life

Reuters’s research experts conducted a survey in 19 super-major cities in the world, concerning protecting women from sexual and cultural abuse, women & health care, women & economy, and women & education.

According to the survey, women living in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, have the worst situation, followed by Karachi, the capital of Pakistan, Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and New Delhi, the capital of India. The best cities for women’s living environment are London, then Tokyo and Paris.

Every aspect of City Women®’s daily post tells them how to care for and care for themselves.

fashion

Many people will compare City Women’s fashion with the general fashion trends, but this should not be the case. The range of fashion trends is very limited, and city women’s fashion pursues an “art of life.” Its realm should be to extract the essence from the fashion trend, to refine the true meaning of city women’s fashion, to enrich women’s aesthetics and taste, and to create their own beautiful temperament. City Women’s fashion pursuit is not a passive follow-up, but a rational and skilled control. City Women’s fashion is an all-encompassing concept. Its tentacles penetrate into every aspect of city women’s life. Generally speaking, city women’s fashion should bring them a pleasant mood and elegance, pureness, taste and extraordinary feelings, giving women different temperament and charm, reflect the extraordinary taste of women, exquisite, and reveal personality. Every woman has her own fashion, and city women fashion is a cyclical change.

health

At a time when work and life are getting faster and faster, what health problems are plaguing our busy city women? What are the similarities and concerns of people living in different cities at different ages?

The over-expenditure of physical strength and mental strength is threatening the health of city women. the survey suggests 73.2% of the respondents were in poor health or worried, and the proportion of women with poor health was 10% higher than that of men. This situation is related to (some) women’s own weak body condition and most women are often involved in housework in addition to work. The survey also showed that sub-health has been growing a clear trend of youthfulness, and the health status of young people was far worse than that of middle-aged people. Young City Women need more planned fitness routine and health tips.

• Real talk: How much sugar should a healthy person eat in a day?
  
  

  August 06, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC

  
  
  

  Give me a bowl of strawberries, and I’m a happy camper. Even better if they’re covered in chocolate or whipped cream. With a rampant sweet tooth, thinking about how much sugar a day I consume admittedly makes my heart patter a bit faster.

  It bears repeating that not all sugar is as evil as wellness influencers make it out to be, and attempting to cut it all out is not a great idea. Yet it is important to be mindful about how much of it you’re getting in a day. Too much sugar over time is connected to some serious health issues, like an increased risk of diabetes and potentially chronic inflammation in your body. In the short term, of course, too much sugar can spike your energy levels and then lead to a major crash later on (and increased anxiety in some).

  So, what does our daily allowance of sugar look like? Here’s what experts have to say.

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  How much sugar a day you can eat

  Here’s the thing: How much sugar one should be consuming somewhat depends on the type. There are broadly two types of sugars: natural sugars, which occurs naturally in fruit and other foods, and added sugar, which includes refined sugars found in many processed foods. (It also technically includes sugars one is adding to a food from natural sources—like stirring in honey instead of sugar into your coffee still counts as an added sugar!) Added sugars, experts say, are the ones people are at most risk of over-consuming.

  “We have enough research at this point to support that added sugar isn’t going to be doing us any favors on its own,” says Jessica Cording, RD. She notes added sugars are on an equal footing, because they give you an elevated blood sugar response. “No matter which type of sweetener you’re consuming, a little goes a long way.”

  A good rule of thumb: Keep added sugars to no more than 25 grams a day, or six teaspoons’ worth.

  The 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines state up to 10 percent of your daily calorie intake can come from added sugars. Cording considers that a bit too liberal, especially since that doesn’t account for natural sugars. Say you eat 2,000 calories a day. Based on these guidelines, you could consume around 50 grams of added sugar, or about 12 teaspoons. Instead, Cording favors the American Heart Association’s recommendation of limiting added sugars to 25 grams a day, or six teaspoons. “I feel comfortable saying consume as little added sugar as possible,” she says. “If numbers are helpful, I’d say 5 to 6 percent of your daily calorie intake is a good ballpark.”

  Looking for a lower-sugar dessert that actually tastes delicious? Let me introduce you to these lemon bars:

  Wait, what about natural sugars?

  Unlike added sugars, there aren’t set guidelines about how much sugar you can consume that is naturally present in food. “It’s really easy to obsess over this, and get really confused and overwhelmed,” Cording says.

  For most healthy people, it’s not necessary to fixate overmuch on how much natural sugar you’re eating if it’s coming from whole foods sources. (People with diabetes or other health conditions may have to be more mindful of their intake of all sugar sources and should work with their doctor to come up with a good dietary plan that fits their needs.) Foods with occurring sugars like fruit often also contain fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients to help balance out the impact of sugar on your system. They’re even better when eaten with sources of protein or fat to further level things out. “When we’re eating a balance of different macronutrients, it helps promote stable blood sugar, because we’re having a slower breakdown of those naturally present sugars,” Cording says. With a slower rate of digestion, you can better avoid the crashes and mood swings, and stay satiated longer.

