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This, of course, is hotly debated—with some swearing by it, while others deem it unnecessary. Here’s what you need to know. Regardless, it is simply a personal hygiene choice that individuals can make for themselves. If you want to make the switch to natural deodorant, great, and if you don’t, it’s also your call. As for how long it takes you to get used to using deodorant? Ultimately, your body will adjust to your new product in time and on its own schedule....

Sometimes people turn to their dermatologist for prescription medications to alleviate their symptoms, or they stock up on over-the-counter ointments and scrubs. Other times, they look to Mother Nature for a little relief—and in doing so, they often discover a natural solution that many people (at least on the internet) swear by: borage oil. Here, learn everything you need to know about the health benefits, uses, and side effects of borage oil....

Another primary reason stress leads to digestive issues, including diarrhea, is the gut-brain axis4, which connects to the enteric nervous system. “Our stomach and intestines have their own unique nervous system called the enteric nervous system,” holistic psychologist Nicole Lippman-Barile, Ph.D., tells mbg. “These nerves respond to the same stress hormones and neurotransmitters that our brains do.” When the enteric nervous system absorbs stress hormones, it can affect the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, resulting in either constipation or diarrhea....

Case in point: vitamin C and retinol. Both of these ingredients offer wonderful and unique skin-related benefits, but can (and should) they be used together? We asked the pros to find the answer. Oxidative stress can lead to a plethora of skin-related troubles, including the loss of collagen fibers resulting in skin sagging, fine lines and wrinkles, and texture changes. Luckily, vitamin C can be of assistance. Here, a quick list of benefits, according to Koestline: Some retinoids, like tretinoin and Tazorac, are stronger and thus require a prescription....

This is because it’s the only product that can protect your skin from sun damage, something that can trigger all sorts of negative effects on the skin—some of which you’d look to those extra products to treat. Here, skin experts go over what we know about sun damage thus far and what to do about it. When these cells are damaged it leads to genetic defects and mutations. These, in turn, can manifest in a few different ways including: For this reason and more, you should prioritize sun damage prevention (more on that in a bit), even if certain physical effects of sun damage such as fine lines and dark spots can be treated over time....

Although, we like to approach beauty from a place of inclusion around here, and this trend does come with quite a few faults. (We’ll dive more into its contention below, but just to make ourselves clear up top.) Please know that anyone can achieve the clean girl aesthetic if they want to—and if you’re a smidgen interested, you can find all of the details below. It conjures a specific image, but the name itself is actually pretty elusive....

If you don’t yet coat your strands in coconut oil, you’re probably wondering what makes it such a hair care mainstay (subtle hint: versatility, moisture, and shine). Below, we explain what makes coconut oil so nourishing for hair and exactly how to apply it for maximum benefits. It can also help the hair retain protein: Because the specific type of fatty acid in coconut oil is drawn toward protein (it’s called “lauric acid,” according to celebrity hairstylist Nick Stenson, artistic director of Matrix), your strands are able to hold on to those proteins2 better when they’re coated in coconut....

In fact, integrative physician Vincent Pedre, M.D., says, “Overprescribed antibiotics are the No. 1 reason for gut dysbiosis,” or an imbalance of gut bacteria. This is because while antibiotics (also called antibacterials) do their job of killing or slowing the growth of bad bacteria, they may also mess with the good kind. “In fact, antibiotic-induced microbiota alterations1 can remain after long periods of time, spanning months and even years,” one study says....

Although this is a common spiritual dragonfly meaning, many cultures have their own interpretations of what this flying insect symbolizes. The dragonfly is an important symbol in many countries with its significance ranging from representing change, rebirth, happiness, good luck, and financial gain as well as insight. There’s a tie to feng shui too. “It’s believed placing a dragonfly painting or statue in your home or workplace brings about happiness and prosperous new beginnings,” Kristen explains....

If it’s the latter, you’re not alone. “Dry elbows are a common complaint,” assures board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D. Here, what you need to know and how to fix it. “There are also other skin conditions, like eczema and psoriasis, that can cause dry, scaling elbows,” says Cochran Gathers. “Health conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease can also lead to dry skin, which might be more noticeable on the elbows....

But what exactly causes dry skin around the eyes, and how can you keep those flutters soft and supple? There’s more at play here than you might think. 

You’re probably thinking: How is this look different from glass skin? Don’t they both emphasize plump skin with an emphasis on the dew? And you’re definitely right; the looks are perhaps two sides of the same coin. But dumpling skin focuses on supple, moist skin rather than looking luminous and reflective. As for the cream, you’ll want to keep it water-based to keep the look lightweight. “That will eliminate the reflective shine a more occlusive formula would provide,” explains makeup artist Alexandra Compton, product development manager at clean beauty retailer Credo....

Let’s have “the talk” about how to navigate this precarious situation. For you to know you’re truly in love with them, it’s important to figure out if it’s simply platonic love or the beginnings of a beautiful love story. That includes thinking through all of the possibilities that can happen. After you’ve honestly interrogated your feelings, the reflections will leave you well equipped to figure out what to do next....

In other words, if you gain weight easily, your gut microbiome might just be really, really good at its job. Researchers measured the leftover energy in study participants’ excreted matter (ahem, their poop) to estimate how well their gut bacteria extracted energy from their meals, all while closely studying the types of microbes in each of their guts. The scientists found that approximately 40% of the participants had gut microbial makeups that extracted energy more efficiently....

To compare the benefits and drawbacks of cow and goat milk, mbg spoke with registered dietitians. Here’s what they have to say about the two dairy drinks. Both goat and cow milk are also naturally high in calcium, unlike most alt-milks, which require fortified nutrients to compare. “Both types of milk provide about one-third of our daily needs for calcium,” registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Julie Stefanski, MEd, RDN, tells mbg....

Ultimately, I encourage patients to forgo takeout and hot bars. Instead, I ask them to preplan a little and prep one of these three uncomplicated dinner recipes. My approach takes a simple but nutritionally comprehensive approach to dinner that takes the guesswork out of calorie-counting: Fill your plate with one-quarter protein and healthy fat, and for the other three-quarters, add a large salad or vegetable side dish. I’ve discovered a few other simple rules to follow to make every dinner gut-friendly and avoid overeating: Serves 2 Ingredients **You may also try different combinations of herbs and vegetables....

So, we asked board-certified sleep specialist Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., for his best tips for each chronotype. Once you know yours, check out what Breus had to say and prepare to optimize your sleep. So, Breus explains, five sleep cycles come out to 450 minutes, plus the roughly 20 minutes it takes to fall asleep. That’s 470 minutes, subtracted from 7 a.m., which gives you an optimal bedtime at 11:10 p....

But how long does garlic really keep? And how should I be storing it to stretch its shelf life as long as possible? For the answers to these questions, we turned to food waste expert and founder of Local Roots (a service that provides New Yorkers with local and sustainable produce) Wen-Jay Ying. “Cured garlic will last about five to six months,” says Ying, “if stored properly.” Thanks to the skin on the garlic, it has its own self-preservation built in, which is why it’s best to leave it alone if you want it to last....

Epsom salt baths pack a serious punch against stress and everyday aches and pains. That is, as long as you do them correctly. So what do I mean by Epsom salt bath “mistake”? I mean that it’s common to not be adding enough Epsom salt to your bath. This might not seem like a big deal, but if you skimp on the salts, you won’t get the benefits of the magnesium they’re made from....