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The liver is often an overlooked and overworked organ in the body—neutralizing toxins on the daily from air and water pollution, chemical-based cleaning agents, hair and skin care products, and plastics. And when you intentionally throw a toxin like alcohol on top of all that, it stresses the organ out.
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In a recent viral TikTok video, a creator spreads flaxseed gel on their skin, comparing the skin-plumping benefits of the natural goop to Botox. This is a strong (and hyperbolic) statement to make, but it’s actually not the first time I’ve heard such glowing reviews of the DIY face mask.
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On today’s episode of Clean Beauty School, we discuss one of our beauty-focused features in our annual 2024 Well-Being Forecast.
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Who doesn’t want a smooth, supple complexion? Certainly that’s what I aim for on the mornings I apply foundation. But with each passing year, it seems to be more and more of a challenge—as new fine lines appear across my forehead and the pores on my cheeks start to sag. My foundation may look flat right after I blend it in, but as the day wears on, I see the texture start to show up. Such is the case with age, I suppose.
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For this study, researchers wanted to assess the impact mind-body exercise could have on elderly people dealing with osteoporosis. Given that mind-body movement can improve flexibility, balance, and reduce pain, the study authors say, they theorized it could be a good intervention for osteoporosis patients.
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Well, it depends on which cause you’re dealing with. Sorry to say, there’s not much you can do for genetic shadows aside from in-office treatments. The same goes for fat loss as you age—you can’t really do anything about this with topical creams.
However! You can look for eye creams with ingredients like hyaluronic acid, peptides, ceramides, and so on to provide a temporary plumping effect—which, in turn, may make dark circles look less apparent.
And for dark circles caused by dilated blood vessels (from lack of sleep or allergies), eye creams can totally help. You’ll just want to look for brightening agents, like antioxidants, or caffeine, which will help constrict the dilated blood vessels. Similarly, those dealing with hyperpigmentation can find success with skin brighteners, namely vitamin C, arbutin, kojic acid, or niacinamide.
Still, consistency is key. You can’t expect an eye cream to completely transform the look of dark circles—unless it also features color-correcting pigments (many do!) to immediately neutralize the discoloration.
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Jamie Schneider
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I remember the first time I saw an LED light mask: I was a very junior editor at a magazine, and a more senior beauty editor had just got sent a plastic face mask that glowed a pinky-purple hue.
She popped it on in the office, turned it on, and the staffers collectively cooed ooohh. “That’s supposed to help your skin?” someone questioned; “How does it work?” chimed in another. The beauty editor said she didn’t know much about the technology yet, but she was eager to learn more and do some reporting. Apparently, I remember her saying, this is going to be the next big thing.
Fast-forward several years and here we are: By all accounts, LED light therapy masks are the most in-demand at-home skin care tools on the market (well, right up there with microcurrent devices). And with that popularity comes a lot of questions from the beauty community—both from users and potential buyers.
And if you count yourself in the latter camp, you’re in the right place. Because this article is all about the benefits of LED light therapy masks, how to pick one that will work for you, and the absolute best LED face masks to pick from.
Both of the testers noted how comfortable the fit was. As Schneider said, “I have a smaller face, so most LED masks slide off my head if I don’t hold it up the entire time. I was completely hands-free with Theraface, which I consider a win. The velcro head straps are soft and easy to secure, and the mask stayed snug throughout the whole 9-minute experience.”
It’s also cordless and has optional goggles, so it’s ideal for multitasking. “The standout feature design-wise is the removable goggles and the fact that the mask is cordless. I love having the option to either sit back and relax or go about my day-to-day while wearing this mask,” notes Ferrante. However, you should wear the goggles if you have sensitive eyes. While it’s safe to use sans goggles, some folks are just more sensitive to bright lights.
However, the primary drawback that both noted was that the mask is bulky and doesn’t fold—so it’s not very travel-friendly. Worth noting if you’re a frequent traveler who was planning to pack this along.
The mask is bulky and comes with a lot of add-ons and cords. (As someone who loses that sort of stuff very easily, that might be a concern.) The mask and neck component connect to the controller, which is where you power it on, select your mode (it has 3), press start, and pause.
The mask design fits easily on my face, including around the eyes. It has adjustable neoprene straps that don’t pull or tug at the hair. All-in-all, I would recommend using it while seated or (better yet!) laying down. Given the bulkiness of the mask and cords, it’s not the easiest to walk around wearing, although I don’t consider that a deal-breaker considering the efficacy.
I loved that there are 3 easy-to-understand settings: 1 for wrinkles, 2 for acne, and 3 for photodamage. Just pick the protocol that best suits your needs, press start, and it’ll run for 10 minutes.
I think one of the strongest selling points here is that it only takes 3 minutes out of your day, which is practically nothing. Says our staffer, “It’s been easy to add to my daily skincare routine and it allows me to do both my masks and a quick 3 minute meditation simultaneously.”
The mask sits on the face nicely, as it’s shaped to the face’s contours. Here’s another major bonus: It’s totally hands-free! No control handle, no cords, nothing. I’m literally wearing it as I type this sentence. The silicone strap is easy to use, however, given it’s only one strap, it has a tendency to slide down. But I fix this by putting my hair in a high ponytail, and resting the strap on top of the hair band.
However, given it is a bulkier mask, it’s not as travel friendly as silicone options.
Whether or not something is “worth buying” is relative. It depends on your budget, how much you’re willing to commit to a skin care habit, and what your expectations are.
