New Product Lines Favor Grandma Over Glamour

All too often our concept of beauty seems to favor outward appearances, or, to quote Billy Crystal’s smarmy talk-show host, “It is better to look good than feel good.” But a new category of beauty products aimed at enhancing well-being may be evening the score.

Many cosmetics companies are launching “inner beauty” product lines. Shisheido’s 5S line is marketed as a mood enhancer. Kneipp has a line of bath salts and vitamin drinks. Philosophy makes shower gels to create a sense of spirituality. And Origins has introduced a line to “help ease suffering this cold and flu season.”

“It’s not a skin-care line,” said Roberta Weiss, vice president of marketing for Origins. “This is a line of products that we call sensory therapy.”

The cold products include a nasal soother, Open for Business; a vaporizing balm, Off Your Chest; an aromatic spray, Don’t Be Stuffy; and a honey elixir, Cold War. In the fall, Origins introduced an herbal-based line to help you fall asleep. “The sleep products have been very successful for people who traditionally might have gone to the pharmacy for sleep problems.”

As anyone who watches TV commercials knows, traditional medicine does not have a cure for the common cold. So, using a vaporizing balm may help relieve symptoms or just help you feel better about yourself, which is half the battle.

“It’s kind of our overall philosophy to look to the past to find ingredients and rituals, time tested and grandma tested,” said Weiss.

So the Don’t Be Stuffy spray’s use of eucalyptus, wintergreen and menthol is not that far off from traditional herbal remedies.

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Fashion model Dawn Gallagher was so impressed by folk beauty remedies she discovered in her travels for work that she wrote a book about them. “Naturally Beautiful: Earth’s Secrets and Recipes for Skin, Body and Spirit” (Universe Publishing, 1999) is as much a cookbook as it is an exploration of how those in other cultures keep themselves beautiful.

Gallagher writes about hand balms, facial and pedicure techniques and meditation methods. We were particularly impressed with her bath recipes.

This one is supposed to help tired muscles after a workout.

Maharashtra Sandalwood Soak

4 drops sandalwood oil

3 to 4 drops eucalyptus oil

3 drops lavender oil

3 drops rosemary oil

Combine the oils and add to a warm tub.

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Barbara Thomas can be reached at barbara.thomas@latimes.com