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.
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.
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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.
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Buying beauty products no longer has to be a guessing game-where you try to sort through the hype and figure out what will work for you. In this book, Dr. Baumann takes all the guess work out of it. First she helps you evaluate and understand your skin's uniqueness. Then she shows exactly what products you need (and don't need to use) in day and night regimens customized to each skin type. Plus her advice is clear, credible and covers all the bases because she is not peddling her own skin care line, but has taken the time to evaluate and rate all the skin care products available.
Baumann is a true scientist, and I've never seen as comprehensive a skin care book as this one. And it's so valuable to finally know how to pick the right products and avoid the ones that will sit unused cluttering up my shelves.
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I am only 23 years old, but I have had problem skin since pubertyredness, acne,large pores, hyperpigmentation from acnes, etc . I have tried all the new products gone to aestheticians, and nothing ever helped. I received this book as a birthday present and have been following Dr. Baumann's plan for OSPWs. Wow, what a difference. I am finally able to leave the house without makeup. The book was easy to navigate and despite what some have said does address falling in between categories. That's why you use number values to determine what category you are in. Anyways, I found this book invaluable and would highly reccommend it to anyone that feels hopeless about their skin.
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The Herbal Medicine-Makers Handbook blends the herbalist author's natural home remedies with his perspectives on the art of herbal medicine's applications, with recipes for folk extractions including plenty of recommendations for usage. The result is far more in-depth than your usual herbal recipe book, packed with insights on how to extract herbs, make tinctures, and apply them properly.
