What were women using as face masks 100 years ago? Well, the answer is more complicated than you might think. The concept of a face mask wasn’t popular yet in the 1910s, so the first “mask” was a thick layer of cold cream with a dusting of powder on top to act as a sunscreen for the face to prevent freckles. Facial massages were also recommended to help prevent wrinkles.

Later masks focused on the healing properties of clay, egg whites, or other ingredients that we more commonly associate with a strong beauty routine these days. However, beef fat and meat were two mask examples which we probably wouldn’t use today, but which were advised often back in the early 20th century. It’s really interesting to see the evolution of skincare and how much women’s beauty regimens have changed over the years. Have a look at 100 years of face masks in the fun video below.

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