The concept of ‘cosmetics’ entered Turkish from French (‘cosmétique’), meaning beauty preparations related to enhancing appearance. The origin of this concept is based on the Greek word ‘Cosmos,’ which means adornment, beautification, and putting in order.

Cosmetics are all products and substances applied to cleanse, beautify, enhance the attractiveness, or alter the appearance of the body or any part of it.

For thousands of years, people—both women and men—have created dyes, ointments, lotions, and perfumes to beautify themselves, make themselves appealing to others, appear younger, conceal wrinkles, scars, blemishes, or various marks on their faces, protect their skin from the sun, wind, and cold, remove unwanted body hair, prevent hair loss, or change its color. Because the desire to look beautiful, well-groomed, and attractive is an irresistible process born with the very existence of humanity. In parallel, the history of cosmetics is equally ancient.

Knowledge about the use of cosmetics and perfumes dates back to before 4000 BC, and cosmetic use, in parallel with human development, has continued to increase from ancient times to the present day.

Archaeological excavations in Ancient Egypt, where belongings were buried with the deceased, have revealed small bowls used for mixing face paints, ointment containers that still retained their beautiful scent thousands of years later, demonstrating the belief that souls could rest better surrounded by these pleasant fragrances. These findings showcase the importance and prevalence of cosmetics in Egyptian society.

It is also recorded in history that Queen Nefertiti of Egypt, who lived around 1400 BC, was a cosmetic expert of her time, and that Queen Cleopatra of Egypt owed her beauty to the cosmetics she made herself.

The knowledge of the Egyptians in the field of cosmetics spread to the Hebrews, Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, and Greeks.

In Ancient Greece, the idea that physical beauty was a sign of a flawless soul was adopted. The external appearance was considered valuable because it reflected the inner self and represented virtue and intelligence. Plato believed that what is beautiful is good, and what is good is beautiful, giving rise to the idea that our visible face mirrors our true, hidden self.

And let us not forget that Helen of Troy, considered the most beautiful woman of all time, for whom armies fought and a great kingdom fell, renowned throughout history as ‘the face that launched a thousand ships,’ owed her beauty and allure to a powerful scent given to her by a sorcerer. Helen became the symbol of feminine charm and proof of the power of beauty.

The Chinese, who played a significant role in the development of cosmetics, viewed cosmetics as a symbol of nobility. Chinese women painted their faces in different shades from gold to silver according to their noble rank. Those considered lower class were forbidden from using such paints.

A leap in cosmetic use occurred in 18th-century Europe, particularly in England and France, where both sexes sought a completely artificial appearance. By the 1880s, developments in technology, especially in publishing, and the discovery of advertising opened a new era in cosmetic history.

By the 20th century, in Europe and America, wearing makeup had become one of the indicators of keeping up with fashion.

As seen, although the concept of beauty has differed in every period of human history, the only unchanging fact is that, as in history, the place and importance of cosmetics and cosmetic products in our lives continue to grow and hold significance each passing day.

Throughout the historical process, women have been closely associated with the concept of beauty, and significant progress has been made in the field of cosmetics alongside advancing technology and the needs of the age. In recent years, the widespread increase in the use of personal care and cosmetic products among men has brought about exponential growth in the cosmetics sector. The global cosmetics market, reaching 250 billion dollars, has also become one of the sectors attracting attention with its growth in Turkey in recent years.