Johanna Gillbro, PhD, is an award-winning skin scientist and the writer of the bestselling book The Scandinavian Skincare Bible.

Gillbro has more than 15 years of experience in experimental dermatology, clinical research, and skincare product development, as well as substantial experience from within the pharmaceutical industry. Gillbro is frequently engaged as a speaker at international dermatological and cosmetic science conferences to present her cutting-edge research and is the most cited author in The International Journal of Cosmetic Science in the past 10 years. Gillbro holds several patents to anti-aging compounds and has been research manager for anti-aging treatments as well as an innovation manager within the skin care industry. Needless to say, she is an expert on the skin and how best to take care of it. Now she is on a mission to bring her knowledge to consumers like you and me with The Scandinavian Skincare Bible.

Upon publication in April, 2019, The Scandinavian Skincare Bible went straight to the bestseller lists at all major retailers.

1. Why did you decide to write The Skin We’re In?

Even though there’s a huge interest in skincare today – just look at the sheer mass of products available on the market – it feels like we know more about our gut and brain than about the skin. This lack of knowledge means myths become truths, and the skin care industry owns most of the communication about the skin and skin care. I want to share the knowledge I have acquired through almost two decades of skin research and skin care.

2. What is the most common misconception when it  comes to our skin?

Many people believe you can put anything into a cream and that it will have effect. But developing active ingredients which have actual effect on the skin is a science in itself, which requires specific characteristics of the molecule. This misunderstanding has given rise to numerous products that completely lack effect. There is also a surge in different formats of skin care products which result in a plethora of products. A high exposure of many products on the skin can actually have a negative effect – resulting in irritation, dry and sensitive skin.

3. What makes this book stand out?

This is one of the first books written in a knowledgeable and nuanced way that does not have a specific angle – say natural skin care for example. The Skin We’re In is written from a scientific point of view and highlights the latest cutting-edge scientific research within dermatology: the gut-skin axis and the hottest research area within skin science, namely the microbiome. It is also the first book of its kind that teaches the consumer to interpret the ingredient list of skin care products and educates readers about the actual composition of skin creams.