Timeless wisdom from civilizations that understood glow long before Instagram.
Long before skincare became commercialized, women (and men!) around the world relied on plant oils as daily and ceremonial beauty tools. Oils weren’t just skincare — they were symbols of purification, self-respect, healing, and ritual.
Let’s take a walk through some of the oldest beauty traditions on earth.
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Egypt: The Birthplace of Luxury Oils
Egyptians used oils like moringa, castor, and sesame to protect the skin from desert heat. Cleopatra was famously devoted to her facial oils, which were considered both skincare and sacred offerings.
India: Ayurveda and the Art of Abhyanga
Ayurvedic traditions used herbal-infused oils for face, hair, and body. Oils carried the energetic properties of plants, supporting the skin, the mind, and the nervous system.
Herbs like neem, ashwagandha, and sacred frankincense were infused into oils for healing and balance.
Greece + Rome: Oils as Daily Grooming Essentials
Olive and almond oils were used for cleansing, conditioning, and protecting the skin. They believed glowing skin reflected inner vitality — a philosophy still relevant today.
China + Japan: Camellia Oil for Ageless Beauty
Camellia seed oil became famous for its ability to soften the skin and maintain a smooth, luminous texture. It was used by geishas and empresses for centuries.
The Ritual Lives On
Modern skincare has circled back to what ancient cultures always knew: nature’s oils support the skin in a way that synthetic formulas often can’t. They nourish, ground, soften, and connect us to something deeper.
Using face oil becomes less of a “step” and more of a moment — a small ritual that says: I’m here, I’m taking care of myself, and my skin deserves this.
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