Beauty Secrets From the Dead Sea

Nov. 21, 2005 — People travel from all over the world to slather themselves

in nutrient-rich mud from Israel's Dead Sea. Legend says it was the

Queen of Sheba who first believed in the mystical healing powers of the Dead Sea.

Then Cleopatra traveled from Egypt to build the world's first spa there.

 Today Hollywood royalty, such as Julianne Moore and Susan Sarandon,

 use products from the salty sea. "The Dead Sea water contains 35 percent

of minerals per liter of water.

 Heavy mineral concentrationof over 21 different minerals

is believed to help with skin problems, like eczema and psoriasis,

plus aching joints and even fluid retention. The sea contains high

 levels of calcium, magnesium,bromide, potassium and sulfate.

"The Dead Sea is the biggest, widest natural spa on earth," Gilaad said.

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a clinical professor of dermatology at University

 of Miami, agreed that the Dead Sea contains lots of helpful minerals and nutrients.

"My only caution to women is do not shave your legs before you go into the Dead

Sea or you will be agony," she said. The salt would be very irritating.

 Even if you  can't travel all the way there, you can still get beauty benefits of biblical proportions!

 "The Dead Sea waters naturally contain clay and minerals

which absorb into the skin, so the Dead Sea products are like the old

 fashioned — but still good — clay masks that so many of us love

 to put on," Ciraldo said.

The modern take on the Dead Sea clay mask is "the more technologically

advanced cream  containing aluminum crystals," Ciraldo said.

"These aluminum oxide crystals will not dissolve

 in water, so you massage them in," she said.

"The process is similar to an in-office micro-dermabrasion."

You don't need a royal budget to try these skin care tactics!