Last updated on 18th September 2024 by Sarah Sarsby
Today is not a traditional skincare product review, but instead, a review of the new book from skincare expert Caroline Hirons, which aims to inform readers about skincare in an easy-to-read format.
I’m a huge fan of Caroline Hirons. Not only did I purchase one of her skincare kits back in spring, but I also love following her skincare advice. From busting skincare myths and expertly explaining how different ingredients work on the skin, to promoting good skincare habits and being very authentic along the way, Caroline is one of a kind.
When I heard she was launching a new skincare book, I pre-ordered it immediately. I just had to have it. Unlike most other people, I tend to prefer reading beauty information, rather than watching YouTube videos or listening to podcasts, so I was beyond excited.
But just how good is Skincare: The ultimate no-nonsense guide? Did it live up to my expectations and should other skincare fanatics get it?
Who is Caroline Hirons?
Caroline Hirons is the skincare queen. She’s a fully qualified and experienced aesthetician, who has worked with over 100 brands and offers excellent skincare advice. If she says a product is good for my skin type (normal/oily), then you damn well know I’m getting it.
She’s a breath of fresh air. Authentic, honest, down-to-earth, hilarious and very much herself. She never comes across as scripted or fake, so I love watching her YouTube videos.
One of my favourite things about Caroline is that she follows skincare science and won’t just tell you to buy a skincare product because it’s “trendy”. This makes her advice very trustworthy because she backs up everything she tells you with science.
If you’re into skincare and haven’t heard of Caroline Hirons, then you need to watch her videos or visit her blog. Immediately. She’s awesome.
Who is the Caroline Hirons Skincare book for?
This book is for anyone who is interested in skincare. Young or old, beginner or experienced, and everything in between.
Building on her years of knowledge and experience in the skincare industry, Caroline Hirons’ Skincare book aims to break down beauty jargon, provide users with handy skincare tips and product recommendations, and bust skincare myths.
It’s designed to educate users about skincare, whist being easy to understand and fun to read.
Routines, skin types and skin conditions
The Caroline Hirons Skincare book discusses everything you need to know about skincare and is surprisingly funny along the way. At 303 pages, you should essentially view this book as a skincare bible.
The book gives you some handy tips for great skin, such as cleansing every morning and night without fail, drinking lots of water, using a high SPF (30+) and investing in high-quality skincare.
It also explains, in a lot of detail, what your morning and nighttime routine should look like, including what order to apply skincare products in. Caroline Hirons is the reason I’m now obsessed with hydrating facial mists!
There are also pictures to accompany the skincare routine section of the book to show you step-by-step what your routine should look like as well as routines depending on your skin type (such as for dry skin) and for different occasions (such as festivals, on planes, when exercising etc.).
The skincare guide also helpfully lets you know how you should apply skincare products (with pictures), including the infamous ‘therapist swipe’ technique.
The Caroline Hirons Skincare book also discusses different skin types and conditions. For the extensive skin conditions listed within the book, such as eczema, pigmentation, psoriasis and rosacea, Caroline recommends various products to help.
I think this is really handy because sometimes you can digest a load of information and still feel unsure about which products to try, so this can give people a great starting point.
Myths, skin kits and beauty jargon
Throughout the skincare bible, there are beauty myths that Caroline busts. I love reading these. They’re so insightful and help you pinpoint what sort of BS you’ve heard in the past. How she busts the myths is hilarious too, I laughed constantly when reading this guide.
There is also a very handy section of the book called ‘your kit’, which talks about the various products that you should incorporate in your skincare routine, like eye creams, retinol, AHAs, moisturisers etc. This section informs you about what the different products are used for and what ingredients you should look out for.
As well as discussing different skincare products, Caroline, again, helpfully recommends various skincare products within each category.
One of the most helpful aspects of the book is undoubtedly the beauty jargon section, where Caroline Hirons talks about what certain terms bandied around in the skincare sector mean.
Importantly, she touches on some of the scaremongering tactics companies use to push you into buying certain skincare products. This part is extremely eye-opening and makes you realise just how much of it goes on.
My thoughts on the book
I genuinely love this book. Although it’s filled with so much information and beauty jargon, I still found it incredibly easy to read and understand.
