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Toilet Preparations: Almonds

Borax.. bly the nut or kernel of the almond, of which there are two sorts: the sweet and the bitter. The almond is the fruit of a tree very similar to the peach tree. It is cultivated extensively in southern Europe, and is now grown largely in California. Almonds are much cheaper now than they were formerly, and are likely to become cheaper still. The almond contains two active principles: an odorless fixed oil of a light color, which is obtained by pressure; and the oil of bitter almonds, which is a volatile oil obtained by crushing bitter almonds in cold water and by distillation. This latter oil is colorless, limpid, and has the distinctive odor of bitter almonds, similar to that of prussic acid. It sometimes contains prussic acid, in which case, if taken internally even in minute quantities, it is a deadly poison.

The ordinary almonds of commerce are sweet almonds of the thinshelled varieties. They contain about 50 per cent or more of almond oil, which may be extracted by boiling in water or by softening the kernels with water or other liquid, rubbing them in a mortar, and mixing the resulting mass with various other ingredients. Or the oils of commerce LOTIONS FOR TAN AND SUNBURN 1 lb. 2 dr.

Almonds, Bitter..... 1 oz. lb. 4 08. 1 oz. dr. dr.

Oz. 1 oz. oz. 1 dr. 8 oz. oz. 1 dr. 1 dr. 8 oz. 2 oz. 1 scr. 1 pt. oz. pt. 2 dr. 1 scr. oz. 2 oz.

OZ. oz. 2 oz. 14 OZ. 1 oz. pt. pt.

OZ. 3 dr. 1 qt. 1 gal. 4 dr. 2 qt. 1 qt. 66 " Oil of. ..

Sweet 66 ..

Rock Candy...

Oz.

Salt.

Camphor...

Benzoin Tinc. Tolu...

Alum......

Lemon Juice.

Tartar Oil Limewater.....

Alcohol (95%)...

Rose Water...

Any Essential Oil.. 1 dr. 1 pt. pt. 1 dr.

ALMOND MILK CREAM AND PASTE Almond Preparations. -The prime favorite among all ingredients of the various toilet preparations is probagill oz. 3 dr. 20 m. may be utilized. Preparations of almonds for toilet purposes are variously known as "milk of almonds," "almond cream," "almond paste," and the like. They are likewise TOILET PREPARATIONS known as English, French, or other "milk of roses," and by similar fanciful titles, arising from the various added ingredients and the wishes of the different manufacturers.

Among the ingredients most often added to almonds in these preparations are solid unguents, as white wax, spermaceti, white paste, and the like; also liquid unguents, as glycerin, honey, the yolk of egg, and similar substances. Perfumed and distilled water, alcohol, and other spirits are often used as vehicles.

And various specifics for the complexion, as benzoin, salts of tartar, alum, lemon juice, and other cosmetics, may be added. All recipes containing mineral substances, as salts of lead, mercury, bismuth, and the like, are here omitted.

The oil of almonds is a gentle emollient. It not only softens but also feeds the skin. Hence it is a specific for the complexion, and is especially useful for chaps, sunburn, redness, and other local irritations.

The following are standard recipes for milk, cream, or paste of almonds, in the order mentioned. Among these are proprietary articles which are sold under various fanciful titles at exorbitant prices, but which can be readily prepared at home by anyone who cares to take the necessary pains, with the advantage of knowing that the materials are fresh and pure and that the mixture contains nothing injurious.

Milk of Almonds. The principal object to be attained in preparing milk of almonds or milk of roses is to form a perfect emulsion which will not separate, or which, if it separates after standing, may be emulsified by shaking. Such substances as soap, gum, wax, and the like, are added for this purpose, and all such preparations will be improved by beating thoroughly with an egg beater or otherwise after all the ingredients have been incorporated.

The milk of roses varies from the milk of almonds merely in being perfumed with rose water or the essence or attar of roses. Other perfumes are frequently added, but in such limited quantities that the scent of roses predominates.

Rub up in a mortar 1 ounce of sweet blanched almonds by adding, a little at a time, pint of distilled water or pure soft water, mixing and rubbing constantly until a smooth, homogeneous milky emulsion is formed. Finally strain the resulting mixture through a piece of net or gauze to remove the coarser particles.

This is the common "milk of almonds" of perfumers, to which glycerin, various cosmetics, perfumes, and coloring matter may be added as desired.

Or mix in a mortar 5 drams of blanched almonds, 2 drams of white lump sugar or rock candy, and 1 dram of powdered gum arabic, and rub up the whole together in the same manner, adding distilled water, a little at a time, until 8 fluid ounces have been incorporated. This is an Irish formula, and is especially useful when it is desired to add oils, gums, or balsams.

Or milk of bitter almonds or emulsion of bitter almonds may be prepared in the same manner by substituting blanched bitter almonds for the sweet variety. The milk of bitter almonds is especially recommended to relieve itching and irritation (especially that caused by shaving), and as a remedy for freckles, but it develops prussic acid, a very active poison, and hence must not be swallowed or applied except in very minute quantities to a raw surface. Or put in a mortar 5 ounces of blanched sweet almonds, and add slowly 1 pint of distilled water, rubbing up the almonds with the water until a complete emulsion is formed.

Dissolve in a double boiler ounce of spermaceti, 4 ounce of white wax, and 1 ounce of castile soap. Pour into this mixture in a fine stream the milk of almonds, stirring constantly.