Horrifying Beauty Rituals: The Dark Side of Skincare History
Throughout history, beauty has been a universal pursuit, often with extreme expectations for both men and women. Societies across the globe have had their own standards of beauty, and people turned to all kinds of weird and dangerous rituals to achieve these ideals. Many of these practices promised miraculous results but came with severe health risks, especially for women who were often the primary participants in these dangerous routines.
Here, we explore some of the most peculiar and toxic beauty rituals from around the world, ranked from quirky but relatively safe to outright lethal. Finally, we'll provide some tips on how to make safe, informed decisions in today's beauty landscape.
The Weird, Wild, and Toxic Rituals of Beauty History
1. Cleopatra's Milk and Honey Baths (Ancient Egypt)
This famous beauty ritual originates from Ancient Egypt, specifically tied to Cleopatra, the last Pharaoh of Egypt. She was believed to have bathed in donkey milk and honey to keep her skin smooth and youthful. The lactic acid in the milk worked as a mild exfoliant, but this luxurious ritual wasn't as magical as history made it seem.
While primarily used by royalty and wealthy women, the idea of milk baths as a form of skincare has persisted. However, modern science shows that the benefits, while accurate, are far less dramatic than advertised.
2. Lanolin from Sheep's Wool (Ancient Rome)
In Ancient Rome, women commonly applied Lanolin—a waxy substance extracted from sheep's wool—as a moisturiser for their skin. Although Lanolin is still used in many skincare products today for its hydrating properties, it wasn't pleasant in its early form due to its strong, musky smell. There were even myths that Lanolin would repel lovers because of its scent.
Roman women primarily used Lanolin, an early example of using animal-derived ingredients for skincare. While it effectively moisturised the skin, its social stigma in ancient Rome made it more infamous than glamorous.
3. Cold Cream from Ancient Greece
Ancient Greek women were some of the first to use cold cream—a mixture of olive oil, beeswax, and water—to moisturise and protect their skin from the Mediterranean sun. This early form of skincare was relatively harmless, but it fueled the age-old obsession with anti-aging that persists to this day.
While cold cream is still around and used by both men and women, the belief that it could completely reverse the signs of aging led to unrealistic beauty standards that pressured women into constant care routines.
The Risky Rituals: Dangerous but Not Immediately Fatal
4. Arsenic Complexion Wafers (Victorian Era, 19th Century)
In Victorian England, achieving pale, porcelain skin was the ultimate beauty standard for women. Arsenic complexion wafers were consumed by upper-class women to lighten their skin. Arsenic, a deadly poison, promised a flawless, pale complexion, but instead, it caused severe health issues such as organ failure, chronic fatigue, and digestive problems.
This practice was exclusive to the upper-class women of the time, as the lower classes worked outdoors and had tanned skin, which was considered less desirable. Eventually, the dangers of arsenic poisoning became too apparent to ignore, but not before many lives were impacted.
5. Belladonna Eye Drops (Renaissance Italy)
Italian women sought large, dilated pupils during the Renaissance as a sign of beauty, considering it more alluring. To achieve this, they used belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) eye drops containing atropine to dilate the pupils. However, belladonna is highly toxic, and frequent use causes blurred vision, dizziness, and even blindness. The plant's name, "Deadly Nightshade," gives you an idea of just how dangerous this practice was.
This trend was largely confined to wealthy women in Italy during the 16th Century, as beauty ideals heavily favoured wide eyes. Although women risked their sight, the promise of appearing more desirable drove them to continue this practice.
The Most Dangerous: Deadly Beauty Rituals
6. Lead-Based Makeup (Renaissance to Victorian Era)
From the Renaissance to the late Victorian era, lead-based face powders were popular among aristocratic women seeking a pale complexion. The use of lead in makeup was hazardous, as it caused lead poisoning, resulting in symptoms like hair loss, cognitive issues, organ damage, and even death.
One of the most famous victims of lead-based makeup was Queen Elizabeth I, who used it extensively to hide smallpox scars. Prolonged use caused her skin to deteriorate, but she continued to apply it in pursuit of beauty. Over time, lead poisoning resulted in her weakened health, demonstrating the cost of adhering to beauty ideals at any cost.
7. Mercury Creams (19th and Early 20th Century)
Mercury-based creams were widely used in the 19th and early 20th centuries as skin-lightening treatments and acne solutions. Mercury would initially clear up the skin, giving it a flawless appearance, but prolonged use led to mercury poisoning. Symptoms included tremors, memory loss, and kidney failure, and some users experienced hallucinations and personality changes.
This practice was common among both men and women seeking to reduce pigmentation, but it disproportionately affected women in the fashion-conscious upper classes. Although eventually banned, unregulated beauty markets still sometimes contain mercury today.
8. Radioactive Beauty Products (1920s)
In the 1920s, radium-infused beauty products promised a "radiant glow." Products like Tho-Radia cream were marketed as scientifically advanced solutions for aging skin, with the radioactivity supposedly "energising" the skin. However, exposure to radium led to bone decay, jaw necrosis, and fatal cancers.
The Radium Girls, women who worked in factories painting watch dials with radium-laced paint, became some of the most tragic examples of the dangers of radioactive products. These workers suffered from horrific health issues, with many succumbing to radiation poisoning. This marked the end of the radioactive beauty product era, but not before countless lives were lost.
What We've Learned: Choosing Safe Beauty Practices Today
With the benefit of modern science, we now know how dangerous many of these ancient and medieval beauty practices were. Here are some tips to ensure that your beauty routine remains safe, ethical, and effective:
- Do Your Research: Always check product ingredients and choose transparent brands about what's inside. At Selkia, we prioritise natural, ethically sourced ingredients for all our products.
- Check Certifications: Look for products that are dermatologically tested and certified cruelty-free. These standards ensure your skincare is both safe and aligned with your values.
- Prioritise Sustainability: Choosing brands that offer refillable packaging and focus on sustainable ingredients helps reduce environmental impact. Selkia's slow skincare approach embraces both skin health and environmental responsibility.
- Avoid Quick Fixes: Be cautious of beauty products that promise immediate or miraculous results. Skincare is a long-term commitment to health and wellness.
Embrace Beauty That Resonates with You
From Cleopatra's indulgent milk baths to the deadly allure of mercury creams, beauty has always been shaped by innovation, cultural norms, and trends. However, as history shows, not all trends lead to healthy outcomes. Today, we have the knowledge, resources, and freedom to make choices that align with our values and individual needs. The key to modern beauty is not following every trend but finding what resonates with you and feels authentic to your inner style.
It's easy to get swept up in the latest fads, but true beauty comes from trusting yourself and curating a routine that works with your lifestyle and skin type. Whether that means embracing sustainable practices, exploring natural ingredients, or simply sticking to products you love, choosing consciously is essential.
Beauty trends can inspire, but they don't define you. The best way to glow—inside and out—is by following the routines and products that bring you joy, make you feel confident, and align with your values. It's okay to pause, reflect, and make mindful choices in a world of beauty trends. After all, your beauty journey is uniquely yours—let it reflect who you indeed are.
By focusing on balance, authenticity, and self-trust, you can avoid the pitfalls of fleeting trends and create a sustainable beauty routine that nurtures both your skin and soul.