People are becoming more and more conscious about leading sustainable lives- zero waste, supporting local businesses, and the mantra “think global, act local” are becoming an every part of many peoples lives. There is also a lot of awareness about green beauty and the benefits of using traditional products and methods as opposed to expensive, synthetic goods.
Here in the Balkans, we see things with a different perspective. In a developing country, there is even more interest in natural remedies and seeking beauty products in nature such as clary sage growing in the back garden, or honey from a local farmer. Here nature is in abundance and between the mountains and the fields, there is a lot of beauty that can be found.
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Well yes we are talking of clean beauty, or slow beauty- products that are crafted with hands, herbs and passion, as well as being ethical and with responsibly outsourced ingredients. The idea is to create products with a global mindset, yet without losing sight of the roots. Now more than ever one can explore the holistic practices of our own traditions and make an infusion that combines ancient Ayurveda with naturally available ingredients to create healthy and nourishing life and beauty hacks.
Those who visit Albania or any part of the Balkans find themselves amid untouched nature, bio- organic food, and an abundance of naturally growing herbs and plants, but may ignore the potential of this and opt for spa’s instead. But if you look deeper and want to have an Albanian beauty experience there are many ways to incorporate some natural influences into your beauty regime.
Here are some of our best tips.
Boost that immune system
First of all give your immune system a boost with natural probiotics and prebiotics which you can pick up in almost any shop Raw onions, raw leeks, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and even avocado all have prebiotic properties. When it comes to probiotics, fill your diet full of natural unsweetened yoghurt, dark chocolate, pickles and kefir to get your daily dose. Including these foods in your diet will go a long way to keeping your skin clear and those pimples at bay.
Natural hair dye
If you want to dye your hair you can ask for an all natural experience of fermented young walnut shells combined with oak tree juice. That will give your dark hair a purple shade and shine from the roots to the ends. This is how many Albanian women dyed the hair through centuries and whilst it may not sound that glamorous, it is a great option as it has absolutely no harmful chemicals in it.
Always wear sunscreen
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While hiking and exploring hidden paths never forget the sunscreen- ideally 50+ SPF. I suggest a sunscreen that is handmade, toxin-free, and a mixture of Bulgarian rose oil, Albanian Rosehip, and St.John’s Wort (lulebalsami) to protect yourself from the UVA UVB and have your skin stay calm from any pollen insensitivity you might encounter, rosacea or/and brown spots. Sunscreen itself doesn’t belong to the traditional beauty regimen but these oil infusions are pretty ancient and are well known for protecting the skin. In addition, this tincture can be used against stings, cuts, and even as an insect repellent.
Muti-purpose face creams
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Speaking of brown spots, especially those that occur on fair skin, do you know how much a luxurious Spa in Germany charges for a Willow water treatment to remove dark spots? A lot of money is the answer to the question, but did you know that Willow water can be found in the woods here naturally? It is used as a tonic to prevent sunburn, soothe the skin, and to prevent the occurrence of unsightly brown spots. Our grandmothers even used it to remove the scars left from chicken pox, as well as for treating eczema, psoriasis etc. Look for soaps that incorporate it with Albanian wild lavender, wood ashes, and cold pressed olive oil.
Ethical face masks
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Everyone has heard of the wonderful skin care benefits of Dead Sea Mud, but did you know that the popularity of such treatments is causing serious environmental issues? Ditch it in favour of something you can pick up locally. Next time you are out in the country and come across a river, look for the parts where the mud is soft and covered with a slippery layer and a few bubbles. This soft mud is perfect for mineralizing your skin, so stock up as this mud will never go out of date. Historically, Albanian women used to use it as facemasks before getting married to ensure that their complexions were suitably glowing.
Massage and Raki
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One of my favourite massage techniques is the Chinese method of Guasha which can be performed anywhere and keeps your face muscles toned and those toxins drained from your lymphatic system. Whilst massage was never much of a thing in the past in the Balkans (except for those that could access a hammam), you can try out this technique with a shot of Raki and an aspirin and just watch the tension and stagnant energy flow out of your body.
Anxhela Panxhi
Natural Beauty Crafter, Herbalist Practitioner, Holistic Esthetician
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