France: Micellar water. When we first heard of micellar water, we thought that it was just another celebrity trend that supposedly was the “fountain of youth” or some other marketing creation. But seriously, we have to give props to the French for creating this ultra-unusual and ultra-fabulous cleansing formula that can take the place of your favorite makeup remover or cleanser when applied topically (note: micellar water is not for consumption). Micellar water is a generic term for a fluid in which tiny micelles, or oil molecules, are suspended, and is meant to be used in lieu of makeup remover, face wash, and even a moisturizer. Micelles are naturally attracted to dirt and oil, and as such can attract these molecules without drying or irritating your skin. There are really no drawbacks to using micellar water to cleanse your skin, although those with oily or acne-prone skin may not benefit from it as much as others could. Those with normal, dry, and sensitive skin-types will enjoy this alcohol-free formulation’s ability to cleanse your skin without leaving behind any oily residue or stinging sensation. But keep in mind that micellar isn’t magic; it won’t remove old or heavily-applied makeup from the skin with ease. Instead, you should first remove heavy makeup with a spin brush (ahem, the Spin for Perfect Skin, perhaps?), and then use micellar water to remove deeply set dirt and debris [1][2][3]. Simply rub the micellar water into your skin and then wipe it away with a cotton pad and (as the French say) voila, c’est magnifique!
India: Turmeric infusion drinks. We usually prefer skincare that can, well, be applied to the skin. But turmeric infusion tea, one of the latest skin care crazes to hit the scene, is quite a promising treatment. Scientists have only recently released evidence about turmeric’s health benefits, but the research suggests that turmeric may be able to act as an anti-inflammatory agent and inhibit colon, stomach, and skin cancer – the latter is a great way to keep your skin healthy and gorgeous [4]. If you’re not a tea-drinker or don’t think that you would enjoy turmeric-flavored tea, then consider using turmeric as a topical treatment instead. Various research studies have suggested that turmeric may be able to help skin ailments ranging from psoriasis to vitiligo when applied topically [5][6]– who’d have guessed that the spice from your favorite curry could also work wonders on your skin?
Korea: Sheet masks. Honestly, there has never been a Korean skincare product that we simply didn’t adore. Our latest obsession is Korean skin masks. A luxurious and affordable way to have a facial at home, these microfiber or cotton masks are usually infused with an assortment of beneficial extracts and ingredients that can treat concerns ranging from anti-aging to acne, and even hyperpigmentation. Seriously, if you have a skin concern, there’s a Korean sheet mask for it. When picking a sheet mask, cotton and microfiber are great options, although biocellulose is seen as the ideal, since it is believed to be 10 times more effective than cotton in both adhering to the skin and delivering essential nourishment to the skin. The only drawback to Korean sheet masks is that they can’t be used everyday. Over-using the sheet masks may lead to dried skin, inflammation, or some other unpleasant side effects, so limit your use of sheet masks to once or twice a week. But to be honest, Korean sheet masks are probably the best way to receive a spa-quality facial from the luxury of your home (and for a fraction of the price, to boot) [8][9].
USA: Spin brushes. There have been a number of great things popularized here in the grand old US of A, and spin brushes have to be one of our favorites thus far. We’re a tad biased – we love the Vanity Planet’s Spin for Perfect Skin brush, a recent addition to the skincare market that can both cleanse and exfoliate your skin and treat rough, callused feet with a pumice attachment, all using one simple spin brush handle. We know, we know – mind equals blown, right? Well, there are no gimmicks, and we aren’t selling you some fancy schmancy marketing hype; the Spin for Perfect Skin truly is a spectacular addition to anyone and everyone’s skincare routine, particularly those who have had trouble finding products offer a thorough yet easy cleansing. The Spin for Perfect Skin is small enough that it can be stored in carry-on luggage or a gym bag, and it can even be used in the shower (although you shouldn’t submerge the handle in water).
The Spin for Perfect Skin comes with four brush heads. The Cleansing Brush head uses gentle, flexible bristles to dust away any dead skin cells and dirt that may be laying on the surface of your skin and dulling your complexion. A companion piece, the Body Brush head is nearly identical in design to the Cleansing Brush, but has a larger surface area so that you can cleanse your entire body in a snap. The Exfoliating Brush head is best used to remove deep-set dirt and dead cells from the lower layers of skin. The Pumice Stone attachment is best used on the feet and callused knees and elbows, and effectively sands away layers of hardened, dead skin without using any elbow grease.
But why use a spin brush when you have a cache of loofahs, washcloths, pumice stones, and other assorted what-nots in the deep recesses of your beauty drawer? Because the Spin for Perfect Skin combines all of these products into one easy-to-use device, and saves you both money wasted on numerous products and time spent cleansing your skin. (Did we mention that the Spin for Perfect Skin revolves at a rate of 8,000 RPM?) This device can be used in the shower or bath, and is easily portable. Best of all, by subscribing to our Subscribe & Save program, you can save 25% on your replacement brush heads and use the savings to buy some other awesome goodies (like our PediSpin or Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush).
Bottom Line
A robust skincare routine is like a healthy diet: you need to rely on a variety of sources in order to make yourself as healthy as possible. While there are simply too many products to number, we believe that there are numerous beauty products from around the world that can truly work wonders on your skin. Our favorites include micellar water from France, Korean skin masks, Indian turmeric infusion drinks, and of course, Vanity Planet spin brushes—namely, the Spin for Perfect Skin, MoxiSpin, and PureSpin—from the USA.
[1] Dr. David E. Bank for Bustle.com
[2] Dr. Debra Luftman for Elle.com
[3] Reader’s Digest Best Health
[4] Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
[5] The AAPS Journal
[7] (Picture) Karuna Skin
[8] Refinery29
[9] Marie Claire
