Let's Face It: Secrets of a Skincare Obsessive

by Rio Viera-Newton, Laura Chautin (Illustrator)

From  New York Magazine's   resident skincare obsessive, this friendly, start-where-you-are guide to the essentials of skincare helps readers cut through the noise to discover the routine that works for them. 

Skincare is one of the fastest-growing retail segments in the United States. But despite how much money Americans spend on products designed to tighten wrinkles, close pores, and increase hydration, there's little advice about how to figure out which one of a million eye creams will suit your skin and solve your particular skin health concerns.

Enter Rio Viera-Newton, the beauty-obsessed best friend whose advice drives thousands of readers to New York magazine every week. Despite her popularity and trust, she's not an MD or an esthetician, but a devoted amateur who organically rose to fame when her detailed Google Doc outlining the products that worked—or didn't—on her journey to heal her acne went viral.

Let's Face It is a compendium of super-simple principles for healthy skin, helping readers move beyond branding or the recommendations of influencers to discover the remedies that will solve their skin concerns—and to find them in products at any price point. This book also With concrete steps to walk readers through the process of adding products to their routine, evaluating the results, and developing the routine that best works for them, Let's Face It is the only book the skincare-obsessed reader really needs—and it's the perfect gift for the beauty fanatic in your life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Health

208 pages, Hardcover

Published March 23, 2021

Reviews

[Abby Kincer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super duper informative and uplifting. Took notes and have so many great tips to bring into my skincare routine. Great for newbies, but also awesome for seasoned skincare fans who maybe don’t know as much as they thought they did (like me).

[Roya · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many good gems, but it overcomplicates a topic that is already daunting to the average person. It doesn't have to be this complicated. I don't appreciate how certain things are presented as facts when they simply aren't true. There aren't any sources either. Just another skincare book that tells you what to do without any real authority. I don't mind if it's cute and pink, but does that mean it has to infantilize the reader too?

[Asma Jrad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gimme more skincare book recommendationsss

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The skincare world seems so intentionally opaque that I did not have high hopes that a cute little book would make me understand it more. If anything, I was worried that this book would overwhelm me with even more ways I could be nourishing my face.

I was wrong! Rio's clear classification (and Laura's illustrations) of all ingredients into five basic pillars of skincare helped me figure out what I need on my skin, and what I don't. And I need even less on my skin than I had thought! I'm excited to throw out all the old Sephora samples in my bathroom, buy myself an essence, and call it a night.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, thoughtful, realistic, and informative breakdown on so much skincare intel, from what ingredients are and do to how to create a realistic routine that works for you and your schedule. And the watercolor illustrations are gorgeous!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it just as much second time around! Needed a refresher and it’s such a quick read with great tips.

[Duruuzum · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was helpfull in many ways. It’s great if you have no idea about skincare and want to create a routine. Its like skincare 101. Her language is really understandable and she explains stuff in a basic way. You dont have to be a skincare expert to understand what she is saying. The reason i gave four stars is i was hoping to get more information about what should we do if we already have a skincare routine and its not working for us exactly. She mentioned it in a chapter and thats all. Overall i loved reading the book.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book as an introduction into skincare routines. In my two week COVID quarantine, I went down the skin care rabbit hole and became simultaneously overwhelmed and intrigued.

This book helps the reader understand what each skin care ingredient does and explains the products simply and what a basic routine looks like. Would definitely recommend it if you're looking to get more intensive in your skincare knowledge.

[Miquel Matoses · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person that has suffered from monstrous hormonal acne during teenage years, this book has been very useful in understanding what can be done to improve my relationship with my own skin. I think it lacks some connections between its different parts: I would like to know more about what kind of product works better with the ingredients but overall it is very informative and easy to read.

[Carlotta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and fun book on how to best recognize ingredients for what we normally use in our daily skincare routines!
It's very easy to read and it has very nice illustrations!
Highly recommended if you want to approach skincare, but have little knowledge.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was really informative but in a fun way. I learned a lot about my skin and skincare! I know the point is that everyone’s skin is different, but I would have appreciated some examples of skin care routines.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A likeable and useful book. Includes a breakdown of the much-mocked ten-step skincare routine, but makes it clear that a minimal routine can be just as effective. If I could improve it , though, I’d add either an index or a more detailed contents page so I could easily find information again.

[Devon Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for people venturing into the world of skincare. A great companion to Hyram's YouTube videos! 😊 The frequent illustrations and mini coffee table book layout make it a quick read.

[Justine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too basic for my needs.

[Dalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative and beautiful

[Jules Iavarone · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh, if you know nothing on skin care , might be a start

[Kacee Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skincare Bible! Enjoyed learning more about the foundations of skincare in a fun & easy way. excited to start working on my routine!

[Moriah]

DNF — I will use as a skin care reference as needed

[Ximena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guide for skin care lovers, even if you claim to know everything. Above all, I loved the illustrations and the way in which the author believes skin care is personal and you should find what works for you. Beautiful hardcover too, love how it looks on my shelf!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

This reads more like a reference book than something to read through. I wasn't crazy about the writing style in the more casual sections of the book. The bulk of the bulk is an ingredient breakdown, discussing what each ingredient is helpful for to meet your goals. It recommends ingredients over specific products and brands which I like. I also appreciated the sections on not mixing certain ingredients, and on massage. 
The book mentions the overwhelming abundance of information out there, but I feel like it falls into the same trap. It doesn't feel like a book to read, but more of something to scan through when facing a specific skin issue. I didn't find it particularly helpful for my skincare routine. I also think I would have appreciate a bit on stress, sleep and diet with how it effects skin. Maybe also a quick section on body skincare?