November 30, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC The other day I found myself plagued by an incredibly itchy scalp, something I hadn’t experienced before. My first thought? Hmmm, maybe I haven’t been washing my hair often enough. Since I work from home, hair washing isn’t really on the top of my priority list—unless I’m venturing down the street to the coffee shop with the cute employees. Then I took to Google, as one does, and quickly became convinced I was dying. Once I pulled myself out of that wormhole, I came back to my original thesis and set out to learn how often you should wash your hair. As it turns out, there’s a fine line between over- and under-washing hair. “Oils are very healthy for your hair. If you wash too frequently you strip your hair’s natural oils, leaving your strands dry, brittle, and subject to breaking,” says Linsey Barbuto, founder of Perlei Salon. “If you don’t wash enough, you don’t remove that gunk that builds up, which leads to a scratchy scalp.” Note to self: listen to intuition more. Celebrity hairstylist Paul Labrecque, with Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, says that not washing your hair enough can also lead to clogged pores—but at the same time, so can washing too often. Ultimately, there are a lot of factors that determine your ideal shampoo schedule. “There isn’t a hard and fast rule for how frequently you should wash your hair depending on your hair type,” says Sacha Mitic,
Month: November 2019
Your 3 golden rules for fighting burn-out-fueled insomnia
November 30, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Theoretically, the era of Peak Burnout should’ve coincided seamlessly with the era of Soundly Snoozing by 11 p.m. every night. Between seeing endless social media updates from people we barely care about, long hours and endless tasks to complete at work, and about 14 million RSVP-worthy celecations that require plane tickets, we should be so exhausted every night, able to conk out, no problem. But alas, restless minds beget restless bodies. So if you have trouble falling asleep after busy days, you may be experiencing burnout-fueled insomnia. On a clinical level, burnout is characterized by a sense of exhaustion from work, and that kind of stress is certainly liable to keep you up at night. “Current research suggests that the relationship between burnout—a real syndrome, according to the World Health Organization—and insomnia is a two-way street, with burnout seeming to encourage insomnia, and insomnia increasing burnout,” says integrative medicine specialist Sally Fisher, MD. “Both [are] associated with the flight-or-fight stress hormone, cortisol. So theoretically, anything that decreases burnout should improve insomnia, and anything that decreases insomnia should improve burnout.” And, to that end, Dr. Fisher has some tips to share. Have trouble falling asleep? Here are 3 tips to make sure burnout’s not to blame. 1. Try an herbal remedy for stress relief Many of us love and live by melatonin. But if your sky-high cortisol levels are overpowering your nightly gummy supplement, shifting gears gears could be a worthy consideration. And while
I’m an acupuncturist and this is the number 1 health condition I treat
November 30, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC There are all kinds of reasons why people try acupuncture—the Traditional Chinese Medicine practice of inserting needles into various parts of the body to stimulate energy. It can be helpful for fertility support, addressing stress and sleep issues, and even sex drive. But the most common reason why people seek out acupuncture, according to Jamie Bacharach, LAc, acupuncturist and head of practice at Acupuncture Jerusalem? Pain. “The most common health condition which people turn to acupuncture treatment for is recurring pain,” she says. “Most commonly felt in the back, neck, or shoulders, recurring pain in these areas is something that can be debilitating and limiting for years until properly addressed. Headaches and migraines also fit in this category as they represent sources of pain which traditional medicine commonly fails to cure.” Acupuncture can be particularly helpful for helping with chronic or recurring pain, Bacharach says, in part because of the holistic nature of the practice. “Acupuncturists are trained to identify shortcomings in lifestyle which may contribute to recurring pain, such as improper gait, posture, or sleeping habits, whereas a traditional doctor may only look at one half of the equation,” she says. “By redirecting qi, or energy within the body, acupuncture needles can strengthen various bodily weaknesses when employed properly in order to reduce stress and correct various causes of pain-related ailments, in addition to eliminating the pain itself.” For example, she says while a traditional doctor might diagnose and treat a slipped disk,
A bottle of this dry skin-saving drugstore moisturizer sells every 3 seconds in Korea
