Why Empress Dowager Cixi and people in ancient China used animal faeces in beauty routines

In ancient China, using animal excrement in beauty routines was common and Empress Dowager Cixi was known to use bird droppings for skincare.

Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Weibo/Baidu In ancient China, it was not uncommon to use animal excrement in beauty treatments, a practice exemplified by Manchu Empress Dowager Cixi (1835–1908), who reportedly included bird droppings in her lifelong skincare routine.

Cixi, who rose from a low-ranking concubine to power as regent, effectively ruled the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) for nearly 50 years, from 1861 until her death in 1908.

While she navigated China through major challenges such as the Boxer Rebellion, foreign imperialism, and internal unrest, few are aware that she was also a devoted beauty enthusiast and, intriguingly, a skilled fragrance maker.

While Cixi steered China through significant challenges and political upheaval, few recognise that she was also a passionate beauty aficionado.

Photo: History/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Cixi was known to care deeply about her appearance.

Not only did she reportedly consume human breast milk as part of her beauty regimen to preserve her youth, but she also took to making her own blush at The Peak of her beauty routine.

Despite her efforts, she struggled with skin issues, including acne and facial spasms.

However, according to Imperial Incense, written by her attendant Der Ling, even in her later years, Cixi’s skin retained its fair, smooth, and delicate quality, reminiscent of a young woman.

Herbal remedies are widely employed in skincare due to their natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties, providing safer alternatives to synthetic products.

Photo: baijiahao.baidu.com So, what beauty secrets enabled her to maintain such youthful skin well into old age?

Yuan Hongqi, the deputy director of the Palace Department at the Palace Museum, revealed: “When discussing Cixi’s anti-ageing remedies, ginseng and pearl powder are essential, as both were regularly consumed by her.

Additionally, a notable beauty formulation known as ‘yurong powder’ was used throughout her life.” Yurong powder, a cosmetic uniquely crafted for Cixi by Qing court physicians in the sixth year of the Guangxu Emperor’s reign, was composed primarily of traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients.

Among them, three components – bai dingxiang, yingtiao bai, and getiao bai – were forms of bird droppings specifically derived from sparrows and the excrement of

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