The Original Beauty Bible: Skincare Facts for Ageless Beauty [Paperback]

The information presented seems very complete. However, how anyone can write a guide such as this and leave out an index is beyond me. Finding the information for which I am looking is hit or miss since the index is nonexistent. I shouldn't have to go page by page through this large book to find the specific facts and products I need.

I recently checked out Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me from the library and while I don't always agree with her opinions find it a great resource for sensitive skin and rosacea. Will either purchase the 09 version coming out in December or her online subscription. Back to this book; product reviews are limited to summaries of each categories "best" leaving most of the book to detailed information about almost ever area imaginable of skin and body care. It's the first place I ever heard the term "Ocular Rosacea" although I have researched a fair amount about vascular (comes and goes on face). It amazed me that despite have expressed my concerns about super dry, red, and irritated eyes for years to dermatologists, allergy doctors, ophthalmologists, and opticians (in three states having moved), none ever considered this. So I had to bring it up last week at the dermatologist who wrote out a prescription for a simple antibiotic which has really helped...Goes to show even Google has its limitations : ) So Thank you Paula!

I'd heard vaguely of Paula over the years in women's magazines but had never read any of her books. I had the general impression that she was a crusader for truth in beauty advertising. This February I asked an acquaintance of mine what cleanser she used with her Clarisonic face brush because her skin looked great. She told me she used Paula's products. I didn't know Paula had a line of products or books at all! My acquaintance urged me to read this book, saying it had completely changed her beauty outlook.

I purchased the Kindle edition for my Mac, which was easy and pleasant to read on the screen. However I will echo others' calls for an index.

Paula's tone is chatty, but also no-nonsense, like a stern aunt. She relies mostly on peer-reviewed research whenever possible, and tries to explain such research in simple English. Maybe sometimes she simplifies things too much, but overall it's a pretty good approach geared to everywoman. She will recommend other companies' products besides her own, but of course she does mention her own frequently.

Altho' I thought myself a canny beauty consumer, Paula did surprise me a few times, and I confess I learned some important things. For many years I had used witch hazel as a toner to stop my sensitive skin from itching. She explained that witch hazel is actually also an irritant, but stops itching by causing a slight distractive itching that fools the nerves. She argued that the witch hazel was only continuing the irritation in the long run.

It was hard to give up my witch hazel, but I confess that after 3 weeks, much of redness did go away for the first time in many years. Also, I love the scent of lavender, but Paula pointed me to peer-reviewed research showing that in the test tube, lavender oil had actually been proven to kill skin cells, thus harming the natural skin barrier and causing senstivity. I was shocked, but did use the internet to find the study and was convinced.

Now I've stopped using lavender products, and again, I have to confess that after 6 weeks without any lavender products, my skin does seem less sensitive. I do wish however she spent more time on rosacea and couperose, though.

Not that I would say Paula's perfect. Her makeup advice and approach seems stuck in the early 1990s "matte & nude" period. Also her section on lasers, cosmetic fillers and Botox could be more in-depth and up-to-date. She doesn't go into enough detail on these, and doesn't mention all the downsides. She is honest and admits that she had some small complications with her own filler experience, however.

Also, she doesn't always take allergans and hormone-disrupters seriously enough. In many of her evaluations, she will say that a certain ingredient is regulated and certain products meet government standards. But of course there are legitimate questions as to whether the government standards are strict enough in light of recent science and if even these minimal regulations are adequately enforced. So sometimes I wish she were more skeptical on these points.

However I will say I was impressed enough with this book to sample Paula's products and to stop using lavender, witch hazel, and any alcohol. Her advice has really improved my skin, and her products are better than the "fancy" products than I was using - I must confess. Her advice is good for people with sensitive skin and I have to admit her products have helped mine at a cost much less than I used to pay.