This post, without a doubt, has taken me longer to write than any other post on this website. Why? I’ve read several skincare books over the past year to develop this list of the best skincare books of 2024.
Your skin and the products, procedures, and routines to care for it can get confusing quickly. So, it’s helpful to read a skincare reference book that offers valuable information on a wide range of skincare topics.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skincare enthusiast, these books provide comprehensive knowledge and tips to help you achieve and maintain healthy, glowing skin.
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The 5 Best Skincare Books
I read a lot of skincare books this year, and I was underwhelmed with quite a few.
These books, authored by experts in the field, stood out because they cover a diverse collection of topics, including the science behind skincare ingredients, advice on creating personalized routines, and guides for addressing specific skin concerns.
Here’s my list of top skincare books:
1. Skincare: The New Edit by Caroline Hirons
Caroline Hirons, a well-known figure in the skincare industry, has recently released an updated version of her best-selling book, Skincare: The New Edit.
In her book, Caroline shares a wealth of knowledge in her trademark no-nonsense and straightforward style. She’s a globally qualified advanced aesthetician with decades of experience.
This book covers everything from product recommendations to detailed explanations of skincare ingredients and their benefits.
Skincare topics are covered in an easy-to-read, relatable way. The inside of the book is glossy, with photos and quotes sprinkled throughout the book.
Some of the key subjects explored in this book include:
- Identifying your skin type and building a suitable skincare routine (product recommendations included)
- The importance of ingredients and SPF! how they affect your skin
- Debunking common skincare myths and misconceptions
- Tips for dealing with specific skin concerns, such as acne, rosacea, and aging
Considering its informative content and Caroline Hirons’ expertise, Skincare: The New Edit is my favorite skincare book!
The updated edition includes all new industry updates and recommendations for your skin. As you may know, the world of skincare is constantly evolving, with new ingredients being discovered and regulatory changes being made.
So the updated version of this book is the perfect guide if you want the most up-to-date and accurate information.
Caroline is based in the UK, so she mentions some topics specific to the UK. She also references the US quite a bit, so this is not a drawback for my US readers (I’m from the US, too).
2. The Little Book of Skincare: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin by Charlotte Cho
The Little Book of Skincare: Korean Beauty Secrets for Healthy, Glowing Skin by Charlotte Cho is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their skincare routine with the help of the Korean skincare philosophy.
Charlotte Cho, a licensed esthetician and founder of the popular online beauty shop Soko Glam, shares her extensive knowledge of Korean beauty products and skin care secrets.
In this book, you will learn about the Korean approach to achieving healthy and glowing skin, along with tips and techniques to incorporate into your daily routine.
Some topics covered include:
- Double cleansing
- A Primer on Korea’s skincare obsession
- The 10-Step Korean skincare routine
- Chok Chok and the quest for dewy (and hydrated) skin
- Why sunscreen is so important
- All about the K-spa experience
- Seoul Shopping Guide
This skincare book is perfect for beginners looking for an introduction to the world of Korean skincare and beauty, as well as experienced skincare enthusiasts seeking to broaden their knowledge of the Korean skincare philosophy.
I like how Charlotte makes the book more personal by sharing many anecdotes and experiences from her own skincare journey (which started out pretty rocky) and Korean heritage. It made the whole experience of reading The Little Book of Skincare that much more enjoyable!
One key takeaway from The Little Book of Skincare is the Korean “skin-first philosophy,” which emphasizes prevention and nurturing your skin with proper care rather than relying solely on makeup to cover imperfections.
To help you build the perfect routine, Charlotte also includes product recommendations for different skin types and concerns. This includes everything from hydrators and sheet masks to Korean makeup products like BB creams and cushion compacts.
Charlotte also includes helpful insights on how your lifestyle affects your skin and shares a fun shopping guide if you visit Seoul.
I really enjoyed the personal nature of this skincare book and felt I was learning about Korean skincare from someone who truly understands and loves it.
3. Skincare Decoded: The Practical Guide to Beautiful Skin by Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu
In the book Skincare Decoded: The Practical Guide to Beautiful Skin, formulation chemists Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, well known for their Chemist Confessions Instagram account and blog, provide you with a comprehensive yet easy-to-understand guide on how to navigate the complex world of skincare.
The authors use their expertise as formulation chemists to break down ingredients, product formulations, and their real effects on your skin.
This book is informative and entertaining, with clear chapter layouts and visual aids like diagrams and illustrations.
