BEST COSMETIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 150, 27 June 1931, Page 4 (Supplement)

BEST COSMETIC.

CARE OF THE SKIN. USE OF GOOD SOAP. I name soap first among cosmetics— as the most necessary article, and the most popular, writes Josif Ginsburg, of Hollywood. Soap influences the skin in two ways — chemically and mechanically. The chemical properties are the softening of foreign bodies that adhere to the skin, loosening of scales, and the dissolving of greasy substances covering the skin. Soap makes it easier to remove the make-up and particles of dust attracted by the grease. The friction made by the hands in the building of lather constitutes the mechanical property of soap. There is hardly another toilet article which will clean the" skin so thoroughly and so without irritation as soap does. Those who do not use any soap may be

sure that their skin is not as meticulously clean as is the complexion of the woman who does. It is known to everyone that there are good and bad soaps. Sinco the purpose of these articles is to give you a general regime of beauty and not to further the sale of any particular brand of cosmetic, I shall content myself with a short description of the general qualities of soap which will, without going into detail and chemical analysis, make it more or less possible to recognise a good soap from a bad one. The consistency of good soap should be neither too soft nor too hard. It should easily build a quick lather without the tendency for the lather to disappear quickly. A good soap should not contain too much colouring matter. The lather should not show any streaks of colour. A good soap, when dry, never reveals a residue of tiny hard crystals. The perfume of facial soaps should not be so pronounced as to cause irritation to sensitive skins. In fact, it is far better for the face to use soap without perfume. ' In shopping for facial soap, ask for something of the neutral type. These soaps do not irritate the skin, and leave no sensation of dryness or tension. For dry and sensitive skins I recommend the so-called over-fatted soaps. There is now a lanoline soap which is excellent. Medicated soaps are excellent for scalp and skin abnormalities, but should not be used without the special recommendation of a physician. And all soaps known for their antiseptic properties should be used only for the hands. In other words, the woman who understands beauty culture chooses her soaps as carefully as she does her creams. Facial soap, bath soap;. and hand soap Comprise, the three varieties she will choose. For that priceless heritage of hers, her good complexion, she will use only a special soap chosen with great *care. Often this perfect type is arrived at only after trying several? brands. Persevere until you encounter one that is harmonious to your needs.