Facial beauty has been a focus of human culture for thousands of years, but how did we get from crushed berries to bespoke facials? The evolution of facial beauty has been dramatic and it continues to change as our knowledge of the beauty industry and understanding of science increases. Skincare and beauty rituals have been ingrained in a range of cultures worldwide since 3000 BCE, utilising a variety of products and techniques, from elaborate facial treatments to natural ingredients. To get an idea as to where facial beauty might be going in the future and to appreciate the rich background in beauty and cosmetics, you need to understand the full history of facial beauty and the evolution of skincare. These traditional beauty remedies have shaped modern facial aesthetics and the approaches that we have come to know, use and enjoy today.

The History of Facial Beauty

The earliest recorded skincare regiment in history dates back to Egypt, where Cleopatra, in 3000 BCE is known to have bathed in milk and honey in order to smooth and hydrate her skin. Although we don’t bathe in sour milk now, modern facial aesthetics has been heavily influenced by these traditional beauty remedies.

Ancient skincare regimes that began the evolution of skincare

In ancient times, skincare regimes weren’t just for aesthetic purposes, they also held religious and cultural significance. Here are some ancient skincare regimes from around the world:

• Ancient Egypt: Caster oil, sesame oil and moringa were used to reduce wrinkles and prevent the skin from ageing, another wrinkle remedy was the combination of watermelon, rose water and sugar. Clay and olive oil were used to cleanse the skin, while dead sea salt was used to exfoliate. Frankincense was used to prevent acne, as well as for healing cuts. As well as bathing in milk and honey, Cleopatra used saffron to balance her hormones and improve her complexion, she also used rose oil and orange oil on her skin.
• Ancient Greece: Pomegranate was considered the fruit of fertility and prosperity in ancient Greece and it was used a lot in skincare. Olives were also used for a range of skincare, for example, it was combined with honey to make masks that prevented wrinkles and keep the skin pale and smooth. Face masks were also made from berries and yoghurt, and also a mixture of cornstarch and eggs, which is thought to tighten the skin and give it a youthful look. To keep the skin pale, some people went to lethal extremes, like using lead mixed with chalk to make powder, or even using crocodile poo for a pale looking skin and to protect it from the sun.
• Ancient India: Clarified butter and oils were used to make the skin beautiful and remove unwanted hair. In ancient India they also used saffron to protect from the sun and stop ageing. A combination of rose oil, water and melted beeswax were used to keep the skin looking fresh and free from blemishes. Chickpea flour was used to cleanse the skin, turmeric to add colour, milk or rose water to tone and exfoliate, and then individual herbs were added depending on the skin requirements.
• Ancient China: At this time, in China, pale and white skin were considered beautiful. Women would use rice water to cleanse their skin. The starch, proteins and vitamins in rice water were considered to be very beneficial and in fact, it is still used in Asian skincare today. They also used Pearl powder to hydrate the skin and reduce melanin, the shiny quality of the powder reduced the appearance of imperfections. Many Chinese women would completely shave off their eyebrows, they would then apply a paste (made from lead, mushrooms and rice) which lightened their complexion, before drawing their eyebrows on with kohl. Nobles and empresses were also known to cleanse their skin with seaweed and jellyfish.

Medieval and Renaissance Traditional Beauty Remedies

The medieval era was full of strange practices, beauty innovations and often dangerous misconceptions, such as lead-based cosmetics. This era not only shaped beauty products we use today, but also helped us to understand what products and ingredients we should avoid. In medieval times, they used dog faeces to cure lung diseases, washed clothes in urine and even worse the testicles of a weasel as a necklace as a form of birth control. Aside from their strange and dangerous practices, some of their skincare was actually fairly standard and potentially effective, such as:

• They cleansed the skin using cucumber and rosemary
• Animal fats and starch were used to prevent wrinkles and preserve the skin
• They made a face mask out of a combination of honey and petal
• Wine was mixed with rosemary to make the skin beautiful
• Vinegar and oats were used to get rid of spots
• Tarragon was mixed with wine to clear freckles and prevent the look of sunburn

As well as natural ingredients like this, gemstones were also used. For example, they would lick an amethyst and rub it over spots and blemishes.

The renaissance era was also full of dangerous and strange practices. Queen Elizabeth was covered in scars after contracting the pox, in a bid to reduce and cover them, she used lead to make her skin pale and mercury as a skin cleanser. Copying her lead, many women plastered their face in layers of lead for a full week, before washing it off and reapplying it. It is believed that lead poisoning contributed to the death of the Queen. Another way noblewomen would maintain a pale complexion was through bloodletting, blood loss whitened their skin. Safer traditional beauty remedies in the renaissance era included using sesame seed oil, beeswax and honey to soften skin, lemon juice or rosewater to stop blemishes, uncooked egg whites to hide wrinkles and leather masks to prevent sun damage.

The Industrial Revolution and Beauty Science

The industrial revolution played a significant role in the evolution of skincare. It was during this era that the cosmetics industry was born. With technological advancements and the shift to scientific approaches in skincare, this era saw the introduction of a range of new beauty products and practices.

Home remedies were still used, such as a mixture of oats, egg yolks and honey to soften the skin, lemon juice to naturally bleach the skin, rosewater to freshen the skin, and zinc oxide to lighten the skin. But commercial products were also starting to become available. For example, Vaseline was made from petroleum and women would add fresh petals to make a lip gloss. We also saw the first talcum powder (scented starch) Witch Hazel, Pears soap, Cold Cream and Yardley’s.

Modern Facial Aesthetics

Modern facial aesthetics and bespoke treatments combine traditional beauty remedies and wisdom, with modern and advanced techniques, such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and LED therapy. These innovations in modern facial aesthetics honour traditional beauty remedies, while addressing modern skincare concerns. Following this rich evolution of skincare, the cosmetics industry is now worth billions, with more people looking for scientific ways to prevent ageing and enhance the beauty of their skin.

Honouring the evolution of skincare

As you have seen, the heritage of facial beauty is rich, longstanding and diverse, it has evolved to better serve and meet the needs of contemporary clients. With a better scientific understanding of cosmetics, we are able to avoid damaging products such as mercury and lead, but continue to use the beneficial ingredients introduced to us by our ancestors.

Our bespoke and traditional, yet modern, aesthetic treatments are a perfect blend of history and innovation, providing our clients with a unique and tailored experience. To see what aesthetic we have available, or for more information on our beauty and skincare options, navigate through our website, or contact a member of our highly trained and experienced team.