I can’t emphasize enough how the visuals really aided me in understanding the sometimes complex skincare concepts they discuss.
Learn about:
- Skin biology and skin types
- Cleansers, moisturizers and sunscreen
- Chemical exfoliants, retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide, and other actives
- Skincare routines, including routines for acne, pigmentation and anti-aging
- Skincare Shopping Guide
The book answers your questions about which skincare ingredients are effective, how they work, and why certain products may or may not be suitable for your skin.
It’s comprehensive and a great reference to return to when you have questions about a new product or skincare routine.
Since I am all about ingredients and how skincare products are formulated, I loved this book. The writing is engaging and funny and really kept my attention.
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4. The Tweakments Guide: Fresher Face by Alice Hart-Davis
If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide on skincare procedures and “tweakments,” look no further than The Tweakments Guide: Fresher Face by Alice Hart-Davis, an esthetics industry expert.
What exactly are tweakments? Tweakments are non-surgical medical procedures for your skin. Think of procedures like Botox, fillers, lasers, or peels.
These procedures are designed to enhance your appearance without drastically changing your face or needing to go under the knife.
Alice provides an in-depth look at various types of tweakments in this skincare book. Whether you want to address sagging skin and wrinkles, hollow eyes, or hyperpigmentation concerns, this book covers all the options and offers honest advice.
Most tweakments provide temporary changes (some up to 18 months), but don’t take tweakments lightly – they still require medical expertise and should be approached with caution.
Alice shares her own (and others’) experiences with most of the procedures so you can better understand what to expect and whether or not it could be worth it for you.
Beyond just discussing the procedures themselves and her results from the tweakments, this book also dives into topics such as
- Comfort level of the tweakments
- Potential risks and complications
- Cost
- Location
- Would it work for you
I wish there were before and after photos, which are always helpful when deciding whether or not a procedure is right for you. But… you will find some before and after photos at thetweakmentsguide.com (Alice’s website), which is a helpful supplement to the book.
In addition to tweakments, Alice discusses:
- Finding a reputable practitioner
- Entry-level tweakments
- Home-use Devices
The main drawback for me, since I am in the US, is that Alice lists UK providers who perform the procedures and references UK regulations and pricing. Though the book did kind of make me want to take a trip to London to visit some of the clinics she recommends!
Yet I think this is still a valuable read for anyone interested in learning about the various non-surgical procedures available to refresh and rejuvenate your face. I learned so much!!
NOTE: This is not a quick read! I say that in a good way because it is filled with so much valuable information that you will likely want to read it slowly or bookmark pages to reference as needed.
5. Skin Deep: A Dermatologist’s Guide to the Science of Skin Care by Nancy Lee Silverberg, MD
Navigating the skincare aisle can be a real challenge, but Skin Deep: A Dermatologist’s Guide to the Science of Skin Care by Dr. Nancy Lee Silverberg helps cut through the noise of multi-billion-dollar marketing gimmicks and tells you what really works.
The no-nonsense advice comes from board-certified dermatologist Dr. Nancy Lee Silverberg, who has over 35 years of experience and has treated over 25,000 patients. She specializes in cosmetic dermatology and anti-aging.
When I received the book, I wasn’t so sure it would be all that helpful since it is only a little over 100 pages. But there is a lot of information packed into those 100 pages!
Straightforward and written in a large font, the easy book is filled with credible sources and scientific studies to support skincare claims and ingredients. I think this book is a must-have if you want a quick primer on data-backed skincare ingredients.
In Skin Deep, here are some of the things you’ll learn about:
- Photoaging and the importance of sunscreen
- Different types of moisturizers
- Skincare ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), retinoids, peptides and antioxidants
- Acne-specific products
- Hair and nail products
No, this skincare book doesn’t have images, drawings, or diagrams like some of the other books, but it is still an excellent resource for taking care of your skin!
This is what I would call a quick win since, in one or two sittings, you’ll have a solid understanding of what effective skincare ingredients are all about and what to look for in your skincare products.
Whether you’re a skincare enthusiast or a beginner trying to navigate the world of skincare products, I hope these recommendations help you find the best skincare tools for your needs.
Remember to always do your research and consult with a dermatologist if you need professional advice for your skin.
Thanks for reading!
Sarah Roberts is the founder, writer, and photographer behind A Beauty Edit. With over 10 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sarah is an avid skincare and beauty enthusiast who shares the best beauty finds to help you save time and money!