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The increase in the hormone estrogen through orgasm, as well as the physical activity involved in sex, can promote healthy skin, hair, and overall healthy aging. We chatted with holistic dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D., to explain some of the beauty benefits of sex: Overall, she says estrogen promotes skin health, hair health, and vitality. “It also plays a role in supporting normal skin barrier function, maintaining skin hydration, keeping oil gland production at bay, improving wound healing, and modulating inflammation2,” she adds....

But here’s the thing: I just have thin brows. They’ve always been little slivers of hair; and what makes it worse is they are a lighter shade of brown than my natural roots—so they look even slimmer. It made my life easier when I was young (no begging my mom to allow me to get them waxed; no painstakingly long time in from of a mirror plucking them away), but now?...

Sleeping on your side is one of the most common sleeping positions. Even so, it often gets a bad rap, due to the aches and pains the position can cause if you have the wrong mattress. With the right mattress, however, research suggests sleeping on your side may help alleviate snoring and mild sleep apnea1. Plus, lying on your left side specifically may ease heartburn2. It’s not all physical, either....

Still curious about the Master Cleanse? Here’s a breakdown of what it is, how to follow it, and what you need to know about the risks. The central feature of this program is the Master Cleanse lemonade made with water, fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and pure, organic maple syrup. This drink, which is the only calorie-containing item allowed, is consumed six to 12 times a day for 10 days....

While it’s often considered “the world’s favorite color” and linked with the Earth through bodies of water and the sky, we also use the word “blue” to describe feeling down (i.e., Sadness in the movie Inside Out is even depicted as an all-blue character, and “blues” music is quintessentially somber). One of the most prolific painters in history, Pablo Picasso, even created a series of blue paintings in the early 1900s with a distinctly sad feel—aptly named his “blue period....

And all antioxidants come with their own set of benefits and specialized focus areas for health. CoQ10, in particular, plays several critical roles in the body. The below is not an exhaustive list—for that please check out our guide to CoQ10—but it can give you a good indication of what you can expect if you decide to take it via supplementation or topical products. Its primary role in the body is to support energy production....

Scorpio is the eighth sign of the zodiac, symbolized by the Scorpion. It’s a water sign ruled by the planet Pluto in modern astrology (and Mars in ancient astrology), and its modality is fixed. Scorpio is known to be deep, mysterious, and intense. As astrologer Jennifer Racioppi tells mbg, these two signs do really well together, “assuming the rest of their charts are compatible.” In terms of sun sign compatibility, though, she says that the combination of earth and water “creates a really healing mix....

According to board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D., there are eight B vitamins, and as a group they are called B-complex vitamins. But when it comes to skin care, there’s one that steals the show: Vitamin B3, otherwise known as niacinamide. Ahead, we dive deeper into the topical skin benefits of vitamin B3: However, there’s no need to be worried. It’s always a good practice to apply any new product on a small patch of skin before applying all over the face to ensure there are no reactions....

According to experts, flat feet and high or low arches can place stress on the foot, ankle, and subsequently the hips and lower back, making it hard to comfortably stand up straight. Other foot problems like heel spurs and shin splints can also contribute to poor posture. While the shape of your foot may be hereditary, taking care of your feet with proper footwear, like the Chillos Slides and foot exercises, can make a huge difference....

“Generally, water will reflect your emotional state, because like water, emotions are very fluid,” she explains, adding that the state of the water, how you’re feeling in/about the water, and what the water itself is doing are all important factors to pay attention to. Water dreams can also represent the creative or spiritual side of yourself, Loewenberg notes. “Creativity, like water, is fluid,” she adds. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of water dreams, depending on what kind of water or scenario you’re specifically dealing with....

But don’t toss your products just yet: Here, we explain whether “skin fasting” really works and whether there’s a way to do it safely. The idea has been around for quite some time, but it’s taken on new meaning during COVID-19. The reason, according to celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar, being twofold: People may face difficult access to refills (perhaps you have a favorite serum running dangerously low), as well as a general curiosity for the experiment itself....

