Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman's Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin

by Ellen Marmur, Gina Way (Contributor)

The only skincare book you will ever need, Simple Skin Beauty covers everything from acne to wrinkles to skin cancer prevention making it the definitive dermatological guide for women of all ages. With all the different kinds of skincare products now on the shelves and all the new-fangled cosmetic procedures now available, skincare has become daunting and overwhelming. New York City-based dermatologist, and a busy mother of four herself, Dr. Ellen Marmur knows that most women simply don’t have the time or money to waste on products or procedures that are costly and ineffective. In this user-friendly guide, Dr. Marmur explains how it doesn’t have to be so hard for women to get great skin and it doesn’t have to be so expensive to maintain it. In her conversational but authoritative voice, Dr. Marmur arms readers with the knowledge they need to make safe and smart dermatological decisions for themselves and their families and provides them with the confidence to take charge of their health—at the cosmetics counter, at home, at the doctor’s office, and beyond. In addition to providing readers with the tools to obtain a radiant complexion and help reverse the clock, Dr. Marmur explains how to protect your skin from harmful sun damage and regularly check it for signs of cancer. In refreshingly accessible language, she demystifies the fascinating world of procedures like lasers and fillers and Botox and confounding cosmeceutical ingredients like coffeeberry and niacinamide. With Simple Skin Beauty, readers will learn how to create their own no-nonsense skincare regimen that gets results.

Genres: Nonfiction

384 pages, Hardcover

First published September 22, 2009

Reviews

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seattle-based esthetician (and YouTuber) Jordan Pacitti (who produces a less-is-more skin care line called Jordan Samuel Skin) recommended this book. Additionally, Houston-based dermatologist Dr. Andrea Suarez (aka Dr. Dray on YouTube) worked with Dr. Marmur in NYC.

This is a great book covering the following:
Skin care basics (spoiler: all you need is a cleanser, a moisturizer, and a sunscreen)
Skin care extras (retinols, etc.)
Skin cancer awareness (prevention, protection, types, and treatment)
Cosmetic dermatology (lasers, fillers, and peels) for skin concerns, including "anti-aging"

I don't know how many people realize that the FDA (in the U.S.) does not regulate cosmetics and skin care products, and this lack of regulation can result in some shady clinical trials, claims, and marketing tactics.

I recommend this book -- and No More Dirty looks -- for a more robust understanding of the beauty industry's clinical trials and marketing campaigns.

I really liked the format of the book -- good information, some Q&A sections, and some real patient case studies -- especially the tear-out cheat sheets (for ingredients and what skin is best or worst suited to particular ingredients). Admittedly, I skimmed through this section because I 1) have read No More Dirty Looks and 2) avoid certain ingredients in my skin care.

The short summary: sunscreen is your most effective line of defense -- against skin cancer and premature wrinkling.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great doctor. She shared her personal stories which honestly put my mind at ease about having skin issues. This is a practical read. I highly recommend for anyone wanting to know the ABC's of skincare and skin concerns. And if you live in NYC, she is great!

[Kelsey Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information on skin cancer. Good reference book.

[Shannon Boxell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book so useful through a year that was very difficult on my skin. When it comes to the very basics of skin care that are covered in the earlier chapters, I found the information very helpful, thorough, and amply explained. I have to wonder if more research since this book was published has affected any industry standards but, overall, I would recommend this book for some one that would like to understand skin care better.

[Kelli J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great info delivered in a great, conversational way. I just wish it wasn’t 15 years old and had revisions/new information and a new edition.

[Sarah Raymer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to anyone who's interested in learning more about proper skincare. Marmur's approach is very no-nonsense. She breaks down what she thinks is absolutely necessary for your skin (cleanser, moisturizer, and lots of sunscreen), explains what you need to look for with different skin conditions, and encourages a common sense approach to treating your own skin.
You almost want to let out a sigh of relief while reading this book because Marmur discourages buying pricier products and does not believe many different products are needed (like eye cream). However, she does go into detail about what ingredients to look for with the products you do need to buy.
This was my first book I've read about skin care and I think it was a great place to start. I will definitely research different opinions before I settle on my own, but I loved Marmur's approach and philosophy to skincare (besides Botox and the other procedures she outlines in the later half of the book).

[Lynecia · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Simple Skin Beauty" should be required reading for every woman who feels mired in the muck of information that bombards us daily about skincare. Dr. Marmur cuts through the hype and marketing delivers sound scientific evidence for what works and what doesn't and WHY.
NEWS FLASH LADIES: We don't need the Creme De La Mer--all we need to is keep it simple and protect our skin from the no. 1 AGER--the SUN.

[Mitzi Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually it's novels or best-selling nonfiction that changes your life, but this book changed my life. I backed off the harsh skin products and my skin has never looked better. Who knew you aren't supposed to wash your face in the morning?

[MissAnnThrope · Rating 2 out of 5]

I appreciate Marmur's simplistic approach to skincare. This is definitely a well-rounded informative book. However, I was looking for more specific information and did not find it in this book.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writen by my amazing dermatologist!

Don't forget to wear your sunscreen.