1. Radium Face Cream
In the early 1900s, radium wasn’t just the stuff of science labs, it was showing up in beauty products too. Some companies sold face creams infused with radium, claiming it could rejuvenate skin, erase wrinkles, and give women a radiant glow—literally. The idea was that the “energy” of radium would keep the skin youthful, which sounded futuristic at the time. What no one realized was that the radioactive element was slowly poisoning the people who used it.
Instead of glowing skin, users risked anemia, bone damage, and even cancer. The dangers became tragically clear after the well-documented cases of the “Radium Girls,” factory workers who handled luminous radium paint and suffered horrific health problems. Once the connection was undeniable, these products were pulled from shelves. But for years, women proudly applied what turned out to be one of the most dangerous face creams in history.
2. Belladonna Eye Drops
Long before mascara and eyeliner became everyday staples, some women in Renaissance Europe used belladonna drops to enlarge their pupils. “Belladonna” literally means “beautiful woman,” and dilated pupils were considered alluring and seductive. A few drops in each eye gave that dreamy, wide-eyed look painters adored.
Unfortunately, belladonna is also highly toxic. Regular use could blur vision, cause headaches, and even lead to blindness. Some women went permanently blind in their pursuit of beauty. Despite these risks, belladonna drops remained popular for centuries, proving just how far people were willing to go to chase a fleeting fashion trend.
3. Lead-Based Face Powder
For centuries, women wanted pale, porcelain skin as a symbol of wealth and status. The easiest way to get it was through lead-based face powders. Aristocrats and noblewomen caked it on, achieving the ghostly look that was so highly prized.
But lead is poisonous, and applying it to the skin every day caused all sorts of health issues. Users suffered hair loss, skin sores, and even organ failure. Some historians believe that women literally painted themselves into early graves with this beauty “must-have.” Still, the trend lasted for hundreds of years, showing just how powerful beauty standards can be.
4. Mercury Skin Lighteners
Mercury was once considered a miracle ingredient for skin brightening. Creams and lotions promised to fade freckles, blemishes, and scars. Women desperate for flawless complexions would rub mercury-laden concoctions into their faces, unaware that the substance was seeping into their bodies.
The side effects were devastating. Mercury exposure damaged the nervous system, caused tremors, and led to kidney failure. Some users developed permanent neurological problems. The beauty industry kept selling these creams well into the 20th century before the dangers were widely acknowledged.
5. Corset Waists and Tight-Lacing
Although not a bottled product, corsets were marketed as beauty essentials in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Women were told they needed tightly cinched waists to achieve the coveted hourglass figure. Advertisements showed women lacing themselves down several inches smaller, sometimes to the point of fainting.
The health risks were serious. Constant pressure on the ribs and internal organs led to trouble breathing, digestive issues, and even deformed rib cages. Some women collapsed at social events from lack of oxygen, all in the name of beauty. The “must-have” garment was a dangerous trap disguised as fashion.
6. Arsenic Wafers
In the 19th century, companies sold arsenic wafers that promised a clear, pale complexion. Women were told that eating these little tablets would purify their blood and make their skin glow. It was considered a sophisticated secret of beauty-conscious women.
Of course, arsenic is deadly. Even in small doses, it could cause vomiting, hair loss, and organ damage. Long-term use often led to death. Yet people continued to buy them, trusting in the promise of perfect skin over the very real risks of poisoning.
7. Carbolic Acid Peels
Chemical peels are still around today, but early versions used carbolic acid—also known as phenol. Doctors and beauty specialists claimed that applying this harsh acid would peel away wrinkles, blemishes, and imperfections, leaving behind youthful, fresh skin.
The procedure was incredibly painful and dangerous. Carbolic acid is corrosive and toxic, capable of causing scarring, heart damage, and liver problems. Women endured the burning sensation, believing it was proof the product was working. Modern dermatology has replaced these caustic treatments with safer options, but at the time, it was sold as cutting-edge beauty.
8. Soap with Borax
At the turn of the 20th century, borax soaps were marketed as gentle cleansers for women’s delicate skin. Ads boasted that borax would soften skin, prevent blemishes, and leave the face fresh and youthful. Housewives bought them in droves, convinced they were the best way to maintain their beauty.
In reality, borax is a harsh chemical. Frequent use dried out the skin, caused irritation, and sometimes led to rashes and peeling. While it wasn’t as deadly as arsenic or mercury, it still did more harm than good. But clever marketing made it sound like the must-have skincare staple of its time.
9. Synthetic Hair Dyes with PPD
When women started dyeing their hair at home in the early 20th century, many of the formulas contained para-phenylenediamine (PPD). The dye promised rich, dramatic colors that would transform one’s look instantly. Advertisers sold it as the modern woman’s secret weapon.
But PPD is a powerful allergen and can cause severe skin reactions. Women sometimes developed blisters, swelling, and even life-threatening allergic responses. Some early formulas were so concentrated that they burned the scalp. Despite the dangers, hair dye became a booming industry, and safer formulations eventually replaced the early toxic ones.
10. Eyelash and Brow Dyes
Long before mascara tubes, women tinted their lashes and brows with chemical dyes. Products like Lash Lure promised dramatic, dark lashes without the hassle of makeup. Salons and mail-order companies advertised it as the ultimate glamour product.
Unfortunately, these dyes contained toxic ingredients like aniline. Women suffered infections, scarring, and blindness from using them. In fact, one high-profile case of blindness from Lash Lure helped push the U.S. government to regulate cosmetics more closely. It’s a sobering reminder that some “must-haves” came with serious consequences.
11. Tho-Radia Cosmetics
In 1930s France, Tho-Radia cosmetics were the height of sophistication. They were infused with radium and thorium, and advertisements promised that these radioactive ingredients would rejuvenate skin and prevent aging. Women eagerly applied powders, creams, and even toothpaste from the line.
At first, the products did make skin look temporarily brighter. But radioactive exposure caused burns, cell damage, and long-term health problems. Customers had no idea they were slowly irradiating themselves. The line eventually disappeared once the risks became undeniable, but not before thousands had used it.
12. Tapeworm Diet Pills
Weight loss fads have always been risky, but nothing quite compares to the tapeworm pill craze. In the early 20th century, some products promised that ingesting a pill containing tapeworm eggs would help women lose weight effortlessly. The parasite would supposedly “eat” the extra calories for them.
The reality was horrifying. Tapeworm infestations caused malnutrition, abdominal pain, and sometimes death. Removing the parasites was extremely difficult once they were established. Yet these pills were sold as a beauty must-have, showing just how dangerous desperation for thinness could become.