Today marks the 100th birthday of Marilyn Monroe, and to celebrate, we’re embracing all things vintage. Turning an eye to vintage skincare in particular, we’re highlighting some of the most popular skincare products from history, including the things the beauty icon herself used and loved.

So grab your champagne and potato chips, and let’s delve into the timeless beauty products that remain relevant and effective today.

Dove Beauty Bar

Dove soap, developed by the Unilever brand (formerly Lever Brothers), emerged in the early 1950s. The brand acquired a French patent for a mild and moisturizing cleanser, which paved the way for the groundbreaking launch of the Dove Beauty Bar in 1957. The initial concept originated from research into a gentler cleanser, driven by post-World War II medical needs. Unlike traditional soap, Dove employed mild synthetic cleansers and incorporated moisturizing cream to combat skin dryness. Its distinctive formula, comprising 25% moisturizing cream, represented a significant breakthrough, elevating it from a standard soap to a beauty product.

Pears’ Face and Body Soap

Pears’ Soap, originating in London, England, was developed by Andrew Pears around 1807. Pears opened a barbershop in Soho and noticed the upper classes’ preference for gentle skincare. This led to the creation of Pears’ Soap, the world’s first mass-market translucent soap, renowned for its amber hue and pioneering marketing strategies. Under the leadership of Thomas J. Barratt, Pears’ Soap helped set modern advertising in motion by utilizing celebrity endorsements, such as Lillie Langtry, and famous artworks, like John Everett Millais’ “Bubbles.”

Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar

The Erno Laszlo Sea Mud Deep Cleansing Bar, a signature black soap, is the cornerstone of the brand’s ritual-focused skincare. Developed by Hungarian dermatologist Dr. Erno Laszlo in the 1920s, this unique cleansing bar helped introduce concepts such as double cleansing, pH-balancing, and personalized skin solutions. It was specifically designed to detoxify, exfoliate, and balance skin using nutrient-rich Dead Sea mud. Still popular today, it became a fast favorite among iconic clients like Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.

Albolene Moisturizing Cleanser

Albolene, founded in 1885, is a gentle, water-free cleanser and moisturizer. Famously used by actors to remove heavy makeup, Albolene uses simple ingredients like mineral oil and petrolatum that cleanse the skin by dissolving dirt, oil, and makeup. Its unique texture seals moisture in, leaving skin soft, supple, and hydrated.

Ponds’ Cold Cream

Pond’s Cold Cream originated from pharmacist Theron T. Pond’s 1846 invention, “Golden Treasure,” a witch hazel extract used to treat skin ailments. Following Pond’s death, the T.T. Pond company diversified its product offerings, introducing Pond’s Vanishing Cream (a lightweight, water-based cream) and Pond’s Cold Cream (an oil-based makeup remover) in the early 20th century. By 1913, Pond’s initiated a revolutionary skincare routine: use the Vanishing Cream for daytime protection and the Cold Cream for nighttime cleansing and moisturizing. This simple concept, coupled with extensive national advertising and endorsements from prominent aristocrats and socialites, propelled the creams to outstanding success.

NIVEA Cream

NIVEA cream’s history began in 1911 when pharmacist Oscar Troplowitz, dermatologist Paul Unna, and chemist Isaac Lifschütz, created the first stable water-in-oil skin emulsion. Dubbed “the mother of all creams,” NIVEA’s distinctive name is derived from the Latin for “snow-white,” reflecting the cream’s pristine white appearance. NIVEA cream achieved immense global success, and by 1925, the brand introduced its iconic blue tin with white lettering, establishing its instantly recognizable brand identity.

Olay Original Beauty Fluid

Olay Original Beauty Fluid, initially known as “Oil of Olay,” was introduced in South Africa in 1952 by chemist Graham Wulff. Wulff initially created Oil of Olay for his wife, who had a preference for lighter, non-greasy face creams. The result was a distinctive pink, lightweight fluid that was designed to replicate the natural oils of the skin. Oil of Olay gained immense success through its unique formula and its deliberately mysterious marketing campaign, which advertised the product as a “beauty secret” rather than a simple moisturizer.

