80% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up
Exact wording first attested 1809: Francis Lathom, London; Or, Truth Without Treason — 'beauty is only skin deep'. An earlier 'but skin-deep' variant exists but no verified first source
Work
Francis Lathom, London; Or, Truth Without Treason
Occasion
1809
Sources checked
en.wiktionary.orgChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026Confirms 'beauty is but skin-deep' variant predates its earliest quoted use (1809, Lathom), consistent with a much older origin
Nothing made from these words yet — Storyfaire is where they get made.
