With most women, pimples are caused by indigestion or constipation.
Unless the body throws off its waste material as it should, the
poisonous matter will endeavor to find a way out through the pores of
the skin. The face, being the most sensitive, is usually the first part
of the body to be afflicted. The remedy for facial blemishes is found
in exercise, baths and a careful diet. And that reminds me that I would
like to remark right here that the combinations that girls and women
get when they order lunches are appalling enough to raise the hair
right off one's head, most particularly if one has any idea at all of
the general rules of hygiene and health.
It is just as easy to put beautifying foods into your stomach if you
will but once make up your mind to it. And what a host of trouble it
will save you! Not only in cosmetics, but doctor bills. What you eat is
the fuel that keeps the engine of life going. Good food makes good
strong muscles, pure blood and a fair, healthy, firm skin. If there are
troublesome little blotches on your face then mend your eating ways,
even though it breaks your heart to give up those awful and
indigestible dainties that you dote on so religiously. In place of the
pastries and the sweets and the pickles and the highly spiced dishes,
substitute fruit and vegetables. Save all those nickels and dimes that
you invest in ice cream soda, and instead exchange them for lemons and
oranges that will help drive away the unsightly pimples and red
blemishes. If possible, make your entire breakfast of fruit, either
cooked or raw. If the apples and oranges and peaches and pears do not
make active the digestive organs, then go to a reliable druggist and
have this harmless and excellent prescription filled:
Extract of dandelion, one dram.
Powdered rhubarb, q. s.
Divide into three and one-half grain pills and take one every
night, or oftener if necessary.
A state of nervousness will ofttimes bring a heart-wringing crop of
eruptions to the surface of the skin, and this condition is best
remedied by plenty of baths, lots of fresh air, exercise, and a stiff
but cheerful determination to brace up and not have any nerves--which,
by the way, is much easier said than done, as most of us know to our
sorrow.
No matter of what order the facial eruptions may be, they must be
treated with the greatest gentleness possible. There is nothing in
the world worse than rubbing them with a coarse towel, a proceeding
strongly advised by the old-fashioned ones who--bless their hearts--are
so likely to stick to old-timey notions till the cows come home, no
matter what arguments may be brought up to convince them of their
mistaken views.
Pimples must never be irritated. Breaking or bruising the skin only
adds to its diseased condition and general irritation. If the
complexion is unsightly with red blotches, a solution of boric acid in
boiling water, used warm, will be an effective lotion. Its application
should, of course, be combined with proper living as laid out above,
care being taken as to diet, exercise and the tepid daily bath. A good
cold cream should also be used. I have been told by many that
continuous applications of creme marquise had done away with pimples
and blackheads, and it is frequently found that nothing more than a
sensible diet and some simple pure face cosmetic is needed. When the
skin is merely inflamed--that is, red of color and very tender, there
is nothing better than a soothing cream like this. Listerine, witch
hazel and eau de cologne are all good as external lotions for pimples.
A paste of sulphur and spirits of camphor, which should be put on at
night and washed off the following morning, will do good work, provided
the beauty patient knows the laws of health.
[Illustration: MRS. OGDEN ARMOUR]
When there are both blackheads and pimples the latter must first be
gotten rid of. When the skin is perfectly free of these, then begin
with a camel's hair face-scrubbing brush to do away with the
blackheads. Wash the face thoroughly with the brush every night just
before going to bed, using warm water and pure castile soap. If the
blackheads are very bad add alcohol to the water. That is very
cleansing, but as it is also drying, a face cream must be smeared on
immediately after the face is rinsed and wiped. For some days it may
seem that the pores are large and coarse and open, but they are simply
undergoing a cleansing process that in the end will bring a lovely
white, perfect skin. Whenever I hear women say that they never wash
their faces, but use a cream instead, I always wonder if they really
feel clean. I am sure I would not. Fancy the state of our hands were we
never to wash them! And the face, having more oil glands, is in still
greater need of soap and water. However, let me say right here that no
soap at all is better than a cheap scented soap, and unless the very
best and purest soaps can be had it is much more desirable to
substitute almond meal or something of the sort. Treatment for
blackheads calls for the same care of the health as does treatment for
pimples.