The Return of Ancient Beauty Rituals
Hair oiling, gua sha, and dry body brushing are among some of the most viral beauty rituals currently circulating on social media. You can find countless videos by influencers detailing the benefits of these rituals both for beauty and mental wellness. But while their recent popularity has been credited to social media, these beauty rituals have ancient roots, having been practiced across cultures for a millenia. For gen Z, the appeal of these rituals lie in the very fact that they were once used by their ancestors. Once has to wonder, why is it that at a time when technological and scientific advancements have provided us with a vast array of beauty treatments, do we still yearn for those practices of the past?
The answer could be that these treatments are so effective that they cannot be replaced. There is also evidence to support the fact that these treatments are sustainable and ecologically friendly. But most of all, the resurgence of these ancient beauty rituals is a sign that our society craves the intuitive and simpler ways of living that slow down our fast-paced lives. We have broken down below the four most viral ancient beauty rituals and their benefits, both for physical appearance and mental wellness.
Sheet masks have been long used by women in east Asian countries such as: South Korea, Japan, and China. The product gained worldwide notice during the K-beauty boom of 2013. Sales of sheet masks grew 60% from 2013 to 2014. Customers realized that sheet masks were fantastic beauty products that delivered immediate results without a lot of effort, a perfect fit for today’s fast-paced society.
However, more recently, single-use beauty products like sheet masks and make-up wipes are under scrutiny due to the unsustainable practices they promote in society. A single-sheet mask product consists of a plastic pouch, the mask, and sometimes the mask is wrapped in a plastic sheet. None of the components are recyclable and all of them end up in the trash post sheet-masking session, making it one of the more wasteful things one can do in 20 minutes or less.
HAIR OILING
Hair oiling is a practice in the Indian subcontinent that has been practiced for ages. The treatment involves oils being massaged into the scalp. It is typically done before showering or bed time. The ritual will reduce dryness and give hair the moisture and nourishment it needs. There are a variety of oils that can be used, sesame oil is recommended for colder seasons, and coconut oil for hotter seasons. In ancient ayurveda, from which hair oiling is derived, the practice is believed to activate the seventh chakra, which is connected to the calmness of the mind.
RICE WATER
Another popular hair-care treatment from ancient times is the use of rice water for hair growth. This treatment has a long history of use in Korea and Japan. Rice water is the starchy leftover after rice has been washed. The water contains a variety of nutrients such as amino acids, vitamin E, vitamin B and antioxidants. In ancient east Asia, women bathed their hair in rice water to keep it long and prevent graying . In recent years, a similar practice has taken beauty influencers by storm.
We have much to learn from these ancient beauty rituals. They emphasize mindfulness and intuitive living, while showing us how much nature provides for us. In a way, they are a means by which we can learn to balance and reconnect with what really matters. It is unclear if these ancient beauty rituals are just another social media trend that will be forgotten in a week, or if they are here to stay. Regardless, their resurgence in current times is a testament to the fact that culture and the rites of our ancestors are coded into us and will always prevail.
