HINTS ON THE HYGIENE OF THE SKIN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7607, 17 January 1903, Page 3

HINTS ON THE HYGIENE OF THE SKIN.

»Superabundanoe, or, on the other hand, lack of colour in the complexion is m> much a matter of heredity and climate (says a contemporary) that we can no more expect to have the same amount of bloom on our cheeks thnn to have the roses in our garden of precisely the same tint. A bea.utiful complexion may ha inherited from a race of pure-blooded healthy ancestors, or may be induced by climatic influence. On the contrary, there are manj' ■women who nre born with pale, fair complexions, with scarcely a ting* of colour even when in the most perfect health. No amount of skin tonics would produce a natural, rosy bloom on these pale, delicate skins — nor is it to be desired. Nature has produced beauty in aa many contrasts of colour as of shape, and we ought no more to desire to have the same •uniformity of complexion than we should crave to possess the same mould of features. When the face is too highly coloured or muddy yellowish, or even purple, then an unmistakable waxniiMf is given that there is something wrong^ith the general state of health. The over-brilliant colour is often caused by over-feeding, by too Luxuriant habits, and by insufficient exercise ; a muddy skin points to indigestion, poor circulation and lack of enough fresh air and exercise ; a yellow skin denotes disordered liver, or even more serious trouble ; while a purple appearance is generally the danger signal of heart disease. Freckles are a terrible thorn in the flesh to many people who have to put up with the disfigurement of having a white eikin blotched fov quite half the year with these u Sly yellow spots. There is no specific cure for these "sun. kisses," as someone rather aptly calls them, except, perhaps, the radical cure of keeping altogether out of the sunlight, but there are many lotions prescribed by dermatologists, which undoubtedly do good for a time. Some excellent recipes, writes Mrs Fenwick Miller, in the "Daily News," are given in a little book called " The Lady's Dressingroom," translated some years ago from the 7 French by Lady Colin Campbell, from which I venture to quote : — 1. One part of tincture of iodine and three parts of glycerine, or, 2, in ihalf a pint of sweet oil dissolve seven grammes of powdered camphor ; then add two grammes of oil of eweet almonds. Both of these are stated to have an excellent tffect. Two even more simple remedies are to wash the face repeatedly vrith butter-milk or to rub in a mixture made of two parts of the juice of watercress and one part of honey mixed, together,, and passed through a muslin bag. ' Wrinkles, the despair of all who cherish their looks, are often prematurely stamped on the face by nervous, personal tricks. Repeated frowning or lifting of the forehead when speaking is bound to produce even in comparative youth deep lines across the brow, adding years to the appearance. A life of perpetual strain, of insufficient sleep or over-fatigue ■ in the pursuits of either amusement or work, alike inevitably \leave their mark* in a dismal network of crows' feet round the eyes. The " laughter " lines round the mouth are rather pleasing thnn otherwise, as showing signs of a merry disposition, and are very different from the pathetic wrinkles dr»\ru by suffering, so often t-o be seen on the face of .a weakly woman. Tihe same authority from whom I have already quoted gives us the soothing! information that the arrival of wrinkles and the heavy chin ma}' be ret a.rdted by washing and drying the face from "the lower part up to the top," and that crows' feet may ba avoided by washing the eyes " from the temples towards the nose." Sunburn can be quickly cured by bathing the face: in warm milk and water, in butter-milk or in milk in which slices of fresh cucumbers have been steeped. Many of our ancestors recommended a face bath in the early morning, or a walk in the rain, as a sovereign specific for preserving beautiful youthful skin j and these simple remedies were certainly' used with the greatest success by the celebrated Diana de Poitiei's, who, as tradition states, preserved her youthful appearance to far beyond the natural span of woman's life, I need hardly say that all face powders must be carefully avoided, as, in common with other cosmetics, they spell ruin to the skin. The troublesome complant called acne, or blackheads, which so frequently spoils the complexions of young girls, is too 'well known to need describing. It is often a, sign of general debility, or anajmia, and will disappear as the health improves. In. this case a doctor should be asked for a strong tonic to aid the local treatment. The cure can also be hastened by careful attention to the diet. All starchy food, such as potatoes, must be partaken of very sparingly, and fresh fruit and vegetables should be freely eaten. Frequent washing 3 with soap and warm water, to be followed by a -thorough massage of thp unsightly places with cold cream, is the only possible local treatment. Great perseverance and patience may have to be exercised, as sometimes the cure is long and tedious. Nothing ages or wrinkles the most beauful complexion) more than worry and want of rest. If we wish to keep young-looking as long as possible, we must try and exercise the necessary self-control, and avoid our worries by forcibly diverting our minds to other <subjects. Many a wrinkle may be saved by simply resting. There is nothing more refreshing tharo lying down for a short period with loosened garments, and taking deep respirations, allowing the breath to escape quietly and naturally. ]f this respiration exercise is tried by the 'tired woman for five or six minutes at a time, she will ba agreeably surprised to feel how much fresher she is for the enforced rest. Fresh air, pure water, simple food, good health and a cheerful temperament will do more to give us good looks and youthful complexions tlian all the cosmetics in the world, and these go a long way towards creating happiness not only for ourselves, but for those who come in conj tact with us.