Uncover the Secrets of Healthy Skin: The Benefits of Minimalism in Skincare

ash: If you care for your overall health, you need to read this book and understand how our skin microbiome affects our skin, immunity and a lot more!

India on Aug 24, 2022

lukeCY: It felt pretty disjointed to me in terms of where he was going and what he was trying to tell us. I would say that you need to just decipher from this book whatever works for you but basically to sum it up - most products are useless and leave your face alone.

United Kingdom on Oct 13, 2021

Maggie & Kates Mom: Extremely well researched and well written (and the author has an understated but reader appreciated sense of humor) I bought the book after watching an interview with him discussing his book. The "hook" was him talking about his decision to stop showering .....but the book ended up being about so much more than our obsession with being clean. Lots of really interesting facts and information about soaps and other health care products and their history (I am recommitted to Dr. Bronner's products and the company ethic) but what I was most fascinated by was the information relative to microbiomes. Sounds like dry reading but it is not. I was aware of microbiomes and had been piecing together theories of my own (like why my dogs are so fond of cow poop etc I choose to embrace the microbiome theory rather than just think my pups are disgusting!) He pieces it all together and it makes absolute sense. Anyway....I found it to be engrossing and entertaining. I also appreciate a seeker of truth who is a good writer! Definitely recommend!

United States on Apr 03, 2021

P. Lewis: A very informative book, can definitely recommend. A lot on the importance of bacteria on the skin. As a result of reading this book, I am cutting back on how often I have an all over wash (and saving on water!). But as the book recommends, some bits need to be washed often. The only issue I have is that it is recommended we wash less often, as soap removes good bacteria and oils from the skin, we then need to add oil to the skin. but we also have dirt mixed in with the oil, I personally dont think we should wash too rarely therefore, as our skin will become too grubby, as point the book does not address. it is better to wash enough to remove the dirt, even if we have to replace the removed oils.

United Kingdom on Mar 18, 2021

Pat macintyre: Very informative and thought-provoking. I will recommend it to my friend that has serious skin problems.I may also change some of my own skin care habits.

Canada on Mar 15, 2021

Bama Fan: This book does a good job of covering all different aspects of your skin and the history of cleanliness. The conditions that we are exposed to now and that our ancestors were exposed to are much different and Hamblin goes on a quest to talk to people who are working to try to figure out what the best methods are to keep your skin clean. He interviews scientists, regular people who have had skin issues and takes a peek at the industry of start-ups who are looking to make products for your skin that have less and less ingredients. It is a good book for anyone that is curious and I enjoyed reading it thoroughly!

United States on Feb 11, 2021

Nashville Nancy: Honestly, this author has no clue how most people really live. First of all, yes, we do not need to wash ourselves with antibacterial soap. Not even your hands. Not even during the pandemic. Soap destroys bacteria and viruses effectively if you wash effectively. In the winter you probably only need to wash the crucial areas, face, underarms, feet, and genitalia. If you work a dirty job then wash all over. And night is better because who wants to go to bed with the days germs and grime on you? Now! The author only gets his hair wet with water once in awhile and doesn't seem to ever perform what an average person would call a shower. hour even water on your body. I wondered how he managed to shave. The main part of the book that REALLY got to me is that this is obviously written only from a man's point of view. I wear makeup, as do the majority of women. You have to get it off with something. The author doesn't think anything should disturb the natural biome of the skin. That leaves out cleansing products ladies! And what about our hair?!? Hair is dead so the only negative thing that could happen by washing it every day is dry hair. I would be so itchy if I couldn't wash my hair...

United States on Jan 05, 2021

Michael Lingard: Once we were ignorant of microbes, then we discovered them and then we spent a century trying to eliminate them and now we have just discovered that we rely on them for our very existence!
We are hosts to trillions of invisible guests and fellow travelers that are essential to our life and health.
There are more of them than cells in our bodies and we need to take better care of them.

United Kingdom on Aug 24, 2020

Leah K: I found out about this book a week before its release, and I was immediately excited. I've seen Dr. Hamblin's video series on the human microbiome and loved his article on not showering. His reports inspired me to go laregly soapless more than a year ago. I didn't expect the book to go into so much detail about the history of soap and cosmetics and how they became ingrained into our culture. I am intrigued by tales of legally deceptive marketing, and this book definitely addresses that aspect. It is also inclusive and descriptive of some other cultures' attitudes toward cleanliness. Overall it is more than I expected. I wanted to hear more about Dr. Hamblin's routine and his journey toward finding his personal version of clean. However, after reading the book I understand that there is no one size fits all approach to optimum skin health. I'll be looking further into the reference section to satisfy my new curiosities about FDA cosmetic regulations, the microbiome's role in allergies, and the mites living on all of our faces.

United States on Aug 02, 2020

Christie: I expected a detailed explanation of why no one should shower. Instead i found a mix of history, research, anecdotes, and some dry humor that made for an amusing but educational read.

Hamblin takes an evidence-based approach to skincare while also exploring historical and cultural context. I especially appreciate that he doesn’t just say we’re all doing everything wrong and then prescribe a solution or try to sell something (as so many books by doctors do these days). Instead he gives a comprehensive history of how we got to where we are in terms of being “too clean” and what existing and emerging research has to say on the subject. And rather than being hypercritical or dismissive of those who do spend money on fancy untested products, he acknowledges that many individual decisions around skincare and wellness can be a rational response all things considered. Facials do feel great and many people have tried all traditional treatments before turning to expensive untested regimens.

This book is an entertaining and informative read without any of the sensationalist garbage that is so often central to “wellness” books. I’d recommend it to anyone who is...

United States on Jul 25, 2020