Many visitors to Israel enjoy the rays of the Mediterranean sun that beat down mercilessly in the summer months and only allow a brief period of winter before returning in full force. The native Israelis also tend to love the sunlight, but over time they have become increasingly aware of the havoc the sun can wreak on the skin. As a result, Israeli companies spend a lot of time researching ways to protect skin from sun damage, and their products have gained international recognition for their effectiveness.
The most famous of all Israeli cosmetics is undoubtedly the AHAVA line which is created from minerals from the Dead Sea. AHAVA products are sold all over the world and have made a name for themselves as being almost miraculous in their effectiveness. However, one can find beauticians, beauty bloggers, and skincare experts from all over the world who swear by different Israeli products.
We have compiled a top 10 list for you:
1. We can’t help but start with an Ahava product. Ahava’s “Stress Melt Butter Salt” is simply magical. Without the unpleasant oily and harsh effect that is so common in body scrubs, Ahava Body Scrub is dry and only needs to be mixed a little with water before scrubbing. The scent is pleasantly calming and the product stays on the skin without feeling heavy. By the time you are done rubbing it has turned into a lotion and seals in moisture effectively.
2. If we’re already raving about Ahava, let’s not forget the Ahava Sun Protection Anti-Aging Moisturizer. Just a phenomenal mineral sunscreen that skin happily absorbs that contains Aloe Vera to soothe sun-exposed skin.
3. Another Dead Sea product worth taking note of is the “Obey Your Body” exfoliating gel. This little beauty can be picked up at any Israeli staffed kiosk in the malls. The gels act as a fantastic body and hand lotion, as well as an exfoliating gel.
4. Another winner is the Gigi face cream, a fabulous cream that penetrates the skin and keeps it supple and hydrated. Gigi Cosmetic Laboratories is one of the smallest Israeli cosmetic companies; Established in 1957, the products cannot be obtained in pharmacies, but can be found in cosmetic studios and spas.
5. Sea of Life Mineral Butter with Fig Extract is addictive with its rich cream packed with mineral water, Dead Sea mud, oils and extracts. Despite the density of the cream, it seeps right into your skin and believe me, your skin will thank you for this treasure.
6. Anyone who has spent the summer in Israel knows what a sorry state their feet end up in at the end of the season. And this is where Anna Lotan’s pineapple scrub comes into play. Simply the best antidote there is to rough, dry feet that have endured a long summer of flip flops and salty seawater! Anna Lotan Bio-Cosmetics Laboratories manufactures professional skin care products for use by skin care professionals and also has a line of products for retail sale. The company’s specialization is actually dry, dehydrated, oily, acne-prone, and sensitive skin types and it’s definitely worth checking out.
7. If you’re looking for an organic treat, check out Sabon’s Organic Hand Creams. They are simply stunning, rich in natural oils and smelling divine, the hand cream is refreshing but won’t overpower any fragrance you wear.
8. We can’t help but include another one of Sabon’s offerings: Lemon Loofah Soap cleverly contains loofah bits(!) and provides gentle exfoliation without stripping skin of moisture. Sabon’s products are made with ingredients from the Dead Sea using a secret Australian recipe.
9. Yarok Haircare was created by Alvow, who wanted to produce restorative, plant-based hair care products. The products are not actually made in Israel, but are made by an Israeli who makes the most of his Israeli knowledge of nature to create nutrient-dense oil-based products. Yarok Green with Envy Shampoo and Conditioner is superbly aromatic and does not leave any trace of impurities in the hair, as is too often the case with other non-natural hair care products.
10. We’ll end up with another Ahava product (what can we do? Their products are amazing!). The Ahava Hydration Mask is simply one of the best treatment masks on the market, intensely nourishing the skin, improving elasticity and enhancing the natural texture of the skin.