For beauty lovers, Peru offers many exciting ingredients for you to try in your beauty practices!
From the Amazon jungle to the majestic Andes Mountains to the desert coast, Peru is a country of incredible diversity within its people, landscapes and natural resources. When it comes to natural and folkloric remedies, Peru may be second to none. The markets of this country are often packed with interesting oils, leaves and nuts from the jungle which are commonly used by shamans and celebrated for their health benefits. While the effects of these items have not all be proven, there are some Peruvian ingredients that are believed to have amazing benefits for the skin, hair and more! The following are just a sample of the amazing natural beauty ingredients from Peru.
Coca Leaves
Coca leaves are commonly ingested in Peru to help relieve the symptoms of altitude sickness. The leaves are known for their use in making cocaine, though they don’t actually contain cocaine. Chewing coca leaves or drinking coca tea helps to give your body a boost of energy and sooth the pangs of hunger. But in the Andes, coca is used for much more than dealing with the altitude. Coca leaves can be used to firm the skin and reduce cellulite. Applying coca cream, which is a natural stimulant packed with important vitamins, helps to revitalize skin, detoxify and improve blood circulation.
Quinoa
Often considered a grain, quinoa is actually a pseudo-seed and one of the best vegetal sources of protein. It has a long history of use as an essential part of the Andean diet. However, quinoa is more than just an Inca superfood – it has surprising uses for beauty as well! In fact, quinoa has been used in face masks, balms, conditioners, body washes, hair masks and more. The outer shell of quinoa contains bitter saponins that should be rinsed off before cooking. However, you can save the water with which you wash the quinoa and use it as a rinse for your hair. Saponins act as a natural soap and are believed to prevent hair loss.
Saqta Root
In the Peruvian highlands the saqta root is used as a natural detergent for cleaning sheep and alpaca wool. When grated and mixed with water, this root creates a nice lather that helps to remove dirt and oils without any environment-harming chemicals. In many rural parts of the country, the root is used by women to clean their hair and they claim it is what helps to keep it from turning grey.
Maras Salt
From the ancient salt pans of Maras comes a unique pink salt which is packed with minerals. The salt was first mined by the Incas who believed that it had health benefits. Today, the salt is excellent for cooking and flavoring foods, but it can also be used to enhance beauty. Nowadays the salt is often added to soaps or used as a body scrub and for bathing, healing and rejuvenating the skin.
Peru has one of the oldest cultures in the world, so it should come as no surprise that the people here have their own ancient beauty secrets that have been passed down from generation to generation and are still used today. In fact, many of the beauty products and spas in the country utilize the excellent properties of natural Peruvian ingredients in detoxifying masks, body wraps and more. So when traveling in Peru, consider taking the time to try a Peruvian skincare or beauty hack.