  Still scratching your head over what this actually looks like? Imagine your lunch or dinner plate. Cording suggests filling half of the plate with non-starchy vegetables, a quarter with your choice of protein, and the last quarter can be food with natural sugars. For a quick snack example, pair a piece of fruit with nut butter or tahini for added fat and protein.

  How to cut back on added sugars

  Although sugar pokes its way into countless foods, cutting back to that 25 grams recommendation doesn’t have to feel daunting—and you don’t have to meticulously count grams. First, Cording suggests getting clarity on your relationship with added sugar. “Understanding where it’s coming from is going to help you figure out which approach will work for you when you’re trying to reduce your sugar intake,” she says. Rather than going cold turkey, Cording suggests making small lifestyle tweaks to cut back on your intake, like opting for plain yogurt instead of the flavored stuff or leaving sugary sauces and condiments on the grocery shelves. It’s also a good idea to get smart about reading labels and seeing how much sugar is in a serving of your favorite foods (and how much of that is added sugar). With a little extra diligence, you can still have a pretty sweet life without relying too much on added sugar.

  I swear I’m not overstating it when I say you won’t miss the refined sugar in these brownies. And if you have more common nutrition questions, these dietitians have the answers.

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  Author Alyssa Girdwain | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• A psychologist’s satisfying take on why you should lean into your bad moods
  
  

  August 06, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC

  
  
  

  The other night, I rendered all my efforts to smile big and self-soothe my way out of a particularly sour mood fruitless. After a nearly 36-hour low-mood marathon, I was frustrated, exhausted—and still in a bad mood. Clearly, I was going about it wrong.

  The natural reaction to feeling off is to try your hardest to gas yourself up and out of it because these things happen, life isn’t fair, and you’re not the first person to have a bad mood. And sometimes, injecting your understanding of the situation at hand with some context can be a super-effective secret ingredient for restoring your mood to a state of happiness. Yet, even though this does sometimes work, it’s essentially an act of emotional suppression that, for me, usually leads to a resurfacing of those pushed-down feelings that’s only more severe on the second go-around.

  But what about just leaning in? Accepting that it’s going to be a grayer day in my universe, and that I might feel grumpier, sadder, or more peeved than normal. Could this work? Might it even expedite the timeline for excavating myself out of the bad mood abyss, the same way sweating out of fever is also sometimes the way to go. As it turns out, I’m onto something (with regards to moods and not so much fevers).

  “One’s gray day may be lighter and more likely to pass with ease by respecting that it has its own purpose, which is often to ask us to slow down and be gently reflective.” —clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD

  “I think it’s very important to recognize a sad or blue mood—even as it’s coming on,” says clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD. For me, the culprit is sometimes PMS, sometimes a symptom of my depression, and sometimes it’s genuinely nothing. Yep, because as human beings, we’re all entitled to off days, and it’s okay to be in a bad mood for no good reason. Still, being able to acknowledge this is helpful, Dr. Manly says.

  “Then, whether or not the cause is determined, it’s lovely to just allow space for the sadness. This can be done by making more quiet time, having an extra cup of comforting tea, journaling, or simply honoring that you might need more down time that day,” Dr. Manly says. “Thus, one’s gray day may be lighter and more likely to pass with ease by respecting that it has its own purpose, which is often to ask us to slow down and be gently reflective.”

  That said, leaning into the off days isn’t an excuse to be awful to everyone in your line of fire. It’s possible to be introspective while also being authentic about your feelings—no matter how negative they may be—without scapegoating others.

  So next time you’re feeling off, for a specific reason or not, consider leaning into it and sweating it out, fever-style.

  If you’re trying to get in touch with your feelings, it helps to know the difference between soft and hard emotions. And if you wake up tangry (yes, that’s tired-angry) in the morning, here’s what you should do.

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  Author Mary Grace Garis | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• Here’s how to eat spicy food if you have IBS, according to gut experts
  
  

  August 07, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC

  
  
  

  If you’re one of the millions with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you’re probably well-versed in the game of risk. No, I don’t mean the board game; I’m talking about going to a restaurant, looking over all of the options, and trying to decide what’s worth the very real chance of an upset stomach later. (Fun for the whole family!)

  For most people with IBS, spicy food is the ultimate risky move. Salsa loaded with onions and chili peppers, hot wings (even ones made of cauliflower), a Thai curry with three flames next to it on the menu…they may all look amazing, but could also leave you up all night later.

  Fortunately, just because you have IBS doesn’t mean you’re destined to a life of bland food and perpetually “mild” salsa. Here, two MDs who regularly work with IBS patients reveal the hard-and-fast rules to live by if you want to spice up your life—without paying for it later.

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  1. Create some balance

  Integrative medicine doctor and gastroenterologist Marvin Singh, MD, says it’s important to keep in mind that no one’s body is the same, so just because your sister or friend with IBS can’t eat certain foods doesn’t mean they’re necessarily off-limits for you too. “Each of us has such a different gut microbiome that two people eating the same foods do not necessarily get the same reactions occurring in their digestive tracts,” he says. “Once we address underlying issues causing and contributing to IBS, then you may find that it is easier to liberalize your diet.”

