: In 18th-century Europe, socialites were dying in their quest to get whiter skin #IndiaNEWS Eighteenth-century socialites have been depicted as vain, silly women who were poisoned by their white lead

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In 18th-century Europe, socialites were dying in their quest to get whiter skin #IndiaNEWS
Eighteenth-century socialites have been depicted as vain, silly women who were poisoned by their white lead makeup. The Countess of Coventry, Maria Gunning – a society hostess renowned for her beauty – is said to have refused to stop wearing foundation containing white lead, even as she lay dying. Why would women of that era knowingly choose to wear makeup that was killing them? Was beauty worth dying for? Or was the makeup not to blame?I am a scientist who has been studying lead poisoning for 30 years, with a particular interest in women’s exposure to lead. My research shows that women metabolise lead differently from men, women exposed to lead as children have elevated blood lead levels 20 years later, and women exposed to lead are at risk of hypertension and early menopause.The stories about white lead makeup poisoning did not make sense to me, so two years ago, I decided to start studying these cosmetics.Historical techniquesMy research group makes white lead makeup from recipes dating from the 16th to 19th centuries. If you look around the makeup counters of a department store, you will see words such as “illuminate�, “radiance�, “glow� and “luminous�. You will also see products that promise to...Read more

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