8 Cosmetics & Beauty Brands You Didn't Know Were Greek

Entering a Freshline store is a dream for your senses. Colors, textures and scents shine through. The fresh bar may be reminiscent of British brand Lush, but the comparison stops there. Freshline is resolutely Greek, using ancient Greek knowledge on herbal therapies. Mayra Vagioni-Stasinopoulou opened her first small shop in Athens, and today the company has shops in 16 countries. They offer a wide line of handcrafted soaps, solid shampoos, bath bombs and face masks sold by the weight. The face and body products are made using a unique blend of tea infused with local herbs.

Korres was launched in 1996 by a Naxian pharmacist, George Korres. The pioneering brand offers beauty products for men and women, based on all-natural, environmentally friendly Greek ingredients and homeopathy. With a presence in 30 countries, the brand is one of the most successful in the industry. It sells a wide range of hair, face and body products, as well as makeup and perfumes with no harsh chemicals or petroleum-loaded substances. Korres has a few all-time bestsellers, from the wild rose brightening cream to the humble pomegranate lip butter, as well as the heavenly scented body gels.

Apivita is a brand with a strong philosophy, values, social responsibility and heritage. It is known for its line made with beekeeping products (honey, royal jelly, beeswax, et cetera), extracts of local herbs and essential oils, and many other herbs and plants. It all started with a couple of pharmacists, Nikos and Niki Koutsianas, who prepared medical ointments and creams with bee products in their pharmacy in 1972. Seven years later, Apivita was born.

Founded in 1984, Macrovita sells health and beauty products aiming at prolonging longevity through ingredients found in nature, such as olive oil, cotton and aloe vera. Focusing on natural cosmetics and natural food supplements based on bee derivatives, Macrovita has a vast range of products that meet any face, hair and body requirements. Macrovita also has a series of food supplements made with unprocessed apitherapy products (from the Latin word apis, which means bee), such as fresh royal jelly, pollen, propolis, natural vitamins and honey. Exported to 17 countries, Macrovita products should definitely part of your beauty cabinet.

Established in 1986, Frezyderm offers dermatological products catering to just about anyone, from babies to mature skins. Their products also go beyond skincare to include bio baby food, including bio milk formula and purees. Working closely with a team of pediatricians, gynecologists and dermatologists, Frezyderm ensures the quality of its products and promotes research. Sold primarily in pharmacies, Frezyderm products are also available online.

Derived from the verb akaiome, which means ‘to heal’, Akeso is the name of the goddess of healing. As such, the brand develops face, body and hair care lines made with the Greek liquid gold, olive oil. Combined with local herbs extracts such as dittany and cistus, the products aim to harness olive oil’s beneficial properties to meet the customers’ needs. One of their star products is the face serum with argan oil and hyaluronic acid, which provides the ultimate hydration.

Created with the desire to provide customers youthful and radiant skin, YouthLab developed skincare range of products with natural, herbal, bio-technological and synthetic active ingredients, to reinforce the skin’s metabolism to treat any typical skin ailment. Their products suit acne-prone to dehydrated and mature skins.

If you have visited a beauty supply store in Greece, you must have seen Erre Due make-up products. From eye shadows to lipsticks, eye liners and mascaras, you will find anything you need to complete your make-up look. The company also has a skincare line with cleansers, masks and scrubs to give a much-needed deep cleanse after a hot summer day.