Tincture of benzoin 2 oz. Tincture of tolu 2¾ oz. Aromatic water 4 qts.
Soap 1 oz. Olive oil 1 oz. Wax 1 oz. Spermaceti 1 oz. Sweet almonds 1 lb. Cucumber juice (freshly expressed) 4½ pints. Extract of cucumber 1 pint. Alcohol 2 lb.
Soap 2¼ oz. Olive oil 2¼ oz. Wax 2¼ oz. Sweet almonds 1 lb. Extract of tuberose 1 lb. Rose water 5 pints. Dandelion juice 5 oz.
Dandelion juice is the bitter milk sap of the root of the common dandelion (Leontodon taraxacum); it should be expressed immediately before use. The rose water may be replaced by some other aromatic water or even ordinary water; but the latter should be distilled, otherwise the lime it contains would form an insoluble combination with the soap.
BITTER-ALMOND MILK (LAIT D’AMANDES AMÈRES).
Bitter almonds 2¼ oz. Soap 2¼ oz. Expressed oil of almond 2¼ oz. Wax 2¼ oz. Spermaceti 2¼ oz. Rose water 4 qts. Alcohol 3 pints. Oil of bitter almond ½ oz. Oil of bergamot 1 oz. Oil of lemon ½ oz.
Olive oil 2¼ oz. Soap 2¼ oz. Wax 2¼ oz. Spermaceti 2¼ oz. Sweet almonds 4 lb. Oil of rose 150 grains. Rose water 4 qts. Alcohol 1 pint.
Soap. 2¼ oz. Olive oil 2¼ oz. Wax 2¼ oz. Spermaceti 2¼ oz. Pistachio nuts 14 oz. Oil of neroli ¾ oz. Orange-flower water 6 qts. Alcohol 1 qt.
In the main they resemble in their composition the emulsions and vegetable milks, but differ by their thick consistence which renders them suitable for being rubbed into the skin. Cold-creams are really salves perfumed with one of the well-known odors which give them their names. Fat forms the basis of these mixtures and gives them their hygienic effect, as it imparts fulness and softness to the skin. Every well-made cold-cream should have the consistence of recently congealed wax and should yield to the pressure of the finger like pomatum. It should be noted that the addition of very thick glycerin will increase the effect of the cold-cream and improve its fine transparent appearance; but this substance must be added with great care, otherwise the mass will not possess the required firmness.
In making cold-cream, a mixture of wax, spermaceti, and expressed almond oil must be combined with an aromatic water and an essential oil. The first part of the operation is easy; the wax and spermaceti are melted at the lowest possible temperature, and the almond oil is added under continual stirring. It is more difficult to unite the other substances with this base; the aromatic water is admitted in a thin stream under vigorous stirring (or whipping, or churning), and when it forms a uniform mass with the contents of the mortar the remaining substances are stirred in and the still fluid mass is poured into the vessels intended for it, and allowed to congeal.