February 22, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC First came the pimple patch. In the early days, these were made exclusively of hydrocolloid, a material that dates back to the 1970s and is celebrated for its ability to form an occlusive barrier over skin, while drawing pus and gunk from deep within pores. At its advent, it became a novel way to treat breakouts without having to slather on ointments and serums. Fast forward to years later, and now facial skin patches are a common way to help to deal with skin concerns aplenty, including dark spots, fine lines, and yes, pimples. On beauty shelves now, you can find patches that use microneedling technology to deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin, fight dark spots, give skin-smoothing benefits to other body parts, and even patches that proudly display the fact that you’ve got a pimple (rather than just blur it on the sly). New York-based board-certified dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum, MD, is a fan of patches because they’re “very user-friendly” and give your skin a targeted, pre-measured dose of an active ingredient right to the spot in question. Keep scrolling for the low-down on this new generation of skin patches that you can pop on for healthier, happier skin. Graphic: Well+Good Creative Microdart acne patches Microdart-style patches have teeny, tiny dissolvable “darts” that work like microneedling to deliver acne-fighting or dark spot-brightening active ingredients beneath the skin’s surface. Jennifer Chwalek, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with Union Square Laser Dermatology, says that some
Tag: Facials
4 stretches that will give your skin an instant glow-up for $0
February 21, 2020 at 10:04PM by CWC The “yoga glow” has always seemed like one of those wellness-world scams, like six pack abs or 10,000 steps. The idea of being able to improve your skin as an accidental side-effect of your flow may sound too good to be true. But according to the pros, it actually does check out, and to some extent, you really *can* stretch your way to happier and healthier skin. “Stretching delivers extra blood flow to skin,” says Alain Saint-Dic, head of training and development at Stretch Relief. In the short term, that extra blood rush can give your face a nice, instant flush. With that same blood flow, you also add nutrients and hydration to help cleanse and strengthen skin, while also minimizing signs of aging. Over time, Saint-Dic says the stress-relieving effects of stretching regularly can also offer some more long-term benefits for skin. How? We know that the stress hormone, cortisol, is closely linked to skin health. When cortisol spikes, it can lead to acne. So it makes sense, then, that doing an activity to help balance stress levels—aka stretching—can benefit your skin. “Increased stress levels have a negative impact on overall skin health, so stretches that target high stress areas in the body—such as the neck, shoulders, and lower back—will have a positive effect on skin health,” explains Saint-Dic. But before you go tossing your serums in the trash, it’s worth noting that while these practices can help improve skin health, they’re not
How a marketing manager making $125K snags free flights for her international vacays
February 21, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Do you know how much money your friends make? What about how much their rent is or how much is in their bank accounts right now? I’m guessing no. Even in a world where questions about menstrual cups and the ins and outs of sex are completely (and blessedly) normal to ask, somehow the ever-ubiquitous use of money remains a touchy subject for many. People want to live their healthiest life ever, but—#realtalk—it can add up. Have you ever wondered how your colleague who makes less than you do (or so you think) can afford to buy a $5 matcha and a $12 chopped salad every day? Or how your friend is able to hit up $34 fitness classes three times a week? It’s enough to make anyone want to ask, “Ummm, excuse me. How can you afford that?!?” That’s where Well+Good’s monthly series Checks+Balanced comes in. By lifting the thick, tightly drawn curtain to expose how much women of varying income brackets spend on wellness, we’re spreading transparency and hopefully providing some inspo that’s possible to copy. Because no matter how much you make, it’s possible to cultivate healthy habits that work within your budget. This month, meet Erin, a 32-year-old marketing manager living in San Diego, California, who prioritizes healthy eating, fitness, and using credit card points for flights. Here, she reveals her expenses and how she affords her wellness habits. Keep reading to see how Erin hacks her habits (like by using credit card points for flights). Graphic: W+G
Welcome to the golden age of skin care peer pressure—have you tried retinol yet?