Queen Helene Cocoa Butter

Since 1930, Queen Helene’s cocoa butter products have been synonymous with quality and affordability in skincare. Richard Estrin, a chemist and beauty supply salesman, founded Para Laboratories and introduced the “Queen Helene” brand, which he named after his daughter, Helene. Since its inception, the brand has consistently prioritized the use of natural ingredients, with cocoa butter emerging as a signature element in its moisturizing creams. Today, the Queen Helene brand enjoys enduring popularity, partially due to its commitment to maintaining its classic aesthetic. This approach has resulted in products becoming generational favorites, cherished for their effectiveness rather than relying on elaborate branding or heavy advertising.

Vaseline Petroleum Jelly

Officially founded in 1872, Vaseline is an oldie but goodie, hailed by dermatologists as a holy-grail product for numerous skin issues. Developed by chemist Robert Chesebrough, Vaseline’s history began in 1859 when Pennsylvania oil workers discovered the remarkable healing properties of “rod wax,” a crude petroleum byproduct. Intrigued by its effectiveness in treating burns and other injuries, Chesebrough purified and refined the substance to create a light, clear gel. Since its creation, Vaseline has emerged as a multi-tasking powerhouse, helping to heal minor cuts, scrapes, and burns by forming a protective barrier to lock in moisture. Vaseline also soothes irritation and keeps skin hydrated. Its uses even extend to beauty, functioning as a lip balm, makeup remover, and highlighter. For example, Marilyn Monroe would apply layers of Vaseline under her foundation to help her skin catch the light. Genius!

Smith’s Rosebud Salve

Smith’s Rosebud Salve, a cherished and versatile petroleum-based balm, was initially known as “Balsam of Rosebuds.” Crafted in 1892 by pharmacist G.F. Smith, this iconic salve was designed to moisturize chapped lips, soothe minor burns, and alleviate dryness. Despite its age, it continues to be a popular choice, available in classic tins and tubes with a subtle rose scent (beyond the original, you can also find flavors like Strawberry and Minted Rose). Throughout its history, Smith’s Rosebud Salve has garnered a devoted following among beauty enthusiasts, celebrities, and makeup artists. Today, the Rosebud Perfume Company remains a multi-generational, family-owned business.

Marilyn Monroe's Skincare Routine

As instructed by Dr. Erno Laszlo in March 1959.

Morning: Wash face and neck in warm water with ACTIVE PHELITYL SOAP in the following manner: fill basin with warm water, wet face and neck, and rub on soap making a lather. Make a separate lather in hands and rub well into skin. Rinse thoroughly in the same soapy water and dry with towel. Apply well-shaken NORMALIZER SHAKE-IT on entire face—except around eyes—with a large piece of cotton saturated to the dripping point. Blot off with tissues immediately. Apply PHELITONE under eyes only in tiny dots, spreading it gently over the surface. Blot off with tissues. Dab DUO-PHASE FACE POWDER amply on entire face and neck; after one minute brush off superfluous powder with a large piece of cotton.

Evening (Before Dressing): Follow Instructions for “Morning.”

On Formal Occasions: After blotting off NORMALIZER SHAKE-IT, apply PHELITONE on top of it on entire face, also under eyes, on neck and decollete. Blot off with tissues. Apply DUO-PHASE FACE POWDER.

Evening (Before Retiring):

Apply ACTIVE PHELITYL OIL on entire face, lips and neck with a large piece of cotton saturated to the dripping point. Wash immediately oily face and neck according to instructions for “Morning.” After drying, apply ACTIVE PHELITYL CREAM on entire face, lips, neck, and decollete. Wash off cream immediately with a large piece of cotton saturated to the dripping point with well- shaken CONTROLLING LOTION—except around eyes and on lips where you shall blot cream off with tissues. Dry face and neck with towel. Reapply on nose and chin with another thoroughly saturated large piece of cotton, covering thickly and let dry on overnight.