Correct Answer: B — Queen Elizabeth I’s makeup reaction
Centuries before the 10-step routines, celebrity skincare lines, and double cleansing, there was one woman whose beauty routine was… iconic—for all the wrong reasons.
We’re talking about Queen Elizabeth I, known for her stark white complexion created with Venetian ceruse—a lead-based cosmetic that gave her the ghostly glow we now associate with the Elizabethan era.
But beneath the powdered perfection was something much deeper: chronic skin inflammation.
💀 What Was Venetian Ceruse—and Why Did It Matter?
Venetian ceruse was made by mixing white lead with vinegar and water. It created an opaque, porcelain-like finish that covered blemishes, scars, and even smallpox marks.
But here’s the catch: lead is toxic.
Repeated use of lead-based makeup caused the skin to become more fragile, dull, reactive, and chronically inflamed. Over time, users needed more of the product just to achieve the same effect—creating a damaging loop of cover-up and breakdown.
Sound familiar?
🔥 From Royal Courts to Modern Routines: Inflammation Is Still Misunderstood
Today, we may not be brushing lead on our faces—but the cycle of irritation and inflammation still exists in modern skin routines:
- You notice redness, flaking, or dullness
- You switch products or try to “treat” it
- Your skin flares up more
- You assume the product is to blame
- You try something else
- Repeat.
But often, the real issue isn’t irritation. It’s inflammation—and it behaves very differently.
🧪 Irritation vs. Inflammation: What’s the Difference?
| Irritation | Inflammation |
|---|---|
| Sudden onset—happens quickly after using a product | Builds slowly over time, sometimes without a clear trigger |
| Usually stings, tingles, or burns on contact | Feels tight, hot, or “angry” without product use |
| Resolves quickly once the trigger is removed | Lingers and often comes back, even with gentle products |
| Surface-level reaction | Often tied to internal stressors—like hormones, allergies, or autoimmune conditions |
🌼 What Your Skin Might Be Trying to Tell You
If your go-to products suddenly feel too strong…
If your skin flushes after your normal cleanser…
If everything “safe” still makes your face feel off…
You may not be dealing with sensitivity.
You may be dealing with a compromised barrier and inflammation that needs a different kind of support.
💡 What Can You Do?
Just like Queen Elizabeth, we often try to cover or fix what we don’t fully understand.
But instead of layering on more products, the better solution is to pause, listen to your skin, and give it what it actually needs:
- Simplicity
- Barrier repair
- Calm, low-stimulation treatments
- Expert guidance that looks beyond the surface
That’s what we focus on inside Catherine’s Skin Transformation Design sessions.
Because great skin isn’t just about products—it’s about partnership, strategy, and knowing what your skin is really reacting to.
📍 Ready to Find Out What Your Skin’s Really Saying?
If your skin’s been unpredictable lately, book my professional skin evaluation with me at HAUS Salon | North Loop and get a personalized plan built around your skin—not trends or guesswork.