lip balm and facial cleaners

[Angel of Mercy]

I am looking for a vendor or person who makes and sells period lip bamls and/or facial cleaners.

I know the company of C O Bigelow was around in the 1830s. Any chances they would carry items of period mixtures?

Is there a book on 19th century hygiene where I could make my own?

Thanks!

[Angel of Mercy]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

I have Virginia Mescher's Historic Uses of Herbs and Lola Montez's Timeless Beauty books. I'll look through those and see what I can create.

[pambryda]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

I haven't read it, but how about Mrs. Mescher's "Powdered, Painted, and Perfumed: Cosmetics of the Civil War Period and Their Historic Context?"

From the Ragged Soldier website: This book examines the different cosmetics in use during the civil war period as well as their history. Includes both period recipes for comparison and modern recipes for period cosmetics. 192 pages

Sounds like this might be what you're looking for?

Pam Kingsley-Bryda

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Krystin, as per a lip balm, I have an 1858 United States Dispensatory at home. If you can wait until this evening I will look up what it prescribes.

In the meantime a multipurpose salve has been discussed; http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/...ighlight=salve, it comes with precautionary notes.

[Angel of Mercy]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Pam- I'll hae to see if my mom has that one in her collection, and if not, I'll be ordering it.

Garrison- I await your findings.

It should be interesting to see how this stuff combines and see if it works!

[Bluegoose]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Krystin,

Wife and I have entertained using the recipe from Martha Lloyd's Household Book, pre 1843. Here's the link.

http://www.janeausten.co.uk/index.ihtml

[Vuhginyuh]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Krystin, the dispensary lists several mixtures, chemicals and elements that you could use.

The safest is UNGUENTUM AQUAE ROSAE, a mixture that is “ pleasant and cooling…to irritated and excoriated surfaces… and…chapped lips and hands.”

2 fluid oz of Almond Oil (food grade)
1 fluid oz of rose water
.5 oz White wax
.5 oz of Spermaceti

Simply heat in a double boiler and mix together. It states that you can add more rose water and almond oil if you so desire.

Now as to the Spermaceti; the dispensary recommends using olive oil or coconut oil if spermaceti is unavailable or if your supply has spoiled.

&&&&&&&&&

Or just buy a jar of cold cream and use that. It looks like its the same thing.

[Mutt]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Well, I'm not well read on this matter, but I still use Witch Hazel to clean my face nightly and after a shave (Also use Bigelow's after shave, awesome stuff). I have seen it sold in small bottles by several of the Approved Vendors on the list. Check out Ezra Barnhouse and Carter and Jasper for some great knick-knacks.

Yea, I just post responses to BOTH your inquiries Krystin. :) haha

[Angel of Mercy]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Thank you Matt!!

[Becky Morgan]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

You can also pick up witch hazel at CVS and (at least our local) Wal-Mart. It's inexpensive, period correct and smells good.
I can vouch for the almond oil balm, too. It's safe and great on very dry skin.

[Virginia Mescher]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

I haven't read it, but how about Mrs. Mescher's "Powdered, Painted, and Perfumed: Cosmetics of the Civil War Period and Their Historic Context?"

From the Ragged Soldier website: This book examines the different cosmetics in use during the civil war period as well as their history. Includes both period recipes for comparison and modern recipes for period cosmetics. 192 pages

Sounds like this might be what you're looking for?

Pam Kingsley-Bryda

This is Virginia chiming in. _Powdered, Painted and Perfumed_ does have both historical recipes and modern safe equivalents in the book. I would be very cautious about using period recipes unless you are very familiar with all the ingredients and a great many of the original recipes have many toxic and dangerous ingredients in them. There are some safe period recipes and those are the ones that I tried to include in the book. Even the most seeming safe ingredient could be dangerous if you are allergic so beware to your reaction to them by testing it on a small place in your skin. Also a safe ingredient can have an adverse effect in certain conditions.

Just be care when making your own cosmetics or trying any new cosmetic if you have sensative skin.

[MomKelly]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Hi Krystin,

and along the lines of safety... that Mrs. Mescher mentions, if you choose to make the solutions.... don't use the dishes or pots and pans from your kitchen.. you may damage the pot or potentially worse...

... leave a residue in or on the metal or glass surface that can't be seen or scrubed off, but maybe be liberated with the heat applied with the next meal.

Catherine Kelly
(AKA MomK) :wink_smil

[John-Owen Kline]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

UNGUENTUM AQUAE ROSAE

I made a tub of the balm Garrison recommended. It was easy to do and unlike any modern product I have used. Why buy a modern concoction?

And it's made of harmless ingredients.

[markj]

Re: lip balm and facial cleaners

Jackie Chiles from "Seinfeld" says....

http://www.thefantasysportsfan.com/chiles8.gif

Very truly yours, &c.,

Mark Jaeger

[lojafan]

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!