Queen Elizabeth I’s Poisonous Cosmetics
The Virgin Queen ruled England with steely resolve, yet behind the throne she battled severe smallpox scarring. To maintain her alabaster appearance, Elizabeth I slathered her face in “Venetian ceruse,” a thick foundation made of white lead and vinegar. The paste produced a ghostly glow that dazzled courtiers—and slowly poisoned her skin. Each new blemish demanded heavier layers, creating a vicious, toxic cycle that literally ate into her cheeks.
Over decades, the corrosive brew blackened her teeth, caused hair loss, and may have contributed to her death at 69. Still, Elizabeth refused to appear without her signature mask, sometimes spending half a day in makeup. Renaissance physicians warned of the dangers, but vanity and image politics trumped science. Her lethal beauty routine is a cautionary tale: in the age of selfies and filters, history shows we’ve been risking health for flawless skin far longer than Instagram has existed.
