lip balm and facial cleaners

[ElizabethClark]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Mr Gale, I'd say that would be a question best answered by the soldiers--get hold of military sutler records and see if such things were listed as inventory sold, and read lots of soldier's diaries and letters, and their homefront's diaries and letters, and see if mentions of sending or receiving such things are there.

[granvillelady]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

I have made the lip balm using the recipe from Virginia and I really like it. Send a private PM if you want to! ;)

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

This hasnt beed chimed in on for some time, but would these also work for soldier in the field or are these more of a luxary item?

Thank you!

You really don't have to purchase or make lip balm. A soldier could resort to common remedy for chapped lips.

The American Frugal Housewife by Mrs. Childs, 1833

"Ear-Wax—Nothing is better than ear-wax to prevent effects resulting from a wound by a nail, skewer, etc. It should be put on as soon as possible. Those with cracked lips have found this remedy successful when others have failed. It is one of those sorts of cures, which are very likely to be laughed at; but I know of its having produced very beneficial results."

Usually grease was available in camp and that could be used on chapped lips and cracked hands.

As for face cleaners, soap and water were the most recommended. Sarah Hale used vinegar and brown paper to keep her skin soft.

Although I have researched 19th century cosmetics and have written articles and a book on the subject, I don't expect that soldiers in the field had more to worry about than soft skin. I did see in one sutler list of sales that a bottle of hair oil was purchased but nothing else in the way of skin care.

[lojafan]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Great! Thanks!!