Moringa to saffron: 5 ancient beauty secrets of the iconic Mughal queens

From the early 16th century to the 19th century, the Mughal Empire ruled large areas of the Indian subcontinent, which highly influenced the art, culture, and history of the nation. Seeking inspiration from the Persians and blending in with the Indian culture, the Mughals were known for their grand notes. However, the glory of the Mughal Empire gained worldwide attention with the imperial Mughal women, who were known for their stunning attires and radiating skin. Let’s take a look at their 5 ancient beauty secrets, which are still popular in the modern world.

Emperor Jahangir’s refined begum, Nur Jahan, mastered the art of blending perfumes and discovered the legendary ‘Itr.’ She bathed in the water of oil and one day noticed an oil-like substance floating upon the water. As she lowered her head, she became intoxicated by the mesmerising fragrance of petals and summoned the collection of rose oil, which was then used as a perfume for her and soon became popular.

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The royal Begums attained their cosmetic habits from their ancestors from Central Asia. They used to wash their face, hands, and feet every morning and perfume themselves all day long. Mughal queens used to clean their teeth with neem twigs and a powdered tooth cleaner, which included crushed pearls, amber, musk, camphor, and aloeswood. Women in the darbar used chewed paan or betel leaves to paint their lips red and applied black powder to their gums to maintain oral hygiene.
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The Mughals discovered the hidden benefits of saffron that were more than just a kitchen essential. A well-kept secret of the Mughal queens, the Begums used crushed saffron with milk on their face and skin to get a radiant glow. Saffron has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties with skin-brightening agents that over time transform your skin into radiant and youthful skin with smooth texture.

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Through centuries, people have heavily relied on the sacred skin-glowing ingredients of sandalwood, aka Chandan in Hindi. The Mughal queens were known to use the magic components of sandalwood, mix it with emerald, turquoise, and pearl powder, and apply it as makeup for the eyes. They also added rose water and milk to sandalwood with a hint of turmeric and applied this Ayurveda paste on their face and body for a natural glow, which also protected them from tanning.

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The Mughal courts were known for their interest in Ayurvedic and Unani practices, where they incorporated various herbs and ingredients into their daily lives and beauty regimes. One such ingredient used by the Mughals was moringa leaves, which were initially used in the medicinal field, but soon the Begums used the moringa paste for inflammation, smooth texture, and glowing skin as well.
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Emphasising on a fresh, natural, and dewy complexion with a minimal makeup touch, Mughal queens used sandalwood mixed with turquoise, pearl, and crushed emerald. The queens also used betal aka paan leaves as lip stick, and kept a natural-looking glow with minimal makeup touch, and tons of jewellery.

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Mughal queens were known for their elaborate beauty rituals, and Multani Mitti (Fuller’s Earth) was a prized skincare secret in their royal regimen. They used this natural clay to cleanse, brighten, and soften their skin, often mixing it with rose water, saffron, sandalwood, or milk for enhanced benefits. Multani Mitti helped absorb excess oil, prevent breakouts, and maintain a radiant complexion, making it a staple in their beauty treatments. Queens like Nur Jahan were known for their love of skincare, and they incorporated this cooling clay into their face masks to achieve a porcelain-like glow and even skin tone, a beauty tradition that continues to inspire modern skincare.

Mughal women were known for their elaborate beauty rituals, and bathing in luxurious ingredients like rose water and milk was a common practice among the royal and noble classes. Rose water was highly valued for its fragrance and skin-soothing properties, while milk was believed to nourish and soften the skin. These baths were part of a larger tradition of indulgent self-care, which also included the use of herbal pastes, fragrant oils, and exfoliating treatments made from sandalwood, saffron, and turmeric. Such beauty rituals reflected the Mughals' appreciation for refinement and their Persian-influenced love for perfumed and therapeutic bathing experiences.

Mughal queens were known for their luxurious beauty rituals, with hair care being an essential aspect of their self-care. They used richly infused oils made from a blend of natural ingredients like amla (Indian gooseberry), hibiscus, and fenugreek to promote hair growth and maintain shine. Jasmine and rose oils were commonly added for fragrance, while almond and coconut oils provided deep nourishment.

Herbal infusions with henna and musk root (jatamansi) were believed to strengthen hair and prevent premature greying. These age-old formulations, often massaged into the scalp, contributed to their long, lustrous locks, a hallmark of royal elegance.