What cosmetic practice was common in Ancient Greece?

Using oil for bathing and sun protection was a prevalent cosmetic practice in Ancient Greece because it served multiple beneficial purposes. Olive oil, in particular, was highly valued by the Greeks not only for its cleansing properties but also for its ability to moisturize the skin and provide a protective barrier against the sun. Additionally, using oil during bath rituals was seen as a luxurious practice, intertwined with their cultural values surrounding health, beauty, and physical fitness, especially in a society that emphasized athletic prowess and outdoor activities.

While adorning with vibrant colors, creating perfumes, and manufacturing cosmetics from herbs were also part of their beauty regimen, the use of oil for bathing and protection distinctly exemplified the Greeks’ approach to personal care that integrated hygiene, social status, and the climate they lived in. These practices laid the foundation for beauty routines that persist in some forms to this day.