I Tried Some Of The Oldest Beauty Products On The Market—Here’s How They Hold Up

If you enjoy following what’s popular in the beauty industry, you’ve likely noticed how some products emerge in the wake of a social media created trend. From glass skin to lip oils, products are created after buzz is generated online, only to be discontinued when they inevitably go out of style. This often leads to consumers overspending on trendy products during the hype, only for them to be out of vogue and off the market before they even get a chance to empty the bottle.

While the free market has always encouraged businesses to create new products, social media has encouraged brands to create products simply to follow a trend and make a quick buck. This led me to wonder which products from the 1700s, 1800s, and 1900s have truly stood the test of time up to the social media age. To narrow down my product testing, I thought of the type of products my grandmother swore by and felt it was my journalistic duty to personally investigate them.

After trying some of the oldest beauty products on the market, I’ve found several that I’d like to add to my routine and carry on a centuries-old beauty tradition. Let's take a look.

Evie's product selections are curated by the editorial team. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission, at no cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely love.

Pond’s Cold Cream

Pond’s was invented in the mid-19th century by a pharmacist who wanted to create beauty and wellness products with high-quality ingredients. In 1914, Pond’s Cold Cream was released, the first formulated moisturizer on the market that didn’t require refrigeration, which also doubled as a cleanser and makeup remover.

From Neutrogena wipes to micellar water, I’ve used plenty of makeup removers, and Pond’s Cold Cream ($9) is my favorite by far. My skin is naturally dry, so this is the perfect product to remove my makeup when it’s cold outside. It not only does an excellent job of removing my makeup but also leaves my skin feeling moisturized afterward, which is a welcome change after trying so many makeup removers that dry out my skin. I love nothing more than my skin feeling both clean and moisturized, and this product gives me the best of both worlds. 

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick

As a victim of the liquid lipstick era (and the nightmare that was removing it from my lips without tearing off several layers of skin) of the mid to late 2010s, I find tube lipsticks both glamorous and comforting. And I love that they never seem to go out of style! Revlon’s Super Lustrous Lipstick ($11) is one of the oldest lipsticks still on the market, with shades like Cherries In The Snow (which you might recognize from The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) and Fire and Ice, both from the 1950s. While I have to reapply the lipstick after eating because it’s not a matte lipstick, it’s still moisturizing and stays on the lips for a significant amount of time. Many of the shades are also timeless. Final verdict: I’ll definitely be trying more after loving Cherries In The Snow.

Airspun Loose Powder

I’ve used plenty of loose powders in my life, and Airspun Loose Powder ($7) is decidedly now one of my all-time favorites. The powder puff that comes with it makes me feel like a glamorous Old Hollywood movie star, which makes sense because it dates back to 1935. I used this to set my makeup on a particularly humid day and was pleasantly surprised at how well it lasted. I even kept it in my purse for touch-ups, but never needed it. This could be because my skin is on the drier side, but the fact that this stayed put through humidity made me want to use it even more.

Smith’s Rosebud Salve

Launched in 1895 as a rose-scented skin salve, this might be one of the most popular products on this list. I’ve used the tube version of this product as a lip balm for years but recently bought the tin (which was how the product was originally packaged) to see if it could hydrate the dry patches on my skin. While Smith’s Rosebud Salve ($7) did help hydrate my skin and left behind a pretty scent, I’ve definitely used better, more moisturizing products. I prefer using Vaseline or other thick products for my dry skin, but I will definitely keep using this as a lip balm.

Pears Soap

Created by Sir Andrew Pears in 1807, this English soap brand was the first to launch a transparent soap bar. I like using Pears Soap ($20) after working out or when my skin is particularly dirty or oily. The glycerin-based lather allows the soap to wipe away dirt gently while leaving behind a fresh scent, and I don’t have to scrub hard to get the results that I want. The only downside is that it’s not the most hydrating soap in the world, so dry skin girlies might want to lather on some extra lotion after using this soap. Even with its flaws, it still pales in comparison to some of the modern soaps I've tested.

Thayers Witch Hazel Toner

I don't use toners on a daily basis because they tend to dry out my already dry skin, but Thayers Witch Hazel Toner ($11) is the one I usually turn to when I do need a toner. Released in 1847, Thayer’s started out as a pharmaceutical company, but its witch hazel toner has always been one of its top products. It started off as a scentless product, but customers can now buy the toner in various scents like rose or lemon.

While it's gentle enough for dry skin, I know plenty of women with oily or combination skin who adore this product because it helps clear up their skin. With so many trendy and expensive toners on the market, it’s nice to know that this one is reliable (and inexpensive) for women with different skin types.

Yardley Lavender Soap

Yardley London was created in 1770 as a soap and perfumery house and is still famous today for its signature lavender soap ($3). Used by royals and fashion icons like Twiggy, this is one of the most prestigious (yet accessible) products on this list.

I love a nice creamy soap for the winter months, and this one does the trick. The scent isn't subtle, but it's not overwhelming either, leaving a sweet scent on the skin for hours after you wash and dry off. The bar lathers nicely into a soap that's as moisturizing as it is effective, so it’s no wonder it's been popular since the 18th century.

Bourjois Blush 

With cream blushes dominating the market, I was excited to try a powder blush that dates back to the 1860s. I got the shade Rose Amber, which looked beautiful on my pale skin. It lasted on my skin for several hours, but not the entire day. Bourjois Blush ($12) is a good blush if you only want to wear it for a few hours, but if you want to use a high-quality powder blush, I’d recommend the Milani Rose Powder Blush ($11) instead.

From vintage soaps to old-school lip balms, these products have stood the test of time because they’re high-quality, affordable, and classic. In a culture that’s constantly encouraging us to overspend on the latest trends, sticking to tried and true products is often the smartest thing for both your wallet and the quality of your beauty products.