Safe and trusted skincare has come a long way. In today’s world, we’re accustomed to advertisements, frequent developments in the industry, and beauty influencers. But that wasn’t always the case. Skincare began with just a few elites—kings, queens, and others apart of the upper-class—who had the ability to prioritize proper skin cleansing and nourishment.
Let’s take a look back at how far we’ve come with skincare advancements, cosmetics, and products that kept people feeling pretty millenniums ago.
3000 B.C.: Egypt Escorts Us Into Eras of Elevated Skincare
Some of the most prominent beauty rituals began in ancient history. Bathing barely scratched the surface of how ancient Egyptians kept their skin clean and soft. Egypt 3000 B.C. is where the first documented skincare regimen began. You know our inclination to use natural supplements we can trust? Turns out, it’s innate. Ancient Egyptians used products like eggs and essential oils derived from plants and herbs to keep their skin clean and address concerns such as dryness and blemishes.
Maybe the name Cleopatra sounds familiar? She just might be the world’s first-ever beauty influencer, so to speak. Legend has it, the former Queen of Egypt was known to bathe in sour milk. While sitting naked in rancid dairy doesn’t sound very pleasant, let alone luxurious, Cleopatra was definitely on to something; sour milk contains lactic acid. This is the alpha hydroxy acid used in chemical peels today, which improves skin tone and texture. Eventually, milk and honey baths were incorporated into elites’ routines to enhance skin hydration. To get a deep clean, they created a clay and olive oil paste that got the job done.
Another natural skincare remedy that was first used in Ancient Egypt is sand and aloe vera. This combination made the perfect exfoliant to eliminate dead skin cells, revealing a brighter, even glow.
Modern Medieval Times to the Renaissance
Animals weren’t just for eating or clothing; it was discovered during the Medieval era that animal fat was also an essential part of skincare. Many mixtures contained an animal fat base which was filled with nutrients and fatty acids that nourished the skin.
The Renaissance era was highly experimental, in which alchemy and herbal remedies came into play and often went hand in hand. During this time, aromatic herbals and botanical extracts were used to create healing ointments and combat skin issues.
Face masks also made their debut within this era. Seeds, leaves, and flowers were grounded together and mixed with honey. The pasty consistency was spread across the face and rinsed away, making skin feel refreshed and rejuvenated. Although there were many products that were harmless to skin and offered various benefits, we have scientific advancements during the Renaissance era to thank for revealing detrimental ingredients and practices.
For instance, skin lightening products containing white lead, or lead carbonate, were a popular cosmetic heavily used by artists, like painters and sculptors, geishas (female Japanese performers), and anyone who wanted to lighten their skin complexion. However, once the ingredient was revealed as toxic, it was subsequently banned in many countries.
The 1800s: The Rise of Basic Skincare Necessities
By the 1800s, or the Victorian era, skincare was in high demand, but high-end products like face masks and makeup were still only accessible to those part of the upper-class. This time period marks the beginning of mass production skincare that many people may not even realize is “skincare” today. Products like ChapStick, Vaseline, and baby powder were soon marketed and flying off the shelves.
The 1900s: The End of Unsafe Cosmetics and Lack of Skin Protection
The Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA, was founded on June 30th, 1906. Thankfully, this organization launched a deeper investigation into potentially harmful products. As a result, the FDA helped regulate unsafe practices and prevented several dangerous products from being marketed and mass-produced.
Knowledge of the sun’s harmful effects on our skin became more prominent during this time as well. Decades after the birth of the FDA, the world was first introduced to sunscreen in the 1930’s. Ever since, people could enjoy hours out in the sun guilt-free without worrying about burning their skin or increasing their risk of melanoma, or skin cancer.
The 1900s into the early 2000s was the breakout era for various big-name cosmetic companies, professional skin treatments, scientifically-backed beauty products, and FDA-regulated formulas. From over-the-counter items to potions prescribed by doctors, the time period was a blast off to skincare as we know it today, which is still ever-changing.
Safe and Healthy Skincare for All, Forever
The earliest stages of skincare had their pros and cons, but they all led us to the plethora of safe, trusted, easily accessible products and services today. Regardless of our ethnicity, status, or income, skincare options are limitless, whether you want to start your skincare routine at home or book a facial appointment.
And just like that, you’ve been schooled in skincare.