Old School Beauty Treatments That Should Stay Vintage

Getting Rid Of Acne Via Poison

Acne is something many people still struggle with today. And while it can cause things like lower self-confidence, its physical health effects are pretty minimal. So, the fact that people used toxic chemicals to get rid of acne in the 19th century might come as a surprise to some. One of the most common ingredients in these acne treatments was something called nux vomica. If the name sounds like something unpleasant, that's because it is.

The ingredient contains strychnine, which is a deadly toxin that can cause muscle contractions and affect the brain. It's actually still in use today as a medicine to treat stomach issues, but there is no evidence it actually works, according to WebMD. Other acne treatments of the time used arsenic.