Before we go on, we should note: Fine lines happen to us all at some point, and they are signs of a life well lived. Crow’s feet, for example, signal years spent laughing and smiling—and that’s a beautiful thing. “When we start to have less collagen and elastic fibers in skin as it ages, this very thin skin shows lines earliest,” explains board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD. That thin skin is also why the area is more sensitive to sun damage, pollution, and oxidative stress—all of which can contribute to sagging skin and wrinkles....

As founder and educational director of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy Ashley Leavy previously explained to mbg, birthstones have roots in both Western astrology and Ayurveda, and the National Association of Jewelers standardized the official birthstones in 1912—because there were so many birthstone options across various traditions. Birthstones even appear in the book of Exodus (28:17-20), where it’s written that 12 gemstones were fixed on the prophet Aaron’s breastplate....

One way to tell is to do the “pinch test.” Putting your index finger and your thumb around your areola, pinch about an inch behind your nipple. If it stays out, you’re normal. If it flattens or retracts, you probably have some degree of nipple inversion. Welcome to the club! That said, nipples can also become retracted over time due to weight loss or, in rarer cases, a disease affecting the breast tissue like breast cancer....

First, it’s worth noting that everyone responds to acupuncture differently. For me, certain needles, or filaments, caused a dull ache, but beyond that I didn’t really feel them at all—partially because they are so thin. There were occasionally sensitive spots, like my knees and hips, but I’ve since been told that there was a purpose to those sensations. (More on that, later.) This experience jibes with what Toni Haugen, L....

Interestingly, one new study explains exactly how to reduce your risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by as much as 61%. The first is Crohn’s disease, which can affect any part of the GI tract but typically affects the small intestine, while the second is ulcerative colitis, which normally occurs in the large intestine, colon, and rectum. An IBD diagnosis can be life-altering and incapacitating, and medical experts are still working on developing effective treatments, so we’d all benefit from investing in preventive measures....

Dream interpretation allows us to decode the messages of our dreams, so we’re able to integrate those lessons into our waking lives. If you’ve been dreaming about being chased, here’s what it could be telling you, according to therapist and dream expert Leslie Ellis, Ph.D. “In that respect,” she says, “being chased is an image for the ‘flight’ part of the fight-or-flight response—our body’s initial reaction to threat.” So, generally speaking, “it’s fair to say the dreamer is activated and feeling threatened in some way,” she notes....

Enter: eau de toilette and eau de parfum (sometimes written as EDT and EDP). These two labels are often slapped on after the fragrances’ official name and actually can help you decode a lot about the product. EDPs typically being the stronger and longer-lasting of the two, as they have a higher concentration of oil, around 25% of fragrance oil in the potions. EDTs are often known for their lighter, airier variations, with about 15% of fragrance oil....

It can be a bit discouraging to realize that what we imagine is far from the reality we’ll be experiencing. But don’t let it get you down! Having ups and downs in your libido is, after all, just part of being human. Plus, there are a bunch of ways to support your libido naturally by addressing hormonal imbalances of various types. And as a functional medicine expert who specializes in hormone health, I’m here to tell you that you can reclaim your sexy by incorporating some simple lifestyle changes with the aid of aromatherapy....

Koji is the Japanese word for “cultured grain.” For over 2,000 years, the koji fermentation method has been used in Japan to preserve and enrich food, making delicious and nutrient-dense goods like vinegar, miso, and soy sauce. Solgar makes their Koji Fermented Iron and Zinc supplements by growing the koji culture on cooked rice. As the koji matures and ferments, it’s enriched with iron or zinc. Then, it’s harvested and processed into a powdered supplement to provide your body with a range of benefits....

Shanthi Appelö, R.D., health and wellness spokesperson at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, says freekeh is a common staple in many Asian and African countries, particularly in the Middle East. “What makes this grain so special is not only its smoky, nutty flavor and chewy texture but also the fact that it’s high in fiber, with more than three times more than brown rice per serving,” says Meghan Dillon, R....

