One teaspoonful of carbolic acid and one pint of rose-water mixed is
an excellent remedy for pimples. Bathe the skin thoroughly and often,
but do not let the wash get into the eyes.
This wash is soothing to mosquito bites, and irritations of the skin
of every nature.
It is advisable, in order to clear the complexion permanently, to
cleanse the blood; then the wash would be of advantage.
To obtain a good complexion, a person's diet should receive the first
attention. Greasy food, highly spiced soups, hot bread and butter,
meats or game, rich gravies, alcoholic liquors, coffee--all are
injurious to the complexion. Strong tea used daily will after a time
give the skin the color and appearance of leather. Coffee affects the
nerves more, but the skin less, and a healthy nervous system is
necessary to beauty. Eating between meals, late suppers, over-eating
at meals, eating sweetmeats, candies, etc., all these tend to
disorder the blood, producing pimples and blotches.
Washing of the face or skin is another consideration for a good
complexion; it should be thoroughly washed in plenty of luke-warm
water with some mild soap--then rinsed in clear water well; dry with
a thick soft towel. If suds is left or wiped off the skin, the action
of the air and sun will tan the surface, and permanently deface the
complexion; therefore one should be sure to thoroughly rinse off all
soap from the skin to avoid the tanning, which will leave a brown or
yellow tinge impossible to efface.