As an ex-beauty editor turned nomadic travel writer, I’m continually fascinated with the beauty rites and rituals celebrated around the world - from the cream-coloured swirls of thanaka used daily across Myanmar to Sri Lanka’s abundance of high-quality coconut oil.
While the constant stream of new skincare routine heroes, look-at-me creams, and ‘miracle-working’ formulas in pretty packaging became overwhelming when I was in the thick of the industry in the UK. These days, I’m more intrigued with the tried and tested natural ingredients that have been used in beauty routines since the dawn of time.
Here’s a selection of my favourites, along with twelve easily available products that harness these oils and wonder ingredients.
My favourite wonder ingredients from around the world
One of my favourite global discoveries was thanaka. Made from the ground bark of the thanaka tree and mixed with water, this creamy-coloured, cooling paste has been used by women, children, and men in Myanmar for over 2,000 years. It's said to have an array of properties, the most interesting of which is its protection against sunburn, yet it also contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, meaning it works well for evening out skin tone and helping to eradicate blemishes.
Burmese women wearing thanaka
Thanaka products are yet to hit our beauty markets, but elsewhere, I quickly realised the importance of natural oils sourced from abundantly grown and oftentimes endemic trees and bushes - each boasting a collection of amazing benefits for the skin, hair, and even the mind.
1. Sri Lankan Coconuts
The tropical island of Sri Lanka is known for its pretty palm trees that are utilised in all aspects of daily life, from cooking and construction to utensils crafted from shells and, of course, in beauty routines. Many of the women I spoke to during my time in Sri Lanka applied coconut oil to their hair a couple of times a week, using the highly moisturising oil as an overnight mask.
In its pure form, it can also be used as a makeup remover, nourishing face and body moisturiser and is even said to help increase the natural production of collagen in the skin. Try it in its purest oil form, or choose a product that combines it with other hard-working ingredients.
RRP: £8.99
Nothing beats a jar of cold pressed, raw and unrefined coconut oil and its myriad of uses. Sri Lankan dried coconut is cold pressed to release the nutritious oil that can be used as a body and facial moisturiser or hair mask. Warming a few drops of oil and massaging into the soles of your feet each evening before bed is also said to help aid anxiety according to the ancient principles of Ayurveda.
RRP: £20/£60
This nourishing moisturiser by cult favourite Sunday Riley features Cocos Nucifera Fruit Extract - an ingredient made with the white meat of the coconut. Since it’s full of conditioning fatty acids and complex B Vitamins, it works wonders on the skin, and even more so when combined with the other ingredients (beetroot and red algae extract) that make this one of the best face moisturisers.
RRP: £29.95
If you’re not into excessively oily products for your hair, this masque has a creamy texture that washes out easily and combines coconut extract with fig and shea butter as well as linseed and argan oils. The combination of nourishing oils works well to add gloss and improve the texture of your hair, and it smells pretty amazing, too.
2. Indian and West African Frankincense
The unmistakably gnarled Boswellia trees that dot the landscapes of much of Western Africa and India, as well as some parts of Yemen and Oman, are known and loved for the frankincense that comes from the trees' resin. Synonymous with religion since it was one of the three gifts given to baby Jesus in the nativity, along with gold and myrrh, frankincense is loved across the globe for its antibacterial properties and is often touted as having skin-firming benefits, as well as a delightfully heady aroma.
RRP: £44
Neal’s Yard have been making products that utilise the healing and restorative properties of frankincense for years. One of my favourites is this luxurious cleanser that combines organic frankincense oil with sweet almond and sunflower oils in a formula that feels delightful on the skin and sweeps away every trace of makeup and dirt.
RRP: £15
These milky frankincense tears are made from the pure dried sap of the Boswellia tree. With a delectable scent, they can be burnt in the home as you would burn a candle or incense, or they can be ground into a fine dust and combined with oils to make an ultra-nourishing face oil that can transform even the most problematic skin.
RRP: £18
Lately I’ve been using pure essential frankincense oil mixed with organic castor oil as a nighttime moisturiser. The thick castor oil locks in moisture while the frankincense oil seems to improve skin texture and it feels more nourishing than shop bought night creams.
3. Australian and Malaysian sandalwood
The highly aromatic sandalwood, a tree that retains its scent for decades, even after it has been cut, is revered around the world for its interesting properties. Indigenous to Northern Australia and parts of Malaysia, I came across the much-loved wood on various treks during my travels and soon learnt that the fragranced oil is used extensively in the cosmetics industry. With a distinctly warm and woody scent, sandalwood oil has been hailed for its ability to help reduce anxiety and lower cortisol levels.
RRP: £165
Blending Australian sandalwood with saffron, cumin, nutmeg, cardamom and pink pepper, this addictive long lasting perfume - self-styled as a ‘neuroscientific fragrance’ on account of its ability to alter mood - not only looks good but can calm wired minds and even contains an energetically charged crystal for good measure.
RRP: £115
This intriguing scent captures the creamy warmth and velvety depth of natural sandalwood yet is a single-ingredient fragrance built around Javanol, a sandalwood molecule that smells different to each and every wearer.
RRP: £145
Blending base notes of sandalwood and cedar with fresh and light geranium and chamomile ensures this fragrance has a fresh quality that makes it suitable for daytime wear. Long-lasting and long-wearing, Aesops' Aurner will elevate your scent game instantly - watch out for the steady stream of compliments.
4. Turkish and Middle Eastern Roses
With over 16,000 varieties of rose in the world today, there’s no wonder the ingredient pops up time and time again when travelling through Turkey and the Middle East. The beautifully scented Damask rose is one of the most ancient and widely grown varieties, with rose water and oil the two ingredients I stumbled across most when talking to women in Turkey. As well as helping to restore inner balance, rose oil and rose water can calm skin complaints and even help to heal scarring.
RRP: £12
Made with fragrant rose oil and rose absolute obtained from the fragile pink petals of Turkish roses grown in Senir, this deeply nourishing massage bar melts into skin upon contact providing a dreamy and gorgeously scented massage.
RRP: £34
Rosehip (the fruit of various roses) can be eaten, made into teas or tinctures, and even used as part of your beauty routine. Rich in Vitamin C, rosehip extract is known to help reduce skin pigmentation and revitalize the skin through moisturisation. Pai’s nourishing oil is a great starting point and is suitable for sensitive skin, too.
RRP: £9.99
Used as a toner, this organic rose water leaves skin glowing and refreshed but also smells absolutely divine. As one of my go-to travel products, I like to keep this glass spray bottle in the fridge when I’m away as it provides the most beautiful reviving boost in hot and humid countries.
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