Skin Care In Ancient Egypt

It was around 3000 BC when the practice of skin care rooted in Ancient Egypt. Egyptians use natural ingredients such as olive oil, ostrich eggs, dough, milk and essential oils from plants and herbs to make their own skin care products (http://www.skincaretotal.co.uk/the-history-of-skin-care.html). Egyptians queens were renowned for their knowledge in skincare and beauty. Cleopatra, one of the most beautiful woman ever lived, authored the first ever book on her beauty secret includes bathing in milk and rubbed her skin with aloe vera. Skin care practices were not limited to Queens, but played a significant role in the daily routine of noble men and women in Egypt. The hot and dry climate of Egypt lead to the development of many skin care products

People during that time preferred a pale look which they used face powder and skin lighteners such as rice flour and pearl dust to achieve that. The first written record of skin care system in China was developed and recorded during Tang Dynasty by an empress wanting to maintain her youthful look and compete with other women in the court. Her system was based on a comprehensive and natural method used by women from the previous dynasty, Shang Dynasty. Shang Dynasty women before her. She used natural cleansers made from seaweed and jellyfish as well as facial massages and exercises to improve the circulation in the face. She also believed the link between diet and skin care. Women during Tang Dynasty desire pale skin as tanned skin was associated with working class. At first their desire of pale skin was to show that they did not have to work, however, powdered face and smooth skin soon became a fashion statement. They used white powdered made from lead to achieve a whiter complexion as well as natural gel and lotion to remove pigments and permanently bleach their skin. One of the most popular skin lighteners’ ingredient that was still in used today was songyi

Most women already followed their own skin care routine which required the use of several products even before the multi-step skin care products were marketed in the 1960s. A number of stimulants, tonics and complexion creams are applied after face cleansing. (http://thehistoryofskincare.com/TheWarYears_1940-1949.php?cid=SkincareHistory)

Rise of the modern skin care started with the formation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1906. Many cosmetics companies developed skin care and cosmetic products featuring advanced ingredients for women everywhere. (http://www.skincaretotal.co.uk/the-history-of-skin-care.html) Today, in the $382 billion global beauty business, brands that make to the top are Olay, L’Oréal, Neutrogena, Lancôme and Estee Lauder.