The Skin Type Solution [Paperback]

Leslie Baumann (Author)

Book Description

Release date: December 26, 2006

REVISED AND UPDATED

FORGET EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW ABOUT WHAT’S GOOD FOR YOUR SKIN—AND LEARN THE TRUTH.
 
Take the simple questionnaire inside this book and within minutes discover which of the sixteen unique skin types describes your skin, which ingredients to avoid, the skin care brands that are right for you, and your new time- and money-saving regimen. In this revised edition of her classic bestseller, world-renowned Miami Beach dermatologist and researcher Dr. Leslie Baumann helps you shop for the optimal skin care products. She provides detailed lists of recommended products suited to every skin type and budget. Inside you’ll find
 
• your personal skin type profile detailing exactly what will work—and what won’t—for your unique complexion
• the newest products for healthy, radiant skin—cleansers, moisturizers, toners, sun blocks, foundations, and more
• tips on preventing skin aging and “problem” skin
• vital information on the new world of prescription products, facials, chemical peels, Retin-A, Botox, and Restylane injections

Now you can look like a million bucks without spending a fortune. This book is almost as good as having Dr. Baumann give you a personal consultation!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Without question, the best book I’ve read on skin care.”—Paula Begoun, author of Don’t Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me

About the Author

Leslie Baumann, M.D., founded the University of Miami Cosmetic Medicine and Research Institute in 1997, the first university-run research center dedicated to cosmetic dermatology and skin care. Her revolutionary skin typing system has been adopted worldwide. She is also the author of the bestselling textbook Cosmetic Dermatology and is a regular contributor to Yahoo! Health.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (December 26, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553383302
• ISBN-13: 978-0553383300
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (126 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #36,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Alternative Medicine > Naturopathy

More About the Author

Dr. Leslie Baumann is an internationally renowned board certified dermatologist; NY Times best‐selling author; media personality and lecturer; CEO of the Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute ‐ a full‐service research, educational and medical services facility serving the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and healthcare industries; and CEO of Skin Type Solutions™ ‐ the revolutionary beauty brand and skin typing system providing consumer's with a reliable source of information on all things relative to skin and body care. Known around the world, Dr. Baumann most recently was named one of the most influential visionaries in the beauty industry by Allure magazine (March 2010).

Dr. Baumann received her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and did her residency at University of Miami where for 12 years she was a Professor of Dermatology and Chief of the Division of Cosmetic Dermatology. Dr. Baumann was also the Founder of the University Of Miami Cosmetic Medicine & Research Institute, the first academic center of its kind in the US.

With over 3 million readers, Dr. Baumann authors the popular twice weekly Yahoo! Health blog "The Skin Guru'' as well as writing a twice monthly column in the Miami Herald where she joins acclaimed columnists Dave Barry, Carl Hiassen and Pulitzer winning Leonard Pitts, Jr. She authored Cosmetic Dermatology: Principles and Practice (McGraw‐Hill 2009), the best‐selling cosmetic dermatology textbook in the world with recent editions in 8 additional languages ‐ as well as the NY Times best‐selling book, The Skin Type Solution (Bantam 2005) focusing on her revolutionary, patent‐pending skin typing system, Baumann Skin Types®. Baumann Skin Types® is the new gold standard for skin typing in the dermatology world based on Dr. Baumann's many years of scientific validation and being on the fore‐front of dermatology research and drug trials.

Dr. Baumann's unique and valuable combination of physician, active researcher and former professor has resulted in her involvement in many of the most recent and notable clinical trials in cosmetic medicine ‐ Botox, Dysport, Hylaform, Sculptra, Juvederm, Tri‐Luma ‐ as well as numerous 'Phase 3 clinicals' for the FDA. She lectures frequently throughout the world on cosmetic dermatological issues and through the Baumann Cosmetic & Research Institute ‐ and with use of her proprietary skin typing system and brand Skin Type Solutions™‐ Dr. Baumann and her research team are currently studying the role of genetics in determining skin type. In addition, the institute oversees a well regarded training program for international dermatologists.

Dr. Baumann is frequently sought out by the media - both domestically and internationally. Her many TV appearances include Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Discovery Channel, and in December 2010 she will host a PBS TV show - "Skin Type Solutions". She is the proud mother of two young boys ‐ and is passionate about skin care and the history of the skin care industry owing to her vintage compact and vintage cosmetic advertisement collection.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

92 of 95 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent information! March 10, 2006

By Leanne TOP 100 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I purchased this book after reading a review about it in a magazine, and I'm extremely pleased with it!

Before buying the book, I was worried that the questionnaire that Dr. Baumann provides wouldn't be as easy as it was to follow since, in the past, I've often found that questionnaires sometimes don't reveal your categories as clearly as they could. In this case, however, her questionnaire was simple and accurate, and I learned a great deal about my skin.