That’s the premise behind intersectionality. Here’s an overview of what intersectionality is and why it is so important. “Intersectionality is one of the many tools that Black feminist thought has generated,” says Jennifer Nash, J.D., Ph.D., a professor of African American Studies and Gender & Sexuality Studies at Northwestern University. “It has been developed over the courses of decades of Black feminist intellectual labor from scholars and activists including Kimberlé Crenshaw, Patricia Hill Collins, Deborah King, Frances Beal, and the Combahee River Collective....

But get this: There’s not just one microbiome. Turns out, a diverse community of critters exists inside your nose, too. And while research on the “nasal microbiome” is young, some experts believe it’s a pretty big deal and may play a significant role in immunity (which, of course, is something that happens to be on everyone’s mind lately). While it’s not quite a household term yet, the nasal microbiome has started to gain attention thanks in large part to a recent study published this year in the journal Cell Reports....

Lumen, a dating app designed for singles over 50, recently interviewed over 2,000 sexually active people ages 50 to 80 in the United States. Asked everything from how often they have sex to what their favorite sex position is, the questions go deep into what sex is like as you age. If you’ve ever worried about your sex life getting dull as you age, take in this good news: 22% of people reported they have become more adventurous in their sex life as they’ve gotten older, and 8% of people have become much more adventurous....

Here, the breakdown of what to do when you think you’re being ghosted. RELATED STORY: Ghosting In Dating: Why People Do It, How To Respond + More “First of all, breathe, because anytime you feel like you’ve been ghosted, your anxiety is off the chain wondering if they are OK or racking your brain a million ways for things you did wrong,” marriage and family therapist Patrice N. Douglas, LMFT, tells mbg....

And remember, your Reiki session is always catered toward your deepest healing, so finding what works best for you is key. Take some time to breathe and tend to whatever your body’s needs might be on that given day. You may also want to reflect on any intentions you want to set for your session, and anything you want to share with your practitioner before you begin. Avoid eating a heavy meal beforehand, however, as you don’t want all of your body’s energy to be directed toward digesting while you’re receiving your treatment....

For some vitamins, that means taking the supplement with food or a fat; for others, it just means taking it at a certain time of day. So, let’s break down how one overlooked vitamin is absorbed by the body and what you can do to make sure your body makes the most of this immune-supporting, collagen-promoting antioxidant.* “Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that also serves as an antioxidant. It supports several important functions within the body—including proper immune system function, tissue healing, collagen formation, maintenance of bones and cartilage, and optimal absorption of iron....

Why do antioxidants play such a large role in sun care? Allow us to explain. Sunscreens may not protect your skin from all forms of photodamage, either. You can get photodamage from UVA and UVB (what most sunscreens protect you from), but also UVC, the visible light spectrum (blue light, for example), and infrared light. And at present, sunscreen ingredients don’t provide protection against these other wavelengths. That’s where antioxidants come into play....

I’d walk to my local organic store every afternoon to get my daily fix. And I soon began to personally witness all the health benefits I had heard about. I felt better overall and had more energy. As a breastfeeding mother of a 3-month-old baby girl, I also couldn’t help but think that the drink would benefit my baby, too. Once I made this connection, I decided to look up whether it was considered okay to drink kombucha while breastfeeding — and what I found was shocking and disturbing....

“In a word, the global floriculture industry was decimated by COVID-19,” Becky Roberts, a director at Produce Marketing Association, a trade organization for the mass-market floral industry, tells mbg. While it’s difficult to quantify the pandemic’s impact on the industry as a whole, according to Roberts, it’s safe to say that “billions of stems, billions of potted plants, and billions of dollars have been lost.” Many independent florists, like Whitman, have historically relied on large gatherings—weddings, birthdays, and the like—as a source of income....