12 Natural Bulgarian Beauty Secrets to Transform Your Skin
Until recently, most of the skin care used by Bulgarian women consisted of natural products and old-time secrets. Nature is the best cosmetic you can apply to your skin, so why don’t you take a look at some of the best beauty secrets of the Balkan country?
Yogurt to heal sunburn
If your skin burns in the sun, apply yogurt all over to relieve the pain and redness. Don’t use sweetened or flavored yogurt, just plain Greek or Bulgarian yogurt because it’s the only one that contains the natural healing power.
Baking soda for smooth skin
Get a wet face cotton pad and apply some baking soda to it. Then gently rub it on your face to make the skin smooth.
Rose water for everything
Bulgaria has a whole region called the Rose Valley where most of the famous Bulgarian oil rose Rosa Damascena is grown. As one of the major producers of rose extract cosmetics, Bulgaria makes the most of the beautifying qualities of the flower. Rose water is used for almost every cosmetic procedure – from cleaning the face to hair masks.
Honey for soft lips
Apply honey on your lips every night and they will be soft even in the coldest and windiest weather.
Chamomile against swollen eyes
If your eyes are swollen and sore, take two chamomile tea bags, put them in boiling water for a few seconds and after they cool off enough, put them on your closed eyes for 15 minutes. Its reviving effect is instant.
Olive oil for soft skin
After you’ve showered, while your skin is still wet, apply a little olive oil on your skin to keep it naturally soft.
Milk and honey to soften your feet
If the skin on your feet is hard, mix milk with a tablespoon of honey and soak your feet in the liquid for 15 minutes every night.
Raw potatoes against eye bags and dark circles
Cut a piece of raw peeled potato and gently rub the bags and dark circles under your eyes with it. Another option is to use boiled potatoes cut in half, applying one piece on each eye for 15-20 minutes.
Linden for your feet
Linden trees can be seen all over Bulgaria, both in cities and in wild forests. Boil a handful of dried linden flowers in water for 10 minutes. Filter and use the infusion to soak your feet. The linden infusion is known to ease weariness and to soften the skin.
Sea salt for feet (and a cold)
A folk medicine for a cold that is still widely used today, is a basin of hot water and a handful of salt water to soak your feet in. Even if you’re not getting sick, don’t skip the soaking as it has a relaxing effect on your feet. Add a few mint leaves for an energizing feeling.
Honey and tomato juice for oily skin
Mix one tablespoon of honey and one tablespoon of freshly squeezed tomato juice and apply it to oily skin. Leave it for 20 minutes and rinse off.
Cucumber for dry skin
Mix one tablespoon of grated cucumber with one teaspoon olive oil. Apply to your face and leave until your skin absorbs the liquid (approximately 10-15 minutes). Rinse with room temperature water.