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The Skin Type Solution: The Revolutionary Guide to Finding and Caring for Your Skin Type
REVISED AND UPDATEDFORGET 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 injectionsNow 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!
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First published January 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
July 10, 2010
This totally did not make sense. Her whole premise is that there are four facets of skin -- oily/dry, sensitive/resistant, pigmented/non-pigmented, and wrinkled/tight. So I take the quiz, and I'm oily/resistant/non-pigmented/tight. That makes sense.
But the section for that type of skin kept saying that it's the best kind to have because you don't have any skin problems! Which... I do, kind of a lot. And it talked about how people with this type of skin don't get acne, which is news to me, as I've been struggling with acne since I was ten. You "might" have a slight oiliness problem if you have this type. It also didn't seem to take into account that I might not have wrinkles because I'm 25 -- this book was clearly marketed to women for whom aging is an issue.
So I check out the section on oily/sensitive/non-pigmented/tight, as that's the only place there was any wiggle room in my quiz score. And the sensitive section is all about how to deal with redness, which is not a problem I have. (She did have a bit on how to blush less easily, which I don't think of as a SKIN problem.) She only addresses acne very briefly.
Also, she never addresses freckles without assuming it's a thing you hate and want to get rid of -- it's like it never occurred to her that some of us love our freckles.
A totally unhelpful book.
But the section for that type of skin kept saying that it's the best kind to have because you don't have any skin problems! Which... I do, kind of a lot. And it talked about how people with this type of skin don't get acne, which is news to me, as I've been struggling with acne since I was ten. You "might" have a slight oiliness problem if you have this type. It also didn't seem to take into account that I might not have wrinkles because I'm 25 -- this book was clearly marketed to women for whom aging is an issue.
So I check out the section on oily/sensitive/non-pigmented/tight, as that's the only place there was any wiggle room in my quiz score. And the sensitive section is all about how to deal with redness, which is not a problem I have. (She did have a bit on how to blush less easily, which I don't think of as a SKIN problem.) She only addresses acne very briefly.
Also, she never addresses freckles without assuming it's a thing you hate and want to get rid of -- it's like it never occurred to her that some of us love our freckles.
A totally unhelpful book.
August 15, 2022
Me encantó. Y me gustaría que está clasificación se enseñe más. Hay algunas cosas con lo que discrepo respecto a las rutinas pero en líneas generales un libro muy completo, con banda de recomendaciones de productos para cada tipo de piel ❤️
November 24, 2012
I wasn't too surprised by my "skin type" as determined by the Myers-Briggs-esque test at the beginning of the book: borderline oily/dry, sensitive, barely non-pigmented (ability to form melanin), and "tight". I read the chapters OSNT and DSNT to figure out what I should be doing.
OSNT: rosacea and adult acne. Hooray! I took the anti-inflammatory tips from this chapter (products with licochalone, feverfew, and aloe; stress mitigation (ha!)--avoidcocoa butter, parabens, peppermint oil, lactic acid, and coconut oil; little exfoliation) and combined them with the tips from the DSNT chapter. Should the diet route actually be effective: avoid high-glycemic foods, dairy, spicy foods (you can pry my curries from my cold dead hands, thankyouverymuch); eat eggs and fish.
DSNT: dry, red, and flaky skin. Double hooray! It's a good day to be me... Avoid detergents and fragrances. Use moisturizers that have all three lipids needed: cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides. Avoid foaming cleansers that strip the skin of oil.
But now the problem: I already do all these things. Low-carb, low-dairy diet. Oil cleansing method with castor and jojoba oils for moisture. Avoid parabens, detergents, and fragrances. Use sunscreen daily. There's nothing I can do about the stress, unless I my Christmas wish of a new job actually comes through. So now what? Baumann doesn't address what happens when the advice doesn't work...
The online forums are pretty good, and there's an updated list of products online, since a lot of the recommendations in the book are out of date.
OSNT: rosacea and adult acne. Hooray! I took the anti-inflammatory tips from this chapter (products with licochalone, feverfew, and aloe; stress mitigation (ha!)--avoidcocoa butter, parabens, peppermint oil, lactic acid, and coconut oil; little exfoliation) and combined them with the tips from the DSNT chapter. Should the diet route actually be effective: avoid high-glycemic foods, dairy, spicy foods (you can pry my curries from my cold dead hands, thankyouverymuch); eat eggs and fish.