What I also like is that Dr. Baumann provides you with information in case you fall into a borderline area in one of the four categories. For instance, I fall between the Wrinkled and Tight skintypes in one category, but the book suggested that if this is the case, that I follow the Wrinked guidelines to prevent the formation of future wrinkles. She offers similar suggestions throughout, so that you know when and how to use the products she recommends.

I also like how Dr. Baumann provides products in a variety of price ranges, many of which can be found at a local drugstore. The only downside is that some of the prices were a bit more expensive than her price rating system seems to suggest. For example, each of the products is rated from $-$$$ in terms of its cost. Two of my recommended eye creams were in the $$ price range, when one, in fact, costs $55 and the other $68. It seems like these should have been placed in the $$$ range, and these aren't the only examples of this nature.

Overall, though, it's been an excellent purchase! Considering how much many of us spend on beauty and facial products, the book is a very good investment. Personally, I know that it will help me avoid making costly mistakes in the future. Instead of continuing to spend money on products that don't work for my skin type, I now feel like I will be a more confident shopper.

77 of 80 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A good place to start for the skin care novice December 14, 2006

By Amazon customer

Format:Hardcover

In my teens and twenties I never paid much attention to my skin, partly because I didn't have any major problems and partly because I wasn't very interested in beauty, fashion magazines and the like. I'd wash my face in the shower and draw a couple lines under my eyes in the morning and that was the extent of my skin care and make-up routine. But, at 34 I noticed a lesion on my face that turned out to be skin cancer. It was nothing serious and was taken care very easily, but it made me start looking at my skin more closely, and, much to my dismay, I realized that I was beginning to show the signs of ageing; for the first time I noticed that I had crowsfeet, smile lines and age spots. I decided I probably should start taking a little better care of my skin, but I didn't really know "what" I should be doing. Since it's nearly impossible to get a dermatologist to spend any serious time with you, I decided to buy a book instead. I bought this one and I think it was a good choice.

The book helps you assess the type of skin you have and determine what products and procedures are best for you. It also impresses upon you the importance of sunscreen. For many skin types, like mine, Dr. Baumann suggests a Retinoid product that you have to get through a dermatologist. This seems to have been good advice as I have read several articles in other sources (NYTimes and Consumer Reports) that say that Retinoids are the ony products which have been scientifically proven to reduce the signs of ageing. So, for the recommendation of suncreen and retinoids, I'm very thankful to the author.

As far as some of the other product recommendations are concerned, I have taken them with a grain of salt. If I choose to use them, I buy the cheapest ones or look for another product that has the same active ingredient. Is she endorsing certain products for financial gain? Possibly. But, she does give you enough information so that you can seek out cheaper alternatives. One thing is for sure, this book did not save me any money. A tube of Avene (the Retinoid) alone is costing me $50/month and if you buy all the other "stuff" (special cleansers, eye cream, antioxidant moisterizers, etc.) you could "easily" find yourself spending over a $100/month on your face.

The author is also a big proponent of Botox. She herself has been using Botox since she was 29. I personally perfer to stay away from needles and injections. Not only is it extremely costly and something that you need to do on a regular basis, but for me it seems like it's taking the anti-ageing program a bit too far. We all are going to age, so a certain amount of acceptance (resignation?) seems in order. I want to keep my skin in the best condition possible, but I also want to be able to accept my ageing body and face (with it's smile lines and crows feet). While I can "totally" sympathize with women (and men) who have these procedures, it is my hope that I can acquire a healthy attitude about ageing and spend all the money I would have invested in Botox on something more fulfulling, like wonderful vacations. But, perhaps this is easy to say while I'm still in my thirties. Maybe I'll feel differently in my sixties.

At any rate, I think this is a very informative book and it has helped me make some well-informed, positive changes that hopefully are paying off.

48 of 48 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A must buy book April 9, 2006

By M. Edwards

Format:Hardcover

I have had problem skin my entire life - acne, sensitivity. I have been sold every product under the sun wuth a promise it would help and never did. I finally took Accutane which cleared up my skin but made it even more confusing to buy products. I finally have the answer.

I read the book and took the quiz only to find out not only do I have sensitive skin but I have EXTREMELY sensitive skin. I threw out more than half my skin care products and bought several on Dr. Baumann's recommended list for my skin (dry, sensitive, wrinkled, non-pigmented). My skin has never been this clear - no spots, no itchiness, no flaking, nothing but clear soft skin. I even feel comfortable going without makeup now. Even after the Accutane my nose still had a lot of clogged pores and even they seem to be clearing up now.

Despite what others have said Dr. Baumann is very upfront that she tests for several companies - in fact she tests for so many that she is truly impartial - many of the products she would test would be from competing companies. Common sense tells you this. I also liked the dietary recommendations for my skin type - I have incorporated a few and have seen a difference.

This book is a must have for anyone - it demystifies the skin care industry and helps you figure out what to use and what not to use. It gives options and information you cna use for a lifetime.