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!