DSNT: dry, red, and flaky skin. Double hooray! It's a good day to be me... Avoid detergents and fragrances. Use moisturizers that have all three lipids needed: cholesterol, fatty acids, and ceramides. Avoid foaming cleansers that strip the skin of oil.
But now the problem: I already do all these things. Low-carb, low-dairy diet. Oil cleansing method with castor and jojoba oils for moisture. Avoid parabens, detergents, and fragrances. Use sunscreen daily. There's nothing I can do about the stress, unless I my Christmas wish of a new job actually comes through. So now what? Baumann doesn't address what happens when the advice doesn't work...
The online forums are pretty good, and there's an updated list of products online, since a lot of the recommendations in the book are out of date.
May 26, 2017
This book really helped me understand what I need to be using for skincare. I like how the author gives you several choices of what you should use for your skin type (ranging from $ to $$$ depending on price), and then gives you her top choice of all she's suggested.
The first couple of chapters talk about why she is qualified to tell you what to use for your skincare and what different skincare terminology is. The third offers a quiz for you to take, and the rest of the book explains the different skincare types. You don't read the whole book - just the first two chapters, then take the quiz in chapter three, and then skip to the chapter that talks about your specific skin type.
I even had my daughter take the quiz. Might as well start her out using the right stuff rather than have to struggle with what to use like I did!
Thanks for the recommendation, Robin! (and for gifting me the book)
The first couple of chapters talk about why she is qualified to tell you what to use for your skincare and what different skincare terminology is. The third offers a quiz for you to take, and the rest of the book explains the different skincare types. You don't read the whole book - just the first two chapters, then take the quiz in chapter three, and then skip to the chapter that talks about your specific skin type.
I even had my daughter take the quiz. Might as well start her out using the right stuff rather than have to struggle with what to use like I did!
Thanks for the recommendation, Robin! (and for gifting me the book)
February 11, 2019
Dr. Baumann classifies skin into different types by four different letters, sort of like the MBTI. (It's worth mentioning that it's possible to change skin types based on how you treat your skin.) While it is a little bit outdated, this book helped me understand what was wrong with my skin. I've had so many people around me try to tell me to use this acid peel and that retinoid, when the truth is that my skin needs to be handled really carefully because the acid mantle toward the center of my face is more or less gone from constant exfoliation and use of foaming cleansers, and it's been that way for several years. I've been using steroid creams for eczema to very little avail and salicylic acid for acne, when the acid mantle actually helps prevent both.
March 20, 2008
You should read this book just for the quizes. I like Bauman's theory that skin isn't just normal, dry, oily, sensitive or combination. Her product recommendations are very helpful and tell why certain products work or are detrimental for different skin types. A definite must read for those with sensitive skin.
December 1, 2007
Follow her advice and your skin WILL improve. It looks like a big book, but it's really a quick read because you only have to take the test & read the part about your skin type. It's worked for 3 people I know, including myself.
March 24, 2025
It has valuable information to use as a foundation to build off of, especially if you're new to skincare. However, it didn't fully deliver on what was mentioned in the first two chapters such as how a beneficial product may also have conflicting ingredients with your skin type, why those ingredients would react with your skin type, etc. (Ex: Products with antioxidants like ascorbic acid are beneficial for me but I am also someone with S skin, so I "shouldn't use vitamin c", okay but why? And I don't want to just know that it's irritating/can cause stinging. Also, in Chapter 14 (for S types), vitamin c is also listed as an ingredient to be used to reduce redness, which is also contradictory if it also causes irritation and stinging to people with sensitive skin.)
Another topic that wasn't discussed much beyond the first two chapters, was diet. It was stressed how important diet was in skin health and how it can solve many problems your specific skin type may have, such as inflammation, acne, and loss of collagen, but in the following chapters, it was solely restated in a sentence that you should eat more fruit and veggies without further elaboration. It would have been more ideal to have a list of foods and their specific function for skin types and skin conditions, similar to the list of ingredients listed for skincare products.
Another topic that wasn't discussed much beyond the first two chapters, was diet. It was stressed how important diet was in skin health and how it can solve many problems your specific skin type may have, such as inflammation, acne, and loss of collagen, but in the following chapters, it was solely restated in a sentence that you should eat more fruit and veggies without further elaboration. It would have been more ideal to have a list of foods and their specific function for skin types and skin conditions, similar to the list of ingredients listed for skincare products.
