By 1700, mercury-based ointments became widely used in Europe and its colonies for skin lightening and blemish removal. This practice reflected societal beauty standards and the desire for lighter skin, often associated with higher social status. However, the use of mercury in cosmetics raised significant health concerns, highlighting the intersection of beauty, health, and cultural values in early modern society.

Mercury ointments for skin lightening, prevalent in the 1700s, were critiqued in abolitionist and social reform poetry. Poets highlighted the exploitation and bodily harm associated with these practices, advocating for social justice and the dignity of all bodies.