At the beginning of every new year, we look forward to setting our goals and resolutions, which usually involve health, fitness, and beauty. In fact, a report from Valuates Reports notes that the global cosmetics market reflects consumer demand for maintaining long-term youth and beauty, as its value is expected to grow from USD 380.2 billion in 2019 to USD 463.5 billion by 2027. Men and women around the world are investing in products and lifestyle changes that fight ageing and enhance their physical condition. And of course, we gain so much inspiration from our hyper-connected global community.
From ancient secrets to modern trends, here are four health and beauty resolutions you can aim to do throughout 2022:
Australia: Treat your hair with eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus trees native Down Under produce eucalyptus leaves, from which eucalyptus oil is extracted. Aside from smelling delightful, eucalyptus oil is filled with nutrients that can regulate sebum production in the scalp and support healthy hair — by strengthening follicles, calming down dandruff, and keeping hair shiny. This is why the ingredient is a popular choice in many popular local shampoo brands such as Emu Ridge. For best results, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to your shampoo, or rub it directly onto your scalp every night; just avoid leaving the oil in for too long, as it can damage your hair and make it greasy.
Morocco: Enjoy a hammam-style bath once a week
The Moroccan hammam is a bathhouse that features an ancient beauty ritual designed to cleanse the body and soul. Traditionally, the ritual lasts two to three hours, and people of all social classes would perform this at least once a week. Now, modern Moroccan bathhouses offer a similar experience for 90-minutes, but you can definitely try to do something similar at home. Begin by warming your body through a steamy bath or shower. Then, you nourish your hair with an oil treatment before leaving it for an hour or two under a warm towel. Wash your body with a traditional Moroccan black soap, rinse your hair, and apply a mask made from Ghassoul clay. Afterward, exfoliate with a kessa glove to slough away dead skin, then rinse before massaging argan oil into your hair and skin. You’ll definitely feel relaxed and refreshed afterward.
The Philippines: Experiment with natural skincare ingredients
Natural and hypoallergenic products are all the rage in the Philippines. Consumers are more discriminating and health-conscious about beauty products, with a key emphasis on buying “Clean, Green and Safe” — think sustainable and organic. If you’re struggling with building a skincare routine without harsh chemicals, this is definitely a good rule of thumb to follow. There are a number of natural ingredients that you can try, such as sea grape or “green caviar.” A great example of this is Deoproce’s sea grape skincare sets, which boosts collagen production and keep skin hydrated. Other brands, such as The Face Shop, source from rice water, which is full of antioxidants, and shea butter, another highly-moisturising beauty staple. When trying a new product, be sure to apply a little bit on a clear patch of skin and wait for 24 hours to check for any allergic reactions.
China: Tap into the calming power of tea
As previously discussed in a post called Navigating the Christmas Holidays, was to go easy on the holiday drinking. Alcohol can be very dehydrating for our skin, so drink plenty of water to flush out toxins and keep your liver happy. If you’re not a big fan of plain water, why include a resolution to develop your taste for tea? Countries like China and India have long touted the benefits of drinking tea before and after meals, as it aids digestion. Different tea types also promote different health benefits. Green tea, for instance, is great for metabolism and weight management. And when you’re done drinking tea, you can press cooled tea bags onto your skin to reduce inflammation, ease swelling, or even minimise dark under-eye circles.
Written for choicepharmacy.com.au by Kelsey Cooper
