Ambrosia Services

The Things We Do For Beauty - New Research

by Jo Fairley

-Radox reveals a new in-depth study into the history of beauty-

Beauty products may be becoming more scientific and hi-tech than ever, but new research from Radox shows that some of the ingredients used have been popular since ancient times. Josephine Fairley, author and beauty expert, has been working in conjunction with Radox to conduct the first ever comprehensive study into the history of beauty practises. The results are revealed today to celebrate the launch of the new Radox Daily Elements range.

The new Daily Elements range combines minerals with active ingredients to create a range of products that are very effective and care for your skin. Whilst the range may be new, the minerals used to create it have been used for centuries. Ancient Egyptians, and even the Queen of Sheba herself, enjoyed the benefits of a mineral rich Dead Sea mud bath (sometimes enhanced by crocodile excrement, believed to have cleansing powers!) The Ancient Chinese discovered that crushed pearls could produce youthful, lustrous skin. However, they also believed it could improve eyesight, a claim that modern science may disagree with. Not all beauty products were originally used for that purpose; sea fennel is a popular ingredient in many modern cosmetics, but was first used by French sailors in the 1800’s as a source of vitamin C and minerals on long voyages.

Brits are among the cleanest people in the world, with only Americans showering or bathing more often. But the pursuit of cleanliness started in ancient Babylon, where archaeologists discovered the first ever soap made from a mixture of salt and ash. Luckily the process for making soap has improved somewhat in the last two thousand years. French Chemist Nicholas Le Blanc first patented the process of making soap from fats and soda ash in 1791, which helped turn soap making in Europe into an art form using ever more sophisticated scents and ingredients. Soap remained the preserve of the rich in England as it was heavily taxed – Gladstone finally abolished the Soap Tax in 1853 making cleanliness achievable for everyone.

However, research shows cleanliness has never stopped with simply washing. Ancient cultures have indulged in some pretty unusual ways of keeping sweat and unwanted odours at bay. Both the Egyptians and the Chinese used alum, a mineral with odour-reducing effects, which is currently undergoing a beauty renaissance. Other Egyptian methods were decidedly less appealing, such as mashing a ball of porridge, scented with incense, and placing under the arms to limit sweating. Radox has launched its first ever deodorant as part of the Daily Elements range, created from everything Radox knows about essential minerals – and not a porridge flake in sight.

People take a hot shower for granted today as a way to relax and cleanse ourselves. But the shower as we know it has taken centuries to develop. Ruins from the Egyptian city of Tel-el-Amarna reveal an early form of shower, a series of aquaducts, to provide the rich with water for showering – although they would need a team of servants to pour the water over them. Ancient Greeks went in for outdoor showers, spouting from fountains. And it wasn’t until 1767 that the first patent for a shower was granted, but still using cold water. A hot, steaming shower only became possible in 1889 when Edwin Rudd invented the automatic storage water heater.

It seems that soft, pampered skin has always been top of women’s priorities when it comes to beauty products. Noble Roman women famously bathed in asses milk to keep their skin soft, but other more unusual practises have been discovered. Mary Queen of Scots incurred the wrath of Queen Elizabeth with her extravagant habit of bathing in sweet white wine. On the other side of the Channel, French socialites at the time of the Revolution would bathe in the juice and pulp of strawberries and rasperries in the quest for radiant skin, others swore by the milk of almonds, water distilled from honey and roses, melon juice – or even veal broth!

The fascinating facts revealed in Jo Fairley’s research show that bathing, showering and the quest for soft, cleansed and fragrant skin have involved some bizarre practises throughout history. However, among the more natural ingredients have been herbs and minerals that time has proved to be highly effective in the pursuit of beauty. Radox have used this knowledge to create their new range, using nature’s minerals to care for your skin.

For further information about the Radox Daily Elements range, or to see the full research, please contact Ruth Barley (ruth@slice.co.uk – 0207 3095722) or Emma Kettlewell (emmak@slice.co.uk – 0207 3095219).

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FREE articles about self-help, self improvement, wellness, holistic health, and fitness. To see our full line of e-Books visit: www.ebooks4selfhelp.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

posted by Cheryl Levesque @ 1:30 PM