By Leisha Chen-Young all woman writer
Who said "beauty hurts"? Or is it "love hurts"? Either way, neither one should. While good old creams and treatments may not provide the quick blitz fix of Botox or a chemical peel, you'll certainly feel like you've done yourself some good . inside and out.
Here are some of our top picks that go beyond the usual tea tree, aloe and cocoa butter, and show you how to do beauty the natural way.
At home treatments
Fran Wilson Nourish My Eyes JA$556
We all know the picture, a lady relaxing with cucumber on her eyes. And while cucumbers are believed to have anti-inflammatory agents, it is essentially the high water content (90 per cent) and the coldness of the cucumber that reduces the puffiness under eyes. However, in these refreshing and soothing eye pads, green tea is used as a booster to fight ageing. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, which fight free radicals in the body, helping the skin look younger.
2. Almay
Daily Moisturiser 3 Normal/Combination skin JA$1,020
The moisturiser is part of a three-step beauty regimen by Almay, however, each product in this range contains grape seed extract. It has long been linked with beauty, in that it is also a rich source of antioxidants. It is known to increase levels of hydration in the skin.
Caribbean Therapy Body Treatment from Strawberry Hill
3. Lubriderm Skin Nourishing Moisturising Lotion JA$232
Infused with seaweed and sea kelp, this moisturiser encourages your skin to replenish and retain moisture, as well as encourage detoxification.
4. DiabEase Mineral Therapy Solutions Combo JA$1,258
Much goodness comes from the earth and the sea. In this combination, a skin calming cream and hydrating skin therapy treatment draw from antibacterial dead sea minerals, tea tree and aloe vera.
5. African Pride Magical Gro Maximum Herbal Strength JA$266
Drawing from the wisdom of our foremothers, this hair treatment draws from the root and applies it to the root. How much more natural can you get? Of the herbs used, it includes extracts of coltsfoot flower, Echinacea, rosemary leaf, nettle and dandelion.
Spa treatments
Ginseng and Pearl Hydrating Mask Facial Nirvana Day Spa JA$3,700 (60 minutes)
Drawing from the richness of the Orient, ginseng, known for its soothing properties, also contributes an anti-irritant agent, and high vitamin and hormone content which boost its nourishing abilities.
This is combined with pearls, which are an excellent source of minerals, amino acids and calcium carbonate (the most absorbable form of calcium). These elements aid in speeding up the skin's natural metabolism in order to tone and rejuvenate. It is also known as one of the best natural scar reducing products.
Caribbean Therapy Body Treatment
Strawberry Hill US$140 (60 minutes)
The wonders of the Caribbean overflow in this treat. Seaweed is combined in a mixture, with a number of ingredients, many of which are indigenous to the area. For example, ginger is added to the treatment as a pain reliever, as well as its ability to drain toxins from the body. A bay leaf is also added. This has a similar effect to bay rum, which rejuvenates the senses and acts like a stimulant. Other ingredients include mango, lime, vanilla and tangerine.
Jamaican Bath Elixirs Ritz Carlton Rose Hall, Montego Bay
US$50 for individual, US$80 for a couple (30 minutes)
Following in the footsteps of our ancestors, these elixirs draw from herbs and essential oils that have been used by Jamaicans for years as natural remedies. They include the Muscle Soother, a blend of burdock bark, pimento, peppermint and rosemary, and Cold and Flu, a blend of fever grass, custard apple and love bush.
Source: Jamaica Observer