New Series Launch: Ancient Egyptian Skincare & Cosmetics – More Than Beauty
By Dr. Anela Abdel-Rahman
(Dame Talia bint al-Athir, OP – SCA Known World)
What did it mean to be clean, fragrant, and radiant in ancient Egypt?
For the ancients, skincare and cosmetics were never just about appearance. They were about health, purity, ritual, power—and the divine. Every application of red ochre, every swipe of kohl, and every anointing with oil carried layers of meaning that reached far beyond the surface of the skin.
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of a new three-part blog series exploring this topic in depth, building from the material I teach in my hands-on workshops and experimental archaeology classes. Whether you’ve attended my Fragrances of Ancient Egypt class or are just discovering this work, this series offers a chance to dive deeper into the cultural and ritual life of ancient skincare and adornment.
What You’ll Find in the Series:
1. Skin of the Divine:
Moisturizers, Oils, and Ritual Emollients
Explore the oils, fats, and resins used to soften, protect, and anoint the body—complete with ancient recipes, archaeological context, and modern reconstructions.
2. Scouring the Soul:
Exfoliation and Ritual Purification
Discover how cleansing with natron, clay, barley, and other natural materials wasn’t just physical—it was spiritual preparation for festival, temple, or eternity.
3. Painted Presence:
Cosmetics, Pigment, and Identity in Ancient Egypt
Uncover the symbolism and sensory power of makeup—red ochre, green malachite, black kohl—and how cosmetics shaped personal identity and divine embodiment.
More Than Skin Deep
This series isn’t just a catalog of ancient products. It’s a study in cultural meaning and material ritual. Each article explores the beliefs, labor, and symbolism behind Egyptian body care—blending primary sources, experimental archaeology, and sensory reconstruction.
Whether you’re a reenactor, researcher, or simply curious about historical beauty practices, I invite you to explore what it meant to tend the body in ancient Egypt—not just for the living, but for the gods and the dead.
Check out the first post now:
Skin of the Divine: Moisturizers, Oils, and Ritual Emollients in Ancient Egypt