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marykohl's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I really expected to hate this book
usernamemustbeunique's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book by Hamblin I’ve read. It is not as packed with information as his previous work. I was expecting a bit more from it, but I am still quite happy to have read it.
annaofjesup's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Medical content, Antisemitism, and Excrement
ameyawarde's review against another edition
5.0
This is fantastic and if you have skin, you should read it. Whether you are inerested in your skins microbiome or have never thought about it before, you should read it. If you are involved with skincare or makeup at all, you should REALLY read it. Hamblin is a fantastic writer and his books are enjoyable, conversational reads, while delivering medical/sciencey info in an enjoyably millennial fashion (I saw as a millennial who reads health-science type books constantly and love being able to tell that the writer is closer to my age and isn't a 60+ year old man for once!)
kdski's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this as an audiobook and it felt like a documentary! If you’re a bit nerdy and love diving into historical stuff like the origin of soap or if you’re a bit suspicious of the skincare industry boom in recent years this would probably be right up your alley. It’s a book about how marketing has impacted culture when it comes to the idea of “clean”. Empty advertising jargon, religion, racism, politics and other themes are explored and raise questions about the idea of “cleanliness”. Descriptors like “natural” are arguably more profit-driven than health or hygiene motivated. The skincare industry has gone unchecked for so long! Only pharmaceutical products must go through clinical trials for safety and efficacy. The biggest thing I found shocking about this book is that there are zero requirements in the US to actually test cosmetic products for safety, so literally anyone could mix up a product and sell it, which I found shocking. FDA lacks authority to review personal care products and only bans 11 ingredients whereas EU has banned over 1500 ingredients. It was a bit of a slow start for me but once it gripped me, I kept wanting to learn more. This book will stay with me and it has impacted the way I view skincare and the beauty industry.
metawish's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
A really fascinating look into a little understood but highly valued organ of our body. As someone interested in the growing field of microbial life and the role they play in keeping us healthy, there was much learned and synthesized in a way that was accessible for an everyday lay person.