And, well, you might already be doing it. Here, we explain what it means, what the pillars are, and the various pitfalls. However, as Aliza Pressman, Ph.D., co-founding director and director of clinical programming for the Mount Sinai Parenting Center, notes, gentle parenting is really just another variation of authoritative parenting. She notes you don’t need to get caught up in the semantics of this, as it’s really all the same concept: You want to raise a kid with sensitivity and warmth while also measuring out reasonable expectations and boundaries....

It’s not that I’d qualify on The Great British Baking Show, but I do fancy myself some kind of amateur baker—and especially when the holidays roll around. I’ve always loved the precision and flour-covered mess of baking, but the holidays only amplify my passion. Firstly, because I can’t resist the fleeting joy of seasonal ingredients: white chocolate, cranberry, shortbread… Say no more. But with the holidays also come parties, get-togethers, dinners—and I adore baking for those I love....

“Clinical research supports the truly multifaceted metabolic benefits of this powerhouse pepper,” Rai shares. “The unique botanical ingredient has been shown to increase metabolism, activate thermogenic calorie and fat burn, reduce cravings and body fat, and promote healthy body composition.”* Whether you’re looking for appetite support to curb cravings in between meals or hoping to activate thermogenic calorie burn, this spicy pepper has got you covered.* Here are just a few of cayenne pepper extract’s benefits, as demonstrated by clinical research:* “Capsimax® is a widely researched4, whole-food red chili pepper extract....

I tried waking up early and jogging, but it didn’t work with my schedule. I researched workout classes near my office but couldn’t find something that worked consistently. Realizing the unhealthy pattern I was falling into (and noticing that my pants were way too tight), I decided it was time to create a habit and routine that I could easily stick to. Here’s how I did it: Without fail, around 2 o’clock, I hit a mental wall....

All that to say: The conversation around a good cleanse can get quite nuanced, but do the same rules apply to conditioner? We consulted the pros to find out. If you rinse your hair with just water, you may be fine to skip the conditioner, but always reach for hydrating leave-in products if your strands feel dry post-rinse. So the quick and simple answer: You should condition your hair every time you shampoo....

To master the artistry, we enlisted the help of Toria Smith, founder of U.K.-based grazing catering company GRAPE & Fig. Here, we pick her brain on how to build the best cheese board, every single time, plus some gorgeous pairing ideas for you to try out. You also don’t necessarily need to have “cheese knives”—just a standard knife will do if that’s all you’ve got. Sure, a proper cheese knife may give the board a certain sense of grandeur, but it’s not the be-all and end-all; you can still create a fancy-looking platter with any tools you have in your kitchen....

In the sidereal system, observable stars and constellations are the frame of reference, McDonough says. And these are not fixed but rather shift by one degree roughly every 72 years. As such, the dates for sun signs have changed over the years. Here’s where each sign falls now, plus a quick intro into what each one represents. For a deeper understanding, check out the AstroTwins’ Astrology Fundamentals class on mbg....

Bonus points if you opt for a tea brewed with calming herbs, though as Leeds says, “Even mindfully sipping water can be calming.” mindbodygreen’s calm+, for example, is formulated with full-spectrum USDA- and E.U.-certified organic European hemp oil, lavender oil, and ashwagandha root and leaf extract at levels that are scientifically shown in clinical trials to support a brighter mood and up our stress resilience.* It can be taken any time of day or night to take the edge off stressors (consider it a yoga class in a bottle....

You might’ve seen a viral hack here and there about how best to sanitize your makeup sponges, but we’re here to tell you the actual best tried-and-true ways. If that doesn’t scare you into cleaning things up (it should), this buildup can also mess with the sponge’s function: Dirty, overused sponges just don’t work as well as freshly cleaned ones. But in case you just know you’re not going to be that diligent, makeup artists Jenny Patinkin—who boasts her own collection of sponges, brushes, and tools—says every three to four uses is OK, or “at least once a week!...

If you’ve tried to make amends with your hair over the years with little to no success, don’t worry. We’ve tapped experts to give you the breakdown on how exactly to care for heat-damaged hair and to answer the ultimate question: Can it be fixed after all? Let’s get into it. These products are generally claiming that the look of damaged hair can be improved, which is true. Further, using nourishing ingredients can help to strengthen the hair fiber and prevent future damage....