Being "forever young" really seems like a task that people have been trying forever, with each generation populated by it's own set of strange ideas.

The ancient Egyptians were known to bathe in milk and honey, not such a bad idea given its richness of exfoliating vitamins, proteins, fats, anti-oxidants... until you realize that your bathtub is now filled with milk and honey. Time to find a scrub brush.

Make up based with the chemical lead was popular in Cleopatra's time and persisted through the Victorian era, where it was joined by other toxic cosmetics like mercury-laced lipstick and eyeshadow made from the extremely toxic plant nightshade.

For the most part, modern science helped us turn away from dangerous chemicals, at least the more obvious ones, but a series of strange products devoted to making people look young have cropped up to replace them...

Rubber Lips

The Japan Trend Shop promises that their new rubber Face Slimmer can repair the sagging skin and muscles in your face. The lip guard places tension on the facial muscles, according to the company, so all a user has to do is practice making vowel sounds in the mirror and... voilà! A face lift sans surgery.

The Face Slimmer fits around your mouth and promises to make it look younger (Credit: Japan Trend Shop)

Sperm

1990s starlet Heather Locklear recently told TMZ that she "just puts semen" on her face to give it a boost and turn back the years. While it is debatable as to whether or not she was joking, male ejaculate does contain high levels of spermine, a potent anti-oxidant that some companies believe can eliminate wrinkles and smooth skin.

Caviar Cream

For those with a little extra disposable income, there is caviar-infused face cream. Fish oil is a natural moisturizer that is packed with vitamin A and is used by supermodels like Beverly Johnson. But at $400 a can, La Prairie's Luxe Cream may or may not brighten to face, but it will certainly lighten your wallet.

La Prairie's Skin Caviar Luxe Cream: $410 for 1.7 oz.

Bee Venom

The Dutchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is an alleged fan of wrinkle/anti-aging creams composed of bee venom. All of the buzz has been linked to the venom's supposed ability to hydrate and increase blood circulation in the skin.

Is bee venom the key to the Dutchess Of Cambridge's great skin. Source: wikimedia

Vampire Face Lifts And Placenta Masks

These two should really fall under the same category, as they aim to capitalize on the healing properties of the blood. Made popular by Kim Kardashian, "vampire facials" involve extracting platlets from a person's blood sample and injecting it into his or her face with tiny acpuncture-style needles. Platelets are an essential component of the wound-healing process in skin, although the jury is still out on their anti-agiing properties.
(Credit: Australia's SunriseOn7)

Celebrities like Simon Cowell and Victoria Beckham are reported fans of wearing sheep placentas, which are packed with stem cells and hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, but like platelet injections, some physicians debate its true merits.