June 11, 2017
This book is very informative on the various skin types that Dr. Baumann has classified. I have Oily, Sensitive, Pigmented, and Tight skin (OSPT, by the way there are 16 classifications of skin!) and I focused on the chapters that pertained to my skin type. From reading this book, I learned about which products would be best for my skin type that I can purchase from any local drugstore. I also know which dermatological procedures would be beneficial for me and which ones would not. Grab this book from your local library to get a genuine dermatologist's understanding of your skin type and which cost-effective products and procedures you can do right now to heal your skin.
July 23, 2017
It was educational the way she categorizes skin types. However, once you got your skin type, a large portion of the book became irrelevant. I wish the chapters were better organized; there seemed to be a lot of repetition with daily regimens, recommendations, etc. She should also disclose specific financial interests and which companies sent her free samples, as this could bias her recommendations.
May 25, 2020
Interesting concept of 16 different skin types (reminds me of the MBTI personality test as well). However, I think the skincare recommendations are a bit dated as some of the products are discontinued or have been replaced. It's hard to keep up with the skincare industry as technology and products change so frequently. I think each chapter would benefit from more information about each skin type, such as what types of foods to eat or avoid.
May 27, 2020
Really helpful if you don’t know your skin type or what things to incorporate into your routine. It was great for me to learn I have the worst skin combo ever haha - so validating! But helpful to know what I should avoid more than anything. I wish there were more updated info on the product recommendations though; most of what she recommends doesn’t even exist anymore and I feel like her website doesn’t have mainstream product recommendations either.
November 26, 2017
its really useful!
October 22, 2018
Good book for those who want to have a healthy and beautiful skin.
Thanks to this book, I found my skin type and made a list of products to use for skincare.
Thanks to this book, I found my skin type and made a list of products to use for skincare.
March 23, 2021
Skin care explained
Detailed explanation of care for all skin types.
A must for all who want to age well. I highly recommend.
Detailed explanation of care for all skin types.
A must for all who want to age well. I highly recommend.
August 24, 2011
The premise of this book is that by figuring out your exact skin type, you will be able to properly choose your skin products and have near flawless skin. The reader does this by taking a questionnaire to determine skin type (oily vs dry, sensitive vs resistant, pigmented vs non, wrinkled vs tight). You then combine the four different categories to determine your unique skin type, and then go to your appropriate chapter to read recommendations for your type.
I like Baumann's writing style because she makes the science of skincare easy to understand. The book is straight forward, and I appreciate that Baumann is not pimping her own products. She makes many recommendations from drug store brands to higher end labels to fit every budget.
If you're unsure of purchasing the book, Baumann does have a website http://www.skintypesolutions.com where you can take the questionnaire online. It will even provide product recommendations. It doesn't go into as much detail as the book, but if you're short on cash and desperate to make yourself pretty, the website will do. I will update my review after I've had the chance to adopt her recommendations into my daily regime.
I like Baumann's writing style because she makes the science of skincare easy to understand. The book is straight forward, and I appreciate that Baumann is not pimping her own products. She makes many recommendations from drug store brands to higher end labels to fit every budget.
If you're unsure of purchasing the book, Baumann does have a website http://www.skintypesolutions.com where you can take the questionnaire online. It will even provide product recommendations. It doesn't go into as much detail as the book, but if you're short on cash and desperate to make yourself pretty, the website will do. I will update my review after I've had the chance to adopt her recommendations into my daily regime.
July 6, 2013
In my ongoing quest to have non-terrible skin, I think this is a pretty useful tool. You use a fairly extensive questionnaire to "type" your skin along 4 axes (think dermatological Myers-Briggs) and then she provides specific suggestions of routines to follow, products/ingredients to use or avoid, etc. for each skin type. Learned some useful things, it's very straightforward and non-hypey (references list is also extensive), products suggested are at a broad range of price points. I appreciated that she goes into some (accessible) depth on the physiology and chemistry of skin stuff (WHAT UP, PHOSPHOLIPID BILAYER) so you can understand WHY certain things might or might not be suitable for your skin. I also appreciated the overall tone, which is overall positive and not anxiety-provoking.
July 18, 2014
As I write this, I have once-in-a-lifetime, facial eczema. I cannot test the Author's advice given for under 40, dry, resistant, non-pigmented, wrinkled skin. Here's me, eczema, and identity encased in historically crime-d, Anglo/Irish, fair skin. Unaware until reading of course, it is simple but complex. Thankful, my type is heavily supplied by that oh so charming of beauty industry intent on shaming me/all women toward gracefully, disgracing Old. Further reading? BB creams thus eczema. No sooner Baumann updates, Kardashian will have trialled scraping secretions off a rare breed of donkey's arse-hole. The common-woman to trial donkey on the shelf, 10 years later by which stage, scrape my decay and age-bound atomic mare.
