The world's best ritual for soft skin

Imperious envy often coincides with that of denuding oneself in fine weather. But not always: "Even when you hide your body, like in the Middle East for example, you like to sublimate your skin," says Sandrine Mignaux, country manager France at Rituals. Same in Asia, where for other reasons, women avoid to expose their skin but simultaneously hunting for imperfections. Smooth skin, remove dead cells, velvet, satin ... Universal envy, but with different rituals, culture and accessories. We do not hesitate to inspire ourselves and to plan a beauty tour of the world once a week until the summer. Soft and silky skin guaranteed.

Korea: the multiple bath

The jimjilbang ritual, quite similar to the Japanese sento, consists of a succession of baths. Very old, it is still practiced as a family in ultramodern complexes. "There are pauses in dozens of extreme temperature pools, and others in sorts of charcoal, jade and wood sauna, each with different benefits for the skin," says Katalin Berenyi, co-founder of 'Erborian, which launches its first dedicated bath line. The effects of steam, heat and cold lead to cutaneous gymnastics, detoxify and stimulate microcirculation. A way to de-scrape the epidermis, especially when this one is then massaged-rubbed vigorously with a rough glove.

English version: difficult to indulge in at home, but one can gently exfoliate his skin with a Korean konjac sponge in vegetable fibers. Then, for a house thermotherapy, the temperatures are varied in the shower and it is followed by a hot bath. The whole twisted with a washing gel green tea, camellia, cherry blossom or magnolia, before ending with a mechanical scrub firm on wet skin.

The trick of the Koreans: apply when bathing a face mask, to boost the effectiveness of the active to the effect of heat.

Our selection: Lady Green Wonderful Lady Konjac Sponge, € 11.95. Sponge Konjac Body of Nocibé, 9,95 €. Rituals Sakura Spring Foaming Shower Oil, 8,50 €. Butter Scrub Magnolia by Erborian, 32 €. Kenzoki Powdered Nude Skin Oil, 40 €.

Turkey: the exfoliating black soap

This is one of the key steps of the hammam, in a wet steam bath near 50 ° C. Obtained from oil and crushed black olives, black soap traditionally serves as a cleanser in the Middle East. No care or massage is considered there without first exfoliating the skin with this famous paste scrub (without grains), of a formidable effectiveness.

English version: after slipping into a bath or under a shower of hot water (over 40 ° C) for 10 min, soap black on wet skin (this one becomes creamy in contact with the water). Patient about 10 min. Rub with a kessa, specific glove, making large movements, then rinse with lukewarm or cool water. Finish by rubbing again with the glove, dry, on areas usually compressed under the slim: lower part of the buttocks, inner thighs, knees.

The trick of the Orientales: the day before, they apply to the body of argan oil to soften the skin.

Our selection: Pure Black Olive soap with Eucalyptus Bio from Aroma-Zone, 12,90 €. Ultra Moisturizing Shower Hammam Olive Secret of Rituals, 8,50 €. Body Scrub Pink from Morocco to Sucre Ren, 38 €. Flower Oil Orange Flower of Les Sens de Marrakech, 27 € (to be applied in the shower).

Siberia: the heating wrap

This gesture is part of the Russian banya, between sauna and hammam, very warm ( 90 ° C) and very humid, and follows the flagellation with branches of birch or hazel that stimulates the blood circulation and favors l of toxins. The comforting action of corporeal envelopment appears evident in these chilly regions. But it also has nourishing and revitalizing properties, which enhance the quality of the skin thanks to its composition based on mud, honey, oils, herbs and local berries (sea buckthorn, juniper, meadowsweet).

French version: mix the bath water with essential oil of juniper to recreate a taiga atmosphere. Make an exfoliation and rinse. Dry the skin and then generously apply the wrap over the entire body. Body masks being relatively confidential, there is no hesitation in drawing inspiration from another culture using rassoul, for example, a purifying and astringent Moroccan clay that removes impurities. The latter is perfectly suitable for application as a poultice. Let stand 15 to 20 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly under warm water.

The trick of the Russians: privilege natural ingredients and essential oils.

Our selection: Natura Siberica Sauna & Nourishing Sauna & Spa Nourishing Wrap, 18 €. Rassoul Tfal of La Sultane de Saba, 31 €. Salt Caviar Body Scrub Banya Detox from Russia White, 85 €. Radiance Polish Radiance Scrub from Aveda, 44 €. Clarins Tonic Body scrub, 43,80 €.

Brazil: the refreshing shower

The bañho is deeply rooted in the Brazilian tradition. Bathing means more than washing your body. "The link to water is very strong, haloed with a sacred dimension, spiritual," says Nathalie Poiroux, cofounder of Five Worlds. But this ritual also has a practical side: to satisfy their need for freshness and purity in the tropical climate, Brazilian women shower up to three times a day. With the program of care of refreshing acidulous aromas, formulated with the Amazonian riches armored with antioxidants: pitanga, maracuja, Brazil nuts, Cupuaçu, acai berry ... and an appetite for exfoliation, a hydration anti-crocodile skin.

French version: privilege the fresh water and the shower in position ceiling, way amazonian cascade. For smooth skin, use a exfoliating scrubbing gel with exotic and invigorating plant extracts, dry and then moisturize from head to toe with a texture to the sensation of immediate freshness. Finally, finish with a typically Brazilian gesture: sprinkle a light and invigorating fragrance based on lime and coconut water.

The trick of Brazilian women: to instantly regain a little freshness and to counteract the hot and humid atmosphere, they rub their skin with half a lemon (be careful in case of micro-breaks, it stings).

Our selection: Jelly Exfoliating shower Pitanga Ekos from Natura Brasil, 12 €. Ushuaia Bahia Do Brasil Exfoliating Pulp, 5,30 €. Ultra Fresh Body Replenisher Aqua-Jelly from Biotherm, 21 €. Aqua Sorbet Ideal Body of Vichy, 19 €. Water of Brazil Ritual of Bahia of Cinq Mondes, 49 €.

Polynesia: Softening Massage

If the massage has been used for millennia for its therapeutic virtues, it is nonetheless ultra-sensory. The Polynesians have the reflex to daily anoint their skin exposed all the year to the sun to soothe, soften and satin, but also to stay connected to their body: "The pleasure of touch is also this which makes us feel beautiful, " says Nathalie Poiroux. The monoï, with its slippery and perfumed perfume, is not foreign to the highly sensual degree of massage.

French version: for a ritual like in Bora-Bora, exfoliate its skin with a scrub with sand or grains of sugar and coco associated with oils with nutritive virtues (noni or avocado, for example). Then heat a massage oil in the palm of your hands. Sit down (to spare her back) and massage her body from bottom to top by pressing deeply. The oil penetrates well and boosts the surface brightness.

The trick of the Polynesians: they pour a little monoï into the bath water to satin and perfume their skin.

Our selection: Exfoliation Sublimity Ritual of the Polynesian Islands of Cinq Mondes, 55 €. Exfoliating White Sand of Bora-Bora by Mana Iti, 12,90 € on www.boutique-monoi-tahiti.com. Yves Rocher Sensual Body Scrub Body Scrub, € 8.90. Sensual Massage Oil with Tahiti Orchid from The Body Shop, 18 €. Multi-Purpose Dryer Elixir by Monoi from Polysianes, 16,99 €.