10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT

10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT

10 Skin Secrets from the Ancient World

Snail slime facials and seaweed soaks sound exotic, but they aren't new. Here's
why beauty companies are looking at centuries-old ingredients for the latest
antiaging innovations.

As much as science has advanced over the years, tried-and-true treatments still
endure. "Women think that natural products harness some secret to why they've
worked for thousands of years. But these remedies can take time, and women
want results now," explains global beauty industry analyst Karen Grant of the
NPD Group Inc. That's why researchers are racing to figure out the science
behind these miracle cures and learning new ways to maximize their benefits.
Passed along from generation to generation and now perfected with cutting-
edge technology, these ancient skincare secrets could help us all find the
fountain of youth.
 10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT
Credits: 1. Chanel Le Blanc Intensive Night Brightening Treatment, $400 for four treatments; 2. Amarte
Ultra Veil SPF 50, $45; 3. Estée Lauder CyberWhite HD Advanced Brightening Moisture Creme, $80

PEARL

Ancient Secret:The Compendium of Materia Medica of the Ming Dynasty suggests

applying pearl powder to moisturize skin—Chinese empresses even ingested the
stuff. In the Dongui Bogam (a book on traditional medicine from Korea's Joseon
Dynasty), a recipe recommends mixing the powder with milk for a DIY dark-spot
corrector.

The Redux: In 2009, a Taiwanese study supported the claims in these early medical
books, showing that pearl powder helps hydrate skin, reduces melanin
production, and contains antioxidants. Pearls also lend the complexion a light-
diffusing glow that minimizes imperfections.

Targets: Dryness, brown spots, sun damage.

Find It Today: 1. CHANEL Le Blanc Intensive Night Brightening Treatment, $400 for
four treatments.

SKULLCAP

Ancient Secret: A member of the mint family, this herb has been used topically in
traditional Chinese medicine to treat acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

The Redux: "Skullcap possesses anti-inflammatory and even possible anti-cancer

benefits. The root contains the antioxidant baicalin, which inhibits melanin
production and brightens the skin," says Dr. Craig Kraffert, dermatologist and
president of Amarte.

Targets: Acne, sun damage, brown spots.

Find It Today: 2. AMARTE Ultra Veil SPF 50+, $45; 3. ESTéE LAUDER CyberWhite
HD Advanced Brightening Moisture Creme, $80.
 10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT

Credits: 1. Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Intense, $90; 2. Veria ID Innerdosha Pitta Dosha
Balancing Act Serum, $35; 3. Yves Saint Laurent Or Rouge Face Crème, $400; 4. Origins Plant-
scription Powerful Lifting Cream, $60

FRANKINCENSE

Ancient Secret: This fragrant resin has been used since biblical times to zap
blemishes and heal cuts. "Before antibiotics, frankincense was more valuable than
gold because it's naturally antibacterial," says pharmacognosist Dr. Simon
Jackson.

The Redux: Frankincense is rich in boswellic acid, which boosts collagen formation
and reduces scarring.

Targets: Acne, wrinkles.

Find It Today: 1. NEAL'SYARD REMEDIESFrankincense Intense, $90; 2. VERIA ID

Innerdosha Pitta Dosha Balancing Act Serum, $35.
 10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT
SAFFRON

Ancient Secret: Cleopatra is said to have added these bright orange stamens to
her legendary milk baths, and some Indian and Moroccan women still apply a
saffron oil stain on cheeks as a traditional form of makeup that "helps balance
the hormones and improves the complexion," says Dr. Siva Mohan, an ayurvedic
practitioner.

The Redux: In 2010, an Iranian study found that saffron has natural sunscreen.
Now scientists have discovered that saffron from Morocco's High Atlas
Mountains contains higher levels of protective antioxidants and firming glycans.

Targets: Wrinkles, sagging, brown spots, dullness.

Find It Today: 3. YVES SAINT LAURENTOr Rouge Face Crème, $400.

COMMIPHORA

Ancient Secret: Wise men (three in particular) prized this resin that's related to
myrrh. "Commiphora has been used as incense, perfume, and medicine," says Dr.
Marcus McFerren, derma-tologist and ethnobotanist.

