Would you want to use a skin lotion that was over 2000 years old? Well, according to this story, scientists at the University of Bristol did just that, sort of. They were on an archeological dig back in 2004 when they found a small pot that contained a whitish cream. After a little lab analysis it was discovered to be some kind of cosmetic made up of animal fat, starch and tin oxide. Based on the chemical composition, they mixed up their own version and tried it out.
According to one researcher,
“This cream had a pleasant texture when rubbed into the skin,” the researchers wrote in Thursday’s issue of the journal Nature.
“Although it felt greasy initially, owing to the fat melting as a result of body heat, this was quickly overtaken by the smooth powdery texture created by the starch; remarkably, starch is still used for this purpose in modern cosmetics.”
I don’t know about you but I find it heartwarming to have this connection with the ancients. And it’s also nice to know that that bottle of cucumber melon lotion tucked away in the dark recesses of your bathroom cabinet that you received as a gift from Bath & Body Works may just inspire archeologists 2000 years from now.
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