Life, 1918-01-17 · page 40 of 40
Life — January 17, 1918 — page 40: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This is **primarily a product advertisement**, not political satire. It's a Woodbury's Facial Soap ad from Life magazine (January 1921, based on the visible date). **The "Sunlight" Premise:** The ad uses a dramatic before/after scenario: a woman's skin may look acceptable in soft evening light, but sunlight harshly reveals imperfections. This creates anxiety—a common advertising tactic—suggesting only Woodbury's soap can create skin worthy of daylight scrutiny. **The Social Message:** The ad reflects 1920s beauty standards emphasizing flawless, "clear" skin as essential for women's acceptability and confidence. The implicit message: women should feel shame about their skin unless it passes the "sunlight test." **The Mechanism:** Instructions promise results within a week through daily facial washing with Woodbury's soap, with the offer of a free sample booklet to encourage trial. There is no political satire here—it's straightforward commercial persuasion using social anxiety about appearance as the selling point.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Sunlight can be kind or cruel Vol. 71, N Copsti Strong sunlight is the real proof of your skin’s beauty, At night, under soft shaded lights, you may succeed in making your skin appear attractive, but how does it look by day? N_ you ¢ the strong. sunlight with confidence? Is your skin so fine in texture, so soft and clear that you do not hesitate to be seen with your face bathed in. sunshine? Scientists say, strong sunlight is a thousand times stronger than ordinary electric light. You can look well in daylight, too There is no reason why your skin should xf be clear and lovely, always. ‘The Woodbury treatments are based on this fundamental fact; every day a change takes place in your skin. ‘The old skin dies, new forms, This new skin Woodbury’ Facial Soap *.. can be rendered delightfully clear, smooth and free from all blemishes. Follow these directions carefully Just before retiring, wash your face and neck with plenty of warm water and Wood- bury's Facial Soap. Work up a good soapy lather and rub thoroughly into the pores, using: . Do this until Rinse well If possible, finish with a piece of ice, and dry carefully ‘The Woodbury treatment produces mazked improvement in a week or ten d If kept up regularly it will give you a ¢ plexion you will be proud of! You can secure Woodbury's Facial Soap at your druggist’s, or at any counter where toilet preparations are sold. One 25¢ cake is sufficient for a month or six weeks, Send for this booklet and sample cake The many Woodbury treatments for the various troubles of the skin are all gi i the booklet ‘A Skin You Love to ‘This booklet is wrapped about every cake of ills end Woodb Write today! Add ‘The Andrew Jergens Co,,1001 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. ou live inCanada, address The Andrew Jergens Co. Ltd., 1008 Sherbrooke Perth, Ont, 3 ont nw woooBuRys Patines Re K-SKIN-yoy