Without a doubt, one of the liveliest business and
investment ventures rocking the health and beauty industries today is
the ancient, venerable Dead Sea.
From mineral-rich black mud
body masques to health treatments in thermo-mineral springs and the Dead
Sea brine, the region's abundant cosmetological and therapeutic natural
resources are truly legendary.
Cleopatra knew well the value of
the naturally beautifying and restorative products that came from the
Dead Sea region. She so coveted the bounty of the mineral-laden bath
salts, the skin-revitalizing mud baths and the intoxicating balsamic
perfumes extracted from the oases that her lover, Marc Anthony, led his
troops into a fierce and bloody war to secure the region for his
beautiful Queen.
And Cleopatra herself built the very first Dead
Sea cosmetic facilities. Visitors to Ein Bokek and the Biblical,
historic Ein Gedi can still see the bones of those factories today.
What makes Dead Sea products
so clinically beneficial is their source -- a unique mix of solar
radiation, an oxygen-rich atmosphere and geological features unlike any
other on earth.
Flanked by mountains to its east and west, the
heavily saline Dead Sea is cradled in a deep, sealed basin with hot,
arid air above its surface. More than 400 meters below sea level, the
Sea takes in water and mineralized run-off from mountain streams and
alluvial springs, but loses the water rapidly to evaporation.
The
resultant residue of leeched minerals and thick salts has long been
used the world over to relieve the effects of muscle pains, psoriasis
and other human ills.
The mineral cocktail produced in the Dead
Sea waters and absorbed into the human body is believed to help skin to
literally regenerate.
Today, the Dead Sea's reputation as a
healer, revitalizer, replenisher and therapy treatment is thriving.
Visitors travel to the Holy Land the year-round to bask on the sunny
beaches and luxuriate or heal at one of the many top-quality day spas
and treatment centers.
Today's Dead Sea products aficionados are
finding that Cleopatra was right on the target about the value and
effectiveness of the region's bounty!
Based on years of
scientific testing, manufacturers report their products will smooth
wrinkles, revitalize the skin's appearance, relieve muscle tension and
cure acne.
There are also products to stimulate, cleanse and
tighten skin, shrink large pores, rejuvenate hair luster, moisturize dry
skin and give a healthy glow to whatever body part is enjoying
treatment.
Among the many different types of Dead Sea beauty and pharmaceutical products marketed today are:
- Therapeutic
Black Mud masks, soaps, hair restorer, body cleansers, pain relievers,
dry-skin treatments and scalp treatments. Many firms also market the
mineral-rich mud as a topical application to relieve soreness caused by
inflamed muscles.
- Dead Sea mineral-based shampoos, conditioners and anti-dandruff treatments
- Dead Sea bath gels, shower gels,foot creams, sun screens, skin toners, and astringents for oily skin
- Dead Sea chloride salts rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iodine and bromide
- Balsam-based cosmetics, perfumes and medicines.
More
than 50 different Dead Sea health and beauty products manufacturers
have production facilities operating in the region today.