The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1898-03-31
NATURAL COSMETICS,
A List of Vegetable Products Good For
Teeth and Complexion.


Almonds are very soothing to the
skin, and many foreign women use
crushed almonds instead of soap for
their face and hands to keep them
fair, soft and white. Oil of almonds
also may be rubbed into the skin at
night and is better than cold cream,
especially if really pure oil of aim
onds, and not a mere imitation. AS
for the so called almond soap it is
very rare that the almond has any
part in it. 1t somewhat resembles
almond in its odor, but this odor
comes from benzole, which is taken
from tar oil and other substances not
injurious to the skin, but not so
beneficial as real almond powder, a
nut quantity of which forms a
paste in the water and is a splendid
beautifer.
Basil, though not cosmetic plant,
is skin beautifier because it puri-
ties the air wherever it grows, and
pure air is skin beautitier. In In
dia this plant is sacred to Krishna
and is named after the nymph be-
loved 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 Hindoo
house is without it. It absorbs the
carbonic acid of the air and gives
forth its disinfecting, vivifying oxy-
gen.
Benzoin is genuine cosmetic of
nature. 1t is the gum of the ben
zoin tree. The best benzoin comes
from Siam. 1t is the frankincense
of the Jews and the incense of Ro-
man Catholics, Hindoos, Buddhists,
Mohammedans, etc. The Chinese
fumigate their houses with it, and,
owing to its grateful perfume, va
nilla pomade and pastilles are made
with it. AS a cosmetic it has no SUI
perior. 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 tine
ture 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 DO
without it, and if the fingers and
| nails are well rubbed in quarter of
citron every time the hands arc
washed they will never require the
| manicure's aid. During the day,
! indeed, it is better to rub the hands
with citron than to use water.
Cucumber is another of nature s
own cosmetics. Never throw away
cucumber Feelings. Boil them ani
use the water for the toilet. Here
! also slice of cucumber may be useC
instead of soap, with advantage tC
the skin. Dill water is as good as
| roseWater for the complexion, and
for some skins perhaps better. II
makes the skin paler.
Still another Of natures cosmetics
is the elder flower, famous for its
cooling qualities. 1t makes an ex-
quisite wash for the face and an ex-
cellent oil for the hair.
Lavender is not precisely a COS
metic, yet few drops in the toilet
water are very refreshing. The
hygienic virtues of lavender are
we'll known.
All spices are air purifiers and air
coolers. 1t is fact that very few
epidemics visit places filled with the
perfumes of spices-cloves, mace,
cinnamon, etc. A room perfumed
with spices and eucalyptus remains
cool on the hottest summer day and
deties disease resulting from impure
air.
There is no better antiseptic in
nature than musk-real musk, of
course. The Chinese use it also to
dye their hair and eyebrows.-Phil-