Whether it’s the birch soap we loved back in Helsinki, or the miraculous hair cream we stumbled on in a Cancún pharmacy, many of us have foreign beauty products we can’t live without. When our supply runs down, we beg residents or family members to send off care packages—and make a point of stocking up whenever we visit. As one of our contributors put it, “As soon as I run out of Boots cucumber cleansing cloths, I know it’s time to call British Airways.” The best part is that these products are easily found (most are sold in any drugstore in their country of origin) and relatively inexpensive. Once you locate something that works for you, buy in bulk—unless you need a good excuse to go back.
ENGLAND
BOOTS CUCUMBER CLEANSING CLOTHS
Some Boots products are now sold in the United States, but you’ll only find these refreshing wipes in England. Made with cucumber, aloe vera and vitamin E, they’re ideal for removing makeup and soothing redness, and come in a portable pouch. ($4)
MEXICO
SEDAL HAIR CREAM
This unbeatable “antisponge” hair cream uses avocado oil to moisturize hair fibers; your mane will be frizz-free and manageable all day. Note: The label is only in Spanish, but this stuff works, whatever your language. ($7)
THAILAND
MADAME HENG SOAP
Check the supermarket shelves for this old-fashioned and cheap herbal soap—look for the Chinese-Thai dragon lady on the box. It lathers up wonderfully and has both herbal and medicinal scents. ($1)
FINLAND
KOIVU (BIRCH) SOAP
Birch is emblematic of Finland—from the birch furniture crafted by Artek to the birch branches used in the sauna to stimulate blood circulation. This natural soap on a rope, made with finely ground birch leaves, is like a mini-trip to a forest stream: clean, pure and invigorating. ($6.50)
HUNGARY
HELIA-D NIGHT CREAM
A moisture-rich, aromatic cream that uses sunflower-stalk extract to reduce wrinkles, and vitamin E, aloe vera, almond and wheat germ to restore the skin’s natural elasticity and firmness while also allowing it to breathe. Smooth some on at bedtime; within weeks, your skin will be singing rhapsodies. ($35)
NETHERLANDS
KRUIDVAT BODY SCRUB
Part of a line of all-natural products sold in Kruidvat—a Dutch drugstore chain—this lavender-scented scrub uses mineral salts to slough off dead cells, leaving skin smooth and polished. It’s more cohesive than most salt scrubs, and the fragrance is great. ($5)
ITALY
BREEZE 205 DEODORANT
This natural deodorant by Diana de Silva Cosmetiques has no anti-perspirant in it, so it masks rather than prevents sweating, but you’ll smell fantastic—like jasmine and wildflowers. ($5)