FAECAL FACIAL

During the Heian period (AD7941185), geisha turned to one particular facial in their beauty practices to deep cleanse after removing their make-up: uguisi no fun, which translates to “nightingale faeces”. This practice was introduced to Japan by the Koreans, who used it to remove stains from silk; the geisha found that it worked to brighten skin tone and treat hyperpigmentation.

They would dry Japanese bush warbler’s excrement, then crush it and apply as a paste. The bird’s guano contains a high concentration of urea, which has hydrating properties and can remove dead skin cells that have built up, improving dry skin texture. But rather than slather your face in bird excrement, opt for a cleanser or cream containing urea instead, which will gradually exfoliate and brighten skin.