Mona Chollet's new essay on skincare obsession
Mona Chollet, a Franco-Swiss journalist and essayist, has released a new essay titled Soigner sa peau. Exploration d'une obsession (Taking Care of One's Skin: An Exploration of an Obsession), examining the obsession with skincare and the aesthetic standards that weigh on women. Published on October 1, 2026, by Éditions La Découverte, the book is described as a turning point in Chollet's career, with the author stating she feels more comfortable discussing her personal experiences. Content of the essay and its themes
The book, which has a print run of 100,000 copies according to Livres Hebdo, delves into Chollet's own addiction to cosmetics and her reflections on feminism, aging, and the fear of time passing. She adopts a more autotheoretical writing style, sharing her fascination with skincare products and routines in an effort to be honest about her desires without looking down on her readers. Feminist perspective and societal critique
Chollet's approach aligns with feminist movements that view the personal as political, using her own experiences with skincare routines and moments before the mirror to highlight broader societal issues. Le Nouvel Observateur has described her as more discreet than Gloria Steinem, positioning her at the heart of the French-speaking feminist revival.