  Integrative medicine doctor and Happy Gut author Vincent Pedre, MD, says that doing what you can to correct imbalances in your microbiome is going to make your gut stronger overall and better able to tolerate spicy foods. A gastroenterologist can help put together a treatment plan that could ultimately heal your gut. Other ways to create balance: taking a probiotic, eating more fermented foods, slowly increasing your fiber intake, and managing anxiety.

  2. Savor the spicy moments

  Dr. Singh also advises people with IBS to be picky when choosing to eat spicy foods, eating them only occasionally and not on a regular basis. “It was found that people who eat spicy foods more than ten times per week were 92 percent more likely to have IBS than those who didn’t,” he says. The correlation shows that if you want your gut to heal, you have to be choosy with your heat.

  Both doctors also point out that the hotter the dish, the more likely it is to upset your stomach. So instead of having it in your mind that you can never have onions, for example, know you can probably tolerate a teaspoon in your guac more regularly, just not the whole veggie diced and worked in every single time.

  3. Be strategic about what you pair it with

  Fried foods, beer, and dairy are all other common risk foods for people with IBS, so Dr. Pedre advises people to stay away from them when they’re consuming anything spicy. “You want to be careful. Don’t have spicy food with, like, fried bread,” he says. Instead, he suggests incorporating some spices that can actually help with IBS, such as cardamom, cinnamon, or ginger, which help settle a jumpy gut.

  You might have heard that sipping peppermint tea with spicy foods can help settle the stomach, but Dr. Pedre says mint can actually backfire if you have IBS because it relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter (essentially the valve between your esophagus and your stomach) which you don’t want to do if you’re prone to acid reflux or heartburn.

  Okay, so you overdid it—now what?

  If you totally ignored all of this advice (who can resist the siren song of curry?) and now you’re feeling, well, not great, both experts have some advice so you can get back to feeling normal ASAP. If spicy food has left you constipated, Dr. Pedre’s recommends sipping aloe vera juice, which keeps the digestive tract moving. If diarrhea is more the prob, Dr. Singh suggests brewing a cup of lemon balm or chamomile tea, which can help calm down stomach spasms.

  Above all, even though digestive probs can seriously suck, be kind to yourself and remember it will pass soon; stressing out definitely isn’t going to help. And maybe go a little easier on the sriracha sauce next time.

  BTW, gut experts really want people to stop believing these four IBS myths. And here’s the deal on if exercise can help with symptoms. 

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  Author Emily Laurence | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• 7 easy foil packet recipes that spare you a sink full of dishes
  
  

  August 07, 2019 at 05:02AM by CWC

  
  
  

  Even as someone who doesn’t spend a wealth of time in the kitchen, I can see how cooking can be therapeutic. Meditatively chopping veggies, breathing in the aroma of spices as the food sizzles, and of course savoring each bite once the meal is on the table. But unless your a full-on Monica from Friends, there’s nothing therapeutic about tackling a sink full of dishes. In fact, it’s stressful, if anything. And that goes double if you’re having a barbecue; scrubbing the grill after a fun cookout is a major buzzkill.This is exactly why I’m a big fan of foil packet recipes.

  This method of cooking is exactly what it sounds like—you throw everything you’re working with into a foil packet, sparing a pan from getting covered in hard-to-clean cooking juices. Pop it in the oven, and a Netflix episode later, dinner is done. The cooking method works for fish, meat, veggies—anything really.

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  For a more sustainable twist on foil packet recipes, use parchment paper, which does the same job, but can be recycled right along in your paper trash. (All the recipes below can be adapted to use it.) Keep reading to see a roundup of dinner recipes, all of which utilize the foil packet cooking method. Then, daydream about how you’re going to spend that dishes-free 30 minutes of your night you just got back.

  7 easy foil packet recipes that don’t make a mess

  

  1. Easy baked Italian chicken and veggie foil packets

  Foil-baked chicken-and-veggies is the quintessential lazy girl healthy dinner. It allows you to use anything in your crisper that’s on the verge of ending up on the compost bin and spruces them up with a few key spices—plus olive oil for healthy fats. Add some chicken in there for protein and you’ll have a complete meal totally done in about 20 minutes.

  

  2. Parchment paper baked salmon with asparagus lemon and dill 

  The benefits of cooking salmon in parchment paper are that it doesn’t stick and it stays super moist. Instead of cooking a side of asparagus on the stove, adding them to the paper pocket allows them to soak up the flavor of the herbs.

  

  3. Vegetable medley foil packets

  Guess what: you don’t even need to have fresh vegetables in the fridge to make a satisfying veggie dish—frozen ones cook just fine in foil packets. Throw your bundle on the grill or in the oven. Either way, you’ll end up with a fiber-rich plate full that will leave you reaching for seconds.

