Since ancient times, people have searched for a fountain of youth, a way to defy age and stay forever young. Although archaeologists doubt there ever was a “fountain,” there exists ancient secrets to looking beautiful without the chemical-laden cosmetics, washes, and creams.

Even American author Mark Twain had a say in it. “Life would be infinitely happier if we could only be born at the age of 80 and gradually approach 18,” he said.

Today, we look at some ancient secrets for good skin.

1. Olive Oil

The Greek epic poet, Homer, called it “liquid gold,” while the Greek physician Hippocrates listed it as a medicine. Olive oil was and still is many things. For most, it doubled as a cooking ingredient and beauty product in ancient times, and continues to do so today.

Olive oil works as a perfect moisturizer for dry skin. It penetrates deep down below the skin’s surface for longer hydration, without the carcinogenic ingredients from many commercial lotions. Plus, it’s loaded with antioxidants like Vitamin A and E to help fight off all those free radicals – say goodbye to those wrinkles!

Try applying a thin layer of olive oil to a washed and dried face before bedtime. You’ll wake up with radiant skin.

 2. Rooibos

Women of the Khoikhoi tribe use the leaves of this red herb for more than tea. Deep in the mountains near Cape Town, South Africa, the tribal women grind the rooibos tea into a paste for a flawless complexion. Rooibos, or rooibos tea, can be found in speciality and health food stores as a powder or in tea bags. If in powder form, make a DIY mask by mixing rooibos with creamy avocado, ground-up oats, or try some banana. Anything to give your mask a creamy consistency. Apply for 15 – 20 minutes and rinse. Alternatively, you may also apply cooled tea bags, after they’ve been brewed, to apply directly to specific areas on your face. Then, sit back and relax for 15 – 20 minutes and rinse.

Rooibos has free-radical fighting antioxidants, as well as Vitamin C and quercetin to, “soothe, refresh, and protect your skin while increasing collagen and fibronectin beneath the surface.”

3. Tumeric

Give turmeric a try as your next best kept secret. An awesome spice to try with some Indian dishes, use this powder to “reduce skin pigmentation and also balance the skin tone.” It has anti-inflammatory properties and will leave your skin glowing. Tumeric also contains anti-bacterial properties to help clear acne.

Try mixing turmeric with some coconut or olive oil and some sea salt for a natural body scrub.

4. Rose Water

In ancient Persian culture, rose water was the epitome of beauty. It is still used today as a sweet-smelling toner that’s perfect for gently freshening up the face. It also, “prevents aging by reducing wrinkles and tightening skin pores.” Now you can have a glowing complexion and smell pretty too.

5. Avocado

An avocado can not only provide you with the “good fats” in a diet, it also doubles as a great moisturizer that the Aztecs swore by in ancient times. Try making a DIY mask with avocados to soak in their antioxidant properties for a age-defying complexion. Simply pit and blend half an avocado and apply to face for 15 – 20 minutes. Rinse. Alternatively, you may add sea salt or sugar into your mix to create a exfoliating body or face scrub. Add juice of half a lemon for an extra dose of acne-clearning power.

These are just 5 secrets to good skin passed on from ancient civilizations to present day that still work. A ancient beauty secret for good skin that doesn’t? Crocodile Dung. Yes, the beautiful and powerful Cleopatra was said to have crocodile dung and donkey’s milk facial treatments during her time. Crocodile Dung facial, anyone?

Image Source: Nomadic Lass/Flickr