February 20, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC It likely started with moisturizer. It’s the first product most of us buy when someone suggests it’s time to get serious about skin care. Then, you add a step here or there over the years, like serum or SPF. And then maybe you start using eye cream after reading glowing product reviews, or incorporate a toner after an influencer beams on Instagram that it changed her skin. Later on, when your best friend won’t stop singing the praises of a new retinol at brunch, you throw that into the mix, too. “Why not?” you think. And boy are you glad you did because later on, nine people ask you whether or not you’re using “a vitamin A derivative”. Slowly—yet somehow, very suddenly—your skin-care routine goes from being two steps to twelve. Welcome to the golden age of skin-care peer pressure. It’s nice to see you, friend. The same FOMO force field that pulled your middle-school self to sneak off to the mall without your mom’s permission is now at work on your bathroom shelf. As skin care has grown to be the self-care instrument du jour, slathering creams, oils, and serums onto skin has become cultural currency. If “it bags” and “it leggings” were must-buys of the past, consider the rise and reign of Augustinus Bader or the candy-capped empire that Tiffany Masterson created when she launched Drunk Elephant as today’s proof that you’re clued in. “We’re barraged all day long on our
Derms say this kind of foundation is the best for sensitive or acne-prone skin
February 20, 2020 at 12:30AM by CWC Liquid, cream, loose powder, pressed powder, cream-to-powder—there are so many different types of foundation. With each coming in different finishes and levels of coverage, it can be hard to figure out which one works best for you. Mineral foundation is often overlooked, but according to Meghan Feely, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist in New Jersey and New York City, it’s perfect for people with sensitive skin who are looking for something simple. “Patients with sensitive skin or acne-prone skin may prefer mineral foundation,” says Feely, who is also a clinical instructor at Mount Sinai’s Department of Dermatology. “These products often contain less potential contact allergens such as fragrances and preservatives likes parabens. Mineral foundations are also generally non-comedogenic, meaning they do not clog your pores.” She says mineral foundations are gentle enough to use post-procedure for some cosmetic treatments performed in dermatology offices. So how exactly can you spot a mineral foundation? Merrady Wickes, makeup artist and beauty director at The Detox Market, says that technically all foundations contain some amount of minerals for pigment. “Flip over any foundation box and you’ll likely see titanium dioxide, zinc, and iron oxides listed among the ingredients,” says Wickes. “Mineral makeup is more of a marketing term, but there are brands who use only mineral pigments in loose formulations, which I think is what most people think of.” She says to be mindful of products that include “mineral” as a form of greenwashing. “Check to see
How to convince everyone you have naturally thick, full lashes in 6 easy steps
February 20, 2020 at 12:15AM by CWC From mascara and extensions to magnetic falsie strips and lifts, we’re always trying to figure out how to get thick lashes with wow factor. And here at Well+Good, our beauty editors have tried just about everything to find the fastest ways to get long, fluffy lashes. It’s taken a quite a bit of trial-and-error, but we’re pretty sure we’ve nailed down a few foolproof methods. Keep reading to uncover our favorite tips to full, striking lashes just in time for National Lash Day and beyond. How to get thick lashes, according to the pros 1. Treat yourself to a lash lift Want that fresh-faced #IWokeUpLikeThis look? You might want to invest in a lash lift—aka a perm for your eyelashes. Unlike lash extensions which can damage your lash line, lash lifts chemically curl your natural lashes so there’s no damage involved. The result is an effortless, bright-eyed look that lasts from 4-6 weeks, no mascara involved. Curious? Watch what happens when Well+Good director of creative development Ella Dove gets a lash lift herself. Spoiler alert: the results might make you envious… [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im3ejx7zOKM] 2. Get creative with your curler Curling your eyelashes before applying mascara can take your lash game to a new level, but be strategic in how you do it. One easy way to really get that doe-eyed look is by heating up your curler with a hair dryer. Like a curling iron, the warm tool will shape your lashes up
Why Italian skin care is like the Mediterranean diet for your complexion
