Max Factor (born in Łódź, Poland, in 1877; died 1938) was a Polish Jewish-American makeup artist who became a Hollywood makeup expert. Factor, amid increasing anti-Semitism in Russia, immigrated to the United States in 1904. By 1910, he created the first makeup explicitly for motion pictures, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones, packaged in tubes. In the 1920s, Factor created panchromatic makeup, which led to him winning a special Academy Award. His product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the forerunner of today’s foundation cream. Factor began selling his makeup outside the film industry under the Society Make-Up brand, and he also wrote the article “Make-Up” for the Encyclopædia Britannica .

What is Max Factor known for in the world of makeup?

Max Factor, a Polish Jewish immigrant, was a pioneer in Hollywood makeup artistry. In 1910, he created the first makeup specifically for motion pictures, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones, packaged in tubes. In the 1920s, Factor created panchromatic makeup, which was compatible with the panchromatic film and incandescent lighting used on movie sets. For this, he received a special Academy Award. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the forerunner of today’s foundation cream. Factor began selling his makeup to the public under the Society Make-Up brand, as women aspired to emulate the look of movie stars.

How did Max Factor influence makeup in Hollywood movies?

Max Factor, a Polish Jewish immigrant, became a pioneer in Hollywood makeup, creating the first makeup specifically for motion pictures in 1910. His light, semi-liquid greasepaint, packaged in tubes, augmented actors' appearances during the era of arc lighting and orthochromatic film. In the 1920s, Factor's creation of panchromatic makeup, compatible with panchromatic film and incandescent lighting, earned him a special Academy Award. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, paved the way for today’s foundation cream. Factor also marketed his products outside of the film industry under the brand name Society Make-Up. According to Factor, makeup is both a corrective and creative art, serving to enhance appearance and enable actors to embody diverse characters.

What kinds of makeup products did Max Factor invent or improve?

Max Factor, a pioneer in Hollywood makeup, developed products specifically for motion picture actors. In 1910, he created the first makeup designed for film, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones, packaged in tubes. In the 1920s, after conducting experiments, Factor created panchromatic makeup, a line of compatible colors, for which he received an Academy Award. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the precursor to today’s foundation cream. Later, Factor began selling his makeup outside the film industry under the Society Make-Up brand.

How did Max Factor change the way everyday people use makeup?

Max Factor, originally from Poland, revolutionized makeup for both performers and everyday women. In 1910, he created the first makeup specifically for motion pictures, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones packaged in tubes. During the 1920s, Factor noticed women wanted to emulate the look of movie stars, so he began selling his makeup to the public under the brand Society Make-Up. He chose the name to avoid being too "showbiz" or unladylike. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, paved the way for today’s foundation cream.

Why is Max Factor still important in the cosmetics industry today?

Max Factor's ongoing importance in the cosmetics industry is rooted in his pioneering contributions to makeup for motion pictures. In 1910, he created the first makeup designed specifically for film, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint available in various skin tones. This innovation augmented actors' appearances during the era of arc lighting and orthochromatic film. Factor's original product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the precursor to modern foundation cream. In the 1920s, he began selling his makeup to the public, marketing his products under the Society Make-Up brand name, capitalizing on the glamorous association with Hollywood. His impact extends beyond products; Factor wrote the article "Make-Up" for the 14th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica, explaining makeup's corrective and creative functions.

Max Factor

Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Quick Facts

Original name:: Maksymilian Faktorowicz

Born:: 1877, Łódź, Poland, Russian Empire

Died:: August 30, 1938, Beverly Hills, California, U.S. (aged 61)

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Max Factor

businessman

Also known as: Maksymilian Faktorowicz

Written and fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Oct. 28, 2026 •History

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Top Questions

Who was Max Factor?
Max Factor (born in Łódź, Poland, in 1877; died 1938) was a Polish Jewish-American makeup artist who became a Hollywood makeup expert.

Factor, amid increasing anti-Semitism in Russia, immigrated to the United States in 1904. By 1910, he created the first makeup explicitly for motion pictures, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones, packaged in tubes.

In the 1920s, Factor created panchromatic makeup, which led to him winning a special Academy Award. His product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the forerunner of today’s foundation cream. Factor began selling his makeup outside the film industry under the Society Make-Up brand, and he also wrote the article “Make-Up” for the Encyclopædia Britannica.
1 Britannica Source
1. Max Factor
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What is Max Factor known for in the world of makeup?
Max Factor, a Polish Jewish immigrant, was a pioneer in Hollywood makeup artistry. In 1910, he created the first makeup specifically for motion pictures, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones, packaged in tubes.

In the 1920s, Factor created panchromatic makeup, which was compatible with the panchromatic film and incandescent lighting used on movie sets. For this, he received a special Academy Award. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the forerunner of today’s foundation cream. Factor began selling his makeup to the public under the Society Make-Up brand, as women aspired to emulate the look of movie stars.
1 Britannica Source
1. Max Factor
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Max Factor influence makeup in Hollywood movies?
Max Factor, a Polish Jewish immigrant, became a pioneer in Hollywood makeup, creating the first makeup specifically for motion pictures in 1910. His light, semi-liquid greasepaint, packaged in tubes, augmented actors' appearances during the era of arc lighting and orthochromatic film.

