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Beauty and the Greek
The word ‘Cosmetics’ comes from the Greek ‘Kosmetikos’, which means
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The word ‘Cosmetics’ comes from the Greek ‘Kosmetikos’ which means a sense of harmony and order. Anna Li finds both in Greece’s beauty industry.
The use of beauty products in Ancient Greece dates
as far back as 5000 BC, when the root of skin care
was comprised of bee products, milk, flowers and herbs, and olive oils, among others. During the Minoan Period, approximately 3000 BC, women were believed to brush their hair with olive oil to condition it. By the 7th century BC, Athens was a major exporter of perfumes and body conditioners, which were made with a fusion of flowers, herbs and oils. By the next century, the beauty market cemented itself with the universal usage of complete make-up lines, body treatments, hair creams and dyes.
Crete, in particular, had a vibrant cosmetics tradition. Unlike on any other island, Cretan women were considered men’s equal for a period of time, holding positions such as high priestesses, politicians, entrepreneurs and athletes (boxing and bull jumping!). Some say women ran the island by day, enjoying hot and cold running milk baths as their beauty regimen by night. What a life!
Tried and True
Nature has provided us with olive oil, honey and propolis, indigenous herbs and flowers, red wine and mastic and it is these ingredients that are today the basis for modern Greek beauty products.
Nature has provided
Greece with olive oil,
honey and propolis,
herbs and flowers,
red wine and mastic. Modern Greek beauty products are based
on these ingredients.
For thousands of years, some of these ingredients have been relied on as serious health aids, cure-all elixirs and successful diet mainstays. There are many Greek cosmetic companies on the market today, the following are the ones I’ve sampled. I’ve enjoyed all the testing but I did list a few items I found outstanding based on my over twenty years of cosmetic use.
Modern Companies
Apivita and Korres, based in Athens, are two of the larger and more accessible Greek companies. Apivita began thirty years ago by specializing in bee products. (Honey and propolis have naturally occurring anti-fungal, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes for a brilliant cosmetic base.) The products lines are based not only on apitherapy, but also on Greek herbs, fruits and vegetables. My favorite product is the Calming Face Mask with Dittany of Crete. (This herb, aptly named by Hippocrates as it is indigenous only to Crete, is so valued, even now, that it is protected by law. It’s known to heal wounds, soothe pain and
stomach ailments, and ease childbirth. (Where can I buy a tincture of that?)
Korres is now global, with an expansive full-range beauty line. They take pride in basing all their products on natural Greek ingredients, using environmentally friendly technology. In particular, the Thyme Honey 24 Hour Face Moisturizer with grape and olive oil is my favorite because it’s so pure, containing only five ingredients, the first being Greek Thyme Honey.
During the Minoan Period women used olive oil to condition their hair. By the 7th Century BC, Athens was a major exporter of perfumes and body creams
Lesvos Shop, from the island of the same name, bases their lines on the general high standard of healthy Greek living, hence incorporating a multitude of ingredients from different islands. They also go beyond beauty, carrying a substantial Greek pantry including wines, cheeses, sweets and savories, making an online visit well worth the effort.
