The golden age of ancient Egyptian civilization ended over two thousand years ago, but their fascinating creations and formulas for daily life continue to surprise descendants.
Ancient Egyptians Preferred Animal Fat as a Key Ingredient in Cosmetics
Animal fat served as a fundamental ingredient in various formulations of ancient Egyptians.
Given the intense heat of the desert, it is no surprise that ancient Egyptians felt the need to find ways to keep their skin healthy, and the answer was the use of animal fat. Animal fat was a basic component in many different formulations, such as ointments, from which they created cosmetics and perfumes for people of all social classes.
Additionally, ancient Egyptians were known for their daily bathing habits and strict hygiene practices, and they had a wide array of hygiene products at their disposal. Among these were deodorants and perfumes, most of which were made from various ingredients, including minerals like malachite and galena, honey, and animal fat, according to the World History Encyclopedia. Besides skincare, other cosmetic items used by ancient Egyptians included hair gel, also made using animal fat, as reported by Phys.org.
The Ancient Egyptians and Their Cosmetic “Masterpieces” of Old
Hygiene products like deodorants were also known to contain animal by-products. According to the World History Encyclopedia, the deodorant formula of ancient Egyptians utilized ostrich eggs and finely crushed turtle eggs (including the fat from these eggs) mixed with plant-based ingredients such as nuts and parts of the tamarisk tree, also known as Tamarix. After mixing, a scentless cream was produced, which served as the ancient Egyptian version of natural antiperspirant.
In fact, the field of science as we know it today would be lacking without the significant contributions of ancient Egyptian civilization. According to the World History Encyclopedia, even the modern term “chemistry” is derived from the language used by ancient Egyptians, from the word “Kemet.” The knowledge and advancements that ancient Egyptians applied to cleanliness and hygiene models in the ancient world are fundamental principles in medicine, which have helped humans live healthier lives.
