The
word cosmetics derives from the Greek κοσμητικὴ τέχνη (kosmetikē
tekhnē), meaning "technique of dress and ornament", from κοσμητικός
(kosmētikos), "skilled in ordering or arranging"[4] and that from κόσμος
(kosmos), meaning amongst others "order" and "ornament".[5]
The first archeological evidence of cosmetics comes from the hollowed
out tombs of the Ancient Egyptian pharaohs.[6] Archaeological evidence
of cosmetics dates at least from ancient Egypt and Greece. According to
one source, early major developments include:[1]
Kohl used by ancient Egypt as a protective of the eye kohl
Castor oil used by ancient Egypt as a protective balm.
Skin creams made of beeswax, olive oil, and rosewater, described by
Romans.
Vaseline
and lanolin in the nineteenth century.
Nivea in 1911.
The Ancient Greeks also used cosmetics.[7][8] Cosmetics are mentioned in
the Old Testament, such as in 2 Kings 9:30, where Jezebel painted her
eyelids—approximately 840 BC—and in the book of Esther, where beauty
treatments are described.
One of the most popular traditional Chinese medicines is the fungus
Tremella fuciformis, used as a beauty product by women in China and
Japan. The fungus reportedly increases moisture retention in the skin
and prevents senile degradation of micro-blood vessels in the skin,
reducing wrinkles and smoothing fine lines. Other anti-ageing effects
come from increasing the presence of superoxide dismutase in the brain
and liver; it is an enzyme that acts as a potent antioxidant throughout
the body, particularly in the skin.[9]
Cosmetic use was frowned upon at many points in Western history.
For
example, in the 19th century, Queen Victoria publicly declared makeup
improper, vulgar, and acceptable only for use by actors.[10]
During the sixteenth century, the personal attributes of the women who
used make-up created a demand for the product among the upper class.[11]
Of the major cosmetics firms, the largest is L'Oréal, which was founded
by Eugene Schueller in 1909 as the French Harmless Hair Colouring
Company (now owned by Liliane Bettencourt 26% and Nestlé 28%; the
remaining 46% is traded publicly). The market was developed in the USA
during the 1910s by Elizabeth Arden, Helena Rubinstein, and Max Factor.
These firms were joined by Revlon just before World War II and Estée
Lauder just after.