September 11, 2008
I will be making a few changes in my skin care routine and then can give a much better rating/review of the book. Overall it is well layed out and easy to find the information that is important for your individual skin type (and a quiz to figure out what your skin type is). I thought it seemed a bit Sales Pitchy for some different products that she recommends but still found the information easy to understand and incorporate into a new skin care regimen. I look forward to seeing a positive change in my own skin's appearance and health soon.
March 25, 2010
I loved this book! It is very helpful in pinpointing what kind of skin I have and suggesting products and ingredients to use and avoid. My sister also read this book and we are completely different skin types. Thus we need to use completely different products. I have found the product suggestions very helpful and effective. It is a recommended read if you are having problem skin or just want to maximize your beauty! I did not read the whole book just the sections on my skin type but it does a great job of explaining the science behind what is going on with your skin.
February 21, 2011
I liked a lot of the information in this book so I would've given it a 4 except for after following the regimen set out for my skin type, I'm still having issues. I also find it interesting that by a simple, subtle change of one or two of my answers in the quiz I could go from being one of the most difficult skin types to one of the easiest to maintain skin types. I do like the product she recommended for my skin type (Aveeno and Mary Kay are currently the brands I use), but I don't know how crucial it is to use exactly the type she recommends.
August 13, 2011
The Skin Type Solution is a revolutionary way for patients to better understand the behaviors of their skin, as well as to discern which types of products are the best for their own skin. As Myers-Briggs personality analysis is 16 types into which some 97% of the population falls into, The Skin Type Solution is more than likely providing advice, solutions, and product recommendations for about 97% of the population. It is a tremendous, ground-breaking book for the average skin care consumer, and one of my all-time favorite books.
March 8, 2012
Thank god I read this book! I knew I had sensitive AND dry skin, but I didn't have really any clue what to do about it beyond slathering lotion on it. This book really opened my eyes to the world of skin care. It's clear to me now that I haven't been doing enough to take care of my skin and prevent premature aging. Dr Baumann also provides product recommendations based on price-affordability. It's perfect and just what I needed. Plus I got some very very good advice from this book: "[you] dont tan well, so my advice: give it up." Aye aye Captain!
June 28, 2007
This book is great. It includes a test to tell you which of the 8 skin types you have. While portions were not surprising to me, others were. I did the test for both myself and my husband. But even better the author includes a list for each skin type of product suggetions that range in price from drug store brands to expensive dermatologist purchases. I was able to create a skin treat regiment from Walmart and get better results than my expensive department store products.
March 25, 2010
Great helpful tool and guide to what products you should use for your skin... there are so many out there and just because you like a face wash from one place doesn't mean the moisturizer will be the same or do you use lightening gel or eye cream??? Will have to read it a few times and make a copy of my skin type regimen, but a pretty good read for those who want to start being proactive about their skin.
July 27, 2010
While promising in principle, I didn't really find the recommendations for my skin type ones that I'd like to follow on a daily basis. Between the environmental impacts and potential personal health risks of the products that Dr. Baumann recommends, I'd hesitate to use many of the products recommended here. Check out EWG's "Skin Deep" database when deciding among the options.
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/
March 2, 2014
I enjoy reading this book. For once, I actually relate to a skin type description. I am a OSPW, a pretty difficult skin type. Now that I know my skin is sensitive, proned to pigmentation and wrinkles, I know better what products to get. Before that, I mostly rely on general reviews from makeupalley, and have been confused and frustrated that a product that supposedly does wonders for many other does not work for me. If anything, this book taught me to understand the right skin ingredients.
March 20, 2008
This book is great because you take a quiz and then it tells you what your skin type is. You then go to that chapter and read how to take care of your skin. She lists products that she likes that range in price. It is great if you have problems with your skin but it is also good for people who don't have problems because she talks about wrinkling and age spots. (which none of us want!)
June 4, 2008
This book is really neat because it allows you to take a test to determine what kind of skin you have, then you can go to the chapter about your skin type and learn more about it. The author tells you exactly what products are right for your skin and are in your price range. I haven't used the products long enough to rate by results, but the info was good.
February 11, 2009
At different times, my skin would fall into different type categories. Which makes me question the validity of her "types." But for some people this information might really help. She suggests specific products, which on the one hand might make it seem like she's trying to sell you something, but on the other hand if you really want to follow her recommendations that makes it very easy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews