Friday, April 07, 2006

The Skin Type Solution by Dr. Leslie Baumann

Product Details:

ISBN: 0553804227
Format: Hardcover, 528pp
Pub. Date: February 2006
Publisher: Bantam Books

News Story & Video: Canada AM: Dr. Leslie Baumann, author, 'The Skin Type Solution











I have bought many books in my lifetime, but a book on skincare has never been among them. Guess I naively thought I was going to inherit my mom's skin, but alas, according to dermatologist Dr. Leslie Baumann, facial ageing is only 20% genetic ( always thought it was atleast 40%) - the rest depends on the environment you expose your skin to and the habits you form, as in diet, exercise, substance use and so on. So, armed with that knowledge in mind, I traipsed over to our local bookstore and bought Dr. Baumann's book, "The Skin Type Solution: A Revolutionary Guide To Your Best Skin Ever". I have only had the book a week, but I it has already become a Bible of sorts for me. Let me tell you why I like this book so much:

Firstly, through cutting-edge clinical research Dr. Bauffman has identified 16 skin-types, 12 more than the 4 skin type categories we are used to hearing about. Trying to treat your skin type from a motley choice of four is like buying one of those "one size fits all" sundresses. Sure, it fits, but does it do anything for you? Likewise, a moisturising cream for dry skin does not fit all dry skin types!

Then, with an extensive (64 questions) questionnaire she makes it easy for you to identify YOUR skin type. Formerly, thanks to cosmetic giant, Helena Rubenstein, skin was divided into four categories: normal, combination, dry and sensitive. Bauffman types your skin in four different groups: oily or dry, sensitive or resistant, pigmented or not pigmented and wrinkled or tight. Each person's skin type, therefore, is made up of four components, with 16 possible combinations. For example, my skin is oily, sensitive, non-pigmented and tight, or OSNT. Sounds a little like the Myer-Briggs personality type for your skin,doesn't it? :)

Once that's out of the way, she gives you a detailed description on your skin type - the good, the bad and the ugly - and a list of products (all available at the local drug mart) that would be suitable for use on your skin. The products include cleansers, toners, moisturizers, suncreen, anti-aging (if you need them), foundation and powder. She also gives you a regimen to work with which specifically targets your kind of skin and a list of foods that would be beneficial for your skin type.

As if that isn't enough, she goes on to describe various cosmetic procedures women are opting to use on their skin today - the advantages , the disadvantages, what to expect, how to prepare for the procedure, post-procedural care and so on. Expect to get the lowdown on botox, collagen injections (according to the good doctor, collagen doesn't penetrate the skin) ,anti-aging creams, facials, chemical creams,Retin-A, microdermabrasion, laser hair removal and more. I have learned so much!

I hadn't realized how much about my skin routine was off, or how much money I had wasted on expensive but useless (for my skin type atleast) products until I read this book. This is a review in progress - I will probably come back here and report on how my skin is doing since I switched over to products targeting my specific skin type.

Pssst, guys, this book is for you too!

5 comments:

JoanneMarie Faust said...

I have the world's most sensitive skin. I'm always looking for someone who can help. It's taken me years to come up with a skin product line up that works, I'm torn between racing to read this book and fearing another round of product testing.

Lotus Reads said...

Hi, piksea!

Thanks for stopping by!

I hope your library has the book or, if you have a couple of hours to spare, skim through it at your local bookstore. It won't take long for you to find your skin type using Dr. Beaumann's questionnaire - I think I took around 15-20 mins.

I bought the book because there are 5 women in my family and I figured it would be worth the investment! ;) Having said that however, this book is not limited to women. Men, too, will find it useful.

Also, since you have found a skin product that works for you, you have no need to change it - just read those parts of the book where she explains your specific skin type - you'll be happy you did.

Suzan Abrams, email: suzanabrams@live.co.uk said...

Hi Lotus, thanks for your words on my blog. Though I think I make an awful ambasadoress. But don't forget to go the other one as well and read that slice of fiction over there. *love*

Susan in Italy said...

Ugghh...It's true! I'm really starting to need this. Been a soap-and-water girl my whole life but it's not doing for me what it used to. Thanks for the tip.

Patio Princess said...

Great blog! I love your reviews. And probably grab a copy or two of those you featured already.


Keep on blogging!

{hugs!}