When I first started really getting into skincare, the amount of information out there was overwhelming. But, when I discovered Caroline Hirons, I read her blog and quickly started to learn about ingredients, what I should look out for and how skincare works.
That’s why I was so excited when I heard she was releasing a book. I knew it would be perfect for upping my knowledge about skincare, without me coming away feeling scared and confused.
Whether you’re very knowledgeable about skincare or are just dipping your toe in the water, this is a must-buy. The book is laid out really well, it’s easy to understand and it’s also hilarious.
There is so much I discovered about skincare from reading this book and I was absolutely hooked. I read it flat out in a couple of weeks, which is quick for me!
It’s just amazing.
Favourite quotes from the book
“If you would spend more on a bag than your face, you’re reading the wrong book.”
“Applying your eye product last is like wearing your knickers over your trousers.”
“‘Your skin sleeps during the day’? Right, well, that’s me dead then.”
“Celebrities telling us they don’t wash their faces and saying they only use soap and water is not new. Some have always said that. It was utter bollocks then, and it is now.”
“If your partner prefers you with makeup, get a new partner.”
“An inferior product is a waste of your money, no matter how much of a ‘bargain’ it appears.”
“Everything is a chemical.”
“Just because a product is labelled ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ does not mean it is better for you.”
“All this ‘cleanse and then just let your skin breathe’ is daft. Your skin is always breathing. If it wasn’t, you’d soon know about it. In the morgue.”
Where to buy
Retailing for £20 and in hardcover, you can purchase the Caroline Hirons Skincare book from Amazon, Waterstones, or WHSmith.
Conclusion
The Caroline Hirons Skincare book is an iconic book from an iconic person. If you’re interested in skincare and like a good laugh, this book is a must-buy.
From how easy it is to read and the layout of the book, to the hilarious comments and sheer amount of skincare expertise shared, I genuinely can’t fault it whatsoever.
Rating: 5 stars
Sarah Sarsby is the owner of A Woman's Confidence. With over 6 years' experience of writing in the fields of beauty and lifestyle, Sarah is passionate about all things content, makeup, skincare, wellness, and lifestyle. She has oily skin, is obsessed with lip gloss, and loves cookie dough.
Thanks for your review it was really interesting and lovely to read. I have been looking after my skin and not wearing much makeup at home
Laila
http://www.lailanblog.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you so much! If you’re interested in skincare and want even more excellent tips, then I can’t recommend this book enough
Caroline is a no nonsense skincare guru with a great sense of humour.I too find her very genuine,especially as she’s impartial.
Love your favourite quotes ,made me laugh.
She’s such a legend. The quotes honestly made me laugh out loud, they’re hilarious
Oooh! It is always good to read about ways we can take care of our skin better. I am the same with you. I tend to read than watch videos. It is great that Hirons outlined some of the hard facts. I just stick to two brands at best to rotate between. Glad you loved reading the book overall! Big plus that you learned a lot too!
Nancy ✨
I find I digest information more easily if it’s on a page, rather than listening to somebody talk lol. She’s awesome! Out of interest, which two brands do you rotate between? 🙂
I can see why everyone is going on about how amazing she is and how great the book is! Sounds like a perfect combination: skincare and humour.
Caroline is just the best lol
Thank you so much. I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it and found it helpful. ♥️
Thank you so much!
I really want to read this book, it sounds awesome and I love to learn more things about beauty.
The book is good, it’s just a shame about her attitude. She has started to really infuriate me with her vigilante heroic ways.
She is asked and talks a lot about societal issues which is fine, but rather than providing facts she is spitting out her opinion and when someone says something she has gotten really defensive..
I’m all for opinions, but she also needs to respect others views too. I find that she takes a lot of things out of context and will go with the majority rather than fact finding and speaking with professionals of the topic areas.
I have found that she’s money orientsted.. so what I mean by this, I have noticed on previously posts/videos that she would it work with particular brands (again, that’s fine). But then she would do.. after they have contacted her…
If she has had an argument with one brand she will say she won’t work with them or not like them.. but then later down the line she does..
It’s such a shame as she’s so good at skincare and I would take her advise 100 and relay it.. but her attitude and her outlandish opinions just create havoc and hatred among the general public and that’s really not good or healthy.
Its her job, she has to make money somehow