Makeup and cosmetics have been used by both men and women for thousands of years. Some sort of body decoration using primitive cosmetics has been used since the Stone Age. At first cosmetic decoration may have been used in rituals or to protect skin from the ravages of the elements. In ancient Egypt women and men used kohl to line their eyes and ground up minerals and insects and mixed them with wax, lead and copper to produce vibrant colors for cosmetics. They also used berries to stain their lips and henna to color their hair. Women in the ancient Rome copied the Egyptians and used many natural ingredients for cosmetics. During this time women wore a mixture of chalk and lead to lighten their complexions since tanned skin was a sign of the lower classes.

This tradition of using lead in cosmetics was carried on through the Middle Ages. During the Italian Renaissance a woman named Signora Toffana developed a deadly combination of arsenic and lead. She called it Aqua Toffana and instructed her wealthy clients to wear it when they were around their husbands to look beautiful. Subsequently many men and women both became ill and many died. Segnora Toffana was finally executed after more than 600 men and women died from the use of her product. This caused the use of cosmetics to decline for a short period, but by Elizabethan England women were using egg whites as a safe alternative to cosmetics to give their faces a shiny appearance.

Makeup and Cosmetics Today
Today we know that lead and other ingredients used in the make up of the old days posed serious health risks and the manufacture of makeup and cosmetics in the United States and other countries is highly regulated. Scientists research ingredients and processes to ensure consumers safety. Most makeup and cosmetics have ingredients added to them that benefit the skin and help to protect it from the sun.

Mineral makeup is touted as being healthy for your skin because it is made of only natural minerals that are ground into a powder. This is true if your mineral makeup has not additives. Talc is sometimes added to prevent the makeup from clumping and other additives may be added to improve texture and shelf life. Pure mineral makeup has no organic material that lets bacteria grow so if your mineral makeup is truly 100 percent mineral it will not harm your skin and actually sits on top of your skin and does not cause clogged pores and breakouts.

Many liquid, pan and powder foundations contain anti-aging ingredients such as sunscreen, antioxidants, peptides and retinol. These ingredients help reduce the look of fine lines and can actually help to nourish your skin as you wear the makeup during the day. These ingredients are also found in eye makeup, blush and lipsticks. Almost all cosmetics available today have some form of moisturizer to help your skin look its best. If you have oily skin there are complete lines of cosmetics that help to reduce oil production and keep your pores from getting clogged.

How to Have Healthy Makeup and Cosmetics
One of the keys to keeping your makeup beneficial is to keep it for only a few months. Experts recommend replacing your makeup every six months and discarding the unused portions. The reason for this is that after about six months makeup can start to harbor bacteria and cause breakouts. Clean your brushes regularly with brush cleaner or gentle shampoo to keep bacteria and contaminants down. Never share your lipstick or mascara with anyone to keep it from being contaminated.

Makeup and cosmetics have come a long way since our ancestors used lead, copper and other toxic materials to achieve the standard of beauty of the day. Today makeup and cosmetics can actually be beneficial to your skin if used properly and washed off each night before you go to bed. Change out your makeup periodically and never share. This will keep you looking good and keep your skin healthy.