In the 1920s, Factor's creation of panchromatic makeup, compatible with panchromatic film and incandescent lighting, earned him a special Academy Award. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, paved the way for today’s foundation cream. Factor also marketed his products outside of the film industry under the brand name Society Make-Up. According to Factor, makeup is both a corrective and creative art, serving to enhance appearance and enable actors to embody diverse characters.
1 Britannica Source
1. Max Factor
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What kinds of makeup products did Max Factor invent or improve?
Max Factor, a pioneer in Hollywood makeup, developed products specifically for motion picture actors. In 1910, he created the first makeup designed for film, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones, packaged in tubes.

In the 1920s, after conducting experiments, Factor created panchromatic makeup, a line of compatible colors, for which he received an Academy Award. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the precursor to today’s foundation cream. Later, Factor began selling his makeup outside the film industry under the Society Make-Up brand.
1 Britannica Source
1. Max Factor
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Max Factor change the way everyday people use makeup?
Max Factor, originally from Poland, revolutionized makeup for both performers and everyday women. In 1910, he created the first makeup specifically for motion pictures, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint in various skin tones packaged in tubes.

During the 1920s, Factor noticed women wanted to emulate the look of movie stars, so he began selling his makeup to the public under the brand Society Make-Up. He chose the name to avoid being too "showbiz" or unladylike. His original product, Supreme Greasepaint, paved the way for today’s foundation cream.
1 Britannica Source
1. Max Factor
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is Max Factor still important in the cosmetics industry today?
Max Factor's ongoing importance in the cosmetics industry is rooted in his pioneering contributions to makeup for motion pictures. In 1910, he created the first makeup designed specifically for film, a light, semi-liquid greasepaint available in various skin tones. This innovation augmented actors' appearances during the era of arc lighting and orthochromatic film.

Factor's original product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the precursor to modern foundation cream. In the 1920s, he began selling his makeup to the public, marketing his products under the Society Make-Up brand name, capitalizing on the glamorous association with Hollywood. His impact extends beyond products; Factor wrote the article "Make-Up" for the 14th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica, explaining makeup's corrective and creative functions.
1 Britannica Source
1. Max Factor
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Max Factor (born 1877, Łódź, Poland, Russian Empire—died August 30, 1938, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.) was the dean of Hollywood makeup experts. He was a pioneer in developing makeup specifically for motion-picture actors and was given a special award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1928 for his achievements.

Amid the increasing anti-Semitism in tsarist Russia, Factor—a Polish Jew—emigrated to the United States in 1904, moving first to St. Louis, Missouri, and arriving in Los Angeles by 1909. At that time actors had no makeup that met the special requirements of filmmaking. Makeup is used by actors for cosmetic purposes and as an aid in taking on the appearance appropriate to the characters they play. (See also cosmetic.) In theatre, powerful stage-lighting systems may remove all colour from a performer’s complexion and will eliminate shadows and lines. Makeup restores this colour and defines the facial features to ensure a natural appearance. It also helps the player to look and feel the part, a consideration especially helpful in character interpretations. Stage makeup, however, proved to be wholly unsatisfactory for the motion-picture medium. Necessarily heavy applications made it impossible to appear natural in close-ups, and the range of colours developed for theatre failed to meet the quite different requirements of motion-picture lighting and film emulsions. In 1910 Factor created the first makeup designed expressly for motion pictures. It was a light semiliquid greasepaint available in a wide range of skin tones, and it effectively augmented actors’ appearances in an era when filmmaking was dominated by the use of arc lighting and orthochromatic film emulsion. It was also the first makeup to be packaged in tubes.

The introduction of panchromatic film and incandescent lighting on movie sets in the 1920s eventually made it possible to standardize the film, lighting, and colours of makeup that were most effective for motion pictures. The Society of Motion Picture Engineers conducted a special series of tests for this purpose in 1928. As a result of these experiments, Factor created a new line of compatible makeup colours called panchromatic makeup, an achievement for which he won a special Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Award.

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Factor’s original product, Supreme Greasepaint, was the forerunner of today’s foundation cream. In the 1920s, as women aspired to achieve the look of movie stars for themselves, Factor began selling his makeup outside the theatre and movie industry. He marketed his most successful products under the Society Make-Up brand name. Although the glamorous association with Hollywood gave the brand consumer recognition, Factor had chosen a name that would not be too “showbiz” or unladylike.

Factor wrote the article “Make-Up” for Encyclopædia Britannica’s 14th edition (1929–73). As he explained, makeup is both “corrective and creative”:

As a corrective art, make-up serves to (1) cover blemishes; (2) provide the face with a smooth and even colour tone for the most effective photography; (3) clearly define the facial features for more visibly expressive action; (4) make the player appear more attractive; and (5) ensure a uniform appearance before the camera. As a creative art, make-up enables the player to take on the appearance of almost any type of character. It can be his means of achieving a distinctive “screen personality.”

After Factor’s death, his son, Max Factor, Jr., took over as head of the business, Max Factor & Co., and expanded it internationally.

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