Cleopatra, Honey & Retinol: The Inspiration Behind Egyptian Gold Skincare

Why We Call It Egyptian Gold: The Story Behind Our Retinol Serum

 

 

 

 

Every product name should mean something.

Not just sound beautiful on a bottle but tell a story.

Our Egyptian Gold Retinol Serum is named after one of the oldest beauty traditions in the world, inspired by ancient rituals, royal skincare secrets, and one ingredient that changed modern skincare forever: retinol.

This is the story behind the name.

Ancient Beauty Was Serious Business

Long before skincare became a modern industry, it was already a ritual, a science and a status symbol.

 

 

In Ancient Egypt, beauty was deeply connected to health, spirituality and power. Skincare wasn’t vanity — it was self-care, protection and prestige.

Egyptian beauty rituals focused on:

• Hydration in harsh desert climates
• Protection from intense sun exposure
• Maintaining youthful, smooth skin
• Natural, nourishing ingredients

And no historical beauty icon represents this better than Cleopatra.

Cleopatra: The Original Skincare Influencer

 

 

 

Cleopatra is one of history’s most famous beauty figures, and for good reason. Ancient records describe her as deeply invested in skincare rituals and luxurious beauty treatments.

 

Two ingredients appear again and again in stories of her beauty routines:

Milk

Honey

These weren’t random indulgences. They were early skincare science.

Cleopatra was said to bathe in milk and apply honey masks regularly. While this might sound indulgent, these ingredients were quietly packed with skin-loving compounds that modern skincare now understands far better.

In a way, Cleopatra was using early forms of active skincare centuries before the term even existed.

Milk: A Natural Source of Vitamin A

 

 

 

 

Milk contains retinoids in precursor form, along with lactic acid.

Lactic acid gently exfoliates the skin, helping remove dead cells and reveal brighter, smoother skin underneath.

But even more interesting?

Milk contains vitamin A compounds, which the body converts into retinol.

Ancient Egyptians didn’t know the chemistry behind it — but they saw the results.

• Softer skin
• Smoother texture
• A radiant glow

They simply knew it.

And this is where the idea of “Egyptian Gold” begins to take shape.

Milk for renewal.

Gold for luxury.

Ancient skincare was already building the foundations of modern beauty.

 

But the real scientific breakthrough wouldn’t happen until thousands of years later.

The Discovery of Retinol

Retinol wasn’t officially discovered until the early 20th century.

In 1913, scientists identified Vitamin A as an essential nutrient linked to growth and skin health. At the time, researchers were studying nutrition and noticed something fascinating:

Animals deprived of Vitamin A developed:

• Dry, rough skin
• Poor wound healing
• Vision problems

When Vitamin A was reintroduced, the skin dramatically improved.

This discovery sparked decades of research.

From Nutrition to Skincare

By the 1930s–1950s, scientists began isolating different forms of Vitamin A. One of these forms would become the ingredient we now know and love:

Retinol.

But the biggest breakthrough came in the 1960s–1980s, when dermatologists began using Vitamin A derivatives to treat acne.

They quickly noticed something unexpected.

Patients using Vitamin A treatments experienced:

• Smoother skin
• Fewer fine lines
• Brighter complexions
• Improved texture

Retinol wasn’t just an acne treatment, It was a skin-renewal powerhouse.

Why Retinol Became the Gold Standard

 

Today, retinol is considered the gold standard of skincare because it works at a cellular level.

It helps:

• Increase cell turnover
• Boost collagen production
• Improve skin texture
• Reduce fine lines and wrinkles
• Even skin tone
• Support clearer skin

In simple terms, retinol helps skin behave more like younger skin.

Which brings us back to Cleopatra.

Thousands of years ago, she used milk for renewal and smoothness.

Today, retinol delivers those same benefits  backed by modern science with added extras to soothe and nourish. 

Ancient ritual meets modern innovation.

 

 

& that’s Why We Call It Egyptian Gold

Our Egyptian Gold Retinol Serum is named to honour this incredible skincare journey.

The name represents three things:

Egyptian Inspired by the origins of beauty rituals and Cleopatra’s legendary skincare traditions.

Gold A symbol of luxury, glow and timeless beauty. Retinol is the gold standard of skincare.

The modern scientific breakthrough that connects ancient rituals to today’s skincare.

It’s a name that bridges past and present.

Ritual and research.

History and science.

A Modern Ritual Inspired by Ancient Beauty

Every time you apply retinol, you’re continuing a story that began thousands of years ago.

A story of:

• Caring for skin
• Protecting beauty rituals
• Passing knowledge through generations
• Blending nature with science

From Cleopatra’s milk baths to modern retinol serums, the goal has always been the same:

Healthy, radiant, glowing skin.

And that’s the story behind the name Egyptian Gold. ✨