Do you know your AHAs from your BHAs? Your salicylic acid from your glycolic acid? Your humectants from your emollients? Dont worry, Dr. Mahto, one of the UK’s leading consultant dermatologists has got you covered.
I am a self-confessed skincare junkie. I adore putting new lotions and potions to the test which, I have to admit, isn’t always the greatest for my skin but I do try to control myself and add them gradually over time. Over the years I’ve started to get a good idea about the type of products and even brands that work well for my skin, but I have little to no understanding of why. My knowledge of technical jargon and ingredients is very limited and because of this, I am often duped by fancy marketing ploys and over-priced packaging. That’s why I found The Skincare Bible by Dr. Anjali Mahto a fascinating read. I honestly couldn’t put it down. There’s nothing incredibly groundbreaking within its pages, however, if you love skincare and have a passion for makeup but lack a basic understanding of skin types, concerns and treatments, Dr. Mahto cuts through the nonsense and provides clear and concise insight into the world of skincare.
One of the most interesting sections of The Skincare Bible was Skincare Jargon (starting on page 47). Here Dr. Mahto breaks down common beauty jargon and the misconceptions surrounding them. What do manufacturing claims such as ‘hypoallergenic’, ‘clinically proven’ and ‘non-comedogenic’ actually mean? Do brands have any scientific evidence to back these claims and is there even a legal definition to base them from? Are ‘natural’ ingredients safer and more effective than synthetic? Should we avoid Parabens like the plague? It’s all here and frankly, I could read about it for hours.
The Skincare Bible is an easy read, although a little repetitive in parts and is clearly aimed at those with specific skin concerns such as aging and acne. If I had a pound for every time Dr. Mahto’s advice basically comes down to ‘wear sunscreen’ and ‘seek professional advice from a dermatologist’ I could probably treat myself to a pot of Crème de la Mer and find out once and for all what all the fuss is about. What I did appreciate was how Dr. Mahto also addresses that skin concerns aren’t just ‘skin deep’. Skin issues can trigger psychological effects such as isolation and depression so it’s important that we are armed with accurate information as to not exasperate conditions and trap ourselves in a vicious cycle.
Throughout The Skincare Bible, a few products are recommended by name; mostly Pixi Glow Tonic and a few products from The Ordinary. I would have loved more recommendations but I understand that this would probably require constant updating. An Index of ingredients and specific terms would have also been handy for quick reference. Apart from these minor criticisms, I really enjoyed The Skincare Bible. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a passion for skincare and is tired of being duped by clever marketing. It’s a must-read for anyone wanting to enhance their understanding of the beauty industry and learn how to create a specific skincare routine that caters to their specific needs and concerns from an unbiased and professional source.
The Skincare Bible by Dr. Anjali Mahto currently retails for £9.77 and is available from Amazon.co.uk.
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