  

  4. Greek fish foil packets

  If you lean toward a Mediterranean diet way of eating, this recipe is about to become a beloved go-to. Topping your fish with diced pepper, tomato, and olives in the foil gives it the perfect balance of healthy fats and fiber. Once it’s out, just add feta cheese and basil. The end result is a taste of Greece, even if you’re actually in Des Moines.

  

  5. Chicken breasts in parchment paper

  Just like with fish, cooking chicken in parchment paper or foil ensures all the moisture stays locked in. (The steam that basically gives you facial when you open the packets is proof.) Round it out with a simple salad or side of your favorite veggies for a complete meal. Or, work this cooking method into your meal prep and use the chicken as your protein for the week.

  

  6. Chicken fajitas foil packets

  Craving some Mexican? This is the one for you, my friend. Cook your chicken, rice, and peppers together in a foil packet for a tortilla-ready meal. Top it off with guac, salsa, or sour cream for the perfect finishing touch.

  

  7. Cajun shrimp boil foil packets

  A traditional Southern boil is quite the spread. Even if you use foil packets, it can still look just as impressive when plated—you just get to cheat the process a bit. If you’re making this dish on the grill, be sure to flip over to the other side after ten minutes to ensure everything is cooked evenly. Once everything is cooked, flavor with lime juice and dig in!

  For more easy dinner recipes, check out these 15-minute meals. And for more healthy cooking inspo, join Well+Good’s Cook With Us Facebook group.

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  Author Emily Laurence | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• Everyone at my gym is sipping coffee mid-workout, and nutritionists told me why
  
  

  August 07, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC

  
  
  

  I’ve noticed a new trend in the gym of late, that’s become about as pertinent as one-shoulder sports bras and wide-leg yoga pants: People drinking coffee during their workouts.

  As a morning-exercise fan, I’ve always gulped down a cold brew before hitting the megaformer, which RDs say is totally fine. Chugging a cup mid-routine, though? That seems like some next-level commitment to the caffeine habit, so I had to know from the pros if it was a good idea—or even okay at all. “Caffeine is a stimulant. It stimulates the nervous system and makes us more awake, and it can also stimulate your nervous system, heart, and other systems in your body, which can help with physical performance during your workout,” says Brigitte Zeitlin, MPH, RD, CDN .

  The fitness world seems to agree with that sentiment. “At about 100mg of caffeine per cup, coffee can provide a nice lift in energy and alertness for a person’s workout when consumed prior to—or at the beginning of—a workout,” says Andy Coggan, CSCS, CPT, NASM CES, Director of Fitness at Gold’s Gym.  He adds that it can also assist in nervous system arousal and mobilizing fat cells for energy consumption, but these benefits are best reaped when you’re downing your coffee 15 to 30 minutes before you hit the gym, or as early into the workout as possible.

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  “Every body is different, and how you metabolize and how that energy will affect you differs from person-to-person,” explains Zeitlin, adding that, in general, the sweet spot for drinking coffee is about 20 minutes before a workout. “If you’re drinking it while you’re working out, it depends how long your workout is as to whether you’ll reap the benefits. If you’re working out for an hour, you’ll experience the benefits, if you’re working out for 20 minutes, you might miss that window.”

  Of course, it’s also worth taking into consideration how your body responds to caffeine. If, for example, you rarely drink coffee and decide to pound a large iced latte in the middle of your mid-morning run, you might run into some problems. As Niket Sonpal, MD, a Brooklyn-based gastroenterologist, (who is not a proponent of drinking coffee during a workout) points out, a cuppa Joe can have a laxative effect, which may have you running from the treadmill to the bathroom. Plus, if you’re drinking it before an evening workout, you may have trouble sleeping later on.

  You also want to think about why you’re working out, and what you want to get out of the experience. “If you’re working out to chill out or check out without stress and anxiety, you probably don’t want that caffeine boost. If you’re someone who’s like, I want to get in my cardio hard fast, in and out, then caffeine during a workout would make more sense for that purpose,” says Zeitlin, adding that endurance-based activities like spinning and running tend to benefit from a little caffeine jolt.

  If you are going to bring a coffee with you to the gym, Zeitlin suggests skipping on the sugar substitutes, which can cause bloating; and instead, pairing it with a piece of fruit before or after you exercise. While milk and mylk are generally fine—especially because they have protein, which will help with post-workout recovery—be sure you’re not using a product that has any of its own added sugar.

  As all of the experts will tell you, there’s a catch: You should only be drinking coffee while you work out if you’re washing it down with plenty of water, because of its diuretic effects. “Caffeine can be dehydrating so you don’t want it to be the only fluid you’re taking,” says Zeitlin. “You should think about it in addition to your water and hydration, not as a part of it.”

  Now that I’m hyped up and hydrated, I’ll be trying the Trainer of the Month Club workout with Val Verdier this week—join me?

  Is decaf coffee secretly better for you? Find out here. And if you want to ditch your coffee habit cold turkey, here are 9 ways to keep your energy up without it. 

