This section is from the book "Mrs. Charles H. Gibson's Maryland And Virginia Cook Book", by Charles H. Gibson. Also available from Amazon: Mrs. Charles H. Gibson's Maryland And Virginia Cook Book.
If there should be any ladies who are afflicted with any defect of their complexion, they may make a wash which should be applied morning and evening. It is not immediate in giving a white, painted look, but a week's use of it will prove that it is better than any of the so-called beautifiers. Take one fluid ounce tincture benzoin, and turn it slowly into eight ounces of rose water, shaking it all the time. Then take one ounce pure glycerine and one teaspoonful of borate of soda 21 and stir them together, adding one ounce of emulsion of bitter almonds. Stir these well together, and add them slowly to the rose water and benzoin, shaking all well. If this should smart the skin, add water to it until it does not. This is the famous Egyptian wash known and esteemed so highly, and is most excellent. The face, neck, hands and arms should be washed with tepid water and rubbed dry. This, then, should be applied with a sponge all over, letting it dry on the skin. It will leave a soft, clear, satiny surface, smelling deliciously refreshing and pleasant. Wrinkles and discolorations disappear gradually, and even pittings, as there is a peculiar process going on as long as it is used. The application forms a sort of transparent varnish on the skin, which cracks and peels off in microscopic particles, not visible to the eye, and each bit that comes off carries just so much of the outer skin with it, and so, imperceptibly, a delicate new skin is exposed, and the old clogged pores are set free and the sluggish circulation in the face is invigorated, and six months' conscientious use of this will restore to the most faded woman a fresh and blooming complexion, without the use of any cosmetic. Some ladies might not like the polished smoothness it gives, but such could dust a little rice powder or Recamier powder over it. Many gentlemen have found it a very soothing and refreshing application after shaving. A bottle of the proportions mentioned above would cost, made up by a druggist, about one dollar, and it would last a year, and prove invaluable all the time for moths, freckles, tan, sunburn and chapped skin, to say nothing of wrinkles and that general withered look that is so annoying to those who care for their appearance. Its emollient and healing qualities are remarkable.
"I can recommend most highly the 's. and W.' Brand of Tomatoes and Sugar Corn put up by Chas. T. Wrightson, as I have visited his factories and know he will have nothing but what is first-class. I use his tomatoes and think them very fine."
"The Queen Anne Cream prepared by the Bertha Company will be found a most valuable food for skin, muscles and nerves. It is not a cosmetic. Having used this myself I can recommend it to all, even children who have delicate nerves. It is very strengthening.
"I consider Sexton's Grand Heater, the very best stove in use to-day. I have had two of them in constant use for twenty years, and find them invaluable for heat and safety.'
"The Cresta Blanca Souvenir vintages are the very finest American wines on the market to-day, and are fully equal to the finest imported wine. So decided by the best connoisseurs of wines in this country."
"I recommend Madame Harriet Hubbard Ayer's Recamier Toilet Preparations as being very pure and beneficial.
"I consider Brown's Iron Bitters the very finest made, and a wonderful tonic for malaria and nervous prostration. I have used it for years, - always receive great benefit from it."
 
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