Queen Elizabeth I used to paint her face with ceruse, which is a mixture of white lead and vinegar. Despite just how beautifying these two ingredients sound, you’ll be shocked to know they were actually extremely corrosive and ageing. One of her contemporaries commented on women who used ceruse: “Those women who use it about their faces, do quickly become withered and grey headed, because this doth so mightily drie up the naturall moisture of their flesh.” Sounds like a great idea!