The Strange Side of Beauty: Historic Practices That Didn't Age Well

1. White Lead Makeup

From Ancient Rome to the 18th century, white lead-based makeup—often called ceruse—was used to achieve a pale, aristocratic complexion—one that signaled wealth and status by implying the wearer did not work outdoors or engage in manual labor.

Downside? Chronic use led to skin damage, hair loss, and lead poisoning. Some accounts suggest Queen Elizabeth I used it to cover smallpox scars, although this claim is debated among historians and lacks strong primary evidence.

Interesting fact: In some European courts, women layered so much ceruse that it would crack during conversation, requiring constant touch-ups—and fans to shield the damage.

2. Belladonna Eye Drops

During the Renaissance in Italy, women used eye drops made from belladonna (deadly nightshade) to dilate their pupils—a look considered sensual and fashionable.

Side effects? Blurred vision, light sensitivity, and long-term eye damage. Belladonna means “beautiful woman,” but the plant’s toxicity made this a dangerous pursuit of allure.

Interesting fact: Belladonna's use in cosmetics was so widespread that it inspired the plant’s name—bella donna means “beautiful woman” in Italian.

3. Urine Face Rinse

In Ancient Rome, urine—especially aged urine—was used as a facial rinse and teeth whitener. The ammonia in urine acted as a natural cleanser and exfoliant, believed to brighten skin and whiten teeth.

It was so widely accepted that some Roman bathhouses included urine-based treatments, and urine was even imported from regions considered to have "premium" quality.

Interesting fact: The phrase "money doesn’t stink" (pecunia non olet) comes from Emperor Vespasian's defense of taxing urine—highlighting just how valuable it was in Roman society.

4. Arsenic Complexion Pills

In 19th-century Europe and the United States, women consumed small doses of arsenic to achieve a pale, “delicate” complexion. These pills promised to clear the skin and make it glow—from the inside out.

Risks? Nausea, hair loss, and, in larger or sustained doses, death. Yet they remained popular for decades and were sold over-the-counter.

Interesting fact: Arsenic wafers and complexion waters were sold in apothecaries and women's magazines—complete with endorsements claiming safety and elegance.

5. Crocodile Dung Face Masks

In Ancient Egypt, it's believed that elite women used facial masks made from crocodile dung mixed with mud and fermented wine. These bizarre blends were thought to have anti-aging and purifying properties, and may have been part of ritualistic or spa-like bathing experiences.

Dung was commonly used in Egyptian medicine, and some historians suggest it crossed into cosmetic use among the wealthy—especially in tandem with other elaborate beauty treatments like milk baths and aromatic oils.

Interesting fact: The use of animal dung in ancient remedies appears in the Ebers Papyrus—one of the oldest surviving medical texts—showing how beauty, medicine, and ritual often overlapped in ancient Egypt.

As spa and beauty professionals, we often look to ancient practices for inspiration—but it’s just as important (and fascinating) to examine the ones we’ve wisely left behind. These historical beauty treatments remind us that the pursuit of radiance hasn’t always been rooted in safety, science, or good sense. Understanding where our industry came from—not just the wisdom, but the weirdness—helps us appreciate how far it’s come!

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