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Clean: The New Science of Skin and the Beauty of Doing Less

Named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR and Vanity Fair

One of Smithsonian’s Ten Best Science Books of 2020

“A searching and vital explication of germ theory, social norms, and what the modern era is really doing to our bodies and our psyches.” —Vanity Fair

A preventative medicine physician and staff writer for The Atlantic explains the surprising and unintended effects of our hygiene practices in this informative and entertaining introduction to the new science of skin microbes and probiotics.
 
Keeping skin healthy is a booming industry, and yet it seems like almost no one agrees on what actually works. Confusing messages from health authorities and ineffective treatments have left many people desperate for reliable solutions. An enormous alternative industry is filling the void, selling products that are often of questionable safety and totally unknown effectiveness.

In Clean, doctor and journalist James Hamblin explores how we got here, examining the science and culture of how we care for our skin today. He talks to dermatologists, microbiologists, allergists, immunologists, aestheticians, bar-soap enthusiasts, venture capitalists, Amish people, theologians, and straight-up scam artists, trying to figure out what it really means to be clean. He even experiments with giving up showers entirely, and discovers that he is not alone.

Along the way, he realizes that most of our standards of cleanliness are less related to health than most people think. A major part of the picture has been missing: a little-known ecosystem known as the skin microbiome—the trillions of microbes that live on our skin and in our pores. These microbes are not dangerous; they’re more like an outer layer of skin that no one knew we had, and they influence everything from acne, eczema, and dry skin, to how we smell. The new goal of skin care will be to cultivate a healthy biome—and to embrace the meaning of “clean” in the natural sense. This can mean doing much less, saving time, money, energy, water, and plastic bottles in the process.

Lucid, accessible, and deeply researched, Clean explores the ongoing, radical change in the way we think about our skin, introducing readers to the emerging science that will be at the forefront of health and wellness conversations in coming years.

From the Publisher

"Life is a constant tension of the need to be close to other people and to protect ourselves""Life is a constant tension of the need to be close to other people and to protect ourselves"

"A must-read." - Vogue"A must-read." - Vogue

"Fun, interesting and credible." - The New York Times Book Review"Fun, interesting and credible." - The New York Times Book Review

"Accessible and articulate - graceful even..." - The Wall Street Journal"Accessible and articulate - graceful even..." - The Wall Street Journal

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riverhead Books (July 20, 2021)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0525538321
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0525538325
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.2 inches

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Price: $17.00 - $14.15
(as of Jul 21, 2024 18:05:11 UTC – Details)



Named a Best Book of 2020 by NPR and Vanity…

Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining, well-written, and informative. They appreciate the wealth of thought-provoking knowledge and the history of soap. Readers also say the book is helpful with health problems and chronic itching.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

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Based on 13 reviews

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  1. Michael –

    A must read
    Everyone should read this book. It will change your life and it’s not just informative it is very easy to read.

    Michael –

  2. Bama Fan –

    Good information and an interesting read!
    This book does a good job of covering all different aspects of your skin and the history of cleanliness. The conditions that we are exposed to now and that our ancestors were exposed to are much different and Hamblin goes on a quest to talk to people who are working to try to figure out what the best methods are to keep your skin clean. He interviews scientists, regular people who have had skin issues and takes a peek at the industry of start-ups who are looking to make products for your skin that have less and less ingredients. It is a good book for anyone that is curious and I enjoyed reading it thoroughly!

    Bama Fan –

  3. gemg –

    4.5 stars, it’s not just about skin
    I enjoy science history and this book has a lot about soap and public health organized by topic in chapters, which doesn’t always flow well. I enjoyed the chapter on the skin microbes, which seems to be the new cutting edge research.People who use a lot of skin products will probably not get past the beginning. But if they read on the author reveals the marketing lies that sell products through the last century. He includes selected references for each chapter.However, I am not convinced by the author’s experiences and interviews about not applying anything to the skin. I just wouldn’t want to go through a transition period of a couple months working around people. I do believe in being a minimalist about using products on the body but that was my belief before reading the book. The author at the end does admit the pandemic brought showers back into his life.Overall, an interesting read if you like science history.

    gemg –

  4. Maggie & Kates Mom –

    Fascinating read!!
    Extremely well researched and well written (and the author has an understated but reader appreciated sense of humor) I bought the book after watching an interview with him discussing his book. The “hook” was him talking about his decision to stop showering …..but the book ended up being about so much more than our obsession with being clean. Lots of really interesting facts and information about soaps and other health care products and their history (I am recommitted to Dr. Bronner’s products and the company ethic) but what I was most fascinated by was the information relative to microbiomes. Sounds like dry reading but it is not. I was aware of microbiomes and had been piecing together theories of my own (like why my dogs are so fond of cow poop etc I choose to embrace the microbiome theory rather than just think my pups are disgusting!) He pieces it all together and it makes absolute sense. Anyway….I found it to be engrossing and entertaining. I also appreciate a seeker of truth who is a good writer! Definitely recommend!

