Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, 'mind your own bee's wax.' Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term 'crack a smile'. In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt . . . Therefore, the expression 'losing face.'

It's also in A Christmas Carol. I had forgotten all about that one and I have several books illustrated by Arthur Rackham. https://victorianweb.org/art/illustration/rackham/7.html

I remember in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar, Judas refuses to accept the money given to him for disclosing Christ's location. "I don't want your blood money." I really like that movie for the music and acting, but especially love the way the beginning and end are framed by "real" scenes where the actors arrive and leave. Another wonderful Norman Jewison film.

That's a good one! Never would have thought that but totally makes sense.