Ye Olde Mud Baths

It’s comforting to know that even our ancient ancestors struggled with acne or hyperpigmentation. Looking and feeling your best has always been in style, and the beauty regimens from our earlier days range from still useful to downright dangerous. That said, there may be a few on this list that will pique your interest. 

Cherrydeck on Unsplash

1. Turmeric

Turmeric has been used to brighten the skin for centuries, often mixed with ingredients like honey, yogurt, oatmeal, or clay. It originated in India as a common beauty regimen and was even used in pre-wedding preparation rituals. 

Md Shakil Photography on Unsplash

2. Mud Baths

Mud baths were popular in ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Mesopotamian societies and are still used today. Thought by these societies to be a healing and rejuvenating treatment for the body and mind, mud baths are said to open the pores, reduce inflammation, and act as a gentle exfoliant for the skin. 

Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash

3. Venetian Ceruse

For millennia, women have tried to lighten their skin through less-than-favorable means. Venetian Ceruse was a type of white lead that came from Italy, and was often mixed with water and vinegar before applying to the skin. It should come as no surprise that frequent use of this makeup product leads to lead poisoning, skin damage, hair loss, and death. 

Thester11 on Wikimedia

4. Milk And Honey Baths

The Royals have used this luxurious bath for years. Popularized by Queen Cleopatra, her bathing routine involved sour donkey milk, honey, rose petals, and essential oils to improve her skin’s texture and appearance. Empress Poppaea and Queen Elizabeth I are also cited to have bathed in milk. 

Sandi Benedicta on Unsplash

5. Rose Petals

Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome all made use of this scented flower for both aesthetic and medicinal properties. It was common to see rose petals scattered among bathhouses, incorporated into perfumes and cosmetics, and even ground up to create an anti-wrinkle mask. 

Mockaroon on Unsplash

6. Pearl Powder

Pearl powder has been used for over 2,000 years, and has deep attachments to ancient Chinese and Indian medicine. Made by milling pearls down into a fine powder, wealthy women used the powder to achieve youthful and radiant skin. 

Marin Tulard on Unsplash

7. Oils

It should come as no surprise that oils have been a cornerstone of beauty regimens since their creation. The Egyptians and Greeks used olive, castor, and sesame oil for their skin and hair, while the Incas and ancient African societies used jojoba and emu oil. Camellia and jasmine oils were often used in ancient Chinese and Indian skincare routines.

Sharon Pittaway on Unsplash

8. Thanaka Powder

Thanaka powder consists of roots, bark, and wood from the Thanaka tree, and originated in the Pyu civilization of Myanmar. It was used for sun protection, anti-inflammatory effects, and to improve the skin’s complexion. 

Kathrinatina23 on Wikimedia

9. Ayurvedic Medicine

Rather than a singular ingredient, ayurvedic medicine is an ancient Indian holistic system that focuses on balancing the mind, body, and spirit. Used in combination with massage, meditation, yoga, and dieting, ayurvedic skincare includes ashwagandha, turmeric, sandalwood, aloe, and other ingredients, depending on the needs of the individual. 

João Guimarães on Unsplash

10. Sugaring

Sugaring surprisingly dates back to ancient Egypt, possibly as early as 1900 BCE. It was used by the elites as a status symbol and was created by mixing sugar, water, and lemon juice. 

Daniel Kraus on Unsplash

11. Mung Beans

This common beauty ingredient has its roots in ancient Chinese and Korean societies, often used in masks and cleansers. Said to treat acne, puffiness, and wrinkles, mung beans were the popular skincare choice for Chinese empresses.

David Gabrielyan on Unsplash

12. Clay Masks

Clay masks have been used to draw out impurities for over 5,000 years, and have their roots in ancient Egypt, India, Greece, and Rome. Egyptians used clay from the Nile and the desert for its healing and rejuvenating properties, while India used a clay called Fuller’s Earth, which was often mixed with sandalwood paste and gram flour. 

Photostock Editor on Unsplash

13. Saffron

Saffron is an incredibly labor-intensive and low-yielding flower to harvest, making it one of the most expensive spices in the world. It’s said to be quite rich in antioxidants and promises anti-inflammatory and hyperpigmentation reduction. Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Persia were among the first societies to use the spice in perfumes, skin treatments, and dyes. 

Benyamin Bohlouli on Unsplash

14. Henna

Most commonly used today for cultural and spiritual purposes, Ancient Egypt, India, the Middle East, and other North African societies used henna as a hair conditioner, hair dye, or nail polish. 

Vitaliy Lyubezhanin on Unsplash

15. Green Tea

Ancient Chinese and Japanese societies used green tea for beauty reasons in a few ways. Aside from the positive benefits of drinking the tea, the extract was used for face masks in China, while Japan used the tea as a face wash or eye compress. 

Na visky on Unsplash

16. Aloe Vera

Both Nefertiti and Cleopatra used the “plant of immortality” as a part of their daily skincare routines, praising it for their moisturizing and soothing effects. The plant was also revered in ancient Greece, Rome, India, China, and Aztec societies for its beauty and medicinal purposes. 

Katherine Jenswold on Unsplash

17. Rice Water

This popular beauty routine was used in ancient Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures, but was most notably used by Chinese women from 618-907 CE. Rice water reduces inflammation, pigmentation and can help the skin recover from sun exposure. It’s also been said to be an excellent hair wash, increasing shine, strength, and reducing breakage. 

rminedaisy on Unsplash

18. Seaweed

China and other coastal Indigenous communities have used seaweed for beauty and medicinal purposes for centuries. It’s said to be quite hydrating while still protecting the skin against environmental damage, and can help with conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema.

Oleksandr Sushko on Unsplash

19. Gua Sha

The use of gua shas as a formal practice began in ancient China’s Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), even though the remedy has likely been used for much longer. Used in medical treatments for pain relief, colds, or fatigue, it also helps to improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and relieve muscle tension in the face. 

Cherrydeck on Unsplash

20. Red Ochre

This popular pigment has been used since the Stone Age, often for art, decoration, and burial rites. Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Roman societies often used the color in rouge or lipstick, but it has deep symbolism related to power, valor, and success in cultures worldwide. 

Marco Chemello (WMIT) on Wikimedia