Lead and arsenic are extremely toxic substances that were commonly used by women for beauty in ancient times.
For thousands of years, cosmetics such as lipstick, eyeliner, and foundation have been beloved by women around the world. However, these beauty products were once made from highly toxic ingredients, according to National Geographic.
Queen Cleopatra is famous for her heavily lined eyes, but she was not the only one in ancient Egypt to wear such makeup. Most men and women in ancient Egypt applied black or green eyeliner. In addition to protecting their eyes from the sun, this makeup was also believed to help them ward off diseases.
Cosmetics Containing Lead
Medieval English women liked to whiten their faces with lead-based powder. (Illustrative image: WordPresss).
The black powder that the Egyptians used for eyeliner contained lead salts. In 2010, researchers in France concluded that these salts helped increase nitric oxide levels in users, thereby boosting their immune systems and preventing eye infections.
However, many studies have shown that in ancient times, most Egyptians did not live beyond the age of 30. If they had lived as long as people do today, prolonged exposure to lead would have led to significant health issues, according to epidemiologist Jennifer Weuve in the journal Science.
Women during the Roman era used lead-based powder to whiten their faces. In the 16th century, the English nobility favored similar makeup styles. One of the most famous individuals to use lead in her cosmetics was Queen Elizabeth I, who frequently applied this powder to cover her smallpox scars.
The mixture of lead and vinegar that Queen Elizabeth used was known as Venetian ceruse, or “spirit of Saturn.” While it could make women’s faces smooth, lead poisoning caused victims to suffer from skin discoloration, hair loss, and dental issues.
Arsenic is another dangerous toxin that was widely used for makeup during the Victorian era in England. Some women believed that using a small amount of arsenic would not harm their health. However, the risk of poisoning remained very high, even at low doses of arsenic.
Potassium Nitrate Used for Hair Removal
Today, potassium nitrate is an important compound used in the production of rocket fuel, fireworks, and fertilizers. However, many years ago, potassium nitrate was an essential ingredient in hair removal formulas. In a hair removal recipe written in 1776, potassium nitrate was used as the main component.
While it indeed removed hair, this compound also produced toxic gases when heated. If users were careless and applied the product near a flame, the consequences could be dire.
Cosmetics Containing Mercury
Beauty products containing mercury can lead to severe consequences for the liver and kidneys, and may even result in death for users. – (Photo: Getty Images).
The Victorian aristocracy was willing to go to great lengths to achieve beauty, including using mercury to bleach skin imperfections. That was, of course, if the users of these cosmetics did not die before their imperfections disappeared.
Moreover, an excerpt from the book The Ugly-girl Papers: Or, Hints for the Toilet describes a concoction used to restore eyelashes, with mercury and fat as the primary ingredients. During this time, cosmetics that created a red effect also often contained toxic mercury.