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  Author Zoe Weiner | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• Use ‘soul medicine’ to remedy to that all-too-common ‘meh’ feeling and vibrate higher
  
  

  August 07, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC

  
  
  

  I’m deep in an inexplicable funk of “meh” when I meet Lalah Delia, spiritual writer and author of the forthcoming book Vibrate Higher Daily at the Self-Care Summit put on by women’s networking platform Create & Cultivate. I can’t figure out why I feel this way—it doesn’t seem as though anything’s changed or suddenly gone wrong in my life, and that lack of understanding makes shifting back into a better place even tougher to wrap my mind around. I figure this is an issue Delia can help me navigate, given that her entire brand focuses on the notion of “vibrating higher,” which sounds like exactly what I feel like I need to do. So, I decide to learn more.

  The first thing Delia tells me is that the state of my spiritual health may explain the source of my funk, and, at first, I assume she’s either referring to my 19-year absence from church or my unholy thoughts about the hot priest from Fleabag. Turns out, I’m wrong on both accounts. “Spiritual health, for me, is being in harmony and in touch and in balance with a higher vibrational self and then also with my higher power,” Delia says. “So to feel like there’s a flow going, there’s no stagnation.” BINGO. Stagnation is exactly what I’ve been feeling. Not necessarily externally—I’ve been busier than ever and seem to be making progress toward my bigger goals—but on an internal level? I feel a little…stale.

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  But, I’m in luck because Delia says she has just the remedy: “Soul medicine is that thing that puts you in a zone where you’re back to yourself; you’re you again,” she says. “It can be a few hours at the beach, it can be writing, it can be having a spiritually connected conversation, it can be a song.” Delia’s soul medicine regimen, for example, is listening to anything by Earth, Wind & Fire, swimming in the ocean, and taking salt baths. “Soul medicine is that thing that helps you remember who you are.”

  “Soul medicine is that thing that helps you remember who you are.” —Lalah Delia, spiritual writer

  Sometimes, she says, feeling stuck in a vibration that doesn’t serve you happens for a reason, and it bodes well to acknowledge the sensation and be present with it rather than immediately trying to push yourself into a new place. Once you’ve effectively identified these emotions, it’s time to nurture them back to a state of wellness—the state of a higher vibration. “It’s almost a mothering,” Delia says. “What that looks like is maybe gratitude journaling your feelings in order to purge them out, taking yourself to get a massage to thank your body for going hard that week, eating healing foods to thank your digestive system for thriving for you, resting the body and/or the brain, taking adaptogens—whatever it is that will make you vibrate higher.”

  Not sure what may best nurture your not-so-great feelings to a state of higher vibration? Delia suggests taking note of the world around you and what’s been catching your attention. “That’s your medicine calling you to go try it.”

  When I introspect to identify my own soul medicine, it doesn’t take long for me to have an aha moment: I was medically sidelined from exercise for most of the early part of the year, and though I’ve had the all clear to work out for months now, I still haven’t been back to the spin, barre, or dance classes I love. Lately, when friends have asked me to join this or that workout, my my refrain has either been, “I’m too busy,” or, “I’m too out of shape for that.” Now I wonder if opting out is a cause of my funk—it’s a key part of “me-ness” that hasn’t been a part of my life in a long time. If so, maybe it means my negative emotional state—or spiritual health—requires some nurturing via physical activity.

  So, after my chat with Delia, I start saying yes to all things active. I sign up for a stand-up paddleboard lesson, go for a hike in Malibu, take a dance class, and return to Taryn Toomey’s The Class for the first time in four years. Immediately, I feel unstuck, and like I’m indeed vibrating at a high level. While I’m certainly not contending this approach is appropriate for treating a serious mental health condition, it definitely helped me feel “in the flow” and vibrant after a dull, stagnant period. Now, I finally feel like myself again.

  Your soul medicine might be found in unexpected places—like a koala sanctuary in Australia. And, P.S., that joyfully emotional feeling you get when something hits you down deep, in a good way is called kama muta.

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  Author Erin Bunch | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• These acne body washes are the in-shower equivalent of an appointment with Dr. Pimple Popper
  
  

  August 07, 2019 at 10:24AM by CWC

  
  
  

  I can wax poetic all day long about the army of beauty products you should use on your face when you’ve got acne. Say the word, and I’ll recite my personal Ted Talk about the ingredients to slather on breakouts, why you should keep your fingers off of your face, and which pimple patches are worth slapping onto your zits. But treating body breakouts is a whole different matter (buttne, anyone?). While the remedy to face acne is a complex situation and depends on the type, the basis of your body zit conquest all starts with a good ol’ acne body wash.

  “You really have to depend more on a cleanser [with body acne] than applying topical leave-on products simply because leave-on products don’t come in a volume sufficient to treat areas like your back and chest,” says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care. “So body wash becomes very important for body acne, where, unlike on our faces, the wash would be the only thing you’re using to clear acne.” Besides that, certain acne leave-on ingredients include benzoyl peroxide, which she points out would impact your clothing. Hence why a solid body cleanser is pretty much all you need (you know, as opposed to spot treatments or masks or serums).

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  Also, the skin on your body is different than the skin on your face. “The skin of the body has different sebaceous glands, and the skin on the face is thinner than the skin on the body,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “Body washes for acne are especially made for this purpose.”

  What to look for in an acne body wash

  Similar to the case with facial breakouts, body acne requires diligent exfoliation. “Patients with acne-prone skin are more likely to have clogged sebaceous glands and pores. For this reason, it’s important to use a wash that will unclog and open up the pores by removing any oil, dirt, or built-up dead skin,” says Tobechi Ebede, MD, a New York-based dermatologist. The key to unclogging your pores lies in chemical exfoliants.

  Dermatologists’ most often recommend salicylic acid to treat body acne. “Salicylic and glycolic acids are my favorites,” says Dr. Ciraldo. “Both of these ingredients will unglue dead cells from each other to unclog the plugs that start acne in the first place.” Dr. Patel echoes these ingredients, but also suggests looking for tea tree oil (an antibacterial), bakuchiol (promotes cell turnover), or zinc (heals your skin) on the ingredients list too. “Exfoliating washes or washes that kill bacteria and fungus help with body acne,” she says. “Using these helps decrease body breakouts. Those that contain benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil, or salicylic acid help open pores and decrease bacteria and fungus on the skin.”

  Also, sulfur works wonders on facial acne—and can do the same for your body. “Sulfur, usually at 10 percent strength, has natural antibacterial properties and is a keratolytic, so it helps to break down keratin so that the debris in the pores is shed easier,” says Dr. Ebede.

  Be cautious if you’re going the benzoyl peroxide route, though. While it’s a tried-and-true ingredient that kills P.acne bacteria, it can bleach towels and clothing when wet, says Dr. Ebede. And for some skin types, it can lead to other skin issues. “I suggest avoiding benzoyl peroxide since it can be too drying and irritating, so acne often gets redder and the drying effect can activate more oil production as a compensation for the over-drying of the ingredient,” says Dr. Ciraldo.

  While you’re on the hunt for an acne body wash, there are some ingredients to avoid, too. “If you have body acne and you use products with a lot of edible ingredients such as coconuts, olives, or sugar, they can feed the bacteria and fungus on the skin to make the problem worse,” says Dr. Patel. And though body scrubs can feel satisfying, they can sometimes lead to irritation. “Be cautious with physical exfoliants or scrubs since they can inflame the skin and prolong acne or even incite scarring,” says Dr. Ciraldo. That said, Dr. Ebede says a gentle loofah or soft brush could help open up pores.

  Your get-rid-of-body acne plan

  Besides the acne body wash you’re slathering on, there are other things to keep in mind while in the shower. First off? Avoid scalding hot water. “Don’t use hot water—use room temperature, tepid water because hot water can make skin redder and get acne more inflamed,” says Dr. Ciraldo. And be sure to cleanse as soon as you’re done working out, because she notes that sweat can aggregate body acne.

  When you’re showering, it can also help with those body zits if you leave the product on for a bit rather than wash right off. “Try applying the cleanser onto dry skin and leave it on for at least two minutes before washing off,” she suggests, since otherwise the cleanser will get too diluted to be as effective. As with regular breakouts, though, body acne takes patience and consistency. “Body acne is tough to treat and consistency is the key,” says Dr. Ebede. Just make sure to exfoliate regularly and stick to your routine, ideally with one of these eight expert-approved body acne washes, below.

  

  Neutrogena Body Clear Acne Treatment Body Wash with Salicylic Acid, $7

  Dr. Ebede recommends this drugstore gem that’s filled with exfoliating salicylic acid to quash those body breakouts.

  

  PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, $12

  If your skin does well with benzoyl peroxide, this body wash has the acne-killing ingredient in it to clear your skin. It’s also available in a four-percent concentration if your skin tends to get dry.

  

  Marie Veronique Shave Prep + Daily Wash, $35

  This body wash contains a natural version of salicylic acid—willow bark extract—and gently exfoliating lactic acid to slough off built-up dead skin cells and keep that skin soft and clear. And bonus points for working double duty as a shaving prep.

  

  Visha Skincare Top 2 Toe Body Wash, $25

  Get all of the dermatologist-recommended acne-fighting ingredients in one product with this multitasking body wash. You can literally use it from your scalp (to help with dryness) to your toes (including your face) in the shower, and be done for the day.

  

  Peter Thomas Roth Acne Face & Body Scrub, $32

  This scrub gentle sloughs dead skin off with jojoba beads, and salicylic acid and glycolic acid work together as a one-two punch to exfoliate to help with breakouts.

  

  Murad Acne Body Wash, $44

  Dermatologist Dr. Murad concocted this gentle yet acne-busting body wash to fight breakouts with salicylic acid (of course), and also keep things soothed and calm with green tea and licorice root extracts.

  

  Glytone Exfoliating Body Wash, $33

  This wash relies on superstar exfoliant glycolic acid to clear your pores and shed old skin cells. It’s also good for treating keratosis pilaris, BTW.

  

  Alba Botanica Acnedote Face & Body Scrub, $6

  Fight inflammation on your skin—from your face to your body—with this refreshing scrub that combats acne with a combo of salicylic acid and willow bark extract, and keeps your skin feeling soft thanks to aloe vera and chamomile.

  BTW, to know where those pesky butt and chest zits came from, derms reveal all of the body acne causes you need to know about (and avoid). And here are their expert-approved secrets on how to prevent acne from even happening in the first place. 

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  Author Rachel Lapidos | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• This dress is basically the leggings equivalent of formalwear, and I never want to take it off
  
  

  August 07, 2019 at 11:01AM by CWC

  
  
  

  As soon as the summer hits its dog days, I’ve got exactly two criteria for whatever clothing I put on my body: It’s gotta be comfortable, and it cannot, under any circumstances, show sweat. That’s it. Whether or not something is cute doesn’t matter nearly as much as its ability to mask my pit stains, so I usually wind up staying in my workout clothes as long as humanly possible. Case in point: This morning,  I went to three bustiness meetings in leggings and a top. While it probably wasn’t the most professional thing I’ve ever done (and definitely wasn’t the best idea for the sake of my nether regions), frankly it was necessary for running around New York City in 85 percent humidity

  But thankfully, for the sake of my career and personal style, I discovered an article of clothing that not only checks my “comfortable” and “sweat resistant” boxes, but also happens to be cute and work appropriate. Enter Rec Room, which makes the dress of my dreams out of what can only be described as the most comfortable fabric ever to grace this earth and my skin.

  ad_intervals[‘413563_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413563_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100);

  Rec Room was created with the idea that women deserve to feel as comfortable they do in their workout leggings in everything else that they do, and launched a line of dresses to prove it. The founders call their products “everywhere wear,” because they’re meant to be easy to throw on (even on days when the last thing you want to do is get dressed and look cute) and appropriate for anything your day throws at you. The brand sent me their Black Slip Dress ($128) to test out for myself (I’m 5’5″ and wear a size small), and from the moment I put it on it was—I’m not exaggerating here—my favorite thing I’d ever worn.

  Allow me to explain: Yesterday, or as I like to call it, “the day I found true love,” was one of those hectic mornings where I had to run from an intense workout straight to a work event, and I was still straight-up dripping with sweat after I got out of the shower. Usually when that happens, the absolute last thing I want to do is put on a dress and attempt to look cute.

  But this dress was different. Sure, it didn’t show any of the sweat that was pouring off of my body, which felt like a definite heroic win, but the fabric itself was really what made me fall in love. It has the same I-want-to-rub-this-all-over-my-body feeling as sumptuous silk, but with the flexibility and breathability of my favorite pair of leggings. It fit my body perfectly (it didn’t hug or stick to any weird places the way other slip dresses tend to), and moved with me—it’s no wonder that Rec Room says you could do a workout class in their styles, and why their founder told me she swore by the same style as one of her favorite maternity dresses throughout her pregnancy.

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  I hope to someday love a man as much as I love this @r.e.c.r.o.o.m slip dress.

  A post shared by Zoe Weiner (@zoeweinerrr) on Aug 7, 2019 at 10:14am PDT

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  I was a little hesitant that wearing a full-on spandex dress would veer a little too far into “workout dress” territory for my liking (which isn’t quite my thing, personally, but to each their own!) but I paired my simple slip with a whole bunch of jewelry, and the whole look was very chic, if I do say so myself. I threw on big sunnies and a pair of slides, and felt like a slightly-more-self-aware version of Carrie Bradshaw walking up Fifth Avenue on my way to the office.

  I got approximately 40 compliments on my outfit between Instagram and IRL, and when it came time to change into workout clothes for my p.m. walk on the Westside Highway, I legitimately didn’t want to take it off. So I wore it on my walk. And at bedtime, I strongly considered sleeping in it until I remembered that that would be really gross considering the amount of my sweat it was likely holding (but not showing!) from the day. I did, however, come very close to wearing it to work for a second day in a row, because it’s one of those dresses that you can throw on with different accessories for an entirely new look.

  … I just blacked out and wrote 700 words in 25 minutes about how much I love my slip dress, so that’s how you know it’s real. No joke— I’ve already convinced three separate people (hi mom!) to buy it for themselves so that they can experience the joy that wearing it will bring into their lives. Some day, I hope to like a boyfriend as much as I like this dress.

  And one last thing: If slip dresses aren’t quite your thing, Rec Room also currently offers four other styles in their dreamy sweat-resistant material, which means you can invest in a different one to wear every day of the week—aka my dream come true.

  Want to pair your dress with sneakers? Here are some trendy ways to do it. Or layer it over your favorite white t-shirt, which you’ll be able to keep clean all summer long using one of these trusty tips. 

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  Author Zoe Weiner | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC
• 8 foods for liver health that nutritionists want you to eat every day
  
  

  August 07, 2019 at 11:00AM by CWC

  
  
  

  Of the five vital organs, the liver stands out as the fuzziest in my high school bio memories. It doesn’t have its own songs à la “Achy-Breaky Heart.” And, let’s face it, it will never be the brain of the entire operation. Yet nutritionist Charles Passler, DC, founder of Pure Change, is pretty keen on giving the organ (which sits right above your stomach, BTW) a rebrand.

