Truth About Cosmetics

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 109, 11 May 1939, Page 14

Truth About Cosmetics

Many Follow Med;cal Rules

So much has been said and written concerning the “racket” of cosmetics that I feel called upon to wield my feeble pen in defence of these much maligned beauty aids, says a Sydney writer. Corresponding with modem requirements and the entry of science into newer and more varied fields, cosmetics have also become scientific.

The application methods and the beauty treatments have been revised to conform with strictest scientific requirements and the manufacture of the creams, ■ lotions and coloured cosmetics has now I become an important and precise branch of applied chemistry. An obvious fact, and one which is frequently disregarded, is the fact that the skin is a delicate and sensitive tissue. This is evidenced by the prevalence of skin disorders—eczema, tinea, etc. Thus the first essential for a scientific cosmetic preparation is to determine by medical test any reaction the skin may have towards each individual component of the preparation. It is not difficult for a trained chemist to discover and eliminate the harmful constituents such as arsenic, lead, thallium, etc., which are frequently used by manufacturers who have no chemical knowledge. But it takes long and exhaustive research to eliminate unusual and unexpected defects. That is the reason the modem cosmetic chemist keeps a sample of all preparations for a year, to watch for any deterioration due to unexpected reactions among the constituents, before issuing the formula.

Many cosmetics originated from medical prescriptions. Most dandruff lotion* are akin to the standard British Pharmacopaeia formula. These facts should interest the sceptics.

Cold cream was first formulated in the days of the Romans by Galen, one of the most famous of the early medical men. Calomine lotion is another medical cosmetic. This list could be added to considerably, but it is sufficient to show that most cosmetic preparations have a sound medical foundation.

The variation in the price of cosmetics is another much discussed topic. Why are some cosmetics in the luxury class and others apparently similar, guite economically priced?' 1 The chief reason lies in the cost of the component parts. The era of mass production affected the cosmetic field as it did other fields, in that it led to a big reduction in prices. Many manufacturers sought to reduce the cost of production still further by substituting cheap mineral oils and paraffin wares for the more costly natural oils and wares. The products so prepared look the same, and have similar physical properties as the vegetable oil products, but chemically there is a vast difference. Much could be written concerning the scientific analysis of the skin and its natural affinities, but it should suffice to say that science has shown that mineral oils are not absorbed by the skin, and are essentially foreign to the skin by nature. It is an accepted scientific fact that the acid reaction of the skin is its safeguard against germ invasion, and that the use of even slightly alkaline soaps and creams may cause skin disorders. It will be along the lines of this discovery that most of the future work in cosmetic I preparations will take place*

A good way of keeping a bread board spotless is to rub with slice of lemon, then wash in cold water. * * # • Fold an old towel into several thicknesses and machine round the edges and across to provide an oven cloth. # # # # Yellow stains caused by cigarettes on fingers and nails can be removed by rubbing with eau-de-cologne. * # # * Stone steps can be successfully varnished if they are first thoroughly washed and given a coat of buff paint.