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Skincare Decoded: The Practical Guide to Beautiful Skin

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Do you really need a ten-step skincare regimen? Is that $100 eye cream worth it? And what the heck are “actives” anyway? In this book two professional chemists and beauty industry insiders tell all. 

Depending on who you listen to, the secret to beautiful skin is microbiomes. Or Korean rice water. Or maybe a dermaplaning tool. It feels like you need a degree in chemistry to even understand what these products are, and if they live up to the hype. Luckily, Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, professional skincare chemists have done that work so you don’t have to. The science may seem complicated, but this book will show you how simple it can be, giving you what you need to make informed decisions about your skin (and your wallet).

Skincare Actives? Technically, cat sneezes could count. SPF? Yep, super important. Caffeine serums? The science is still out. CBD additives? Not enough studies yet, so the jury’s still out.

The authors are the creators behind the popular Chemist Confessions Instagram, and this book brings the sass, humor, and solid information they’re known for. Additional chapters address the best ingredients for every skin type, and reveal the only four products you really need.  

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2021

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Victoria Fu

12 books1 follower

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5 stars
166 (50%)
4 stars
120 (36%)
3 stars
37 (11%)
2 stars
3 (<1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Celia Ludwinski.
154 reviews6 followers
March 30, 2021
I worked in the cosmetics industry for several years and yet I'm still in the dark about skincare and what's necessary and how it all actually works. In the same way someone in IT doesn't actually know much of anything about hacking, I never really learned enough about it to make informed decisions about my own skin. If I cared enough to become a full cosmetic chemist, I would be reading articles from Dermatology or Cosmetic Chemists journals. But I'm not reading those. Because as a typical millennial I am somewhat of a narcissist. I really don't care about everyone's skin — I only care about my own.

This book is the stepping stone — a beginners manual to help define problem areas and then guide me to make the best decisions for me. And it will work that way for almost everyone. Think of it as a helping hand in applying the scientific method to creating the most beautiful you, but in an accessible way. Unfortunately, what this book won't tell you is which products to buy as quick fix solution. It is setting you up for success, but in order to truly succeed you need to do the work yourself to use this knowledge as an intro to skincare expert and figure out what works for you. I actually find that more respectful and authentic than if they were offering an easy solution that sounded too good to be true.

It's educational. The education bit to teach me to play mad scientist with my moisturizer. Mixing and matching the amount of humectants, emollients, and occlusives for my personalized skincare needs is a throwback to the days when I played mad scientist with the lotions and soaps from my mom's cupboards and even flower petals from her garden to create my own concoction. But this time I don't feel like I'm mixing totally blind. I'm a slightly informed mad scientist.

People think ultranatural means ultrasafe and free from scary chemicals. The reality is that plants are complex. In its raw form, shea butter can be irritating. We recommend sticking to refined shea; you'll have a range of options for texture.


It's accessible.In addition to offering all this knowledge, it's accessible to everyday readers. The authors acknowledge the esoteric terms that the skincare industry couches all their claims in and then break it down for you with casual language. They define scientific terms in ways anyone can understand. And they even use modern references in their metaphors. It's a bible of skincare, but it's a modern bible which unveils the absurd and mysterious.

Ridiculous claims are everywhere in skincare, but we find them most eye-roll-worthy in cleansers. Assuming for a second that they did infuse their cleanser with a Fountain of Youth distillate, cleansers are just not really a good way to deliver all that anti-aging goodness into your skin. Remember, a cleanser's job is to take things off, not to add on. Regular priced cleansers with normal ingredients will do the job just fine.


It's persuasive. Perhaps the most important point — my routine has changed because of what I've read. I've been convinced to make actual changes to things that I've always known I should do but have been a bit to lazy to do super consistently (*ahem* like wash my face at least once per day and wear sunscreen whenever I'm outside). It did have a real impact on my life.

Applying product to an unwashed face can potentially trap dirt and unwanted microbes underneath. In addition to causing breakouts, this can make it harder for your products to penetrate and go to work on your skin. Overall, skipping the cleansing step is pretty counterproductive if you're wanting to build a good routine, so let's start off with a clean slate!


