Terri Vinson - Skinformation: A Clean Science Guide to Beautiful Skin

Terri has an encyclopaedic knowledge of formulating and her passion for skin is palpable. In Skinformation she demystifies the dizzying world of cosmetics while providing clear and unbiased advice to getting gorgeous skin.

Sigourney Cantelo, founder of Beauticate and former beauty and health director of Vogue Australia.

Terri Vinson has a rich history in skin care. In this book her knowledge as a cosmetic chemist of ingredients and skin science shines through, offering the reader a very readable and well illustrated guide, full of insightful information and interesting fun facts. I found the use of product labeling as a consumer guide particularly ingenious. Potentially difficult subjects for the consumers such as epigenetics, skin anatomy, sustainability, debunking myths and extolling strengths were elegantly simplified and explained. I have had a long and imbibing history in skin care for many decades but still found myself learning.

Associate Professor Greg Goodman, renowned dermatologist, director of Script Skin Care technologies

COSMETIC CHEMIST

First published in 2021 by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd
42 McDougall St, Milton Qld 4064

Office also in Melbourne

Typeset in Utopia Std Regular 9.5/15pt

John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 2021

The moral rights of the author have been asserted

ISBN: 978-0-730-38522-6

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (for example, a fair dealing for the purposes of study, research, criticism or review), no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, communicated or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior written permission. All inquiries should be made to the publisher at the address above.

Cover design by Wiley

Cover and internal images: artcasta/Shutterstock, Prostock-studio/Shutterstock

Disclaimer

The material in this publication is of the nature of general comment only, and does not represent professional advice. It is not intended to provide specific guidance for particular circumstances and it should not be relied on as the basis for any decision to take action or not take action on any matter which it covers. Readers should obtain professional advice where appropriate, before making any such decision. To the maximum extent permitted by law, the author and publisher disclaim all responsibility and liability to any person, arising directly or indirectly from any person taking or not taking action based on the information in this publication.

Terri Vinson is a renowned Australian cosmetic chemist committed to educating men and women about the what and why of skin care ingredients so they can be empowered to make the best choices when it comes to their products.

She formulates only in accordance with her trademarked Clean Science philosophy and is dedicated to creating safe and ethical cosmeceuticals aimed at protecting, changing, and nurturing the skin for long-term and optimal health.

Terri is considered an international expert in the aesthetics and beauty industry. She holds a Bachelor of Science, majoring in immunology and microbiology, a post-graduate Diploma of Formulating Chemistry, and a specialist Diploma of Education in biology and senior science. She is a world-recognised cosmeceutical formulator, lecturer, and medical conference speaker, making her highly sought after as an editorial writer in the cosmetic science field for numerous beauty publications. Terri is known for her ability to explain complex concepts in a simple and often entertaining manner. Her passion for ingredient technology is infectious and there is nothing she likes more than getting her audience excited about science!

When she hangs up her lab coat, you will find her painting oils on canvas, spending time with her partner and two adult kids, or in the kitchen concocting healthy recipes. As a self-confessed binge-watcher, she can always find a couple of hours to snuggle up in front of the latest streamed doco.

As a woman in the second half of my life (eek), I believe in ageing with vitality, elegance and a great attitude. Ageing is a privilege, and with it comes wisdom and an inner confidence that should be embraced! In fact, we all have the right to look and feel our best at every age. So, lets get skin savvy, cut through the white noise and love our skin from the outside in! Terri

Writing this book was one of the biggest challenges and greatest joys of my life. It takes a village to write a book and that is certainly the case for me. So here is a big shout-out to those I love, respect and am so grateful to.

To my wonderful children James and Georgie: It has been my privilege to watch you both grow into adults who I both respect and often defer to. You have inspired me in so many ways to become a better version of myself. You also keep it real and still laugh at my over the top healthy recipes and tragic mum puns.

To my life partner Alan: Thank you for accepting my crazy quirks and nerdy rants, and for allowing me to be just Terri. Oh, and thanks for always making sure my glass was topped up while I was furiously working on my manuscript during our long-haul plane trips. You love and support me in all my endeavors, and I am so proud to have you by my side.

To my work family and that is exactly what you are: Thank you for giving me those two-and-a-half hours every morning to work on this book without any interruptions. We all have our moments, but I know that you are always in my corner. A special thanks to P, my little buddy and general manager, who has seen me through both challenging times and incredible highs. You have been a great leader who continues to challenge my thinking in the best way possible. Most importantly, you are a loyal friend who gives the best hugs!

To my adoptive dad, Frank, who passed when I was just 22 but who I think of every day: You told me that women can be scientists and you gave me the confidence to pursue it. I hope I have made you proud.

Finally, to all those women and men whose lives I have touched with my formulations, it has been a privilege. We all have our calling in life, and helping people find their inner confidence through having healthy skin is mine. This book has been parked in my head for years and driving it to completion has given me such a sense of purpose knowing that if just one person benefits from reading it, then it was entirely worth it.

Its funnyIm so confident writing about almost anything in this book: skin, science, ingredients. But the why of writing the book, and why I feel so passionate about what I do thats the hard bit. It feels so intensely personal to me, so its quite scary thinking of people reading about my journey in such detail. But Im proud of how I got here so here goes!

My early years were filled with low self-esteem. I never quite felt like I fit ina common story, but it impacted me significantly as a child. When I was 12 I discovered I was adopted. I dont remember being shocked or upset at the time. What I do remember is the feeling that my past now just had a black space and that when I looked forward, there was a big spotlight that I could choose to step into. I knew with every fibre of my being that I was here to make a difference. I had no idea when, or how, but I knew that I would.