Res Humanitariae

Rituals of personal hygiene, beautification and perfume have accompanied people since the beginning of civilisation, but in the 20th century cosmetics began to develop rapidly, products acquired clear functions, and the safety of products was addressed. The object of this study is the 20th-century Lithuanian cosmetics industry and its products. The purpose of the research is to analyse trends and changes in the development of the Lithuanian cosmetics industry, and the variety of manufactured cosmetics, discussing the characteristics of the activities of industrial companies. The article analyses the concepts of the cosmetic product and the concepts of the cosmetic industry. The results of the study revealed that the 20th century can be divided into four different periods in the beauty industry, each of which was characterised by unique trends in the production and use of cosmetics. The beauty industry, which began to grow rapidly between the wars, never stopped: in the 20th century it flourished, influencing not only women but also most spheres of life.