C. Face Lotions.
The skin often contains spots with marked color which are more or less unsightly; for instance, freckles, liver spots, mother’s marks (nævi), etc. Unfortunately we know of no remedy which radically removes them; even chemical preparations with the most energetic effects, which of course must never be employed owing to their destructive action on the skin, cannot entirely do away with these dark spots which have their seat in the lower layers of the skin. But the public demands preparations for the removal of freckles, liver spots, etc., and—obtains them. We subjoin the formulas for several of such secret remedies, but declare emphatically that none of them will completely effect the desired result.
Freckle Milk (Lait Antéphelique).
| Camphor | 1¾ oz. |
| Ammonium chloride | ¾ oz. |
| Corrosive sublimate | 150 grains. |
| Albumen | 3½ oz. |
| Rose water | 2 lb. |
We call attention to the fact that the sublimate (bichloride of mercury) is very poisonous and must be used with the greatest care.
Freckle Lotion.
| Angelica root | 1¾ oz. |
| Black hellebore root | 1¾ oz. |
| Storax | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of bergamot | 150 grains. |
| Oil of citron | 150 grains. |
| Alcohol | 2 qts. |
|
Macerate for a week and filter.
Eau Lenticuleuse.
| Potassium carbonate | 7 oz. |
| Sugar | ¾ oz. |
| Orange-flower water | 2 qts. |
| Alcohol | 7 oz. |
Lilionese I.
| Potassium carbonate | 14 oz. |
| Water | 4 lb. |
| Rose water | 14 oz. |
| Alcohol | 7 oz. |
| Oil of rose | 150 grains. |
| Oil of cinnamon | 75 grains. |
Lilionese II.
| Rose water | 2 qts. |
| Orange-flower water | 1 qt. |
| Glycerin | 1 lb. |
| Potassium carbonate | 3½ oz. |
| Tincture of benzoin | ¾ to 1¾ oz. |
Add only enough of the alcoholic tincture of benzoin to render the liquid slightly opalescent or milky.
Lotion for Chapped Skin.
| Glycerin | 4 lb. |
| Water | 1 qt. |
| Rose water | 1 qt. |
Color pale red with cochineal.
Eau de Perles.
| White soap | 1 lb. |
| Dissolved in: Water | 4 qts. |
| Glycerin | 2 lb. |
| Add: Rose water | 1 qt. |
| Tincture of musk | 150 grains. |
To be colored bluish with some indigo-carmin.
Teint de Venus.
| Alcoholic soap solution | 2 qts. |
| Carbonate of potassium | 3½ oz. |
| Extract of orange flower | 3½ oz. |
The soap solution is made as concentrated as possible, and the entire fluid colored with cochineal; in place of the extract of orange flower, other essences or extracts may also be employed. For use, some of the liquid is poured into the wash water.
Pulchérine.
| Carbonate of potassium | 14 oz. |
| Water | 4 lb. |
| Orange-flower water | 2 lb. |
| Alcohol | 3½ oz. |
| Oil of neroli | 150 grains. |
| Tincture of vanilla | ¾ oz. |
The preceding preparations owe their activity merely to the presence of carbonate of potassium which forms an emulsion with the fat of the skin and thus resembles in its effects a mild soap. The other ingredients only serve to render the composition fragrant.