How Lviv women cared for their skin 90 years ago and which magazine served them as a reliable adviser

I recently came across an old man. Ukrainian magazine Nova Huta. It was published in the early 30s in Lviv for, as the translation says, the cultivation of home culture. There you can find various recipes, tips on needlework and housekeeping, announcements of book novelties and more.



But I was most interested in the self-care column. Today I will tell you how Lviv women cared for the skin of the face almost 90 years ago. That's interesting!

Ukrainian magazine “Nova Hata” is a unique collection of advice used by women almost 90 years ago. Each column is written in the first person, as if a friend is sharing proven recommendations with you.

The section devoted to self-care is called “Cosmetic radnik”. The first thing that catches the eye is the idea that beauty care is a purely individual matter. So you don't have to look up to your girlfriends. What suits them may easily not suit you.



Next, the author talks about the harmful effects of the sun. So that the skin does not lose its attractive appearance, and wrinkles and freckles do not appear, you need to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. No one knew about SPF creams 90 years ago. So that's how you got to escape.

In the same column there is information about the current type of figure for women. If before the fashion was thin, now (meaning 1934), ladies should work on muscle pumping. Greco-Roman competitions are the best for this.



Instagram/@history_lviv Also in the magazine there is advice on how to learn how to walk beautifully and properly. For this, you need to do various exercises on stilts. Unusual, isn't it?

In the 30s in Lviv there were so-called cosmetic rooms. The women who worked in them were called cosmetics. They not only understood cosmetic novelties, but also provided a whole range of services.

For example, if there were rashes or other problems on the skin, this problem should be treated, not hidden. Cosmetic procedures were aimed at reducing wrinkles and other age-related skin features. It was also possible to make a makeup in the cosmetic office.



Even then, cosmetics said that any skin problem is better to prevent than to treat. You need to pay attention to your beloved not only in the cosmetic office, but also at home. It is important to follow the advice of specialists and do various home treatments.

“A good appearance is not a miracle, but a serious work,” says Lviv cosmetics. To look good, it is important not only to go to the cosmetic office, but also to eat right, exercise and sleep well. As you can see, time passes and the truth remains the same.

In Lviv cosmetic office used imported hair dye. But they also made various means on their own. For example, women were advised to wash with freshly prepared almond milk instead of water. In addition, milk is advised to drink to improve the condition of the skin.



This recommendation is more of an anti-advice. However, it is very interesting to analyze how the cosmetics industry has developed in the past.

Also in the journal there is information about why hair can fall out and how to deal with it. The problems then and now are the same. Only the ways of their solution are different. Nevertheless, Lviv specialists strongly recommended not to self-medicate, but always contact people who understand the issue.

It is great that such unique magazines have survived to our times. It seems that 90 years is not such a long time in the context of history. However, during this time our lives have changed dramatically. That’s why it’s so interesting to look back and see how women have cared for themselves before and what they care about.



If you want to plunge deeper into the Lviv atmosphere of the 30s, I share a link to 12 issues of the Ukrainian magazine Nova Hata. Fascinating reading!