staple has powerful reparative properties. Egg whites help tighten pores, preventing the buildup of excess dirt and bacteria responsible for acne and blackheads. Egg whites also help balance the skin, removing excess oil without causing dryness.

EGG WHITE & HONEY FACE MASK INGREDIENTS:

• 1 egg
• Honey

EGG WHITE & HONEY FACE MASK RECIPE:

1. Mix egg whites only in a small bowl
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 prep and clean skin
2. Apply a thick layer of the mask all over your face and neck-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

Traditionally used to make fresh pita, yeast is a common ingredient found in any Arab household. Conveniently, it also has many beneficial skin care properties. Yeast is a compound of amino acids, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for smooth, radiant skin. Most importantly, however, yeast contains anti-aging and anti-bacterial properties. Yeast dissolves blackheads and pimples at the surface of the skin while working underneath to clear blemishes. This mask takes a little cooking at the stovetop, but the results will certainly be 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
• 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 prepare and clean skin
2. Apply a thick layer of the mask all over your face and neck-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