February 19, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC If you’ve ever been to Italy, you understand how beautiful it is—it’s verdant, markets are filled with fresh fruit (like lemon, the country’s staple), and rich scents of rosemary and tomatoes waft through the air. Given that Italy plays host to such varied, fresh ingredients, it’s no wonder that the country’s skin care reaps the benefits. Italian elixirs, serums, and creams are packed with vitamins and good-for-skin oils that are a direct product of the rolling Italian countryside. “In Italy, we’re all about using high-quality ingredients, eating the right things, and putting good oils and fats on skin,” says Irene Forte, a native Italian and founder of her eponymous skin-care line. “We’re not about quick fixes [in beauty], but about a relaxed way of life with balance.” Italian skin care takes a minimalistic approach—it’s more about using fewer, nourishing products than a 10-step routine. “The few [beauty products] we use are packed with super botanical ingredients,” says Italian beauty pro Gabriel Balestra, founder and president of Skin&Co Roma. “Beauty for Italians is a ritual of wellness that starts every morning when we wake up by choosing the nutrients we put in and on our bodies.” “In Italy, we’re all about using high-quality ingredients, eating the right things, and putting good oils and fats on skin.” —Irene Forte A lot of these ingredients happen to be the same ones that make up the Mediterranean diet, like healthy fats and oils. “The ethos of my
4 hair-care essentials that will take any routine up a notch
February 18, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC Our skin pretty much steals all the beauty spotlight. According to Dianna Cohen, founder of the new hair-care brand Crown Affair, however, your hair deserves just as much attention. And in keeping with the less-is-more vibes reverberating through skin care, that doesn’t mean you need a routine stacked with multiple steps, you simply need a few hair care essentials that you can mix and match, depending on what your hair needs at a given moment. “I’ve always nerded out about hair care, because your wellness routine includes your hair,” says Cohen of her passion for what she calls the “skin-ification” of hair care. “Like your skin, your hair goes through different phases in your life—if you’re going through a stressful time, it shows up in your hair as much as your skin.” As we know, stress really does cause hair to gray, and stress can sometimes even lead to hair loss. This is why creating a simple routine for your strands—something Cohen recommends for all—is key to leaving your hair looking nourished and less damaged. Similar to skin, people have very different hair types (different textures, curl patterns, hair thickness) and lifestyle factors (such as how often you sweat or shower) that impact how you care for your hair. But Cohen swears that regardless of hair type, mixing up these four basic tools will lead you to a reliable, streamlined routine. Keep scrolling for the must-have hair-care essentials Cohen suggests for all. Graphic:
I’m a Sephora beauty director, and I just can’t hide how great these 4 concealers are
February 16, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC In the best of skin times and the worst of skin times, I have always, always swiped on a concealer. The beauty product is one of those that stands the tests of acne, aging, sleepless nights, and every reality in between. And when I talked to Sephora beauty director Jeffrey English, I learned that he, too, has a long and loving partnership with the best concealers. “I’ve always had a really strong relationship to concealer because I feel like—as a male, when you start getting into grooming and you really look into makeup—I think concealer is one of the first products that you grab for because you know you really want quick results, fast,” he says. Over his years as a makeup artist, English has narrowed down the five concealers that never (never!) leave his makeup kit. Curious about what they are? Sephora beauty director Jeffrey English names the 4 best concealers at Sephora 1. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, $30 “I would be remiss not to talk about the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. I think that that is the tried-and-true. It’s a Sephora favorite, and it’s really been living and breathing at the Sephora beauty studio,” says English. The formula’s velvety texture makes it stand out among the rest, and once it’s on, it dosen’t budge. “I like this particular product because it’s great for self-setting, so you don’t have to put any powder on top of it to kind of keep it in
The best acne treatments at Ulta all cost less than $30
February 15, 2020 at 12:30AM by CWC Every dermatologist will tell you shouldn’t pop your pimples. But sometimes the angry ones refuse to be ignored. Some bleed. Some even grow hair. But no matter what, they all need to GTFO. From salicylic acid to benzoyl peroxide and niacinamide, there are tons of acne fighting-ingredients. Ulta has a ton of acne treatments to choose from, so you’re never stuck without the proper tools. The best part? Many of the best-sellers are under $30. These are the best acne treatments available at Ulta 1. Mario Badescu Drying Lotion, $17 This cult-favorite is one of the most beloved acne spot treatments. It’s made with quick-drying ingredients like salicylic acid, calamine, and others to shrink whiteheads while you sleep without irritating your skin. 2. THE ORDINARY NIACINAMIDE 10% + ZINC 1%, $6 The Ordinary is known for having the most affordable, yet effective serums on the market. Niacinamide helps lighten dark spots and calm inflammation while zinc aids in wound healing. 3. Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief, $20 Pimples can’t stand a chance against this powerful spot treatment. It contains a double dose of benzoyl peroxide to target acne-causing bacteria, and allantoin to moisturize and soothe the skin. 4. Urban Skin Rx Clear Skin Cleansing Bar, $15 This cleansing bar is daily cleanser, mask, and exfoliator in one. Just wet your face, rub the treatment into your skin, and allow the lather to sit or one to two minutes, and then rinse. It’s full of anti-bacterial