  Why, you ask? The liver plays a vital role in shepherding out what your body doesn’t need. “When the liver is working optimally, it can take toxins stored throughout your body, convert them into their water soluble form, and efficiently excrete them from your body,” explains Dr. Passler. With the right food on your plate, he says, you can more easily flush out foreign chemicals—like the ones you pick up from the environment, beauty products, or processed foods.

  The American Liver Foundation’s healthy eating guidelines echo Dr. Passler’s points. It also recommends a diet rich in fiber sourced from fruit, veggies, and whole grains. Small amounts of non-red meat, as well as low-fat dairy and healthy monounsaturated fats (like avocado!) are also on the menu.

  ad_intervals[‘281756_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘281756_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100);

  Follow those broad nutritional guidelines and you’re already off to a good start—but let’s dive deeper on the foods the liver really, truly loves.

  Keep reading for 8 powerful liver cleansing foods to give your bod an assist.

  1. Garlic

  “Eating garlic helps activate the liver detox enzymes,” explains Dr. Passler. (Basically, these enzymes assist in breaking down toxins and eliminating them from your system.) Garlic also contains 39 different antibacterial agents, making it a great food for protecting your bod against illnesses.

  To best make use of this flavor-packed food, opt for organic and fresh garlic whenever possible. “When eating garlic fresh, the allicin compound can help kill unfriendly organisms in your intestines that produce toxins in your gastrointestinal tract,” Dr. Passler says. Try sneaking an extra clove or two into your weeknight dinner veggies or Caesar salad. 

  2. Beets

  If you’ve never jumped on the beet juice train, now is the perfect time to give it a try. (As if the veggie’s high antioxidant content and ability to improve exercise performance weren’t reason enough.) 

  “Beets activate liver enzymes and [affect] bile, which helps break down and absorb healthy fats and fat-soluble nutrients like vitamin E,” says Dr. Passler. “When your liver transforms fat and soluble toxins into their water-soluble form for excretion, it binds many of those toxins to bile so they can be escorted out of your body in bowel movements.”

  3. Organic apples

  Adding sliced Granny Smiths to your snack rotation can be really beneficial for your gut. Apples, which contain lots of fiber, “can help with cleaning out your bowels and introducing friendly bacteria,” says Dr. Passler. (It’s important to go organic, however, since apples are a staple on the Dirty Dozen—the list of the most-pesticide-laden produce.) 

  To take your fiber game to the next level, make sure to leave the skin on your apples and try having them for breakfast with chia seeds—another key source of gut-friendly fiber.

  4. Broccoli sprouts

  Broccoli sprouts are “rich in antioxidants and boost up glutathione even better than straight broccoli, which means they support both phases of liver detoxification,” explains Dr. Passler.

  Broccoli sprouts’ benefits go beyond just the liver. “They contain the precursors of a highly studied substance known as sulforaphane, which has been shown to help prevent certain cancers,” Dr. Passler points out. Sorry, Brussels sprouts—you’ve officially been one-upped. 

  5. Watermelon

  Another fruit worth serving up for some liver love is watermelon. Fitting the bill for the American Liver Foundation’s fiber recommendation, a two-cup serving is just right. Watermelon also contains the antioxidant lycopene, which has been found to raise gluatathione levels in the body.

  6. Fermented foods

  According to Dr. Passler, if you’ve been feeling bloated or constipated for more than three days, it’s a sign that you could use some more fermented foods in your life. Kefir, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi—all of these tangy treats introduce gut-friendly bacteria to colonize the intestines and promote healthy elimination. Plus, it’s really easy to prepare your own ferments at home. If you’ve got 24 hours to spare you can make this coconut rose kefir, and if you’re a little more patient, why not brew your own kombucha (and save a lot of money in the process)?

  7. Walnuts

  You may have already heard of the brain-boosting power of the mighty walnut. But did you know it’s also a whiz in the liver department?

  “First off, walnuts help increase circulation and blood flow so toxins are more efficiently transported from different points in your body to your liver,” says Dr. Passler. (Cue the breakdown-and-elimination process.) So next time you head out for happy hour, make sure you’ve got this walnut crumble on hand for breakfast the morning after—your brain, liver, and taste buds will thank you. 

  8. Avocado

  Oh, avocado: the Beyoncé of produce. This green beauty comes with twofer benefits of fiber (about 3 grams per serving) and healthy fats. Meaning the American Liver Foundation would say check, check, and check to adding a myriad of avo dishes to your meal lineup.

  This post was originally published on April 2, 2018. Updated on August 7, 2019. 

  JSYK: These are the foods a neuroscientist wants you to eat for better brain health. And as for your gut, these are the ones a gastroenterologist calls essential. 

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  Author Sarah Sarway | Well and Good
  Selected by CWC

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