Though health and beauty were considered by many writers to be interconnected, some of the "beauty products" available (or recommended) in the 19th century weren't necessarily the best things for your health! I don't recommend, for example, treating your acne with a drop of mercury. "Harmless" arsenic wafers for the complexion were available well into the 20th century. While many beauty products and toiletries could be bought "over the counter," many of these articles offer recipes for products that can be made at home. Some actually sound like they might be a good idea; others, not so much. So we'll take the classic stand here and say: These articles are for information only; we don't recommend that you try this at home!

Recipes for Cosmetics & Toiletries (Peterson's, 1856)

Recipes for Perfumes (Peterson's, 1856)

Recipes for the Toilet (Peterson's, 1858)

Cold Cream (Godey's, 1860)

A variety of recipes for cold creams and cosmetics.

The Toilet [Health & Beauty Recipes] (Godey's, 1863)

Our Scent Bottles (Godey's, 1873)

A discussion of various types of perfumes and colognes.

Harmless Requisites of the Toilet (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1878)

Some of these "harmless" toiletries don't sound like such a good idea today!

The Toilet Table, and What Should Lie Thereon, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

How to tend your mirror; how to make your own bay rum; beauty compounds to avoid; choosing a healthy soap; and more!

Toilet Table Elegancies, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1886)

A host of tips on preparing your own cosmetics, from skin care to tooth powders and mouth washes.

Helps for the Toilet [Recipes for the Complexion] (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

Recipes for Perfumes (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

Includes a recipe for hair renewer, and a recipe for a perfume smelling of new-mown hay.

Useful Hints: Toiletries & Cosmetics (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

A selection of recipes for toiletries, cosmetics and beauty products.

Soap (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Healthy vs. unhealthy types of soap.

Useful Recipes [for Cosmetics & Perfumes] (Girl's Own Paper, 1898)

Recipes for face cream, mouth wash, smelling salts, hair restorer, scents and more.

A New Year's Gift to Our Girls, by "Medicus"* (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Home recipes for a variety of cosmetics and beauty products.

*"Medicus" was the pen-name of Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N., health columnist for The Girl's Own Paper. Read the complete collection of Medicus Columns from 1881-1902 in chronological order.

See also

• General Beauty Tips

• Hair & Skin Care

• Caring for the Hands & Feet

• How Perfumes Are Made