Beauty routine and makeup in ancient Greece: skincare from Olympus to us

Centuries pass, fashions come and go, formulations change, but some things remain decidedly unchanged: like the love of cosmetics and body care! From morning to night, from makeup to beauty routine, here are the habits of Ancient Greek men and women for maintaining healthy skin . Spoiler? We have many more tricks and remedies in common than you think!

Ancient Greece: Caring for the Body

Maybe it's because Biancamore products were created a few years ago in one of the most important cities of Magna Graecia, Paestum . Maybe it's because our passion and search for local raw materials are the starting point for our cream and mask formulations . It's also certainly because some beauty rituals have been passed down through the centuries and we repeat them every day, even without realizing it.

The fact is, we've decided to dedicate an in-depth look at the beauty and body care routines of Ancient Greek men and women . Our dive into the past begins with... the swimming pools!

Skincare in Ancient Greece: All-Natural Skincare

It wasn't yet called "skincare," but it already marked the days of the ancient Greeks. In the morning, women followed a proper beauty routine that included a long bath and the application of ointments and aromatic oils to perfume and moisturize their bodies . And it wasn't a habit exclusive to wealthy women: even less wealthy women took care of their skin and personal hygiene using the public baths available to them.

Taking care of yourself was important for both women and men, even when it came to oral hygiene . The Greeks, in fact, brushed their teeth with twigs and chewed aromatic leaves throughout the day to keep their breath fresh: a true natural version of our mints!

Speaking of plants, here are the most popular raw materials.

Ingredients and products of Ancient Greek cosmetics

The most widely used product in ancient skincare was undoubtedly olive oil . The ancient Greeks only began using olive oil for food and pharmaceutical purposes later: initially, it was used as an ointment to perfume the body . Women in particular used olive oil as a personal lubricant, to cleanse their skin during bathing and to moisturize immediately afterward. And men? They rubbed it all over their bodies before exercising or going into battle.

It's no coincidence that our line of Buffalo Milk and Olive Oil skincare products is one of those most reminiscent of Ancient Greece. The beneficial properties of olive oil have been known for centuries and proven by modern research. Here are a few!

- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant : thanks to polyphenols, vitamin E and phytosterols, olive oil protects damaged skin leaving it naturally hydrated.

- Antibacterial : helps fight minor skin infections and pimples caused by irritation. This is why our Buffalo Milk and EVO Oil Body Cream is also suitable for irritated and reddened skin: it protects cell membranes and restores tissues to their natural physiological state.

- Anti-aging : combined with vitamin A and lactobionic acid, Olive Oil stimulates cell regeneration and gives elasticity to the skin, fighting wrinkles, stretch marks and small blemishes such as dark spots caused by the sun.

Another must-have for Greek women? Honey , which Minoan women used in addition to milk for long, scented baths. Does this remind you of anything? Well, the idea for founding Biancamore was born from a bath with buffalo milk to soothe the skin!

If you love the sweetness of the Biancamore Buffalo Milk Cleanser , or can't wait to use it for your next body routine, try adding a few drops of honey to your hot bath: a little trick to make your relaxing break even sweeter!

Aromatic herbs, calendula, lavender, chamomile, and mulberry were also added to the beauty routine. Roses, natural pigments, plant roots, red wine, and mastic were used in cosmetic preparations and beauty treatments . And then? It was time for makeup!

Cosmetics: the ancient art of makeup

Ancient Greece is the cradle of civilization, but also of cosmetics ! It's no coincidence that the word "cosmetic" derives from the Greek kosmèo, meaning "to adorn": it was the women of Ancient Greece who began using powders and ointments to eliminate facial discolorations.

While in the same period, in Egypt, women enhanced the whiteness of their skin with an ancestor of talc , talak , or with a primordial foundation based on alabaster powders, soda ash and honey, the Greeks used white lead to obtain a pale complexion.

White lead was a thick, white paste, a sort of ancient foundation made from powdered chalk and white lead, which also functioned as a sunscreen. At the time, the health risks of lead were unknown, so it was also used to remove skin impurities.

Interesting fact: Etruscan women also desired diaphanous skin, a symbol of noble origins, but their foundation was made from purified clay, ochre, and talc mixed with animal fat. An undoubtedly healthier solution! Noble Greek women used little makeup, whereas courtesans wore it abundantly. Beyond hygiene, however, they all shared the use of a mineral called minium powder to dye their lips red . Another popular lipstick at the time? One derived from red plant dyes like beetroot !

Even at the time, the craze for defined eyebrows and thick eyelashes was rampant: both were darkened with a thin layer of lampblack dye , a powder obtained from the combustion of organic substances. Often, eyebrows were also traced with a light coating of antimony powder or burnt cork. The first to own eyebrow tweezers ? Roman women, who used them to round out their shape and make them close together.

When it came to eyes, Minoan-Cretan women were certainly the most fashionable: they painted their eyes in blue, green, and light blue using Egyptian kohl . A true import of cosmetics, even without e-commerce!

Yesterday as today, the finishing touch was given by multipurpose blush : for Greek women it was made with the powder of the anchus plant.

How were these tricks applied? With actual brushes and accessories that can still be admired today in the museums of the cities of Magna Graecia.

Beauty standards between myth and everyday life

As you may have guessed, for the Greeks, having a beautiful body also meant having a beautiful mind: the word " kaloskagathos " in fact meant being beautiful and also a good person. This concept is also partly found in the Latin proverb "mens sana in corpore sano."

But what were the canons of beauty of the ancient Greeks?

Like the statues of goddesses we admire today, a dream Greek body included broad hips, pale skin, and red or coppery hair. Just like Helen of Troy, considered the most beautiful woman of her time.

Over the centuries, the canons of beauty have changed countless times: what has remained unchanged is the care for the body and the beauty rituals that, everywhere in the world, bring us into balance with every part of ourselves.

After this journey into the cosmetic art of Ancient Greece, you'll have an even deeper appreciation for the beauty secrets passed down from ancient times to us. And, we're certain, you'll look at skincare with new eyes. And a little old-fashioned, too!

Read also -> BIANCAMORE BODY RITUAL: FOR NATURALLY HYDRATED SKIN !