Have you flipped through a magazine recently, watched TV commercials, or visited the skincare section of a drugstore? Then you’ve probably noticed that anti-aging skincare is everywhere right now, and the range of available products is enormous—almost overwhelming.
It seems that women and men of all ages have only one goal when it comes to skincare: youthful, smooth skin well into old age. But is the desire for wrinkle-free, slowly aging skin really something new?
The answer is simple: not at all! Believe it or not, people—especially women—have been striving to preserve their youthful beauty for as long as possible since ancient times. Let’s take a journey through history to see which (sometimes unimaginable) methods were used in anti-aging skincare.
Anti-Aging Skincare in Ancient Times
Even in ancient Egypt, women sought ways to slow down the aging process. A pioneer in this regard was the legendary Queen Cleopatra, who was said to possess extraordinary beauty. She attempted to delay—or even stop—the aging of her skin by bathing in donkey milk every evening. And she was successful—not just with men! Today, we know why: donkey milk actually contains skin-rejuvenating ingredients.
In Greece and Rome, women also bathed in donkey milk. Additionally, they cared for their skin using a smoothing cold cream invented by the Greek physician Galen. This cream consisted of water, olive oil, and beeswax—ingredients that are still commonly found in anti-aging products today. It is also recorded that the Roman empress Poppaea Sabina used an anti-wrinkle mask made from donkey milk, honey, and flour as early as 62 AD.
Anti-Aging Skincare in the Middle Ages
Although the Middle Ages are often described as a dark period in which cleanliness and hygiene were not always priorities, skincare still played an important role. Noblewomen, in particular, valued soft and smooth skin. With the rise of herbal medicine and the development of pharmacies, skincare relied heavily on medicinal plants, herbs, oils, and fats. For example, a popular anti-wrinkle remedy was an ointment made from primrose and lard.
Anti-Aging Skincare in the 16th Century
The 16th century was characterized by a strong fascination with makeup. The nobility favored pale complexions and full red lips, while hygiene often took a back seat. Many of the whitening agents and cosmetics used at the time contained toxic substances, which took a toll on the skin. Despite this, people still tried to conceal wrinkles and age spots—or avoid them altogether. A common anti-aging remedy was a tonic made from rose water or lemon juice. Another popular but equally toxic treatment was a paste made from alum, eggshells, mercury, and honey, which was applied to the face.
Anti-Aging Skincare in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, the Austrian empress Empress Elisabeth of Austria—better known as Sisi—was considered one of the most beautiful women in Europe. Her beauty secrets have been passed down through history: to maintain her youthful skin, she used cold cream enriched with whale fat, sesame oil, and rose water. She also applied anti-aging masks made from raw veal or mashed strawberries. She was truly ahead of her time! Today, we know that these treatments could indeed have been effective: the collagen found in veal and the fruit acids in strawberries have proven firming and rejuvenating effects.
Anti-Aging Skincare in Modern Times
Since the early 20th century, anti-aging skincare has developed rapidly. In 1927, the first hormonally active and industrially produced anti-aging cream was introduced in the United States. For the first time, even women with modest incomes could afford anti-aging skincare. Since then, scientific advances in anti-aging research have continued to grow decade by decade, resulting in an enormous—and still expanding—variety of products.
Would you also like to counteract the signs of time and premature skin aging? Today, it’s much easier than it was for Cleopatra, Sisi, and others. No matter your budget or preferred ingredients, there is now a suitable anti-aging product available for everyone!