What Are the Old Skin Care Techniques?

These are a few "old" or traditional skincare techniques from different eras and civilizations. These techniques frequently involved simple steps and natural substances.

Even if many of them have their roots in historical practice rather than modern clinical research, with careful adaptation, they can be uplifting and healthy.

If you have sensitive or troubled skin, always patch-test new components and see a dermatologist.

Before serums and creams, there were plants and oils.

What Are the Old Skin Care Techniques?

Ancient Egypt

A) Milk and Honey Baths

• According to legend, Cleopatra took a bath in milk, typically goat's milk that had been flavored with honey or oils.
• Lactic acid, found in milk, has the ability to gently exfoliate dead skin cells. Honey has minor antimicrobial and moisturizing qualities.

Modern adaptation: In a warm bath, mix a teaspoon of honey with a little amount of plain yogurt or milk (or milk powder), or make a face or body mask and leave it on for a short while before washing it off.

B) Oils and Natural Fats

• Castor oil, sesame oil, and almond oil were among the oils the Egyptians used for cleansing and moisturizing.
• Additionally, they made ointments with natural fats (like animal fats) as the foundation.

Modern adaptation: Apply cold-pressed plant oils (jojoba, sesame, and almond) as moisturizers or mild cleaners (oil cleansing method).

C) Clay and Mud Masks

• Excess oil and pollutants were absorbed using red ochre clay or Nile mud.

Modern adaptation: To gently remove pollutants, use cosmetic clays (such as bentonite or kaolin) as masks. Combine with yogurt, water, or rose water.

Ancient Greece and Rome

A) Olive Oil Cleansing

• The main cleanser was olive oil, which was applied to the skin and removed with a soft towel.
• For a mild exfoliation, it was occasionally combined with ash or fine sand.

Modern adaptation: Use plant-based oils for oil cleansing; use a soft washcloth or a light physical scrub ingredient (like sugar) lightly for a mild exfoliation.

B) Herbal Infusions and Baths

• Herbal-infused baths, such as those with lavender or rosemary, may encourage relaxation and calm skin.

Modern adaptation: Use herbal tea rinses or diluted essential oils or dried herbs in bath water.

C) Honey and Milk Masks

Similar to Egyptian practices: To produce masks, combine honey with other items like cereal or yogurt.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

A) Herbal Poultices and Decoctions

• To promote skin health, herbs including ginseng, green tea, and goji berry extracts were applied topically or eaten.
• Herbal tea-based face rinses or compresses, such as a green tea rinse for its antioxidant properties.

Modern adaptation: Use cooled green tea bags or diluted brewed green tea as a toner; before using herbal remedies internally, speak with a TCM practitioner.

B) Acupressure and Facial Massage

• Acupressure massage and gua sha (scraping) are thought to increase circulation and lessen puffiness.

Modern adaptation: To encourage lymphatic drainage and circulation, use a mild oil massage with a jade or quartz gua sha tool.

C) Rice Water Rinse

• Rinse skin with soaked or fermented rice water to make it brighter and more calming.

Modern adaptation: Use filtered rice water to rinse your face or hair, then patch-test to make sure there is no irritation.

Ayurveda (India)

A) Oil Massage (Abhyanga)

• To nourish skin and increase circulation, massage yourself every day with heated oil (such as sesame, coconut, or herbal-infused oils) before taking a bath.

Modern adaptation: Apply a tiny bit of warm oil to your skin in circular motions, let it sit for a little while, and then rinse it off or wipe off any excess.

B) Herbal Face Masks

• Mask-making ingredients include neem, chickpea flour (besan), turmeric, sandalwood powder, and tulsi (holy basil).

Examples:

• Turmeric + Yogurt Mask: Turmeric (anti-inflammatory) mixed with yogurt or milk to soothe and brighten.
• Besan + Turmeric + Rose Water: Gently exfoliating and cleansing mask.

Modern adaptation: Use small amounts, avoid staining clothes, patch-test turmeric if prone to sensitivity.

C) Herbal Steam (Facial Steam)

• To open pores and cleanse, steam with herbs (mint, neem leaves).

Modern adaptation: Put water to a boil, add some dried herbs or leaves, let the steam face for a few minutes from a safe distance, and then apply a mask or moisturizer.

D) Sunscreen Awareness

• Using natural shades (clothing, umbrellas) and avoiding the sun during periods of extreme heat are mentioned in ancient scriptures.

Modern adaptation: Put on protective clothes and apply physical sunscreen.

Read: I Ate Like an Ancient Human for 7 Days - The Results Were Shocking

Rooted in nature, perfected over centuries.

Traditional Japanese

A) Camellia (Tsubaki) Oil

• Used historically to moisturize skin and hair

Modern adaptation: Use cold-pressed camellia oil or alternatives like argan or jojoba for lightweight hydration.

B) Rice Bran and Koji

• Rice bran used as scrub or mask; sake lees (koji) sometimes applied for mild chemical exfoliation (rich in enzymes).

