8 Cosmetics Beauty Brands You Didn't Know Were Greek

Korean and Japanese beauty secrets may be all the rage now, but the world is unaware of the beauty tricks Greeks have mastered for decades. Whether you are living in Greece and want to fully embrace the “shop local” philosophy or are simply on the lookout for new products to try, here are eight cosmetics and beauty brands you probably didn’t know were Greek.

Freshline

Entering a Freshline store is a dream for your senses. Colors, textures and scents shine through. The fresh bar may be reminiscent of British brand Lush, but the comparison stops there. Freshline is resolutely Greek, using ancient Greek knowledge on herbal therapies. Mayra Vagioni-Stasinopoulou opened her first small shop in Athens, and today the company has shops in 16 countries. They offer a wide line of handcrafted soaps, solid shampoos, bath bombs and face masks sold by the weight. The face and body products are made using a unique blend of tea infused with local herbs.

Korres

Apivita

Apivita is a brand with a strong philosophy, values, social responsibility and heritage. It is known for its line made with beekeeping products (honey, royal jelly, beeswax, et cetera), extracts of local herbs and essential oils, and many other herbs and plants. It all started with a couple of pharmacists, Nikos and Niki Koutsianas, who prepared medical ointments and creams with bee products in their pharmacy in 1972. Seven years later, Apivita was born.

Macrovita

Founded in 1984, Macrovita sells health and beauty products aiming at prolonging longevity through ingredients found in nature, such as olive oil, cotton and aloe vera. Focusing on natural cosmetics and natural food supplements based on bee derivatives, Macrovita has a vast range of products that meet any face, hair and body requirements. Macrovita also has a series of food supplements made with unprocessed apitherapy products (from the Latin word apis, which means bee), such as fresh royal jelly, pollen, propolis, natural vitamins and honey. Exported to 17 countries, Macrovita products should definitely part of your beauty cabinet.

Frezyderm

Established in 1986, Frezyderm offers dermatological products catering to just about anyone, from babies to mature skins. Their products also go beyond skincare to include bio baby food, including bio milk formula and purees. Working closely with a team of pediatricians, gynecologists and dermatologists, Frezyderm ensures the quality of its products and promotes research. Sold primarily in pharmacies, Frezyderm products are also available online.

Akeso

Derived from the verb akaiome, which means ‘to heal’, Akeso is the name of the goddess of healing. As such, the brand develops face, body and hair care lines made with the Greek liquid gold, olive oil. Combined with local herbs extracts such as dittany and cistus, the products aim to harness olive oil’s beneficial properties to meet the customers’ needs. One of their star products is the face serum with argan oil and hyaluronic acid, which provides the ultimate hydration.

YouthLab

Created with the desire to provide customers youthful and radiant skin, YouthLab developed skincare range of products with natural, herbal, bio-technological and synthetic active ingredients, to reinforce the skin’s metabolism to treat any typical skin ailment. Their products suit acne-prone to dehydrated and mature skins.

Erre Due

If you have visited a beauty supply store in Greece, you must have seen Erre Due make-up products. From eye shadows to lipsticks, eye liners and mascaras, you will find anything you need to complete your make-up look. The company also has a skincare line with cleansers, masks and scrubs to give a much-needed deep cleanse after a hot summer day.

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.