Metaphorically speaking, beauty is not “only skin deep” since real beauty — the beauty of the soul — is more important. Literally also, this saying is incorrect because physical beauty is not skin deep — it goes deeper than that, too.
While intellectual beauty develops the soul and should be cultivated, physical beauty originates only in a healthy body. Normal functioning of every organ and, particularly, good circulation of clean uncontaminated blood goes far in building a healthy, good-looking skin and complexion. The skin is an organ of protection and elimination. It covers our body completely forming a tough but pliable waterproof wrapper around the outer muscles; these and the skin both protect and cushion the vital inner organs. The skin is covered, for additional protection, by hair in the form of fuzz and, in some places, by a thick covering of hair as on the head.
The skin also secretes oily substances which protect the body from the penetration of water and the harmful germs always present in the air.
As an integral part of our body the skin is dependent on our general condition of health for its well-being. In order to have a young pliable skin and a good complexion we must have a good heart, good lungs, and strong digestive powers. If we supply the blood with good, natural, unadulterated foods with all the necessary vitamins and minerals, plenty of sunshine, fresh air, exercise and relaxation, and a happy mental attitude, our looks, complexion, and our entire skin, will respond in the same measure as all the rest of the body does to such treatment.
The use of cosmetics is justified only for beautifying and for fragrance. They do not build or improve the skin in any way except perhaps where the water is hard, or in extremes of dry, hot, or cold weather when the skin gets dry and loses part of its oily covering. Light applications of creams containing lanolin or any other animal oils are advisable in such cases.
As for the so-called “foods for the skin” — preparations purporting to nourish the skin with hormones — they are nothing but a profitable hoax since the skin is an organ of elimination and not of absorption. The skin does not absorb any substances except air. The only benefit obtained from these preparations is the massaging procedure involved in the application. However, it is somewhat too costly with the use of “skin foods” and one can accomplish the same results by using Crisco, a very good vegetable fat, for the purpose or else with some of the simpler lanolin preparations.
The use of cosmetics is a tradition as old as history. The overuse of them always went along with the downfall of great empires. The spoiled rich of ancient times in their wild rush for pleasure had been using the most fantastic ingredients for anointing and beautifying themselves. Overuse of cosmetics and demoralization were always closely related. Abandoning natural life also can be in a sense considered a type of demoralization since anything is immoral which is harmful to the body or mind. Let us not overdo this either.
All diseases of the skin, and there is a tremendous amount of them, no matter how they appear or what they are called, are all a result of impure blood loaded with toxins and a faulty digestion. Rational living and natural diet will correct any skin disease very quickly because the skin responds more rapidly to a favorable change in the blood than our inner organs do due to its eliminating properties and its direct exposure to air, sunshine, and water in bathing. The self-treatment outlined in the chapter on “How to Treat Yourself in Any Illness” will apply in the case of skin treatment as well.
Our advice to women is to use cosmetics sparingly — a bit of powder on the nose, a dab of rouge on the cheeks, a few drops of perfume, and nothing else. Lipstick is definitely harmful and should be used cautiously and very rarely. Every preparation used should be carefully studied for contents before purchase. Any one of them known to contain harmful chemicals should be discarded. The author will be glad to recommend some healthful preparations to those interested.
In general, bear in mind that beauty comes from health and purity of body and mind. No artificial beauty can take the place of natural beauty, either God given or acquired, through the application of proper methods of healthful living and thinking.
Be healthy and you will be beautiful.
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