The best ways to exfoliate cranky, sensitive skin, according to dermatologists

December 06, 2018 at 02:05AM It can be frustrating when you have sensitive skin. Just like being a sensitive person, the smallest thing can set you (or your skin) off. Before trying a face mask, chances are you inspect ingredient lists for anything that could be irritating; you may or may not slather on beauty products that are meant for kids (or even babies); and the rest of the time you’re just living on a prayer that nothing causes a fiery reaction on your complexion. Exfoliation gets trickier, though. The practice of sloughing off dead skin cells is something you should do at least weekly—but there are so many different methods to go about it, with options ranging from a chemical peel to a facial scrub. The thing is, they’re not as typically marked as sensitive skin friendly—and that’s because exfoliating is a more intense treatment and is more likely to cause irritation than other parts of your beauty regimen. “Exfoliating can help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, but you have to be careful not to cause irritation if you have sensitive skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York-based dermatologist. He notes that you can go down two basic roads: chemical or manual exfoliating. There are perks to both, you just have to know what to look for. Photo: Stocksy/VeaVea Chemical exfoliating When using a physical exfoliant, you are the exfoliant, manually working in the scrub to lift away skin cells. With a chemical option, however,

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I bet you didn’t know that olives are actually fruit (because I didn’t)

December 05, 2018 at 01:21PM If you’re anything like me, you’re probably only eating whole olives in a chopped Greek salad or on top of a cauli-crust pizza (or perhaps in the bottom of a martini). But there’s actually a pretty good argument for grabbing a jar on your next Trader Joe’s run—like the olive oil they generate, whole olives are a simple way to add a hit of nutrients and flavor to pretty much any savory meal. As The Domestic Dietitian Brynn McDowell, RD, points out, these tiny fruits (yup, they’re fruits!) are a staple in the Mediterranean diet for a good reason. Research indicates that this way of eating slows the aging process, promotes longevity, and boosts good gut bacteria, which is why it’s a favorite of doctors and nutritionists. Of course, olives alone aren’t responsible for all these perks. But it’s safe to say that they pull their weight alongside the rest of the diet’s key foods, given all their healthy attributes. Are olives healthy? Let’s investigate 1. Olives are packed with heart-healthy fats McDowell points out that, like olive oil, olives are rich in monounsaturated fats, which fall under the “healthy fat” category. “Monounsaturated fatty acids have been linked to decreased inflammation and a reduced risk of heart disease,” she explains. But there’s one caveat: You’ll be getting considerably less fat if you opt for whole olives as opposed to olive oil. “Olive oil is made up of 100 percent fat, while olives contain about 20 percent fat,” says

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Asking for a friend: Is it gross to reuse makeup wipes?

December 05, 2018 at 11:53AM In an increasingly sustainable world where everyone is constantly promoting the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” lifestyle, people might be taking the slogan a little too far. Early this year, the CDC had to plead with the public to stop washing and reusing condoms (yep…)—and now there’s a skin-care PSA regarding your makeup wipes you should know about for the sake of your complexion. First thing’s first: Makeup remover wipes can definitely be pricey. Biodegradable and natural options can run you up to $26 for a pack of 30, so it’s no wonder why those who want to get their money’s worth try to get a couple uses out of each of those precious towelettes. The only issue? According to Dendy Engelman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, doing so could totally disrupt the very fragile ecosystem of skin. “The purpose of cleansing is two-fold: The first is to cleanse the skin of oils, impurities, makeup, and pollution particles, and the second is to aid the penetration of the products you’ll be applying afterwards. Clean skin will allow active ingredients to penetrate better and work more effectively,” she tells me. But when you’re reusing makeup wipes, watch out: You’re basically doing the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. “Using a makeup wipe over again will smear old makeup and bacteria back onto your skin instead of removing it. Leaving bacteria and toxins on the skin increases your risk of inflammation, clogged pores, and breakouts, and it can even accelerate aging over

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What do Probiotic CFUs and Strains Actually Mean? Here’s Your Explainer

December 05, 2018 at 11:20AM If you’ve taken a stroll down the probiotics aisle at your local pharmacy, you’ve probably been bombarded with an overload of numbers and various acronyms for which the only appropriate response is, “Huh??” But understanding the specific benefits of probiotics is vital to your friendship with your gut—so where do you start? “Not all probiotics are made equal,” Maggie Johnle, manager of innovation at Renew Life says. “Look for a diverse group of scientifically studied strains that you can easily take each day.” Still, it’s important to understand terms like “strains” and “CFUs” when they keep popping up on every bottle. So to help decode the wonderful world of probiotics for you, we asked Johnle to break things down.  Keep scrolling to find out more about the benefits of probiotics and what CFUs and strains actually mean—and why they’re important when you’re probiotic shopping.  1. So, what’s a CFU anyway? *CFU* not UFO (they look similar though, so we get it). CFU stands for colony forming unit—but is often used interchangeably with cultures or culture count. “CFU or culture count is quite literally the number of microorganisms, encompassing all types, or strains,” Johnle says. And by “microorganisms,” we’re talking about the good-for-you bacteria that probiotics provide. Johnle suggests that adults look for at least 10 billion culture of CFU per serving in a probiotic, and recommends children start at around 1 billion and work their way up. That’s because the more CFUs you get, the more iron-clad your gut

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