Cosmeceuticals, 4th Edition

By: Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, Jeffrey S. Dover, MD, FRCPC and Murad Alam, MD, MBA, MSCI

ISBN: 9780443118081

Publication Date: July 21, 2024

Reviewer: Patricia Wong, MD (Private Practice)

Description

Cosmeceuticals is a subject on which everyone expects dermatologists to be THE experts. This book fulfills that knowledge space. It is authored by multiple dermatologists as well as many individuals that work in the cosmetic industry (L’Oreal, Proctor-Gamble, Allergan). Perusing this book should allow knowledgeable assessment of the efficacy of any skin care product by reading the ingredients listed on the label. The book discusses in detail which ingredients have proven scientific effects, and which ingredients are fluff.

Purpose

The purpose of the book is to educate dermatologists on how to make specific skin care recommendations that will improve patients’ skin problems without exacerbating their underlying diseases.

Audience

The audience is all dermatologists.

Features

The book includes five major parts which cover defining the cosmeceutical realm, active cosmeceutical ingredients, the application of cosmeceuticals to dermatologic practice, and cosmeceutical myths. Chapter 5 is particularly interesting as it discusses Vitamin C. Vitamin C serums are popular as lightening agents and as antioxidants for anti-aging. Over the counter products touting Vitamin C vary in the type of Vitamin C complexes they contain. The discussion in this reference decodes the differences in the complexes in terms of efficacy and stability. The chapter discussing different lightening agents and their mechanisms of action would have benefited from mentioning which ingredients are the most effective. There is such a multitude of ingredients that inhibit tyrosinase that it is difficult to ascertain which are worth pursuing or recommending in a practical setting. The book is available as an eBook plus videos. The videos can only be accessed by clicking on the eBook and then going to the videos. The videos are of the author presenting her personal recommendations and views on cosmetic choices and strategies. Each video is about 2 min and 45 seconds long, and she answers commonly asked questions. The book would benefit from the inclusion of a list of the relevant videos at the end of appropriate chapters.

Assessment

Overall, this is an excellent book on cosmeceuticals that I would highly recommend to any dermatologist with a cosmetic practice. It is fun and useful to know the science behind these ingredients or the lack thereof.

©Doody’s Review Service, 2025, Patricia Wong, MD (Private Practice), Doody’s Score: 95 – 4 Stars!

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