I even feel that if I pick it up in a few years, I will be able to get more out of it. I will learn even more and re-adjust my routine to address my evolved skincare concerns, whether they're due to yet another move to another country, hormone shifts, or just getting older.
Profile Image for Cherlynn | cherreading.
1,824 reviews986 followers
May 29, 2021
This was an informative book about skincare with a refreshing take from two chemists. Rather than just blindly recommending products, the authors go into the science behind skincare. I like the practical advice and how myths are dispelled.

For example:

- There's no justification for the hefty price tags on certain products from luxury brands
- There's no proof to the efficacy of some ingredients that have been put on a pedestal
- Don't believe ridiculous claims such as those about reversing ageing

One downside is the content is too very repetitive at times, with the authors throwing in the same reminders and phrases every few pages. Some parts were quite dull as well.
Profile Image for Jamie (jamie.reads.books).
415 reviews14 followers
August 31, 2021
I know very, very little about the skincare world and was looking for something to help me better understand retinoids, chemical exfoliants, etc. This book was perfect! I learned so much and feel like I can totally walk into the beauty isle and not be overwhelmed. I now know what exactly to look for. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Julian.
24 reviews2 followers
January 20, 2024
An easy and approachable read based on our current knowledge for a topic filled with a lot of snake oil salesman and magical cure claims.
Profile Image for Katie Killebrew.
244 reviews3 followers
November 22, 2021
This is a must-read for anyone who has been confused, frustrated, and/or disappointed by their skincare routine. The authors unpack skincare science in way that is practical and accessible—and actually feels achievable! I will always have crows feet, but this book empowered me to tackle the rest of my skin woes with an actual strategy that makes sense for my skin type.
2 reviews1 follower
March 25, 2021
Very informative

Very informative book that's easy to read! The authors made it interesting while teaching me a lot. I definitely recommend
Profile Image for Layne.
463 reviews
May 1, 2021
I am easily suckered by skincare influencers, so at least I want to follow the influencers who actually know their stuff--scientists! What is niacinamide and how much do you need? That 12% serum you just bought at Tar-zhay? Probably too much niacinamide! What is the difference between the molecule, the extract, and the water versions of centella asiatica? It probably matters! If you're going to invest in a skincare routine, it makes sense to understand what you're spending your money on and why. This is a very practical guide for everyday consumers and Instagram obsessives.
Profile Image for Taya.
29 reviews
September 23, 2022
Such a good book. Got all the basic knowledge to make educated choices about my skincare.

Even though I’ve been struggling with acne for a while and thought I already knew a lot about skincare, the book arranged my existing knowledge into a working routine and added some extras on top.

Well explained “science” in a simple language, a shopping guide and always an option for the lazy! Loved it.

334 reviews1 follower
September 4, 2021
3.5 stars

If you don't know much about skincare then this is a great, basic go to which gives you a general understanding of skincare and what you could do.
March 26, 2021
Excellent reference that encourages you to understand your skin and the skincare industry!

This book is packed with information and yet easy to read. Each chapter is clearly laid out, delves in detail both informative and entertaining (see diagram: skin cells with parachutes!), then reviews what you’ve just read with a summarizing page and a personal take from each of the authors (further emphasizing their point that every individual’s approach to skincare is unique). I enjoyed how all of the lists, pictures, and tables emphasized the key points per section and helped me retain the information.

Not only that, the chemists are aware of how the skincare industry markets their products, and help explain what you should look for in ingredients lists or packaging formats, in order to judge actual efficacy vs just marketing. For example, I knew before reading this book that vitamin C is a good addition to my skincare regimen and just looked for “vitamin C serums” when shopping - little did I know that there is a whole host of vitamin C derivatives that have different benefits (and in one case as the authors put it bluntly, “Kinda useless”). Their honest take extends to trends that are in vogue, too - just when I casually remembered a post from social media of someone touting a product or skincare tool, sure enough I found a blurb explaining what it was designed for, followed by guidance and recommendations.

Basically, this book makes you want to understand what you’re doing to your face and do better! I found myself grabbing the products in my skincare regimen to compare the ingredient list against the explanations in the chapters to understand what and why things are in there. I was also inspired to improve my moisturizing regimen and be more conscious to adjust it when I’ve been doing the same thing every day - with the days getting hotter and drier, I should probably look to introduce some emollients in my moisturizing step. I feel like I can keep going back to this as a reference when I want to tackle a problem with my skin or try something new to improve my anti-aging regimen.
Profile Image for Geneva.
66 reviews1 follower
April 21, 2021
Love me some skincare science!

As someone who's more recently gotten into skincare and have built a routine that needs tweaking, it was helpful to use this book as a litmus test for my current routine and skincare habits.

I so appreciate this book for focusing on the three things that matter most in skincare: cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection (see Section 1: Basics), and then for focusing on what has the most scientific proof of efficacy (see Section 2: Treatments) -- chemical exfoliants, retinoids, vitamin C, and niacinamide. The chapter on how to build a routine was also helpful, but could have been expanded. I absolutely loved the tables that broke down all different types of retinoids and antioxidants. It's exactly the kind of truth-telling I expect from chemists!

Here's what this book doesn't have:
-There's almost no mention of particular products or brands that the authors recommend. This lends a sense of timelessness, but won't necessarily help you read this book and then immediately build a skincare routine.

-From my view, this book outlines the foundational information about the science of skin, how to protect it, and how to use exfoliants, retinioids, vitamin C, and niacinamide to treat skin, but stops short of proposing exact products on the market today. To link that gap, I would pair this book with Caroline Hirons' 2020 book "Skincare" which delves into basics and includes photos, some real life advice, and lots of brand recommendations.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
280 reviews32 followers
May 7, 2021
This is a really refreshing take on approaching skincare by two cosmetic chemists. I'm not new to skincare (I worked as a skincare consultant for three years) and I still found this volume to be very insightful and stuffed with very handy tips. I also enjoyed the playful humour infused into the writing. I love learning the science behind skincare and why certain ingredients work the way they do, so this book was right up my alley.

It feels very high quality: the book design feels fresh and modern, the pages feel like that of a textbook, I really like that it’s a hardcover without a dust jacket! I noticed a few typos and printer errors, but nothing major. All in all, it feels like a textbook and has as much information as one.
I know the authors of this book have their own skincare line. So I was worried this book was going to be a shameless plug for their brand but it wasn't at all! They didn't mention their brand once!

I like that this book will take you from something as simple as the basics of skincare (cleansing, moisturizing, and protecting your skin from sun damage with SPF) all the way up to more complicated actives and building a routine to target your concerns (acne, hyperpigmentation, aging).

There’s even a shopping guide which outlines the pros and cons of shopping for certain products at a drugstore, high-end beauty specialty stores and online. Contains a lot of practical information.
I do wish there were more sample routines for other concerns like smoothing skin texture, and more information on layering (should I wait between layers? If so, how long?)

Overall, I’m very happy with this book and I know I’ll continually refer to it.
Profile Image for Adrian.
149 reviews21 followers
July 15, 2024
Best book of this year and perhaps the last as well.

The author is a 20 smth years chemist in the skincare products industry with a PHD in chemistry.

I loved this book because it delivered a topic such as Skincare as an engineering course.

I understood in 250 pages what skincare is all about, how to tackle different conditions like pigmentation, wrinkles, acne...etc

The most important part and probably the most interesting was categorizing the elements of skincare and displaying how a daily/nightly routine should look like.

Basically there are 4 pieces of the puzzle:
- cleansers
- moisturizers
- suncreens
- Actives (Exfoliants, Retinoids, Vitamin C, Niacinamides - Vit B6)

The author goes in depth explaining each of them what role they play, what types you can find in the market, what molecules they contain and how they interact with different types of skin.
Most importantly how do you mix them up to create a balanced routine that befits your lifestyle.

While the first 3 elements should be considered the cornerstone, the Actives are the most interesting as they are actively improving/maintaining your skin/slowing aging process

Can't believe it made a grunt like me interested in such a "womanly" topic.

Congrats to the author for delivering such a functional book !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for applekern.
169 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2024
A thorough recommendation for anyone looking into skincare!

The authors (both with a chemical background) have done a great job breaking down the basics of caring for your skin, ingredients (& understanding ingredient lists), brand claims, clinical studies and more - concluding in specific guidelines to build your routine and navigate the drugstore or retail store. They also incorporate some interesting facts about the industry (did you know Palmolive invented liquid soap?).
The only thing I‘d have liked them to additionally touch on a little further, would have been supplements - though really, that‘s already complaining about the tiniest topic, as this is a great holistic compilation of (nearly) everything you need to know to care for your skin.

I‘d heavily consider getting this as a physical copy, my eBook unfortunately sometimes messed up the charts & graphs a bit. Also, I‘ll definitely be going back to this book from time to time, to look up the different ingredients in the handy glossary at the back.

They also have an Instagram channel to keep in touch with the latest and greatest skin science, which I‘m also following now :)
December 16, 2022
I think this is a good option for those who have very little knowledge about skincare and are looking for advise - it provides helpful tips for understanding the skin, how it works, how to build a routine that works for your needs and what to look for in products. If you have some knowledge, you may find thay it doesn't add a lot of information you didn't know, bit maybe helps you understand why those things work or not. Sometimes it was kind of repetitive, but I guess that for beginners it's useful to have some things repeated to ensure they are taking away the key concept.
It was a good book, I enjoyed it. It was fun, easy to read, and really liked to know chemist's POV.
May 10, 2021
Loved this book!

Enough detail to explain how skincare products work without being too complicated. A great starting place to create the optimal skincare routine. And as someone with experience, I definitely still learned how to take things to the next level.

Looking forward to giving this as a gift to friends and family. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for reliable, clear information on how to create their best routine for their best skin.
Profile Image for Melissa Kite.
100 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2022
Did I get a different version of this book than everyone else?

I saw this at my massage therapists office so I went home and ordered it off Amazon.

The book I got looked like it was amateurly published. It was repetitive and full of typos. It was a brief overview of their life experiences and then a bunch of basic recipes from around the world. Don’t get me wrong- I’ll be trying some of these recipes — but this book didn’t knock my socks off with knowledge.
1 review
February 22, 2024
Quite informative, and very useful. My critiques are that it needed another pass in editing (e.g. there were some grammatically broken sentences) and that the authors used some logical fallacies. I remember a line going something like "the $500 serum isn't going to be 10x better than the $50 serum", which is absolutely true. There are diminishing returns, but might it be twice as good? Some would still pay for that.

Regardless, I still highly recommend.
Profile Image for Amelia Allan.
20 reviews
February 23, 2024
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK. I’ve read it once already and I’m working on reading it again. I learned so much from this book and this helped me develop my love for skincare. This book was also a EXTREME help for my routine also. I can’t believe how much I learned from one book and I was fascinated and interested throughout the whole book. The book did such a great job with making it interesting and easy to understand and colorful with picture and picture examples.
Profile Image for Hind.
4 reviews
April 26, 2023
Its a 3 star for me at best. I really liked the scientific approach the authors used in this book, but the book overall was quite repetitive. A lot more could’ve been covered I feel but instead they were hyper focused on certain areas only.

Despite that, it is definitely a great book especially for newbies out there. For the more advanced bunch, this could be a very boring read.
May 6, 2021
If you’re looking to learn about your current routine and how to enhance or change this is a great book for that. This book doesn’t have brand recommendations, so you would need to do your own research for brands on your own.
Profile Image for Maria.
5 reviews
February 7, 2022
Learn a lot, an Esthetician I found it very valuable knowledge. Tho I wouldn't recommend face wipes to anyone, but generally speaking it was worth every penny and I'm hoping to read more from these girls again!
June 17, 2024
If you know nothing about skincare, start with this book! They cover EVERYTHING from ingredients, sun exposure, careers in skincare, and skin biology. The authors are chemists but they break everything down so it's easy to understand. Also check out their podcast! (Chemist confessions)
Profile Image for dalya.
40 reviews
August 29, 2023
couldn’t read during july. great book to figure out what type of products you need.
418 reviews2 followers
February 22, 2024
Everything you ever wanted to know about skin care is here. Possibly more. It gets quite technical at times. It solves the mystery of what you put on and when.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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