Skincare Thru the Ages
By Lori Caruso
Beauty has been a desirable attribute since the beginning of time. The methods and treatments were born from ingenuity and whatever they had available. Often with severe consequences. As you read on, you will discover the outlandish lengths people have gone to keep up with the status quo of what was the standard of beauty for the time.
Greeks and Romans favored the use of crocodile dung for mud baths and skin whitening. Other ingredients, such as white lead and mercury were used for whitening the skin. A curved metal tool called a strigil was used to scrape off sweat and dirt form the skin.
The epitome of beauty was Cleopatra. Her obsession with her appearance must have kept the servants busy. Between her donkey milk baths to soften her skin, and her aromatherapy oils (even the sails of her ships were scented to announce her arrival), and kohl eyeliner, she really glamourized herself. She used malachite and lapis to color her eyelids for both aesthetic reasons and to protect them from the sun. And let’s not forget the crushed beetles for lipstick.
The Asian culture from 794-1865 A.D. used droppings from the Japanese bush warbler, a nightingale, to brighten their skin. Originally used as a stain remover, it was later discovered that it could cleanse and brighten the skin. It is still used today; after UV sanitization, it is ground into a fine powder and mixed with water and rice bran to make facial masks. The nightingale was used due to its diet of organic seeds which resulted in dropping rich in enzymes.
Venetian ceruse, used in the 16th to 18th century, was toxic. Made from white lead and vinegar, often used it to create the pure white skin that was equated with well to do people, indicating they did not have to toil out in the sun. Queen Elizabeth, I was said to use it often to conceal the marks left behind from smallpox scars. Sadly, this formula caused skin damage, hair loss, muscle paralysis, and eventual death.
During the Renaissance and Victorian times, Belladonna (deadly nightshade) was used in drop forms to dilate pupils to give them a dreamy look. This leads to blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and eventual blindness.
In the early 20th century, the use of radium was applied because it was believed that energy would improve circulation and reduce wrinkles.
Fast forward to today when formaldehyde still exists in eyelash glues, nail polish, makeup removers, mascara, and several other topicals. Even organic products contain some non-organic additives like stabilizers. The term organic isn’t strictly regulated for cosmetics. As a result, these products may have synthetic fillers.
Who is to say that years from now, society will look back upon practices done today and grimace. As for now, with so many information resources available, it helps make informed decisions. Read the research connected with it, investigate reviews and always remember to assess with a patch test if in doubt. Applying a new product to the crook of the elbow or behind the ear is an easy method to evaluate sensitivity to avoid potential irritation.
