On Frankincense-scented Soaps, Peelings and Cleansers or on Cosmetics and Commotics in Antiquity and Early Byzantium

Cosmetology (τέχνη κοσμητική), i.e. a resource of means aimed at maintaining natural beauty human, was not frowned upon by the pagans nor Christians. What they disapproved commotic (κομμωτικὴ τέχνη), defined (by Galen, Clement Alexandria, Gregory Nyssa and Theodoret Cyrus ) as an art changing outward appearance to detriment nature one’s health. The present study has been designed discuss select information, extant in Book VIII Iatricorum libri Aëtius Amida, on what preparations were disposal people Mediterranean who cared for their physical cleanliness (as well health), regardless religious proclivities. It is focused number prescriptions face body cleansers, though analysed inventory limited ones including frankincense. research material turned out be ample enough draw conclusions ingredients used such agents, effectiveness, form preparations, application mode addressees recipes. also suggested that formulas compiled from medical knowledge akin collected Titus Statilius Crito his work On cosmetics.