1. OLIVE OIL

Used in hair care, skin care, mixed with sugar or salt as an exfoliant, olive oil used to be one of the best kept ancient beauty secrets! Luckily, the cat is out of the bag now and we’re all pretty much familiar with the nurturing properties of this fantastic oil. Massage it into your hair for instant repair and softness or rub it into your dry skin in case you want a natural moisturizer!

2. HONEY

Mixed with olive oil, milk, various herbs or used alone, honey was and still is one of the most miraculous natural things you can put on your face or body. But can you believe this was one of the basic beauty tips even in ancient times? Yup, honey certainly has a long history of cosmetic usage and if you’re interested to know why apply some of it on your face right now and watch as your skin develops that natural glow and heavenly softness after this natural yet potent mask!

3. HERBAL INFUSIONS

Next on my list of awesome ancient Greek beauty secrets are herbal infusions, something I wrote about myself before in hopes some of you ladies would like to try a few alternative, natural hair care mixtures. Greeks made their own mixtures by seeping herbs and flowers in vinegar and oil, mixing them with beeswax as well to create pomades used for face and body.

4. YOGURT

There are many ways to use this tasty thing and by that I don’t mean just mixing it with fresh fruit, honey and nuts for a fantastic light sweet! And as great as this recipe sounds, that’s not one of those beauty tips I wanted to share with you today. Well, it is… you’re just not supposed to eat it! Greek yogurt is actually great for skin- it moisturizes, soothes, nurtures it and can even provide relief against sun burns so the next time you want a totally natural mask, do experiment with it and either use it alone or add some honey, olive oil or some of your favorite herbs!

5. OLIVES

In case you love them in your salads or Mediterranean dishes, you’ll probably have a hard time sacrificing a few to use in skin care but do it anyways and you’ll find out exactly why olives are considered one of the best ancient beauty secrets! Due to their high mineral content, anti bacterial and anti fungal properties as well as many other extremely beneficial qualities (including the ability to erase wrinkles) these tasty little treats can be used as a wonderful, rejuvenating, highly nurturing skincare treatment.

6. SEA SALT

Both ancient Greek and ancient Egyptians loved the exfoliating properties of sea salt and the way it leaves their rough, sun exposed skin soft and glowing but since this post is all about Greek beauty secrets, I’ll have to put the Egyptians aside for a moment and focus on telling you all about this natural exfoliating method Greeks used. Mix it with olive oil to get a moisturizing natural peel or use alone to remove dirt, dead cells and blackheads following up with some of the wonderfully nurturing treatments described above.

7. CLAY

Ancient civilizations regularly used clay to heal diseased or damaged skin as they discovered it had many healing properties. Staying clean was incredibly important to the Egyptians who would often mix clay, ash and oil together to form soap. This mixture was often scented and would help them smell nice despite the heat of the sun which caused them to sweat. Natural products are still used in many products today and clay is thought to smooth fine lines and draw out any impurities. It’s also thought to be so gentle that it can be used on many skin types without irritation.

8. Frankincense

Wise men from times gone by used to use this aromatic resin to reduce the appearance of unsightly scars. This natural substance was also favored by Egyptian women who used it to calm angry stretch marks caused by pregnancy. While frankincense might seem like an unusual product to use on your skin its healing properties are still recognized today. This natural remedy is used in many modern products and is thought to be able to clear up sores.

1. 1. Almond oil
Almond oil was found in many Egyptian products and was used throughout the classes. Both pharaohs and their workers use to rub this natural ingredient into their skin to keep them looking young. The vitamin E found in almonds worked to rid draw out harmful toxins and rid the body of free radicals. These days we can opt for Botox or microdermabrasion, however, almond oil is still found in many new cosmetics.

Eat Healthy Food

Wide variety of seafood, fresh fruit and veggies isn’t just one of those exclusively Greek beauty secrets but a lifestyle you can adopt as well, even if you’re not living close to the sea. Naturally and optimally balanced omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids as well as all those vitamins and minerals found in fruits and vegetables will feed your skin from the inside, helping your body cope with many outside interferences and even develop a better tolerance to sun.

Exfoliate your face and your body

Exfoliation with upward mevements, improves circulation and tones the muscles.

In a large bowl , mix well 1 cup oats , 1/2 teaspoon turmeric ( spice is called and chryssoriza ) 2 teaspoons mustard seeds , 2 teaspoons chopped fresh coriander leaves , 3 tablespoons rose water , orange juice 1 cup , and 1 / 2 cup water. Spread the mixture over the face and body with gentle upward strokes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Detoxify your body

This is a very good remedy for getting rid of toxins.

Put your face over a bowl of hot water with fresh coriander leaves and basil, stay on top of the steam for about 10 minutes. Keep your face at least 20 inches above the water covering your head and the bowl with a towel to prevent the steam from escaping . Gently wipe your face and splash with tepid water to rejuvenate the skin. Discard the herbs. To detoxify and balance the body, run a hot shower to fill the room with steam and unwind for 10 minutes.

Keep your face clean and healthy

«Lepa» mask absorbs impurities and it is often called medical plaster .

In a large bowl, mix 2 teaspoons of sandalwood powder , natural clay powder, a little turmeric ( chryssoriza ), 1 teaspoon of neem oil, and 1/4 cup of fresh orange juice. Mix well and apply over face and neck, avoiding the area around the eyes. Leave the mask on for about 15 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.

Moisturize your skin

Aloe is an ideal ingredient that helps balance the skin because it provides light moisture and creates a wonderful calming feel. Rub your face and body with aloe vera to soften and rejuvenate your skin.

Protect your hair

The deep hydration of the hair is the most important part in hair treatments . Regulates oiliness of hair and scalp and provides relaxation.

Prepare the oil night before by bringing 1/2 cup coconut oil to a boil. Add 2 tablespoons of rose water and 1/2 cup fresh flower petals like rose or jasmine . Boil the mixture for 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Let the flowers steep in the oil overnight , then drain the oil with a coffee filter . Rub gently four to five tablespoons of oil on top of your head and into your scalp . Wrap your hair in a towel and allow the oils to penetrate for at least 20 minutes. Shampoo and rinse as usual.

Protect your hands and feet

To soften rough hands and feet, start by gently massaging with a sponge or a rough towel hands. Next, soak them in a tub with warm water a few drops of sandal wood , neem oil, or jasmine . Use a pumice stone to soften rough areas on the feet . To soak , use 1 teaspoon of neem oil and 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and massage into hands and feet , focusing on heels , soles , ankles , between the fingers , wrists , and hands . Rinse with the juice of a lemon to half a glass of warm water and wipe gently with a soft towel.