The Redux: New research shows that an Indian variety plumps and firms the face
by increasing hyaluronic acid production in the skin.

Targets: Wrinkles, sagging.

Find It Today: 4. ORIGINS Plant-scription Powerful Lifting Cream, $60.

 10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT

Credits: 1. Dr Dennis Gross Clinical Concentrate Hydration Booster, $38; 2. Murad Rapid Collagen
Infusion, $78; 3. Dr Jackson's No. 2 Skin Cream, $120

WATERMELON

Ancient Secret: More than 90 percent water, this fruit provides hydration in dry,
arid climates like the Kalahari Desert. It's also been used to treat fevers. "When it's
almost putrid, Egyptians collect the juice and mix it with rosewater and sugar,"
says dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad.

The Redux: "Watermelon contains amino acids that are the building blocks of
collagen and lots of antioxidant lycopene, carotenoids, and vitamin C," Murad
says.

Targets: Dryness, wrinkles.

Find It Today: 1. DR DENNIS GROSS Clinical Concentrate Hydration Booster, $38;

2. MURAD Rapid Collagen Infusion, $78.

KIGELIA

Ancient Secret: In most of sub-Saharan Africa, locals boil this tree's fruit into a
 10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT
pulp to treat dark spots.

The Redux: "Kigelia has naphthoquinone, which stops melanin from getting
darker," Jackson explains. "It's not a skin bleacher, but as the skin sheds, you get a
more even skin tone."

Targets: Brown spots.

Find It Today: 3. DR JACKSON'S No. 2 Skin Cream, $120.

Credits: 1. Perricone MD Chloro Plasma, $75; 2. Jurlique Herbal Recovery Eye Gel, $48; 3. Algenist
Algae Brightening Mask, $59; 4. Immunocologie Super 7 Elixir Face, $300

ALGAE

Ancient Secret: Mineral-rich seaweed is the backbone of thalassotherapy,

centuries-old antiaging and slimming treatments especially popular in France.
"Algae contains chemicals that make skin feel tighter," says McFerren, which
explains why it's so popular in masks.

The Redux: Turns out, seaweed is a powerful hydrator that also repairs sun
damage. "Studies have found that there are DNA-repair mechanisms in algae that
 10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT
protect from UV harm," says Dr. Macrene Alexiades-Armenakas, a dermatologist
who uses algae extracts in her 37 Extreme Actives cream.

Targets: Dryness, brown spots, sagging, sun damage.

Find It Today: 1. PERRICONE MD Chloro Plasma, $75; 2. JURLIQUE Herbal

Recovery Eye Gel, $48; 3. ALGENIST Algae Brightening Mask, $59.

SNAIL MUCIN

Ancient Secret: We know that the French love to eat their escargot, but
"thousands of years ago, the Greeks used snail mucus for antiaging skin
treatments," Alexiades-Armenakas says.

The Redux: Stop gagging—snail slime is amino-acid-rich and antibacterial, and a

recent German study showed that one type of the garden pest's mucin contains
anti-inflammatory salicylic acid. Snail mucin has since become a cult hit in Korea
because of its major moisturizing and firming properties.

Targets: Dryness, wrinkles, sagging.

Find It Today: 4. IMMUNOCOLOGIE Super 7 Elixir Face, $300.

 10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT

Credits: 5. Natura Bissé Diamond White SPF 50 Matte Finish Sun Protection, $105; 6. Artistry
Ideal Radiance Spot Corrector, $58

POMEGRANATE

Ancient Secret: Greek goddess Persephone ate pomegranate seeds while

trapped in the underworld, and the fruit has been curing colds and fight-ing the
fevers of mortals ever since.

The Redux: "Pomegranate increases the potency of sunscreen and contains

brightening vitamin C," says Murad. "It's also hydrating. Cell membranes get
thinner as we get older, but antioxidants help cells attract as much water as
possible."

Targets: Dryness, brown spots, sun damage, wrinkles.

Find It Today: 5. NATURA BISSÉ Diamond White SPF 50 Matte Finish Sun
Protection, $105; 6.ARTISTRY Ideal Radiance Spot Corrector, $58.
10 SKIN SECRETS FROM THE ANCIENT