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Kohl -

The use of kohl can be traced back to 3500 BCE. Not only was it used as a cosmetic by men and women of all social classes in ancient Egypt, but it was also believed that the darkening around the eyes would provide some protection from the sun.

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Henna -

Henna is produced from the dried and powdered leaves of the henna tree and is used to dye skin, hair, and fingernails. Henna was popular during the Mughal Empire period, which ruled India roughly between 1526 to 1857. Henna was—and still is—used to create intricate patterns on men’s and women’s bodies for special occasions.

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Olive oil -

Olive oil also worked as a moisturizer and cleanser for the ancient Greeks and Romans. The ancient Greeks believed olive oil had skin-healing properties, and women would apply it to their bodies and faces to keep their skin healthy, hydrated, and supple. Ancient Romans not only used olive oil for its moisturizing purposes, but created perfumed balms and ointments for massages, too.

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Castor oil -

Castor oil has been found in tombs dating back to 4000 BCE. It is believed that castor oil was used on the skin to treat ailments and in the hair due to its nourishing properties.

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Red ochre -

Rouge for the cheeks was typically worn by ancient Greek women between 700 and 480 BCE, and was made from red ochre.

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Indigo -

Indigo, also referred to as the "King of the Dyes," is one of the world’s most ancient dyes. In ancient India, indigo dye was applied to hair to give it a luscious brown or black color when applied after henna.

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Honey -

Honey has been used in skincare routines throughout the ages due to its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and humectant properties. Some of the world's most notable women used it in their skincare regimens: Cleopatra bathed in milk and honey, which helped maintain her youthful complexion.

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Rosewater -

Rosewater is a byproduct of the production of rose oil, a process believed to have been developed by Avicenna, a 10th-century Persian scientist. Rosewater boasts soothing and moisturizing properties and was often used to hydrate and soften the skin in ancient Persia.

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Beeswax -

Beeswax proved to be a versatile product in ancient Greece. It was mixed with red ochre to create a lip balm, and was used in the hair to hold elaborate hairstyles. And if someone really wanted to make an impression, they would use colored beeswax, resulting in some rather striking hairdos.

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Charcoal -

Charcoal in cosmetics has had a resurgence in recent years, but ancient civilizations in Egypt, Rome, and Greece were the first to use it. Charcoal proved to be excellent eyeshadow, and if it was mixed with olive oil it could be used as an eyeliner.

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Sandalwood -

Dating back thousands of years, sandalwood was commonly used by the ancient Indians, not only for spiritual purposes but for its antioxidant properties. It was also used as a perfume, due to its pleasant scent.

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Venetian ceruse -

This white, lead-based cosmetic product was worn during the Renaissance period. It was considered the best on the market, allegedly containing lead sourced from Venice. When applied, it gave faces a white complexion, which was fashionable at the time. However, lead is incredibly toxic, and users reported a loss of hair, eyebrows, teeth, and even early cognitive decline. Lead toxicity can also cause seizures, infertility, and death.

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Rouge -

A popular choice in the 18th century, rouge was used to color the cheeks or lips in various shades of red. Rouge gave the impression of a healthy complexion and was popular with the French aristocracy. Like Venetian ceruse, rouge was made from questionable ingredients, including carmine, a lead-based pigment.

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Vaseline -

Vaseline was invented in the 19th century by a chemist named Robert Chesebrough. He discovered the substance by extracting petroleum jelly from oil rigs in Pennsylvania, and noticed that oil rig workers would use it to heal burns and wounds. Cheseborough patented it as Vaseline and began selling it as a multiuse product, but Vaseline grew in popularity as a skincare item due to its moisturizing and protective properties.

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Perfume -

Perfume has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. It originated in ancient civilizations like Egypt, Mesopotamia, and China, where natural ingredients such as flowers, herbs, and spices were used to create fragrances. During the Renaissance period, perfume-making became more sophisticated, and in the 20th century advances in chemistry led to the development of synthetic fragrances.

