6. A Look to Die For

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Cosmetics have been with us for a lot longer than you might reasonably expect. In both ancient Rome and ancient Egypt, toxic heavy metals such as lead and mercury were used to make cosmetics. Examinations of skeletal remains from ancient Rome revealed high concentrations of lead, which may have contributed to the deaths of many. Mercury has its share of potential side effects as well, including neurological damage, heart disease, autoimmune diseases, endocrine problems and behavioral abnormalities.