Wash away FAT and years of age! Hilarious ads from the 1920s with claims they couldn't get away with today



Vintage ads reveal exaggerated claims made by chemists 100 years ago

Obesity Soaps and Fat Reducing Soaps were commonly promoted as guaranteeing weight loss

Ads claimed users could target specific areas and lose inches

If it worked, it would be the stuff of dreams. A soap that could 'wash away fat and years of age' would be the number one beauty product on any woman's wish list.



Chances are though, such a product will never exist. But according to hilarious ads uncovered from the archives though, not only have the products already been invented, but they were readily available in pharmacies almost 100 years ago.



A Central London company from the 1920s had on sale a soap that it claimed could 'reduce any part of the body desired without affecting other parts.'



If only! A 1920s advert from a Central London store claims users can 'wash away fat and years of age' with La-Mar reducing Soap. 'Acts like magic in reducing double chin and ungainly ankle,' it says 'The new discovery. results quick and amazing,' ads for the so-called Reducing Soap said.

'No dieting or exercising. Be as slim as you wish. Acts like magic in reducing double chin, abdomen, ungainly ankle, unbecoming wrists, arms and shoulders, large busts, or any superfluous fat on body.' The firm said the product, which cost 2/ a cake or three for 4/, came with satisfaction guaranteed - or your money back. Whether or not any customers took them up on that offer will remain a mystery - but the fact that the miracle Reducing Soap is no longer in production is a good indicator that it wasn't as genuinely effective as it promised.



Big claims: 'Fat is folly', screams one advert, which claims the La Parle Obesity Soap can reduce fat without 'dieting or gymnastics' Over the other side of the pond, La Parle were punting their Obesity Soap, a remarkable product that they claim, when used like an ordinary soap, 'positively reduces fat without dieting or gymnastics. 'Absolutely harmless. Never fails to reduce flesh when directions are followed,' it says.

Amen to that - and for just $2 for two cakes. As for Dr Paul Bouchaud's Fat Reducing Soap, well, what woman - or man - wouldn't kill for its slimming properties? The product claims to be able to absorb fatty tissues from 'all over the body.' Mr Bouchaud's Fat Reducing Soap has already 'made thousands of overburdened folk happy,' the advert claims.

'All unhealthy flabbiness of muscles regain new life under the influence of this specially compounded flesh-reducing soap,' the ad goes on to say, promising to make unwanted fat a 'thing of the past.' Fat chance of that.

Bathe yourself thin: The Slim Figure Bath was dubbed 'The Sensation Of Europe' - and advertisers hoped it would have a similar effect when it hit Chicago

'Making thousands of overburdened folk happy': Dr Paul Bouchard's Flesh Reducing Soap says it will remodel your figure to what you wish it to be



