5 Greek Skincare Brands You Should Know About

During the last few years, our attention has shifted to natural skincare products -made in Greece- using the purest elements that mother earth has to offer.

Whether you live in Greece or you visit the country for a holiday, embracing the “shop local” philosophy is the perfect reason to clean up your top shelf and make room for these under-the-radar Greek eco-friendly skincare brands.

Euthalia

Yiayia Euthalia learned from a very young age how to use the beneficial herbs of her island, Skopelos, and to include them in her daily routine. She created her own recipes for soap and waxes, which gave inspiration to her granddaughter (who also inherited her name) to launch Euthalia Natural Cosmetic Values in 2012. Τhe Greek word “euthalia” describes a state of flourishing or thriving.  

The key ingredient of Euthalia is the extra virgin olive oil combined with essential oils and extracts of aromatic and medicinal plants- creating beneficial compositions for the body and soul. 100% natural, Euthalia cosmetics, pay tribute to the eternal power of nature and to the traditional values and virtues of Greek culture.

MIELĒV

Marialena Baklatzi spent her childhood in the colourful, enchanting rose garden kept by her family. While the women of the house produced rose water extracts for personal use, Marialena observed, recorded, and slowly developed her love for nature and the treasures it has to offer.

She began to produce creams for her personal use and after three years of extensive research and development, in cooperation with an excellent team of internationally renowned scientists and dermatologists, MIELĒV from dream became a reality in 2020, launching her company in Athens. MIELĒV is derived from the French verb “Je m ‘élève” which means “to elevate me”. A range of natural and organic skincare lines, with ingredients that heal the skin, satisfy the senses, and offer immediate, visible results. 

Tzimas Cosmetics

In 1957, a family of chemists-cosmetologists, John, George and Lila Tzimas dedicated time to the research and production of Greek skincare, beauty and wellness products, that cover the needs of face, body, and hair. “Every skin is different and has unique needs”. With this belief, the company began producing personalized products and services.

The treatment line offers solutions for hydration, cleansing, freshening, anti-aging, regeneration, firming and sun protection for all skin types. The composition of Tzimas cosmetics consists of ingredients of natural origin, herbal extracts, mainly from the Mediterranean flora, Greek extra virgin oil and other vegetable oils, amino acids and bioactive peptides, algae extracts and other elements of marine origin, vitamins and essential oils.

Nemertes

The production of Greek cosmetic company Nemertes, is based on pure, virgin olive oil of superior quality and blends of precious oils, herbs and healing materials from the Greek land, creating personal care and wellbeing products respecting people and the environment.

Nemertes is a mythological figure mentioned in the Iliad. Daughter of Nereus and Oceanida Dorida, granddaughter of the Ocean, nymph of the sea and one of the fifty Nereids. She represents philanthropy and people who follow and achieve their goals. They combine the precious legacy of Greek tradition with the most modern scientific methods and high aesthetics- passionately creating what a contemporary person needs today; physical health, mental euphoria and a positive attitude to life! Their products are produced in small quantities to ensure excellent quality and full control capability.

Bee Naturalles

After completing their studies in science, environment, and art, George and Chara decided to leave the city and settle in Evia. They set up their workshop there in order to combine tradition with nature. They managed to “enclose nature” into their products. Bee Naturalles was founded in 2013 and their products’ 100% natural composition encloses the beneficial and healing power of nature.

Bee Naturalles products are mixtures of natural raw materials, such as organic bee products, herbal extracts and essential oils, with only natural preservatives. Their production is “dictated” by nature, according to its own rhythms and seasonal alternations.

Tried & Tested: DOS Cosmetics’ Awarded Night Products

Several months ago I discovered DOS Cosmetics, a new beauty company run by a dynamic female duo (see our interview here). For over two decades I have loved exploring and professionally reviewing beauty and wellbeing products from around the world, but especially those made in Greece.

There are more and more exciting, highly sophisticated and effective products – from supplements to skincare cosmetics – being produced here, and made using organic native ingredients. DOS definitely fits this category and there was no doubt that I wanted to try two of their most well known and awarded products out for myself. I was promised that even within a week I would see results, but I waited for five weeks before writing this review.

The Products:

After taking DOS’ awarded Personalised Skin Diagnosis (a test one can take in 5 minutes online) I was recommended the Ascorbin Night Serum and the Mandelicum Night Solution, as well as a rose quartz Gua Sha tool for facial massage.

PRODUCT 1: Ascorbin Night Serum DOS

Description: A serum designed with 7 pure active ingredients, offers anti-aging, antioxidant, moisturizing, repairing and antimicrobial action. It soothes skin, maintains moisture at normal levels, discolors pigmentations, cleanses clogged pores and tightens Insights Greece - Tried & Tested: DOS Cosmetics’ Awarded Night Productsthem while enhancing natural metabolism of cells. Active ingredients: high concentrated and stabilized form of Vitamin C with a combination of antioxidants (such as plasma of curcumin, sea buckthorn and black rice).

My skin before

I’m in my mid 40s and my combination skin is thankfully not yet too affected by wrinkles, apart from on my forehead when I frown and on the sides of my mouth, but after several months of high stress from work overload and moving home, my skin was definitely in need of brightening, smoothing and toning, which is what these products promised to offer.

Experience

The serum is thick and comes in a sturdy white bottle with a pipette. Two or three drops dispensed in the hands or directly onto the face and massaged well into the skin suffice. Massage can be carried out using the fingers of the gua sha stone, which is said to help boost circulation and help smooth lines.

Results

Never one to skip on my beauty routine, I religiously used the serum every night. I actually looked forward to its lovely smell and thick texture, as well as the deep yet lightweight feeling of hydration it left in my skin. A few close friends and family remarked that my skin looked more glowy. I couldn’t see that as much as that it had become firmer and smoother, with a much better texture. Especially, as I mentioned above. Considering the stressful days and sleepless nights I experienced over the last few months.

PRODUCT 2: Mandelicum Night Solution (Pure Beauty Global Awards Winner 2020)

Description: A refreshing, gently exfoliating and toning lotion that deeply cleanses skin, enhances cellular longevity and protects against oxidative stress. Shields and enhances cell longevity, protecting their DNA on cellular level. Using macromolecular AHAs of Mandelic Acid derived from bitter almonds, we gently exfoliate the skin surface offering Insights Greece - Tried & Tested: DOS Cosmetics’ Awarded Night Productsantimicrobial and antibacterial action to control oil secretions and decongest the skin harmoniously. We thus allow skin pores to shrink to their normal size. With a natural combination of powerful antioxidants, such as plasma serum of curcuma and Greek mountain tea, using the product every other day is the ideal solution for all skin types.

Experience

This exfoliating lotion is to be used every other night, after cleansing and pre-serum. If I felt particularly fatigued, I sometimes used it two nights in a row, but generally tried to stick to the rules. This too has a lovely aroma and refreshing yet soothing texture that I looked forward to feeling on my skin every evening.

Results

When you’re trying two new products at the same time it’s difficult to differentiate which one is doing exactly what, but in conclusion I feel that this product actually offered me bigger benefits than the serum. Although I loved both, I feel that the Mandelicum lotion made my skin firmer by tightening my pores and always left my skin feeling squeaky clean, without feeling at all dried out. Also, since I’m sometimes prone to adult acne, I noticed a significant reduction in breakouts of any kind.

Conclusion

I loved using both these cosmetics. I really enjoyed knowing I was using products made with love that contain organic, Greek ingredients grown by DOS. The textures and smells as well as the way they made my skin look and feel were all very rewarding. I definitely recommend them both and am very curious to keep trying other DOS cosmetics too, probably next their Collagen range.