Some of the best recipes for a do-it-yourself spa come from those cultures known to go in for a bit of sybaritic pampering. Japan is high up on the list: A highly developed sense of aesthetics, a long tradition of bathing and a sublime appreciation of ritual have helped beauty practices here evolve into an art form.
The French and Italians have traditionally given beauty treatments high priority, which is perhaps one of the reasons that some of the best product lines originate in those countries. Also wonderful are the beauty recipes of the cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, where the hammam (steam bath) is an hours-long communal rite, and where for centuries women have devoted themselves to achieving soft, silky skin and gleaming hair. We continue our discussion of body treatments with some secrets from these places.
This is a simple scrub long used in Europe. A small muslin bag filled with sea salt is rubbed over dampened skin prior to bathing; alternatively, handfuls of coarse-textured sea salt can be moistened and scrubbed into the skin as is. Use no soap at all, for the salt is cleansing enough. This technique invigorates and enlivens the skin, while exfoliating and polishing the surface so that it feels incredibly smooth. It is also said to firm and tone the tissues, and thus may help if you are on a weight-loss regimen.