Skincare Secrets from Around the World

HUNGARY

THE PRO: Ilcsi Molnar, Budapest-based godmother of Hungary's natural skincare movement-her ancestors were herbalists-and founder of Ilcsi Organic Skincare (called Ilike stateside). (ilcsi.co.uk)

LOCAL FLAVOR: "Skincare treatments really took off during the communist era because they were so affordable," says Molnar. "Women today have adopted that tradition from their mothers."

TRADE SECRETS: "I use parsley to minimize hyperpigmentation," explains Molnar. "And magnetic therapy helps stimulate circulation to clear out toxins."

BEAUTY IMPORTS: Ilike Magnetic Skin Therapy ($68) contains electrically charged powder for wrinkle-zapping; Apple and Lemon Gel Mask ($48) shrinks pores.

ENGLAND

THE PRO: Tracey Malone (sister of scent-master Jo), facialist and founder of The Lubatti Collection-a skincare line based on the homeopathic recipes of legendary aesthetician Madame Lubatti, who tended to aristocrats and celebrities in the 1920s and '30s. (lubatti.co.uk)

LOCAL FLAVOR: "In London, we are always looking to brighten skin dulled by pollutants," notes Malone.

TRADE SECRETS: "To minimize wrinkles, apply night cream to your face and neck and leave it on for 10 minutes while soaking in a hot bath."

BEAUTY IMPORTS: Lubatti Clear Skin Rose Tonic ($32) balances pH for a better glow; the White Cleansing Cream ($32) gently removes daily grime.

FRANCE

THE PRO: Isabelle Bellis, protégé of famed Parisian facialist Joëlle Ciocco; owner of the Isabelle Bellis Spa in NYC. (isabellebellis.com)

LOCAL FLAVOR: French facialists have perfected the marriage of pampering (facial massage-and plenty of it) and serious results. Like Ciocco, Bellis calls herself an epidermologist-a skin technician who gives "cosmetic prescriptions."

TRADE SECRETS: "Le Bruccal uses in-mouth trigger-point massage to tone the lines on the lower face," says Bellis. "Some clients have said the results are akin to getting injectables."

BEAUTY IMPORTS: Joëlle Ciocco Lacteal Lotion ($80) tones the skin with lactic extracts, not alcohol.

NEW ZEALAND

THE PRO: Jeanne Balaam, facialist and international training manager of Living Nature Skincare, based in Kerikeri, New Zealand. (livingnature.com)

LOCAL FLAVOR: "The purity of the land here inspires cleaner living," says Balaam. "And we don't have to look far for efficacious ingredients-more than 85 percent of the plants in New Zealand aren't found anywhere else. I love the totara tree and manuka honey."

TRADE SECRETS: "I incorporate Maori symbolism into facial massage to help increase collagen production," explains Balaam. "The motion of the koru shape-a spiral design based on the silver fern-is said to spread vitality."

BEAUTY IMPORTS: Living Nature Radiance Night Oil ($70) moisturizes parched patches with calendula and carrots; the Hydrating Toning Gel ($35) is loaded with flax to calm stressed skin.