Modern adaptation: Use cosmetic products containing fermented rice extracts or DIY gentle rice bran scrub.

C) Double Cleansing

• Oil-based first cleanse to remove makeup/impurities, followed by gentle foam or cream cleanser.
• Rooted in the traditional use of oils.

Modern adaptation: Many follow this method today; they choose gentle, pH-balanced cleansers.

Indigenous and Folk Traditions

A) African Traditions

• Deep moisturizing ingredients include shea butter, coconut oil, and marula oil.
• Scrubs that use ground seeds or nuts as mild exfoliate, such as ground apricot kernels.
• West African black soap is a cleansing product prepared from plant ashes and oils.

B) Native American Traditions

• Application of plant-based poultices and clays (such as bentonite).
• Herbal compresses or infusions for cleansing (chamomile, for example).

C) South American Traditions

• Aloe vera, avocado, and coconut-based moisturizers or masks
• Clay masks made with regional clays or plant powders (quinoa husk, for example, as a mild exfoliator).

D) European Folk Remedies

• Masks and baths made of oatmeal are calming for skin that is dry or sensitive.
• Slices of cucumber might help reduce puffiness around the eyes.
• Use rose water as a face spray or toner.

Common Themes Across Traditions

1. Gentle Exfoliation: Using ground grains (oats, rice, chickpea flour), nut shells, or clay to remove dead skin cells.

2. Hydration and Moisturizing: Natural oils (olive, almond, sesame, coconut) and butters (shea) to nourish skin barrier.

3. Soothing Ingredients: Honey, aloe vera, chamomile, and cucumber to calm irritation

4. Antioxidant-Rich Plants: Green tea, herbs, turmeric for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

5. Sun Avoidance/Protection: Natural shading, early rising/late afternoon activity; modern equivalent is sunscreen.

6. Ritual and Consistency: Many traditions emphasize regular routines (daily oil massage, weekly masks), supporting overall skin health.

Where old wisdom meets natural care.

How to Adapt Safely Today?

1. Patch-Test First: Even natural ingredients can irritate. Test a small area (inner arm) before applying to face.

2. Cleanliness: Use clean utensils and containers. Prepare small batches to avoid spoilage.

3. Simplify: Choose one or two gentle methods rather than many at once.

4. Modern Hygiene: Ensure water quality is good; avoid contaminated water for rinses or baths.

5. Sun Protection: Combine traditional awareness (avoid midday sun) with modern sunscreens.

6. Consult Professionals: If you have skin conditions (eczema, acne, rosacea), check with a dermatologist before trying new remedies.

7. Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality, preferably organic ingredients to reduce pesticide exposure or contaminants.

Sample Simple Routine Inspired by Tradition

1. Evening Oil Cleanse:

• Apply a small amount of a gentle oil (e.g., sweet almond or jojoba) to dry skin.
• Massage in circular motions, then wipe off with a soft warm, damp cloth.

2. Herbal Steam or Warm Towel:

• Occasionally (once weekly), steam face over warm water with a few drops of chamomile tea or herbs, or apply a warm towel to open pores.

3. Exfoliating Mask (Weekly):

• Mix a teaspoon of chickpea flour (besan) with a pinch of turmeric and enough yogurt or rose water to form a paste.
• Apply lightly, leave 10–15 minutes, rinse with lukewarm water.

4. Hydrating Mask (Weekly):

• Mash half an avocado with a teaspoon of honey; apply to dry areas for 10–15 minutes, then rinse.

5. Moisturize/Daily Massage:

• After cleansing, apply a few drops of nourishing oil (e.g., argan or jojoba) and gently massage to support circulation.

6. Toner/Spray:

• Use cooled green tea or rose water in a spray bottle as a refreshing mist in the morning or throughout the day.

7. Sun Protection:

• Wear broad-spectrum sunscreen daily and protective clothing/hat when outdoors.

Precautions and Considerations

1. Allergies and sensitivities: Allergies can be triggered by natural oils, such as nuts. Patch-test constantly

2. Ingredient Quality: Store in cold, dark locations; do not use expired or damaged oils.

3. Hygiene: Masks and combinations should be thrown out after a long time at room temperature since bacteria might thrive there.

4. Type of Skin: Adjust amounts - richer oils (shea butter) may be better for dry skin, while lighter oils (jojoba) may be better for oily skin.

5. Professional Advice: Instead of depending just on traditional remedies, get medical advice for persistent problems (such as eczema or acne).

Rediscover beauty secrets passed down through generations.

Final Note

These old skin care techniques show how people have traditionally taken care of their skin using whatever was available, such as herbs, oils, clays, and baths.

These customs provide the basis for many modern "natural" skincare fads, but we now incorporate them with improved hygienic practices, standardized formulas, and scientific research.

You can take inspiration from these traditional methods, modify them gradually, and constantly pay attention to how your skin reacts.

Read: Why You Should Consider Ice Cubes in Your Skincare Routine