European women's skin has long been the envy of women around the globe. Represented by ageless beauties such as Sophia Loren and Catherine Deneuve, European women tend to carefully care for their skin, emphasizing moisture to keep the skin soft. In addition to skin care from the outside, European women drink plenty of water to keep the skin hydrated from the inside.
England: Glycerin
England's harsh winters cause wind to whip around women's skin, creating dry, chapped areas. To combat this, English women apply lotions or creams that contain glycerin, according to Shalini Vadhera, makeup artist and author of "Passport to Beauty," a book dedicated to beauty secrets from around the globe. Applying glycerin to chapped areas, including the lips, hands, nose and other exposed skin, can help to reduce redness and dryness.
Scandinavia: Water
In Scandinavian countries, women drink plenty of water to keep their skin hydrated --- more than 50 oz. of pure spring water daily, according to Vadhera. They also use this water as a means of refreshing the skin at night. After their nightly cleansing routine, they splash ice-cold spring water on the face 15 to 20 times. This action is meant to stimulate circulation to the face while reducing inflammation and puffiness.
In addition to these water uses, Scandinavian women also utilize saunas to sweat out oil and impurities, according to Travel + Leisure. A sauna is a heated room where moisture is infused in the air. Aromatherapy oils can be added to the steam to enhance the sauna's relaxation capabilities. In Finland, oil from the red flower berry is popular.
France: Moisturizer
Applying a nightly facial cream is a tradition many French women keep, according to Bella Sugar. This is because keeping the skin smooth and soft can help to prevent wrinkling. One homemade French remedy is to spread mashed grape halves over the skin, according to Vadhera. When applied to the skin, the grapes help to moisturize and fight free radicals that can cause premature aging.
French women also take advantage of regular facials to remove impurities and keep skin soft. Vadhera recommends you undergo a facial a day before a special event --- not the same day. The typical European facial treatment includes cleansing, steaming, exfoliating, extracting blackheads and a moisturizing facial mask targeted to your skin type.
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