From a story about researchers reproducing an ancient roman skin cream:
During the Roman Empire, Roman women in London used to use this foundation cream. The cream is made of refined animal fat, starch and tin.
When you apply it to your face you have a smooth, white powdery texture - probably due to the starch, say the researchers.
Romans loved white faces. Tin, say the researchers, was a better option than lead, because tin is not toxic. Lead had been a popular ingredient for cosmetics throughout history.
Those Romans were some smart dudes, no?