The Most Dangerous Cosmetics Used Until the 20th Century

From bloodletting to radioactive makeup, these practices highlight a darker side of human nature where health risks were ignored for aesthetic appeal. We explore the most hazardous cosmetics and treatments used up until the 20th century, reminding us of the importance of safe beauty standards.

This dangerous method was believed to portray wealth and a lifestyle unmarred by outdoor labor. Yet, beyond its cosmetic application, bloodletting was also mistakenly thought to treat various ailments despite its obvious health risks.

Advertisements boasted of their ability to impart a pale glow, a sought-after sign of delicacy and attractiveness. However, the lethal reality behind these wafers was well-known even then, making their consumption for cosmetic purposes all the more alarming.

This white lead compound, known as ceruse, was widely used not just on the face but also to powder hair, illustrating the fatal beauty standards of the time.

Despite causing kidney damage, skin rashes, and nerve damage, mercury is still found in trace amounts in some cosmetics in the U.S., per the Department of Environmental Conservation.

Despite its known toxicity, women risked their lives for larger, more seductive eyes. This plant’s poisonous potential, coupled with its use in assassinations and paralysis, highlights the extreme lengths to which individuals have gone for beauty.

Brands like Radior boasted products that promised to revitalize skin with luminous energy. This hazardous misunderstanding of radiation’s effects took place during a period of naive experimentation with deadly consequences.

While the debate continues on their impact on life span, the fashion’s physical consequences, from fainting spells to internal damage, are undeniable.

Advertised as a way to eat without gaining weight, this dangerous method had severe, sometimes fatal, side effects. This dangerous diet trend, resurfacing in modern times, serves as a grim reminder of the extremes pursued for weight loss.

This use of radioactive material in everyday products reflects a troubling era of misinformation, where the “glow” of health was (literally) sought through radiation despite the risks.

This early form of eyelash extensions (in addition to gluing) exemplifies the painful lengths to which individuals have gone to enhance their natural features.

As we continue to learn from the past, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and well-being in our beauty practices, committing to a future where beauty is a source of confidence, not harm.