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Talcum powder -

The ancient Egyptians used ground-up talc on their bodies to keep the skin dry and reduce friction. It became popular in Western civilizations in the 19th century, and by the 20th century it was commercialized by companies marketing it for various purposes, from baby care to hygiene.

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Mascara -

Modern mascara as we know it today took shape in the 19th century. Eugène Rimmel developed the first commercially available mascara, made from petroleum jelly and coal dust, in 1830. The product developed throughout the 20th century with the introduction of new formulations, wand designs, and waterproof options.

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Nail polish -

In ancient China, nail polish was made from beeswax, gum arabic, colored powder, and egg whites. Men and women used it to indicate social status. As nail polish continued to evolve, in the 20th century the product as we know it today began to emerge. The French makeup artist Michelle Menard is often credited with inventing modern nail polish in the 1920s.

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Foundation -

Foundation use dates back to ancient civilizations, where people used clay, minerals, and plant-based pigments to create a base for their skin. In the early 1900s, the modern concept of foundation became popular, with stage actors seeking ways to cover imperfections under harsh stage lighting. Makeup artists began developing the product throughout the 1920s and '30s as the film industry grew, achieving a more natural-looking formulation for use in movies.

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Concealer -

Concealer also rose in popularity in the 1920s and '30s, when makeup artists began using thicker, cream-based products to cover imperfections on actors’ faces. As the beauty industry advanced, liquid formulations and stick concealers were introduced in the 1950s and '60s.

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Lipstick -

Modern lipstick emerged in the late 19th and 20th centuries. In 1884, French perfume company Guerlain created the first lipstick in a tube made from beeswax, castor oil, and deer tallow. Lipstick became increasingly popular throughout the 20th century, as different colors, formulations, and packaging designs were introduced.

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Deodorant -

The origins of deodorant can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians, where scented oils were applied to the body to cover unpleasant smells. In 1888, Edna Murphey created the first commercialized deodorant: a cream-based product applied to the underarms to neutralize odor-causing bacteria.

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Shampoo -

The word "shampoo" comes from the Sanskrit word champu, which means to massage or knead. People would massage the scalp with various oils and herbs to cleanse and condition the hair. In the early 20th century, Hans Schwarzkopf developed the first liquid shampoo. His formulation was gentler on the hair and scalp compared to previous versions, and quickly gained popularity.

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Hair gel -

One of the earliest versions of modern hair gel was created in the 1920s. It provided hold and shine to the popular hairstyles of the era. Throughout the 20th century, the formulation became more advanced, with added synthetic polymers and chemicals creating stronger holds and longer-lasting styles.

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Mouthwash -

While ancient cultures like Egypt, Greece, and Rome used natural ingredients such as vinegar, herbs, and salt to rinse their mouths out, modern mouthwash took shape in the 19th and 20th centuries. Formulations often contained alcohol, essential oils, and antiseptic ingredients to freshen the breath and kill bacteria.

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Conditioner -

In the early 20th century, hair conditioners were a simple mix of natural ingredients, like oils, animal fats, and herbs. By the 1950s, companies began creating more sophisticated formulations to address different hair types and concerns.

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BB cream -

BB cream is short for "beauty balm" or "blemish balm," and was created in Germany in the 1960s. The product was formulated to offer multiple benefits, from hydration to coverage and sun protection. BB creams became increasingly popular in South Korea in the 1980s, and evolved to include additional skincare benefits and a lighter texture.

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Bronzer -

Bronzer as a standalone product became popular in the 1970s and '80s as tanned skin became more fashionable and desirable. Cosmetic companies created cream, powder, and liquid formulations in various shades to mimic the look of a sun-kissed glow on the face.

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Setting spray -

Setting sprays were developed in the 1980s when makeup artists and performers needed makeup to last under hot stage lights and for extended periods. This led to the development of the first setting sprays, which comprised mist-like formulations, sprayed over the face to help makeup stay in place.

Sources: (Spa MD) (Cosmetics Info) (The Cut) (World History Encyclopedia)

See also: Beauty is pain—peculiar beauty trends

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