November 30, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC K-Beauty has introduced us to some seriously important elements of our skin-care routines. Sheet masks, serum cocktail-ing, the nourishing powers of snail mucin… the list goes on and on. And one more worth adding? AHC Essential Eye Cream for Face ($29), a bottle of which sells every three seconds in Korea. If your moisturizer and eye cream had a baby, it would be this stuff. The name “eye cream for face” stems from the fact that the product’s ingredients pack a serious punch, like an eye cream, but can be used all over, like a moisturizer, meaning it combines two steps of your skin-care routine into a single quick and easy one. Eye creams tend to be more heavily concentrated than your run-of-the mill moisturizer, and this product takes its cues from that formulation, which means you’ve got some power-packed ingredients in high doses. There’s hyaluronic acid, which is best in class as far as hydration goes; peptides, which help amp up skin barrier protection; and a proprietary blend of vitamins. In addition to leaving your skin feeling moisturized and ready to take on whatever the winter weather wants to throw at it, the combo also helps to diminish fine lines and wrinkles. What’s wild about this stuff is that though it functions as a heavy moisturizer, it feels so light that you hardly realize how deeply it’s penetrating your skin. It’s not goopy or greasy, and its texture is much closer to that
This is the sneaky way I add protein to my smoothies—and it’s not a chalky powder
November 30, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Pretty much everyone has the exact same complaint about protein powder. No matter which kind you choose to add into your smoothie, it always winds up making that hearty mix of fruit and veggies super chalky—not to mention the icky aftertaste. A combo that’s never appealing. That’s exactly why one dietitian decided to ditch it altogether and source her protein with frozen peas instead. Whitney English, RD, the registered dietitian behind Plant-Based Juniors, isn’t a big fan of protein powder in general. But she also knows it’s not at all required in order to infuse her smoothies with a solid source of plant-based protein. Instead of going for one of the trendiest options—aka pea protein, which is everywhere right now—she decided to go straight to the source and grab a bag of frozen peas out of her freezer. “The popularity of pea protein got me thinking: Why not just throw the whole pea in? And ya know what, it worked,” she wrote on Instagram. “Tossing frozen green peas into your smoothie adds protein (4 grams per 1/2 cup), fiber, and creamy texture without any weird aftertaste.” For the perfect protein-packed smoothie, English recommends combining 1/2 cup of frozen peas with a banana, unsweetened vanilla soy milk, frozen blueberries, hemp seeds, and peanut butter. What you’re left with is a morning beverage that not only energizes you and keeps you full until lunch, but also leaves you feeling totally satisfied. Who knows—peas might be
I still refuse to leave home without this $7 cure-all salve I discovered at age 13
November 30, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC At age 13, going to Urban Outfitters was the highlight of my weekend. My friends and I would stuff our shopping bags with trucker hats, graphic baby T-shirts to wear on “dates” to the mall, and thongs that we had to hide from our parents until we graduated from high school. It’s been 15 years since those legendary Saturdays, and while my “Everyone Loves a Jewish Girl” T-shirt is long gone (RIP), there’s one item from my UO glory days that has remained in my permanent collection: Smith’s Rosebud Salve ($7). I discovered the iconic balm as in impulse purchase in the checkout line, it’s still the only one that I never, ever leave home without. Considering the stuff has been around since 1985, I’m clearly not the only one who’s realized how great it is. I initially bought it as a lip balm, and there’s no doubt that it’s one of the best of the best there is in that category. It’s intensely hydrating but not so thick that I don’t want to use it when it’s hot outside, and leaves behind the most perfect pink-tinted sheen that gives the subtlest glossy look you’ve ever seen. I usually have a weird thing about sticking my fingers into any sort of potted product, but am weirdly ok doing it with Rosebud Salve because the texture isn’t goopy or greasy. It comes in a squeezable tube, but I hate change so have only ever
This 5-in-1 makeup-skin-care hybrid will cut your entire routine down to a single step
November 30, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC There are three elements that any beauty pro will tell you should be a part of your post-cleanse morning skin routine: an antioxidant serum, a moisturizer, and an SPF. No matter what your skin goals are, that’s the bare minimum roster of things you should be slathering on before you leave the house every day. But we’re all busy, and some (… slash most, if you’re like me) mornings, a multi-step situation just isn’t going to happen, and the best you can do is slap on a layer of moisturizer before running out the door. But thanks to a new product from Iris and Romeo, you can get all of your “must-do” morning skin essentials in one fell swoop… and then some. The brand’s 5-in-1 skin-care product—aptly called Best Skin Days ($64)—does it all. It’s a hydrating antioxidant serum, moisturizer, SPF, and foundation, and it also protects skin from blue light and pollution. On the hydration front, it’s got hyaluronic acid to keep your skin feeling moist. As far as antioxidants go, its got Bulgarian rose damascena oil, a rare oil that’s packed with vitamin C and omega-9 fatty acids that act as an anti-inflammatory. According to the brand, this ingredient power-couple restores hydration, elasticity, and natural radiance for bouncier, firmer, and glowier skin. The product also has broad-spectrum SPF 30 (the minimum coverage that derms say you should be wearing every day), which helps fend off damage from pollution and blue light.
