Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-10-15
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
On topics Of Interest othe lAdie
70 solicited. Address: Editor H01nAK1W
1As CARE oE 1hE SKIN.

THE CARE OF THE SKIN.
A beautiful skin without any blemishes
comes directly from good health, ana
the first step to health and to beauti.
full skin is to get and keep the blood
pure. There is no such thing as being
pretty without having the blood In good
condition. The whole blood system 10
like gorgeously-oolored Venice with
red waterways, and little boats hurrying
to and fro. The latter carry two kinds
of messengers, market boys and scaven-
gers. If these are both trained to ac-
complish their work every day then
health and beauty are assured, for the
blood has everything to do with the ap-
pearance of the skin. II the blood ID
clear the skin is sure to be clear.
GETTING RID OF FRECKLEs.
It is often said that the thinner and
more delicate the skin the harder 1t is to
take care of, the more apt 1t Is to be
afflicted with all sorts of 'beauty spots,
and that it is only the finest and most
delicate skins that freckle easily. l am
constantly asked, 'Ts there any safe way
by which girl can get rid OF freckles%.
There are various ways. The skin OF
the face should be most carefully at
tended to, and one of the first things to
do is to protect it from the dust and
dirt, the full brunt of which 1t has to
bear in its daily exposure. This means
wearing a veil of plain chiffon or gauze
dots of any kind. As to the
color of the veil, red is the best pre-
ventive against freckles. Next in value
comes the white chiffon veil. Most in
furious to the complexion is the black
veil, and next to this stands the blue.
AS most of us do not, however, begin
to wear either red or white wells till
after the freckles have appeared, shall
tell you how to free the skin from this
common annoyance. Freckles cannot
be scattered without getting down to
them. They are below the surface and
not on the skin. Consequently, the out
side skin layer must first be removed.
ONE OF THE BEST REMEDIES.
Lemon juice and glycerine combined
is favorite home remedy for freckles.
Some people think they cannot possibly
use glycerine! Perhaps they cannot, but
l think that is only because they do not
dilute it sufficiently. There are few ex-
ceptions where, if it is mixed with
enough water-the degree of dilution
should depend upon its effect on the
skin treated-it will not prove beneficial.
In combining it with lemon juice the
mixture may be made of equal parts, or
these proportions also may be varied &C
cording to their effect on the skin. AS
a rule, the thinner the skin the smaller
should be the proportion of lemon juice.
A teaspoonful to seven times that
amount of glycerine is enough for q
very delicate skin. Another way to use
lemon juice is to rub a fresh slice of the
fruit over the face. This may be left to
dry on for a time-for the object is to
scale off the surface layer of the skin.
Glycerine may be applied later for its
softening effect, but the first method is
preferable. The old-fashioned way of
washing the face in buttermilk or sour
cream is also advisable.
TAKING CARE OF THE SKIN OF THE FACE.
The first step should be to wash the
hands thoroughly, then change the
water, using only pure, clean water on
the face. Various troubles may be
caused by rubbing soiled hands over the
face. Warm water-I use it hot-and
soap should be used, the latter only at
night, followed by friction with a
Turkish towel. Do not 60 out into the
open air at once after this, but wait a
little while, for the delicate skin of the
face should be protected against sudden
changes, and especially against cold. 1t
is we'll to use two washcloths, one for
the soap and one for the clear water.
The best material is said to be raw silk.
Washcloths should be kept spotlessly
clean. The most fastidious cleanliness
is one of the first secrets of health and
beauty. The care of the skin must be
continuous.
Spasmodic efforts do not yield the de-
sired results. Ammonia few drops
in the bowl of water-is very cleansing,
and may be used now and then. Tinct-
ure of benzoin, about dozen drops in
the water, is refreshing to the skin. The
circulation of the skin of the face must
be gently but firmly encouraged by
friction, as this not only gives nutrition
to the parts, but also carries of the
WORKOUT and useless material. After
all this care has been given the face may
be rubbed over with silk handkerchief.
This gives a polish not a shine-to the
surface which is very pleasing. If you
can use little alcohol do so after a
bath, or indeed at any time. Alcohol
toughens the skin and gets it into con-
dition to resist the onslaught of sun,
wind and cold.
PMPLEs, FLEsH-woRMso OR BLAcKHRADs.
Pimples or acne seem to come in crops
and are very painful. One set is hardly
gone before another appears. They in
dictate at times some internal derange-
ment which requires the advice and
treatment of a physician. Not infre-
quently they follow the indulgence in
rich and indigestible food. If the cause
| is not deep-seated, local treatment will
often be Of benefit. For pimples use the
following: Precipitate of sulphur, one
dram; tincture of camphOr, one dram;
rose water, four ounces. This may be
applied several times day.
A good lotion for blackheads Is car.
Donate of magnesia and zinc oxide, each
one dram; rose water, four ounces.
Shake and mop on the spots, and later
the bulk of the ''worm" which is the
thickened contents of tiny oil tube in
the skin, may be gently pressed out
after the face is steamed, and reliable
cold cream applied. But be careful how
you press these points. Do not bruise
your face by using the finger-nail or the
round of watch-key, for the harm you
may do in this way may take days to
remedy. Sometimes, too, scratching OF
bruising leaves discolored spot. But
take soft handkerchief and fold IL
several times loosely 80 that it will form
pad under each thumb ball, then gen.
| tly force out the sworn" This you
should do at night as there will general.
ly be little redness after the squeezing.
Some girls seem to be seized with an
uncomfortable desire to attend to these
things just when they ought not to-
before dressing for dinner, for instance.
There seems to be peculiar fascination
in applying treatment at some inoppor.
tune time. 1t is SO pleasing to have
ones friends say, "Why, what have you
been doing to your facet"
WHAT CAUSES SKIN DISEASES.
We cannot ignore the old-fashioned
idea of our grandmothers that skin dis
eases came from bad or impure blood.
| remember when I took mOlasses and