16 Magazine Ads That Seemed Normal at the Time
Here's a nostalgic look at old magazine ads that once felt ordinary but now seem strange, funny, or downright questionable.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Advertising has always reflected the culture of its time. Some vintage magazine ads prove just how much society has changed. What once passed as acceptable now makes us raise an eyebrow. From bizarre health claims to outdated beauty standards, here are 16 magazine ads that seemed normal back then but look shocking today.
1. Doctors Recommending Cigarettes
Martin Criminale on Flickr
There was a time when cigarette brands used doctors in white coats to reassure readers that smoking was safe. Ads boasted about the “smoothness” and even suggested certain brands were less irritating to the throat.
2. Baby Formula Over Breastfeeding
ajay_suresh on Wikimedia Commons
Some ads once pushed formula as a “superior” option compared to breastfeeding. They suggested mothers would be giving their babies an upgrade by choosing the advertised brand.
3. Radium in Beauty Products
Mauswiesel on Wikimedia Commons
Believe it or not, certain beauty ads bragged about containing radium for a “healthy glow.” At the time, the dangers of radiation weren’t widely understood.
4. Soap That Promised to Lighten Skin
Sincerely Media on Unsplash
Many soaps in old magazines advertised the idea of fairer skin as the ultimate beauty goal. They promised to “improve” one’s appearance by making skin lighter.
5. Alcohol as a Health Tonic
Ambitious Studio* | Rick Barrett on Unsplash
Advertisements once marketed whiskey and wine as remedies for stress, digestion, and even cold symptoms. They encouraged regular consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle.
6. Children Promoting Cigarettes
Shkumbin on Wikimedia Commons
Some shocking ads featured kids happily holding cigarette packs for their parents. These campaigns tried to make smoking look family-friendly and harmless.
7. Corset Ads Promoting Extreme Waists
Wellcome Collection on Wikimedia Commons
Vintage fashion ads heavily marketed corsets promising impossibly tiny waists. The illustrations glorified unnatural body shapes that were painful to maintain.
8. Sugar as a Diet Aid
Daniel Kraus on Unsplash
Ads once claimed eating sugar would help control appetite and even lose weight. Candy companies promoted sweets as a smart choice before meals.
9. Cocaine Toothache Drops for Kids
RawPixel
Yes, there were real ads marketing cocaine-laced medicine for children’s toothaches. It was promoted as quick relief and perfectly safe. These ads are chilling now, but at the time, they were just another medical solution.
10. Laxatives as Everyday Wellness
bnilsen on Flickr
Some ads treated laxatives as an essential part of daily health. They suggested that being “regular” required constant medication.
11. Gasoline as a Beauty Product
AmericanXplorer13 on Wikimedia Commons
Certain hair-care ads once bragged about containing gasoline for extra shine. The pitch was that it made hair glossy and manageable.
12. Meat as a Feminine Diet Plan
José Ignacio Pompé on Unsplash
Some ads oddly suggested women could slim down by eating large amounts of meat. They promoted it as a figure-friendly alternative to other foods.
13. “Safe” Radioactive Drinks
Fallon Michael on Unsplash
Beverage ads once promoted drinks containing small amounts of radioactive elements as energizing. They promised vitality and youthful strength.
14. Soap Ads That Shamed Women
UMD Special Collections and University Archives on Flickr
Many old soap ads played on insecurity, warning women they’d lose friends or romance without fresher skin. The fear-based marketing preyed on personal appearance and social acceptance.
15. Vitamin Cigarettes
Gloriaricardi on Wikimedia Commons
A strange trend saw cigarettes advertised as being fortified with vitamins. Marketers claimed they boosted energy while still being enjoyable to smoke.
16. Ads Telling Husbands to Buy for Wives
Look Studio on Unsplash
Some magazine spreads encouraged men to choose products for their wives, from kitchen gear to beauty items. They assumed women had little say in purchases.