Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-29
NATURAL COSMETICS.

The List of Vegetable Products Good
for Teeth and Complexion.
From the Philadelphia Press
Almonds are very soothing to the skin
and many foreign women use crushed al
monds instead of soap for their faces and
hands to keep them fair, soft and white.
Oil of almonds, also, may be rubbed into
tie skin at night, and is better than cold
cream, especially if really pure Oil of al
D1onds, and not mere imitation. AS for
the so-called almond soap, it is very rare
that the almond has any part in it. II
somewhat resembles almond in it's odor
but this odor comes from benzole, which is
taken from tar oil and other substances
not injurious to the skin, but not so bene-
fetal as real almond powder, a nut guam
tity" of which forms paste in the water
and is splendid beautifier.
Basil, though not a cosmetic plant, is
skin beautifier, because 1t purifies the air
wherever it grows, and pure air is a skin
beautiffer In India this plant is sacred to
Krishna, and is named after the nymph
beloved by Krishna. 1t was he, in fact,
who changed her into the plant. 1t is also
sacred to Vishnu, and necklets and rosaries
are made of its stalks and roots. No Hin
fioo house is without it; it absorbs the
carbonic acid of the air, and gives forth its
disinfecting, vivifying oxygen.
7, S Sc ,hn is genuine cosmetic Of nature:
l.
benzoin comes from Siam. 1t is the frank
incense of the Jews and the incense of Ro-
man Catholics. Hindus. Buddhists, Ma
homedans, etc. The Chinese fumigate their
houses with 1T, and, owing to its grateful
perfume, vanilla pomade and pastilles are
made with it. AS a cosmetic it has no su-
perfor. A few drops added to water makes
what is called virginia. milk" which, used
as lotion, keeps the skin wondrously soft
and fair and prevents premature wrinkles.
Cedar wood in powder or as a tincture is
excellent for the teeth, and imparts an
agreeable perfume to the breath.
Citron is another substance that can be
used with advantage to the face and hands
instead of soap. No toilet table, indeed,
ought to be without it, and if the fingers
and nails are well rubbed in a quarter of
citron every time the hands are washed
they will never require the mancure's aid.
During the day, indeed, it is better to rub
the hands with citron than to use water
Cucumber is another of natures own
cosmetics. Never throw away cucumber
Feelings. Boil them and use the water for
the toilet Here also a slice of cucumber
may be used instead of soap, with advan-
tage to the skin. Dill water is as good as
rose water for the complexion, and for
some skins perhaps better; it makes the
skin paler.
Still another of natures cosmetics is the
elderfower, famous for its cooling qualities
1t makes an exquisite wash for the face
and an excellent oil for the hair.
Lavender is not precisely a cosmetic, yet
few drops in the toilet water are very
refreshing. The hygienic virtues of laven-
der are well known.
All spices are air purifiers and air cool
ers. 1t is fact that very few epidemics
visit places filled with the perfumes of
spices-cloves, mace, cinnamon, ETC.
room perfumed with spices and eucalyptus
remains cool on the hottest summer day.
and defes disease resulting from Impure
air.
There is no better antiseptic in nature
than musk-real musk, of course The
Chinese use 1t also to dye their hair and
eyebrows.