COMPLEXION “DON’TS.”

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17218, 8 December 1923, Page 9 (Supplement)

COMPLEXION “DON’TS.”

A lady doctor lecturing on the care of the skin recently deplored the fact that many women, under.the impression that they are caring for and improving their complexion, actually dc their best to ruin it. Open and coarsened pores,*’ she explained, “ arc often due to the fact that, in massaging her face, a girl has exerted too much pressure on the cuticle, thus stretching the skin and rendering it liable to absorb dirt particles. Frequent steaming of the face has the 6ame result. The pores be come permanently open, lose their elasticity, and only regain their fineness with difficulty. A cold douche of water is necessary after every application of .steam or hot water to the complexion, and such applications should only be given very rarely. A gentle circular movement, tending always upwards, is necessary for efficient- face massage.” Another point, on which the average woman errs is the casual way in •which she selects her face creams. Those containing a proportion of animal fats are fatal to any skin that is inclined to foster superfluous hair. Only -he creams compounded of vegetable nils are immune from this danger. But how many women take the trouble to make inquiries on this all-important point? Again, the clogging of an originally fine skin, by dint of persistent applications of oily cleansing mediums and skin foods, is a frequent cause of de terioration. From this clogging arises •a tendency to acne, an ailment very difficult to banish when once acquired. Cleansing and nourishing cream should, m almost every instance, be followed by a good skin tonic dabbed on the face to dispel all superfluous grease and help the pores to function freely. A little knowledge in face care is a dangerous thing. It i 3 necessary to acquire more than a little information, and follow’ it up scientific-allv. —F.F.