Page "Alum" Paragraph 12

* Alum was used as a base in skin whiteners and treatments during the late 16th century.

A recipe for one such compound was given thus :" For the Freckles which one getteth by the heat of the Sun: Take a little Allom beaten small, temper amonst it a well brayed white of an egg, put it on a milde fire, stirring it always about that it wax not hard, and when it casteth up the scum, then it is enough, wherewith anoint the Freckles the space of three dayes: if you will defend your self that you get no Freckles on the face, then anoint your face with the whites of eggs.

" — Christopher Wirzung, General Practise of Physicke, 1654.