White base recipes- then and now

Ceruse was the most popular, this was a mixture of white lead and vinegar and was mixed with either egg white or water before applying with a damp cloth. Although it was potentially poisonous, this whitening technique was favoured by the wealthy. The first record of this being used was in 1519 in Horman’s ‘Vulgaria puerorum’, and it was an essential cosmetic in any wealthy woman’s cupboard by the time Elizabeth came to reign. Ceruse would eventually cause many skin problems- the skin would turn grey and look lifeless. It had a depilatory affect, resulting in eyebrows falling off. In the worst cases, the consequences were deadly. Lead absorbed into the skin over the years could eventually result in lead poisoning.

A healthier alternative:

Women were actually advised to use a paste of tin ash and sulphur and a variety of ‘foundations’ that were made using egg white and talc, or any other white material that could be used as a base.

In this era, pale skin was a sign of wealth. It showed that you came from a wealthy background and did not have to go outside to work. In today’s culture, it’s the opposite- having a tan is a sign of wealth! It shows that you can afford to go abroad etc. And like the Elizabethans used a skin whitening paste, we use fake tan. People have often told me that I look ‘healthy’ when I have a tan or I look ‘ill’ when I look pale. You can be perfectly healthy with a pale complexion, but as we are so obsessed with being tanned without realising, we assume someone is ill if they look paler than usual.

However, this is not the case all over the world. I have visited countries such as Thailand and Oman where I have seen women who once had beautiful skin tones, walking around with grey complexions. Whitening formulas couldn’t have developed an awful lot if they still have the same side effects. A wide range of ingredients are used in skin whitening creams, soaps toners and so on. A few of these are; Alpha Arbutin, lemon extract, green tea extract, glycolic acid and lactic acid. Most of the ingredients are safe, but there is a disclaimer saying using too often could lead to skin conditions developing or could actually burn the skin.

I actually think it’s quite sad that women damage their skin in order to be pale. Although, sitting in the sun for hours on end isn’t good for your skin and can potentially affect your health. Fake tanning it is!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venetian_ceruse

https://www.themedicalbag.com/story/queen-elizabeth-i

http://beautifulwithbrains.com/2010/05/20/beauty-history-the-elizabethan-era/

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Skinlightening.aspx

all visited on 20/1015