A germ expert explains exactly how gross it is not to shower after a flight
November 29, 2019 at 11:00PM by CWC After a long flight, before you kick off your shoes and crawl into your cozy bed, you might want to take a quick detour to the bathroom for a shower to wash away the airplane germs. According to microbiologist Jason Tetro, author of The Germ Files, airplanes are pretty gross. “Airplanes have their own microbiome and the most common types are those from human skin, which isn’t surprising considering we’re all constantly shedding bacteria,” he says. “As for the germiest place? It’s the headrest, where you’ll not only find bacteria, but also yeasts and molds.” So much for falling asleep with ease. “If it’s a short haul, you may not have to worry about it, as you’ll have the same exposure as you might in an office building. But as the flights get longer, the microbes on your skin can grow and that can get a bit smelly,” says Tetro. “If you do happen to pick up bacteria or fungi that’s not your own, this may lead to itchiness and bumps on the skin and scalp. Showering after flights is probably a good thing—regardless of the length!—if only to have that clean feel after being cooped up in a cabin.” If you don’t shower and bacteria and fungi do catch a ride back to your hotel with you, Tetro says you may end up depositing germs that aren’t your own into your new space—particularly your bed. “But showering with soap—and shampoo for the hair—removes any
8 surprising signs of bad gut health you might be overlooking
November 29, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC The importance of good gut health is preached on the reg, but knowing what’s “normal” isn’t so easily understood—especially since most people don’t tend to talk about their bathroom habits out in the open. Asking a colleague or even a friend if it’s “normal” to have poop that’s soft instead of formed, or if you should be worried that you feel a little gassy every day after you eat lunch, typically doesn’t happen. Often, people learn to live with symptoms they should really see a G.I. doc about. Speaking of, gastroenterologists have heard and seen it all when it comes to poop (and other factors related to the gut). No question is too big, too small, or too weird for them to give a straightforward answer. Here, gastroenterologists Niket Sonpal, MD and Will Bulsiewicz, MD—whose book, Fiber Fueled, comes out this upcoming spring—reveal eight signs of bad gut health that many people often overlook. Keep reading to find out what’s really normal—and what’s not. 1. Having any sort of discomfort after eating on a regular basis Sure, once in a while something in your salad may give you heartburn or leave you feeling constipated, but Dr. Bulsiewicz says if you feel bloated, constipated, or have diarrhea after eating on a regular basis, you should see a specialist. “Generally what’s going on here is that there’s been damage to the gut,” he says. “This could be due to infection, antibiotics, over-the-counter pain-relieving drugs, poor
Does ‘moisturizing body wash’ for dry skin even work? Here’s what dermatologists think
November 29, 2019 at 09:00PM by CWC Dry skin is no joke when you’re striving for a glowy complexion. Slathering on lotion is a surefire way to fight off dryness, but that’s not the only trick you should have up your sleeve. According to derms, using body wash for dry skin could be the key to unmatched softness. At first blush, moisturizing body sounds like a scam. Yes, you rub on and wash off seconds later, but it can actually help a lot to improve dry skin. “Moisturizing body washes can trap water in the skin—something soap can’t do,” says Sheel Desai Solomon, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist in North Carolina. “But as with all products, not all body washes are created equal. All of them will cleanse your skin, but it depends on which ingredients are used as to whether they will moisturize your skin. ” “The ‘good’ moisturizing body washes contain hyaluronic acid and ceramides, which are hydrating ingredients,” says Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD, founder of Mudgil Dermatology in New York City. No matter how much you use them, though, they’re never going to beat applying moisturizer after the shower. “Applying a moisturizer to damp skin after a bath or shower is still key. While many body washes do contain moisturizers, most are not sufficient enough to prevent or treat dry skin on their own,” Dr. Mudgil says. “If you suffer from dry skin, follow up with a moisturizing lotion within three minutes of leaving the bath or shower.