The History of Cosmetics
How the beauty industry has evolved
The modern term “cosmetic” originated in the ancient Roman public baths, used for an elegant physical hygiene system. The men’s bath included an unctuarium (a warm space of the ancient Roman bathrooms). Ointments for skin and facial care were applied to bathers by aliptes.
In the women’s bath, the ornatrix (A woman who beautifies another. A tire-woman managed female slaves who styled and dyed hair, applied facial makeup, performed manicures, and applied ointments to the skin.) The term for these slaves, cosmetae from the Greek cosmetikos (to arrange or to order), evolved into our modern word “cosmetic,” meaning to “beautify the body.”
For over 10,000 years, cosmetics have played a significant role in advancing from ancient civilization to the modern-day. Ancient men and women improved their looks and smell while curing irritating challenges to their vanity as baldness, grey hair, and wrinkles. In addition, cosmetics and perfumes were part of important religious beliefs and rituals in many ancient cultures, especially the dead’s burial.
Cosmetic products have a long, rich, and colorful history. They have been used worldwide for thousands of years to emote beauty, ceremonial and religious symbolism.
