Women from different countries around the world are admired for different types of beauty. When you can't travel to foreign lands for an exotic beauty fix, substitute these do-it-yourself natural beauty remedies from around the world! 

Greece: A Soft and Smooth Face

Yogurt has numerous health benefits. It is as an excellent source of calcium and is good for the digestive system. However, its benefits are not limited to internal care; yogurt works wonders for the skin. It has been used as a cosmetic remedy for hundreds of years in Greece. The lactic acid and enzymes found in yogurt work to hydrate and sooth the skin.

Many Greek women combine plain, unflavored Greek yogurt with finely ground almonds into a paste and apply it on the face. The paste is then rinsed off with rosewater. This leaves the skin hydrated, smooth, and moisturized. Yogurt can also make a moisturizing mask when combined with honey and lemon juice.

India: An Acne-Free Face

Women in India have been using sandalwood to treat and improve their skin for centuries. You can try a couple of different acne treatments using sandalwood or sandalwood oil to treat acne.

The first is a pimple paste: 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder, 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, and 1 tablespoon of water are combined and stirred until a paste is formed. The paste is then applied to pimples or acne scars and worn over night.

Another famous acne treatment is the sandalwood facial mask. Combine about ¼ cup of rosewater and 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder. Mix ingredients together well, creating a past, and apply to the face like a mask. The mask is left on for about 15-20 minutes or until it dries. It is then rinsed with lukewarm water. This remedy works great as an anti-bacterial and anti- inflammatory for the skin.  

Dominican Republic: Healthy Moisturized Hair

Dominican women pride themselves on caring for their hair, and they go through great lengths to keep their hair healthy and looking its best. Dominican women prefer using natural products in their hair such as eggs, vinegar, and milk. Avocados are also a huge part of the Dominican diet, but nothing works better for dry, damaged hair than avocados. To make this treatment, mash about two avocados in a bowl. Add about a tablespoon of olive oil, then apply treatment  to hair and cover it with a shower cap. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. For best results, Dominican women will sit under a hooded hair dryer for about 20-30 minutes. Rinse and wash hair as usual for silky and shiny hair.

Morocco: Smooth, Silk Hair

Moroccan oil, also known as argan oil, is made from the kernels of argan tree fruits and nuts. The argan tree is a rare tree that only grows on the arid plains of South West Morocco. Moroccan women have been using this oil for hundreds of years to moisturize, protect, and condition their skin and their hair. The oil is first applied to dry hair. The hair is soaked with the Moroccan oil and left on overnight. Some women even heat up the oil and add lavender to it for a rich fragrance. In the morning, women wash and rinse as usual. Moroccan oil leaves hair extremely soft and silky.

Algeria: Thicker Brows and Lashes

Algerian women, like many North African and Middle Eastern women, are admired for their big, beautiful dark eyes, long eyelashes, and strong eyebrows. One of their beauty secrets for long, thick eyelashes and eyebrows is to use castor oil. Castor oil is a vegetable oil that comes from the castor bean. Nowadays it can be found at any drug store or beauty supply store.

Dip a Q-tip into the castor oil and apply a thin layer over the eyebrows and at the lash base. Do this every night before going to sleep and see results within a couple of weeks.

Johanna Marie Ferreira is a freelance writer and editorial assistant for the City University of New York (CUNY).