    Maggie & Kates Mom –

  5. themenz –

    Nicely written but lacking
    I did enjoy reading this book especially after seeing the titillating headline that the author has not bathed for years and still manages to function in our society. The prose is very readable, accessible and covers some interesting areas of your skin and the microbiome. The author takes us on some visits to cosmetic and soap companies and waxes poetic or pooh poohs tastefully for reasons that are not always clear to me.However as I got closer to the end, I became anxious…when was he going to cover his experience with not bathing? What about interviewing others who have given up soaping their entire bodies? What have been their experiences? Have there been any controlled trials to prove that we need all the microorganisms colonizing our skin? Or that soap washes them off and the lack thereof can cause disease or skin issues? After washing, do these organisms recolonize quickly, slowly or not at all?None of these questions are answered and he only lightly brushes over his experience. The book smelled OK when I got it so I guess that James does as well.

    themenz –

  6. Christie –

    Enjoyable and informative without the sensationalism
    I expected a detailed explanation of why no one should shower. Instead i found a mix of history, research, anecdotes, and some dry humor that made for an amusing but educational read.Hamblin takes an evidence-based approach to skincare while also exploring historical and cultural context. I especially appreciate that he doesn’t just say we’re all doing everything wrong and then prescribe a solution or try to sell something (as so many books by doctors do these days). Instead he gives a comprehensive history of how we got to where we are in terms of being “too clean” and what existing and emerging research has to say on the subject. And rather than being hypercritical or dismissive of those who do spend money on fancy untested products, he acknowledges that many individual decisions around skincare and wellness can be a rational response all things considered. Facials do feel great and many people have tried all traditional treatments before turning to expensive untested regimens.This book is an entertaining and informative read without any of the sensationalist garbage that is so often central to “wellness” books. I’d recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about how to take care of their skin and body without having to sift through marketing spin or miracle cures.

    Christie –

  7. Mary E –

    Great book, but not a “how to” manual
    I read James Hamblin’s columns in the Atlantic religiously and had been wading into this philosophy for almost 50 years, so the pandemic was a perfect opportunity to dive in, so to speak. This approach deserves serious consideration. It’s helpful with (some) health problems, specifically for me, chronic itching. I wish it had been a bit more prescriptive and/or descriptive of others’ experiences with this lifestyle, but it does a stellar job of illustrating both the science and the commercial hype associated with “body care.”

    Mary E –

  8. Cats3684 –

    Great
    Need to buy the other book

    Cats3684 –

  9. ash –

    If you care for your overall health, you need to read this book and understand how our skin microbiome affects our skin, immunity and a lot more!

    ash –

  10. Annika –

    I had read about this book and was intrigued by someone who did not shower especially a physician. There is much more to the book including fascinating information about recent research into the microbiome of skin.

    Annika –

  11. P. Lewis –

    A very informative book, can definitely recommend. A lot on the importance of bacteria on the skin. As a result of reading this book, I am cutting back on how often I have an all over wash (and saving on water!). But as the book recommends, some bits need to be washed often. The only issue I have is that it is recommended we wash less often, as soap removes good bacteria and oils from the skin, we then need to add oil to the skin. but we also have dirt mixed in with the oil, I personally dont think we should wash too rarely therefore, as our skin will become too grubby, as point the book does not address. it is better to wash enough to remove the dirt, even if we have to replace the removed oils.

    P. Lewis –

  12. Mo ka –

    I wanted to try something new. But I did not like it. The idea behind it seams appealing to buy it in the first place but then it become so boring and flat with some reports from some factories! Meh! I decided to stop reading it actually. But the the way of writing and the first idea was good 3 stars is a prise :/ if it was an article in 20 pages it was more reasonable than to be a book.

    Mo ka –

  13. Adie Williams –

    Brillianty written and informative!

    Adie Williams –

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