This article was originally published on Natureworldtoday.com

Looking for some inspiration for your next beauty routine? Look no further than history! From slathering themselves in crocodile dung to using lead to whiten their faces, our ancestors went to some pretty extreme lengths in the name of beauty and science. Join us as we take a hilarious and sometimes cringe-worthy trip down memory lane to explore the weird and wacky things people did to their bodies in the past.

Communal Stick

Known as the tersorium, this sea sponge attached to a wooden stick was a tool used by ancient Romans to clean themselves after using the toilet. The Romans also had a system for “sterilising” the sponge, which involved dipping it on vinegar before handing to the next person.

I can just imagine the conversations that took place back then. “Hey, Bob, can I borrow your butt sponge stick?” “Sure thing, Frank, just make sure you give it a good rinse first!” It’s enough to make you want to swear off all historical reenactments. But hey, maybe the ancient Romans were onto something. Maybe they knew something we don’t.