History of men's skincare

History of men's skincare

Men's skincare has undergone a remarkable transformation over the centuries. From ancient civilizations to the modern era, men's facial care has been a constant concern, adapting to the needs and trends of each era.

When did men start using skincare?

In our Western civilization, we think that male beauty and skin care are relatively new.

However, if we look back, we will discover that in many civilizations, men and women cared for each other equally.

Let's see some examples here:

Egypt

Surely the first great civilization on record in which personal hygiene and beauty were taken very seriously was the Egyptian civilization.

And precisely male beauty, both in the care of the skin and hair, or in the clothes worn, was of vital importance.

At that time, cosmetics were not only aesthetically pleasing but also practical, as essential oils, plant extracts and tree resins were used to prevent skin conditions, moisturize and care for the skin, giving it a smoother and younger appearance, and ultimately to make people look more beautiful.

For example, ointments were used to repair sunburned skin, and the famous Kohl (mineral used to paint the black line around the eyes to give the famous cat's eye appearance of that time) was also used by men not only as an aesthetic element, but also to prevent conjunctivitis.

There were recipes with balms and plant extracts to strengthen hair and prevent wrinkles. Men not only shaved, but also waxed, and exfoliated their skin with ingredients like sea salt and honey.

On a physical level, they strengthened their muscles with natron powder and applied frankincense masks, and moisturized their faces with moringa, olive, and beeswax oils. Lining their eyes with kohl to enhance their gaze wasn't the only makeup product men used in Ancient Egypt.

They also reddened their cheeks and lips with red ochre, a dye abundant in the desert. They used green malachite to shade their eyebrows and eyelids, and even dyed their nails with henna.

Washing and waxing were everyday activities not restricted to priests, nor did they have any religious significance. Although it is true that priests were required to bathe at least twice a day, they hated hair to the point of completely removing their eyebrows and eyelashes when performing sacred rituals.

The masculinity of the Egyptians was enhanced with a penetrating gaze, thanks to black pigments and the help of green eye shadow.

The Greeks

The Greeks paid special attention to their personal hygiene and aesthetics, as beauty standards were strongly influenced by proportions. Great importance was placed on baths, in which they used water and soap made with olive oil, a typically Mediterranean ingredient.

During this period, public baths reserved exclusively for men emerged. After bathing, they moisturized their skin with honey. They also paid special attention to manicures and body hair removal.

Roman empire

In ancient Rome, men not only groomed themselves, but also combed and shaved their hair just like women. Roman men applied a red-based blush to their cheeks to appear healthier.

They lightened their skin with powder and painted their nails with an elixir of pig fat and blood. In ancient Rome, men dyed their hair and painted their heads to camouflage their baldness and thus appear more handsome and younger.

China

In China, men's skincare date back to the Han Dynasty, when it was popular to apply white powder made from ground rice and lead to the neck area.

The Middle Ages were a generally dark time in terms of personal hygiene and the use of skincare. Ointments and poultices were used, but more for repair than prevention, and less for enhancing facial and body appearance.

It was an era dominated by ecclesiastical doctrines, where "inner beauty" was promoted. It was only later in this era, and among royal and high-noble figures, that makeup curiously became popular among men, where the standard of beauty was white skin.

Men also wore wigs of the same color to enhance the effect. The problem was that lead was used in the makeup, which caused serious health problems.

In France, King Louis XVI participated in the use of the aforementioned white powder makeup, and when he became bald at the age of 23, he also promoted the use of wigs among men at court.

Present

And so we come to the modern age, where the cult of male beauty resurfaces through the Hollywood film industry, and little by little, men begin to take care of their skin and personal appearance, using moisturizers, anti-wrinkle creams, and hair products.

Currently, there is a growing trend in both the West and Asian countries to care for men's skin with specific men's skincare products.

Men's moisturizers, anti-aging creams, and eye contour creams are no longer exclusive products for women's skin. Men's skincare is a trend that is here to stay in men's facial routines and body care.

The evolution of men's facial care

In ancient times, men used natural oils and ointments to protect and beautify their skin. Over time, these rudimentary methods gave way to more sophisticated products, marking the beginning of advanced men's skin care with facial and body care creams.

The emergence of the anti-aging cream for men

With an aging population and increased awareness of the importance of personal care, anti-aging creams for men are gaining popularity, as are anti-aging serums and eye creams. These products are formulated to combat the signs of aging, providing firmer, more youthful skin.

Do you have more information about male grooming habits from other civilizations? Feel free to expand and leave your comments.

About Us

Homo Naturals is the first 100% natural men's skincare brand. We create products designed for the needs of men's skin.

Men's skin has different characteristics than women's and requires specific products. We create 100% natural and organic products.

You can search our online store for the best skincare for men, both for facial and body care.