The Skin-Preparations for the Face and Hands

Abstract

The use of salves and unguents for preserving and beautifying the skin dates back to earliest antiquity, when they were generally prepared by digesting aromatic gum resins, roots, flowers, etc. with fats and oils. The first notable change in the constitution of these cosmetics appears to have been made about the second century A.D., when the Greek physician Galen (who practised in Rome) added water to his salves, and by so doing laid the foundation of our modern cold cream and cleansing cream. This is probably the only skin application which has stood the test of time successfully, and although there is little doubt that it has been much modified, the principle remains the same. As recently as twenty years ago formulation of cosmetic products was largely an empirical business because very little was known about the functions of the products or of the raw materials used. Nowadays large sums of money are spent every year on research dealing with the effect of various materials and preparations on the skin, with the result that the cosmetic chemist is in a much better position, not only to assess the usefulness of new and existing raw materials, but he is also able to avoid those materials which are likely to cause skin damage.