The expression "Beauty requires sacrifice" in the literal reading is likely to take Beret - a symbol of French charm   its roots in the distant past, but rather in the composition of cosmetic products, which were used by our ancestors. While in cosmetics number of hazardous substances is through the roof. For the beauty of the body and the skin are widely applied arsenic, lead and a host of other harmful elements. Of course, many scientific discoveries have been made much later, however, at least one of these dangerous ingredients served not only as a means for the beauty, but also as a murder weapon. Indeed, many components of cosmetics of the past were so poisonous that were able to kill a man.

Eye Drops of belladonna

Belladonna - a legendary plant is very common in ancient Greek myths. It was also believed that Belladonna was part of a special magical ointment that witches were applied to the body in order to gain the ability to fly. With the Italian name of this plant means "beautiful woman." While the Italians using drops of belladonna pupils dilate, which supposedly gave them a kind of childlike innocence and was considered an incredibly fashionable and beautiful. A couple of drops of this muscarinic antagonist is able to disrupt the neurons, and the daily consumption of this substance can result in death. In the past, belladonna used as a local anesthetic drug and light. Fortunately, today modern cosmetics are not added to it.

Aqua Tofana

In the 17th century Italian Giulia Tofana cobble together a vast fortune by selling his own invention of miraculous powder .  Residents of Palermo, Rome and Naples were paying good money for a tool that gave pale skin on the face and upper chest .  While pale porcelain skin was considered a sign of beauty and gentility .  Dark and tanned was also a sign of hard physical labor, and betrayed a man of low birth .  The main element of powder Lady Tofan was arsenic, a highly toxic element that can cause convulsions and seizures, destruction of the liver and eventually lead to death .  Apparently, an enterprising Italian knew about the alleged "virtues" of his invention, as recommended to apply the product to the skin in the presence of opostylevshih husbands or other objectionable shoppers persons .  It is believed that Aqua Tofana caused the death of more than 600 people, including six men of the Lady Tofan .  In the end, this lady has been sentenced, after which it was executed .

In modern cosmetics arsenic is used in very small doses, arsenic certain officially allowed in cosmetic products and some fairly well-known cosmetic companies use it.

Whitening cream based on mercury

Whitening cream based on mercury in antiquity was widely used in medical and cosmetic purposes. A harmful effect of this element on the human body, in particular its ability to cause disorientation and lead to death, it was revealed much later. The Chinese Emperor Qin Shi Huang in the hope of immortality took the mercury inside, which, in fact, dead. Even after death, he apparently did not lose hope to live forever, because he, too, was buried in mercury.

Mercury is still often found in cosmetics. Due to the destructive properties of mercury, it is often included in the composition of bleaches. If you want to lighten your skin or get rid of age spots Brown spots: whether they can be removed completely?   advised to choose a more secure methods. Microdermabrasion or creams with hydroquinone cope with this task better than mercury funds.

Lead in lipstick

Just as mercury, lead, began to act in the role of one of the cosmetic ingredients even in ancient times, though today it is found in many cosmetic products. Even the ancient Egyptians on the basis of lead and antimony produced primitive eyeliner Eyeliner: piercing gaze   Of course, makeup nobody eats, but small amounts of cosmetics are absorbed into the skin, enter the body through the mucous membranes of eyes and respiratory tract .  Symptoms of lead poisoning are expressed in the appearance of irritability, insomnia, weakening of mental activity .  In the 90 years the problem of high lead content in lipsticks is widely studied in scientific circles .  And only in 2012, scientists have come to the unanimous conclusion that the lead in those doses, in which it is contained in cosmetics, is not dangerous to human health .  Firstly, by analyzing 400 different brands of lipstick, the experts found that the average lead content of less than 1, 1 (one particle per million), and secondly, the lipstick is not intended for human consumption .  Unfortunately, the results of these studies are very different from the real picture .  As part of the lipstick lead some firms share higher than the average seven times .  Fortunately the current legislation requires manufacturers to provide the buyer a full list of ingredients, of which their products are created .

The ancients did not have the amount of information about toxic substances, what we now possess. It's a shame that modern cosmetic companies, regardless of the danger posed by toxic substances continue to include many of them in the products they cosmetics. If you care about your health and the health of your loved ones, carefully study the composition of the funds that are going to buy, and if possible, give preference to the most natural and organic ingredients.

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