Due to my concerns over the long lists of chemicals on the sides of the beauty products filling my bathroom cabinet I set out to find a book about the alternatives. I suffer from sensitive skin and have spent a fortune in the past trying to find products that don't irritate my skin. I hadn't expected to find a good book on this subject so was pleasantly surprised by the book Planet Organic: Organic Beauty. It is nicely presented, easy to read and informative. It addressed the issue in a practical way, providing lots of information on what you should avoid in beauty products as well as listing the 'good guys' of the beauty product world, and also included plenty of ideas and recipes if you want to try doing it yourself.
I was quite shocked to learn about what the chemicals that we merrily slap onto our skin actually are, and I now look at the expensive, over-advertised shop products with a more discerning eye.
I have tried making some of the recipes in the book and have enjoyed it, and they are pleasant to use, although it takes a while to get used to the fact that they don't look so white and clinical as shop-bought products.
My criticisms of the book are that there are a few too many close-up photos of radiant young women in towelling robes - it seemed as if they were bulking the book out a bit. Also there wasn't any information about men's products - men care too!