Clean audiobook cover - The New Science of Skin

Clean

The New Science of Skin

James Hamblin

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Categories:
Health & NutritionScienceHistory

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Clean
The Harm of Overwashing+
History of Hygiene+
Advertising & The Soap Industry+
Skincare vs. Medicine+
The Power of Microbes+
The Antibiotic Threat+
Finding the Right Balance+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
What physical change did author James Hamblin notice after he quit his daily showering routine?
  • A. His skin became permanently dry and flaky.
  • B. His skin became less oily and he had fewer eczema breakouts.
  • C. He developed an unbearable body odor that never faded.
  • D. He contracted more frequent colds and respiratory infections.
Question 2 of 8
How did the discovery and acceptance of germ theory change societal perceptions of cleanliness?
  • A. It led to the belief that physical cleanliness was solely necessary for spiritual purity.
  • B. It caused people to view bathing as a sinful luxury that should be avoided at all costs.
  • C. It transformed cleanliness into an indicator of social status and made being ungroomed seem dangerous.
  • D. It encouraged the working class to reject soap as an unnecessary capitalist invention.
Question 3 of 8
How did early soap companies like Lever Brothers and Procter & Gamble expand their markets and influence culture?
  • A. By funding independent scientific research on the benefits of the skin microbiome.
  • B. By pioneering sponsored content and creating daytime radio serials known as 'soap operas.'
  • C. By lobbying the government to mandate daily bathing for all citizens.
  • D. By selling their products exclusively through trusted medical professionals.
Question 4 of 8
According to the book, why is the skincare industry able to make bold claims about its products compared to the pharmaceutical industry?
  • A. Skincare products undergo more rigorous clinical trials than most prescription drugs.
  • B. Cosmetics are legally allowed to claim any benefit as long as they don't promise to cure a disease.
  • C. Skincare companies use natural ingredients that are exempt from all government oversight.
  • D. The FDA heavily subsidizes beauty brands to promote alternative medicine over traditional drugs.
Question 5 of 8
What did researchers conclude from comparing the Amish and Hutterite communities?
  • A. The Hutterites' strict isolation from animals resulted in superior immune system function.
  • B. Genetic differences between the two groups accounted for their varying allergy rates.
  • C. The Amish children's early exposure to farm animals and soil resulted in significantly lower rates of asthma and allergies.
  • D. Both communities suffered from high rates of autoimmune diseases due to their lack of modern hygiene products.
Question 6 of 8
Why did the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ban triclosan and several other antimicrobial ingredients from soaps in 2013?
  • A. Soap makers could not provide evidence that these ingredients fought disease better than plain soap and water.
  • B. The ingredients were proven to instantly cause severe allergic reactions in children.
  • C. The ingredients were too expensive to manufacture, driving up the cost of basic hygiene.
  • D. Consumers boycotted the products in favor of indie brands containing probiotics.
Question 7 of 8
What is the scientific theory behind why dogs can detect diseases such as cancer or malaria?
  • A. Dogs can hear the irregular heartbeat caused by chronic diseases.
  • B. Dogs can sense the elevated body temperature associated with tumor growth.
  • C. Dogs can smell small changes in the 'volatiles' or chemical cocktail emitted by our skin's microbiome.
  • D. Dogs have an instinctive psychological reaction to the stress hormones released by sick humans.
Question 8 of 8
What successful practice did Florence Nightingale implement in Crimean war hospitals that was later reversed by modern hospitals following the acceptance of germ theory?
  • A. Sterilizing all surgical equipment in boiling water.
  • B. Dividing patients into small, sealed rooms to prevent cross-contamination.
  • C. Opening doors and windows to improve air circulation and ventilation.
  • D. Administering early forms of antibiotics to injured soldiers.

Clean — Full Chapter Overview

Clean Summary & Overview

Clean (2020) explains why overwashing is harmful. It damages our largest organ: the skin. Medical doctor and journalist James Hamblin explores the reasons why we have become so radical about personal hygiene, and explains why we might need to rethink our approach.

Who Should Listen to Clean?

  • Anyone who wants to learn more about skin care and immune system health
  • People interested in how advertising has influenced modern lifestyle choices
  • Hygiene minimalists looking to be vindicated

About the Author: James Hamblin

James Hamblin is a staff writer for The Atlantic, a lecturer in public health policy at Yale University, and a physician specializing in public health and preventative medicine.

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