Democratic Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 March 1886 — Poisonous Cosmetics. [ARTICLE]

Poisonous Cosmetics.

Most cosmetics contain lead or arsenic. Some may contain less than others, but all have some. A few applications to the face effect no injury, but when the habit of using cosmetics is once confirmed it is necessary to keep it up, if one does not wish an ugly complexion. Constant use makes the skin rough and destroys beyond recovery its tissues. Should there be an abrasion of the skin it is possible that the poisoning may become constitutional and death ensue. In most cases, however, the affection is local. The application of a mild lotion and the abandonment of the use of cosmetics is the way of curing it. For actresses the use of cosmetics is usually thought necessary, for it hightens the natural color, hides the blemishes of homely faces, and gives them a good effect from a distance. But for the majority of women it is of no earthly service, and only a detriment. It does not add to the beauty of the natural complexion; it makes the face sallow, unhealthy, and unnatural. You can tell faces on which cosmetics have been applied at a glance. Every third woman that you meet—no, I will say two out of every three — shows that in this respect her vanity is stronger than her sense. Women sit up late at night, eat late suppers, drink strong coffee, get indigestion, and then complain of poor complexions. To make their faces clear and unblemished they use cosmetics. Perhaps this occurs at the beginning of a society season. They cannot break off using cosmetics, they think, until the season is over. By that time the habit is fixed, and their laces require cosmetics to make them presentable. Good health, which comes from good cave of the body, is the best cosmetic. — Exchange.