Cleopatra’s Beauty Secrets: Ancient Egyptian Skincare Rituals

Some of the most iconic beauty inspirations we admire today trace back thousands of years to Ancient Egypt. Beyond the pyramids and the Sphinx, the Egyptians also left us timeless beauty rituals. And at the center of it all was Cleopatra, the queen whose legendary beauty inspired poetry, admiration, and even wars.

Cleopatra’s Skincare Rituals

Cleopatra was known for her flawless, luminous skin. History tells us she bathed often in a luxurious mixture of milk, honey, olive oil, and rose petals. Each of these ingredients has benefits that still hold true today:

Milk – contains lactic acid, a natural exfoliant that softens skin.
Honey – a humectant with antibacterial and soothing properties.
Olive oil – deeply nourishing and antioxidant-rich.
Rose petals – calming and aromatic, enhancing both skin and spirit.

It’s no wonder these ingredients remain staples in natural skincare and spa treatments.

The Unusual Rituals

Not all of Cleopatra’s beauty secrets were ones we’d want to copy today. She reportedly applied a paste made of donkey’s milk and crocodile dung as a facial mask. Historians say this mask gave her a youthful glow, though modern skincare has, thankfully, found better (and safer!) options.

Makeup and Color

Cleopatra’s striking red lips and rosy cheeks came from red ochre, a naturally occurring pigment that was ground finely and mixed with water, then applied with a brush.

And of course, her iconic “cat eye” look was created with kohl eyeliner, made from galena (a lead-based mineral). To reduce its toxicity, Egyptians would carefully process and filter the kohl for weeks before applying it. This dramatic look became one of the most enduring symbols of Egyptian beauty.

Why It Still Matters

What’s fascinating is how much of modern beauty still echoes these ancient practices. Natural oils, clays, plant extracts, and even honey are key ingredients in today’s clean skincare. Cleopatra may not have known the science behind antioxidants or humectants, but her rituals remind us that nature has always held the secrets to radiant skin.