You don’t have to live in Rome to care for your skin like a Roman!
The ancient Romans conquered half the known world and build the Coliseum. They’re also sometimes credited with inventing lipstick. In fact, it’s their attention to
You don’t have to live in Rome to care for your skin like a Roman!
The ancient Romans conquered half the known world and build the Coliseum. They’re also sometimes credited with inventing lipstick. In fact, it’s their attention to beauty and esthetics that interests us most, mainly because ancient Rome’s advancements in the treatment of acne are still widely used today.
Instances of acne have been documented across cultures, through continents, and around the globe. Affecting men, women, and children (and sometimes babies) it can be triggered by a combination of stress, hormones, and other factors. It’s no surprise that about a half-billion people in America alone suffer from pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and cystic blemishes.
For an effective acne treatment, it has been said that the people of Rome bathed in warm mineral and sulfur-infused baths. Located in water-rich lands, the Romans focus on bathing with soaps and cleansing was common practice.
Colloidal Sulfur, a pure and natural mineral, helps to unclog pores and clear up acne. While the Romans paid impeccable attention to cleanliness, often turning to natural ingredients like eggs, seeds, juice, horns, honey, and plants, it’s their use of sulfur that has held true and continued to help acne sufferers to this day.
The following steps will help those suffering from acne keep their skin clean and cared for:
- Cleanse daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
- Use toner to help with excessive oil and breakouts.
- Apply moisturizer after toning.
- Keep your skin protected with sunscreen.
- Spot treat breakouts, rather than picking at your skin.
In addition to Sulfur, Roman women turned to their kitchens to cook up skincare creams and ointments. Known for its health benefits and skin moisturizing properties, Olive Oil was often used as a supreme skin hydrator (especially during pregnancy to aid with stretch marks). To help with excessively dry skin, emollient Beeswax was also called into the mix, as was Rosewater.
Throughout history, one thing remains the same: beauty solutions always come back to Mother Nature. As an abundant source of plants rich in vitamins, minerals, lipids, and antioxidants, it’s no wonder the beauty industry has shifted its focus to encourage a more natural way to solve many of our skincare problems. They say everything has to come full circle; the Romans would be proud.
What are some of your favorite natural skincare ingredients? Have you ever used any of the above to pamper your skin?