5 beauty brand concepts that tapped into ancient rituals

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In recent years, more consumers have become intrigued by the ancient beauty rituals used in Africa, Asia, Native America and beyond. Here are five companies that created brands around this concept.

Rituals - inspired by various rituals

The whole ethos of the brand is built on ancient beauty and wellbeing rituals. The Ritual of Ayurveda was inspired by ancient wisdom from India, The Ritual of Sakura features rice milk, which has long been used by Japanese women for beauty purposes, and the Ritual of Hammam, which the brand has just relaunched with updated formulas and a new marketing campaign, is based around the famous Hammam/Turkish bath rituals.

The Ritual of Hammam products are designed to help users create an at-home spa feel. The formulations feature argan oil, which has long been used for beauty rituals in Morocco, as well as eucalyptus: which is added to hammam steam baths to give a re-energising experience.  

According to the brand, the range focuses on deep cleansing and the purification routine of the body and was “inspired by one of the oldest cleansing traditions in the world.”

Rituals – inspired by a variety of rituals
Rituals – inspired by a variety of rituals

The whole ethos of the brand is built on ancient beauty and wellbeing rituals. The Ritual of Ayurveda was inspired by ancient wisdom from India, The Ritual of Sakura features rice milk, which has long been used by Japanese women for beauty purposes, and the Ritual of Hammam, which the brand has just relaunched with updated formulas and a new marketing campaign, is based around the famous Hammam/Turkish bath rituals.

The Ritual of Hammam products are designed to help users create an at-home spa feel. The formulations feature argan oil, which has long been used for beauty rituals in Morocco, as well as eucalyptus: which is added to hammam steam baths to give a re-energising experience.  

According to the brand, the range focuses on deep cleansing and the purification routine of the body and was “inspired by one of the oldest cleansing traditions in the world.”

Wellamar – inspired by Aztec rituals
Wellamar – inspired by Aztec rituals (Hand-out/Wellamar)

New health and wellness brand Wellamar uses premium Amaranth Oil extracted from organically grown plants in a range of products, from topical skin care to gummies.

The ancient ingredient, which was said to have been used in the health and beauty rituals of the Aztec people, appears to have many benefits.

"After meeting with a 75-year-old doctor who attributed his well-being to amaranth, I set on my own journey with amaranth oil,” said founder Mark Sibilia. “I noticed a newfound vitality within me - incorporating amaranth oil seemed to unlock a latent energy in me, reducing inflammation caused by old injuries, rejuvenating my body, spirit, and resilience.”

Charlotte Mensah Hair – inspired by African rituals
Charlotte Mensah Hair – inspired by African rituals

The London-based hairdresser who grew up in Ghana created a brand inspired by the ritual of using Manketti nut oil to condition hair in various African countries. The nourishing oil comes from the Mongongo tree, which grows in sub-Saharan Africa, and is a beauty treatment for both hair and skin.     

WEI Beauty – inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rituals
WEI Beauty – inspired by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rituals

The brand, which states that it provides “groundbreaking products that invoke the rich traditions of Chinese culture and medicine, optimising benefits of each herb through modern science”, was created by founder Wei Young Brian who grew up in China and has always had a strong belief in the power of TCM.

It features ranges such as Royal Ming, which is based on a beauty ritual from the Ming Dynasty, (who were said to have discovered the core principles of TCM). It also uses many herbs from TCM in its formulations, which it produces in its own R&D and manufacturing facilities.

Tatcha – inspired by Japanese rituals
Tatcha – inspired by Japanese rituals

Tatcha founder Vicky Tsai created the brand in 2009 after a decade of working in corporations and suffering with stress that trigged acute dermatitis than needed daily steroids and antibiotics.

A trip to Kyoto left her “healed from skin to soul” and then she studied the natural Japanese rituals and ingredients that had transformed her skin. She works with a team of scientists, geisha and cultural advisors to create Tatcha’s products, such as the brand’s Akari massager – a handheld tool inspired by Japanese acupressure technique shiatsu.