--- title: "29 Interesting Facts About Cosmetics" url: https://www.kickassfacts.com/29-interesting-cosmetic-facts/ date: 2017-05-06 modified: 2017-05-06 lang: en author: "jazz" description: "Here are 29 Interesting Cosmetic facts. 1-5 Cosmetic Facts 1. The Romans believed eyelashes fell out from excessive sex, so women would use cosmetics to make their eyelashes look fuller..." categories: - "Fact List" - "Miscellaneous" image: https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/cosmetics-article.jpg word_count: 727 --- # 29 Interesting Facts About Cosmetics Here are 29 Interesting Cosmetic facts. ## 1-5 Cosmetic Facts [![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/eye-makeup-container.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/eye-makeup-container.jpg)Image credit: en.wikipedia.org 1. The Romans believed eyelashes fell out from excessive [sex](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-kickass-and-interesting-facts-about-sex/), so women would use cosmetics to make their eyelashes look fuller and longer to demonstrate their chastity. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmetics_in_Ancient_Rome#Eye_makeup) 2. In 1770, the British Parliament passed a law condemning lipstick, stating that "women found guilty of seducing men into matrimony by a cosmetic means could be tried for witchcraft." - [Source](http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/stuff/7728scit2.html) 3. In 2008, Minnesota became the first state in the United States to ban intentionally added mercury in cosmetics, giving it a tougher standard than the federal government. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercury_%28element%29#Niche_uses) 4. China has mandatory animal testing for all international cosmetic brands. - [Source](http://www.hsi.org/news/press_releases/2014/06/china-implements-rule-change-063014.html?referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ca%2F) 5. Microbeads, widely used in cosmetics as exfoliating agents, are made of [plastic](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-kickass-interesting-facts-plastic/) and can stay in the environment for up to 50 years after they pass through [water](https://www.kickassfacts.com/30-kickass-interesting-facts-water/) treatment plants. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbead) ## 6-10 Cosmetic Facts [![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/loreal_logo.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/loreal_logo.jpg) 6. The cosmetics company L'Oreal grows approximately five square meters of human skin per year (derma farming) to be used for pharmaceutical and cosmetic testing. - [Source](http://www.northjersey.com/news/business/l-oreal-s-plan-to-start-3d-printing-human-skin-1.1337020) 7. There is an expiration date system on cosmetics. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Period-after-opening_symbol) 8. A sperm whale’s head contains the finest quality oil, called spermaceti. Some 2,000 liters of it lay in a huge sac called the spermaceti organ. Spermaceti oil would not go rancid in storage and remained sweetly scented. It was used for cosmetics. - [Source](https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/why-sperm-whale-has-huge-head) 9. When the camera film business dried up, Fuji Film found a new life because they used their knowledge of pigments to create better cosmetics. - [Source](http://www.nippon.com/en/features/c00511/) 10. Europe has banned over half the cosmetics Americans use daily due to health risks. - [Source](http://personalcaretruth.com/2011/03/the-eu-has-banned-over-1000-chemicals-the-fda-has-only-banned-9/) ## 11-15 Cosmetic Facts [![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Blush-Rouge.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Blush-Rouge.jpg)Image credit: en.wikipedia.org 11. In Britain's Victorian Age, when wearing makeup was associated with low morals, ladies resorted to pinching their cheeks (and biting their lips) to make them appear red instead. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rouge_(cosmetics)) 12. China harvests collagen from the skin of executed prisoners and sells it as cosmetics to the West. - [Source](http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2005/09/14/2003271560/1) 13. Benefit Cosmetics' cheek/lip stain, Benetint, was originally made to stain nipples. - [Source](http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/how-to/a9186/benefit-lip-cheek-stain-040711/) 14. Deadly Nightshade of the species name belladonna (beautiful woman in Italian) was named because women would use its poison to dilate the eyes for cosmetic effect. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropine) 15. India banned cosmetic animal testing and import of all cosmetic products which have been tested on animals. - [Source](http://www.occupy.com/article/india-bans-all-animal-tested-cosmetics-citing-ghandian-nonviolence-principles?qt-article_tabs=2#sthash.PZdvkLv1.XfeH7ZWZ.dpbs) ## 16-20 Cosmetic Facts [![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/mens-cosmetics.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/mens-cosmetics.jpg) 16. South Korean men use 21% of the world's men's cosmetics and makeup. - [Source](http://www.ibtimes.com/korean-men-makeup-fad-south-korea-largest-market-mens-skincare-world-790100) 17. Red dye No. 3 can be used in colored food and ingested drugs in the [USA](https://www.kickassfacts.com/25-interesting-facts-about-usa/) without any restriction but is banned for use in cosmetics and external drugs. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrosine) 18. The oldest mine is over 40,000 years old. It was used to mine for a mineral used in cosmetics. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ngwenya_Mine) 19. The EU Cosmetics Directive was revised to ban 1,328 chemicals from cosmetics; the U.S. FDA has banned or restricted only 11. - [Source](http://www.safecosmetics.org/) 20. Kohl, the eyeliner of ancient Egyptians, protected their eyes from sun glare and even helped prevent eye infections. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_cosmetics_in_ancient_Egypt#Medical_uses_of_ancient_Egyptian_cosmetics) ## 21-25 Cosmetic Facts [![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/slime-trail.jpg)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/slime-trail.jpg)Image credit: en.wikipedia.org 21. Snail Slime is used in cosmetics by the number of Companies. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snail_slime#Use_in_cosmetics) 22. Deodorants are considered "cosmetics" by the FDA. But, antiperspirants are classified as "drugs" by the FDA. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deodorant) 23. Cosmetic usage has been found to be significantly negatively correlated with self-esteem, emotional stability, social confidence, and physical attractiveness. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmetics#Psychology_of_cosmetics_use) 24. In the 6th century, women would often bleed themselves to achieve a pale complexion. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_(cosmetics)) 25. There is an organization (EWG) that provides analysis of ingredients in cosmetics, listing brands/products that are carcinogenic/harmful and provides a list of alternatives. - [Source](http://www.ewg.org/consumer-guides) ## 26-29 Cosmetic Facts [![](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Mac-cosmetics.png)](https://www.kickassfacts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Mac-cosmetics.png)Image credit: en.wikipedia.org 26. MAC Cosmetics has released a Simpsons line; it's expensive and sold out everywhere. - [Source](http://www.maccosmetics.com/?LOCALE=en_CAwhats_new%252F13311%252FNew-Collections%252FThe-Simpsons%252Findex.tmpl) 27. Some people use sheep placenta as a hair product. - [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alternative_uses_for_placenta#Use_in_Cosmetics) 28. Propylene Glycol, an antifreeze, is present in cosmetics. It is linked to allergy, skin irritation and kidney/liver damage. It also paves the way for other chemicals to get into your bloodstream. - [Source](https://www.damemagazine.com/2012/11/19/antifreeze-in-cosmetics) 29. There are cosmetics that are directed towards a male audience. - [Source](http://www.mensmake-up.co.uk/)