1.Lead-Based Makeup—The Deadly Secret of Pale Skin
For centuries, pale skin was considered the pinnacle of beauty, symbolizing wealth and social status. But achieving this coveted complexion came at a deadly cost. Lead-based makeup, particularly the infamous Venetian Ceruse, was a staple in beauty routines from ancient civilizations to the 19th century. Used by the Greeks, Romans, and later by European aristocrats, this cosmetic promised a flawless, porcelain-like appearance. However, its main ingredient—white lead—was a slow and silent killer.
Venetian Ceruse, a mix of lead carbonate, vinegar, and water, was widely popularized in the 16th and 17th centuries. Queen Elizabeth I was among its most famous users, applying thick layers to mask smallpox scars. But prolonged exposure led to severe health consequences. Symptoms of lead poisoning included hair loss, muscle paralysis, skin deterioration, and even neurological damage. Some women, including the celebrated English beauty Maria Gunning, reportedly died from their devotion to this toxic cosmetic.
Despite being declared a poison in England as early as 1631, lead-based makeup remained in use for centuries. It wasn’t until the Victorian era, when natural beauty trends gained traction, that safer alternatives like zinc oxide replaced lead-based formulas. Today, the obsession with a flawless complexion persists, but thankfully, the methods are far less lethal.
2.Belladonna Eye Drops—Blinding for Beauty
The pursuit of beauty has sometimes led to startlingly dangerous practices, and few are as perilous as the use of belladonna eye drops during the Renaissance. Derived from the highly toxic Atropa belladonna plant—aptly named “beautiful woman” in Italian—these drops were used by women to dilate their pupils, creating an alluring, wide-eyed appearance that was considered the height of desirability. The practice was particularly popular among Italian noblewomen, who believed that larger pupils signified passion and femininity. However, the cost of this cosmetic enhancement was steep.
Belladonna contains atropine, a compound that interferes with the eye’s ability to regulate light exposure. While the immediate effect was striking, prolonged use led to blurred vision, light sensitivity, and, in severe cases, permanent blindness. Historical accounts suggest that even Cleopatra may have used a similar atropine-rich extract from Egyptian henbane to enhance her gaze. Despite its dangers, the trend persisted for centuries, a testament to the extremes people have gone to for beauty. Today, while belladonna is still used in controlled medical settings—such as ophthalmology exams—its cosmetic use has long been abandoned due to its severe risks.
3.Foot Binding—A Painful Tradition of Elegance
Foot binding was one of history’s most extreme beauty practices, shaping Chinese society for nearly a thousand years. Originating in the 10th century, possibly among court dancers, the practice became widespread during the Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) and persisted into the 20th century. It was driven by the belief that tiny, “golden lotus” feet—ideally just three inches long—were a mark of beauty, status, and marriageability. Women with unbound feet were often deemed undesirable for marriage, reinforcing its entrenchment across generations.
The process itself was excruciating. Starting between the ages of 4 and 9, young girls’ feet were tightly wrapped in cloth, forcing the toes to curl under and the arch to break. Over time, the foot was crushed into an unnatural, pointed shape. The pain was constant, infections were common, and in severe cases, gangrene led to the loss of toes. Yet, despite the immense suffering, bound feet were seen as a symbol of refinement, with the restricted mobility paradoxically considered a sign of feminine grace.
Efforts to ban foot binding began in the late 19th century, spearheaded by reformers and Christian missionaries. Although the practice was officially outlawed in 1912 following the fall of the Qing Dynasty, it persisted in rural areas for decades. By the mid-20th century, with the rise of the Communist government, foot binding was finally eradicated. Today, the last surviving women with bound feet serve as living reminders of a beauty standard that prioritized aesthetics over well-being, leaving behind a legacy of pain in the name of elegance.
4.Radium Beauty Cream—A Glow That Was Lethal
In the early 20th century, science and beauty collided in a dangerous way. Radium, discovered by Marie Curie in 1898, was hailed as a miracle element with supposed rejuvenating properties. By the 1920s and 1930s, cosmetic brands eagerly capitalized on this radioactive allure, marketing radium-infused creams, powders, and even toothpaste as revolutionary skincare solutions. Companies like Radior and Tho-Radia promised that their products would stimulate circulation, tighten the skin, and provide a youthful glow. The irony? That glow was literal—because radium is radioactive.
At the time, the public had little understanding of radiation’s dangers. Advertisements claimed that radium could detoxify the skin and promote cell regeneration, ignoring the fact that prolonged exposure led to devastating health consequences. The tragic case of the Radium Girls—women who painted watch dials with radium-laced paint and later suffered severe radiation poisoning—exposed the element’s horrific effects. Symptoms included anemia, jaw necrosis, and fatal cancers.
By the mid-20th century, regulatory action finally curbed the use of radium in cosmetics. However, its brief reign as a beauty enhancer remains a chilling reminder of how scientific advancements, when misunderstood, can become deadly fashion trends.
5.Mercury Skin Treatments—A Toxic Solution for Blemishes
For centuries, mercury was hailed as a miracle cure for skin imperfections. From the Renaissance to the early 20th century, it was a staple ingredient in beauty creams and medical treatments, promising to erase blemishes, lighten skin, and even cure syphilis. In the 1300s, mercury was mixed with animal fat to create an ointment for conditions like psoriasis and leprosy. By the 17th century, it had become a common ingredient in European beauty regimens, with recipes appearing in books like The Accomplish’d Lady’s Delight (1675), which advised mixing mercury chloride with oil of white poppy for a flawless complexion.
The problem? Mercury is highly toxic. It absorbs through the skin, accumulating in the body and wreaking havoc on the nervous system. Prolonged exposure led to symptoms like tremors, memory loss, kidney failure, and, in extreme cases, death. Despite these dangers, mercury-based creams remained popular well into the 20th century. Dr. T. Felix Gouraud’s ‘Oriental Cream,’ introduced in the 1880s, promised to eliminate every skin imperfection but contained mercury chloride, which wasn’t removed from the formula until 1936. It wasn’t until the mid-20th century, with advancements in dermatology and the rise of safer alternatives, that mercury was finally phased out of cosmetics.
6.Bloodletting for Rosy Cheeks—A Risky Beauty Ritual
Throughout history, beauty standards have driven people to extreme—and often dangerous—lengths. One of the most unsettling methods was bloodletting, a practice that dates back over 3,000 years but gained popularity in medieval and Renaissance Europe as a way to achieve a pale, delicate complexion. The belief? That drawing blood from the body would not only improve health but also create a desirable, rosy glow. Aristocratic women, including Queen Elizabeth I, subjected themselves to this procedure, convinced that a blood-drained face symbolized refinement and high status.
The process was as crude as it was hazardous. A small incision was made, usually in the arm, and blood was drained into a bowl. Some women used leeches, allowing the creatures to extract blood slowly, while others relied on barber-surgeons—who doubled as hairstylists—to perform the procedure. The infamous red and white barber pole? A relic of this era, symbolizing the blood-soaked rags used in the process.
While the method may have temporarily lightened the skin, it came at a steep cost. Excessive blood loss led to dizziness, weakness, and in severe cases, death. The practice persisted for centuries despite the risks, a testament to how far people were willing to go for beauty. Thankfully, modern dermatology has replaced such drastic measures with safer alternatives.
