From basic knowledge of cosmetic ingredients to the science of the skin microbiome, these books provide a more in-depth perspective for those who want to understand and build a skincare routine. Social media is now a popular place to find skincare information. With just a few hashtags like #BeautyTips or #SkincareReviews, users can stay updated on the latest products and trends. Photo: @riovn/IG.
However, if you want to delve deeper into the ingredients, formulation, or science behind skincare products, books are still a valuable resource. Below are five titles selected by SCMP for those who want to start or deepen their knowledge of skincare. Photo: @riovn/IG .
1. Let's Face It - Rio Viera-Newton: This book by Rio Viera-Newton, a skincare writer for New York Magazine , focuses on fundamental skincare knowledge. The author guides readers in understanding cosmetic ingredients, building routines suitable for different skin types, applying and combining products, and recognizing whether they are truly effective. With its basic approach, Let's Face It is suitable for beginners learning about skincare and feeling overwhelmed by the vast amount of information on social media. (Image: Voracious, Olivia Kooyman)
2. Skincare: The New Edit - Caroline Hirons: Caroline Hirons is a skincare expert and beauty influencer. She began sharing her skincare knowledge on her blog in 2010. In Skincare: The New Edit , Hirons compiles essential information to help readers know where to start, how to build a routine, which ingredients to use or avoid, and how to address various skin problems. The book is written in a straightforward, easy-to-understand style. The New Edit version also includes updated content, including product and brand recommendations, a glossary, and topics such as puberty, pregnancy, menopause, PCOS, and post-chemotherapy skincare. Photo: HQ.
3. Skincare Decoded - Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu: If you've ever wondered whether a 10-step skincare routine is truly necessary or if a famous moisturizer is worth the money, Skincare Decoded offers answers from a scientific perspective. Authors Victoria Fu and Gloria Lu, formerly cosmetic chemists, also run the Chemist Confessions account, which explains cosmetic ingredients and formulas. The book is divided into three parts, presenting basic knowledge, common ingredients, and how to build a skincare routine. The authors explain the science behind cosmetic formulas in an easy-to-understand way, helping readers evaluate products themselves instead of relying solely on advertising. Photo: Weldon Owen, @chemist.confessions/IG.