What Is Hungarian Skincare and Why is Everyone Talking About it?

We've all heard of Korean and Japanese beauty, as well as the extensive product offerings from French pharmacies, but if I said "Hungarian skincare" in the same breath, you would probably think I was being a bit strange. However, you would be wrong. There has been a big move recently towards beauty experts around the globe discussing the benefits of Hungarian products and its overall wellbeing and beauty ethos, which believes in the power of optimising your overall health to ensure you not only look good, but feel good too. As some who loves the self-care and positive mental wellbeing aspect of beauty, this was right up my street.

I am not alone in my interest in this pretty unknown area, Melody Yaslan an ancient beauty expert on TikTok, believes Hungary holds the key to the secret of eternal youth thanks partly to diet, partly to bathing in thermal waters and partly, erm, starchy boiled potato water. She explains during her video that this is not a new concept in Hungary and how there have been many important figures in Hungary's history who have managed to stop the clock when it comes to ageing. However, if adding old veg water to your daily skincare regime doesn't appeal and you prefer a less rustic approach, then you could consider following the likes of Kate Hudson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jodie Comer who have all revealed they are fans of Budapest-based Omorovicza, a beauty brand which uses all the traditional Hungarian beauty techniques and beliefs of home.

To explain more about Hungarian beauty I spoke to Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza, founder of Budapest-based Omorovicza about why this pretty unknown area is gaining so many fans from beauty editors and industry insiders alike.

Hungarian skincare refers to practices and products originating from Hungary; a country in central Europe known renowned for its rich heritage in beauty and wellness, where optimum health remains at the forefront.

One of the key factors in its ethos is the belief in the power of its thermal waters. "Hungarian thermal waters have long been celebrated for their remarkable healing properties, thanks to the unique geological features of this country," Heinrich de Omorovicza tells PS UK. "Here the Earth's crust is thinner, so the thermal water gathers more beneficial and restorative minerals (such as calcium, zinc, copper and magnesium) as it travels to the surface.

Heinrich de Omorovicza explains how "Taking To The Waters" has provided curative relief to bathers for thousands of years; from the Romans, to the Ottoman Empire, and today. "These mineral-charged waters support the skin whilst providing relief for a whole host of conditions including circulatory and respiratory issues, and joint problem," she explains. "In Budapest alone, over 100 SPAs have been erected in homage to this unique bathing culture. Every thermal bath is a SPA, from the Latin, 'Sanitas Per Aquam', meaning 'health through water'. In fact, 100 years ago, Budapest was named the International Spa city."

The minerals and trace elements which give the thermal waters their curative properties are not bio-available, which means they cannot penetrate into the skin (without prolonged exposure at higher temperatures in the baths). So in order to capture the healing powers of these waters, brands like Omorovicza have collaborated with a Nobel prize-winning laboratory in Budapest and developed a delivery system that renders the beneficial minerals bio-available through a lengthy bio-fermentation process. "The result is Omorovicza's Healing Concentrate™; a patented pioneering ingredient that enables these magical minerals (26 to be exact) to absorb into the skin, thus providing the same benefits experienced by Budapest's bathers for thousands of years," says Heinrich de Omorovicza. "You can find this potent elixir in every one of our products, and it is clinically proven to significantly improve skin hydration, elasticity and firmness within seven days."

According to Heinrich de Omorovicza everyone. "I like to think that Hungarian skincare products and techniques will benefit everyone looking to optimise skin health," she tells PS UK. "In both our facial and body treatments, we combine Omorovicza products with therapeutic touch protocols, inspired by the rigour of traditional Hungarian regimes. Hungarian massage is deeply rooted in the country's rich heritage and cultural practices. This unique method incorporates traditional healing techniques that have been passed down through generations. Treatments are very much a part of everyday lives."

In the UK you can visit an Omorovicza spa in Liberty, Claridges and Mayfair as well as buy products online from the brand's website. One of its bestsellers is Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mists (£62) so you can get the benefits of the thermal waters on the go and the Omorovicza Body Serum (£95) which uses uses sustainably sourced Icelandic microalgae to target loss of elasticity, kakadu plum extract to protect against oxidative stress and a ceramide complex boosts moisture levels and improves skin barrier function.

Omorovicza Queen of Hungary Mists

From

£62

£62 at Omorovicza UK

Omorovicza Body Serum

From

£95

£95 at Omorovicza UK