Given that LED light therapy masks tend to be on the more expensive side, you need to be willing to commit to regular use in order to make it worth the price tag. Also, LED light masks are for long-term care, not overnight results.
If a few hundred dollars is within your budget, you can commit to diligent use, and you understand that the best results take time, then—yes, LED light therapy is a worthy investment. If not, this might not be the right modality for you.
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Alexandra Engler
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For this study, researchers wanted to look at the immediate effects of aerobic exercise on cognition in older, healthy adults, namely looking at three aerobic exercises that demand cognitive focus: walking, nordic walking, and golf.
The study included 25 healthy golfers aged 65 and up, who participated in the three different exercises. They played 18 holes of golf, took six-kilometer Nordic walks (a type of walking that incorporates poles to work the arms), and did six-kilometers of regular walking. They were in natural environments and could move at their typical pace.
Different measures of cognitive function were assessed, such as attention, processing speed, and task-switching ability, as well as blood samples to look at the brain-benefits of the exercises. Fitness monitors were also worn to look at factors like pace, distance, energy expenditure, steps, etc.
And based on the findings, it seems these three exercises are great options for adults who want to stay active and keep their minds sharp. Not only did just one session of any of these three exercises improve cognitive function, but Nordic and regular walking also both showed enhanced executive functions effects.
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Sarah Regan
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Humectants pull water into the skin. You might hear “water-loving” or “hydrophilic” tossed around when discussing this ingredient category, and that’s because humectants actually bond to water—and this bond allows the ingredients to travel with water as it gets absorbed into the skin cells.
It’s important to clarify that humectants are a class of ingredients, which include hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol (vitamin B5), lactic acid, aloe vera, and a few other noteworthy hydrators. The skin makes its own humectants, including hyaluronic acid. But it’s important to use them topically too (especially with age, as our supply declines as we get older).
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Alexandra Engler
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On a fundamental level, we’re all connected. It’s easy to forget this and see ourselves as separate beings. After all, I’m me, wrapped in my own skin, and there you are, wrapped in yours. Yet we are social creatures, and we depend on one another to survive. No matter how hard we may try to separate ourselves, we are part of a community, for better or worse.
Yet a true sense of community seems rare in our modern age. Even before the pandemic, many media reports were noting that we are experiencing a crisis of loneliness. Loneliness has been identified as a problem in numerous countries and across a range of demographics.
This sense of disconnection wreaks havoc on the body. One study at Brigham Young University showed that feeling lonely has the same effect on longevity as smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. Poor social relationships have been associated with a 29% increase in the risk of heart disease and a 32% increase in risk of stroke.
At the same time, the data show that positive social connections help us thrive. The author Ashton Applewhite has noted that social connection is a main indicator of happy and healthy aging. She also recommends multigenerational friendships, an idea that is echoed by numerous studies showing the positive effects being around small children has on older people facing questions of purpose.
While marriage in general is associated with decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, troubled marriages are associated with increased risk. According to the Harvard Study of Adult Development, the quality of our relationships at age fifty is the greatest predictor of our health and well-being at age eighty.
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Gladys McGarey, MD
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Like many signs of aging, crepey skin can be attributed to collagen and elastin loss. As we age, the collagen in our skin slowly starts to decline, which leads to fine lines, sagging, and yes, crepey skin. So certainly that’s a big part of the issue.
But it also has to do with hydration. On an old Clean Beauty School podcast episode, I spoke with board-certified holistic plastic surgeon Anthony Youn, M.D., who described parched skin like a raisin in comparison to a well-hydrated grape.
It’s an apt analogy here, too. When your skin lacks moisture, the crepey appearance is more pronounced with wrinkles. Whereas when the epidermis is flooded with moisture, it’s going to look supple and smooth.
So if you’re seeing crepey skin start to appear on the backs of your hands, neck, or elsewhere on the body, take it as a sign that you need to up your moisturizer game. As board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. once told us: “Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize—this can improve the appearance.”
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Alexandra Engler
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Grandma had bounce. She repeatedly rallied to dig deep and overcome despair after losing a young child; mourning the death of another who died in his prime; and outliving her husband by nearly four decades.
In the 1970s, after crippling rheumatoid arthritis made it impossible for her to play the piano, she cured herself by eating only natural foods—decades before that became popular. In her 90s at a family wedding, she busted moves on the dance floor that some of us in our 30s and 40s had difficulty matching.
Experts in longevity say emotional resilience is an enigmatic X factor that plays a key, if not fully understood, role in how long we live. It’s helped Holocaust survivors go on to reclaim their lives, and those who’ve overcome earthquakes or even physical and emotional abuse to rebuild theirs.
Laura Carstensen, Ph.D., director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, led a study that examined the well-being of older people during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The scourge, of course, exacted a terrible toll on the elderly—far and away its most frequent and numerous victims.
Even so, “we found that older people reported fewer negative emotions in their lives, and more positive emotions, than younger people did,” Carstensen told NPR’s On Point.
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William J. Kole
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But like any measurement, this is only one part of the equation when it comes to full body composition, and therefore overall health. This equation shouldn’t be used to diagnose any kind of health condition, but rather serve as an estimate of body fat percentage for those who want to know and don’t have access to something like a DEXA scan.
It’s also worth noting here that you should avoid taking waist measurements during times like postpartum months, bloating or digestion troubles, and so on. You want to aim for a natural, typical measurement to get your most accurate results.
As for lean muscle mass, Lyon notes recommends tracking how many push-ups or squats you can do. It’s far from a perfect science (and there’s not a set range to reference), but it may be helpful to gauge your improvement. Let’s remember: Your muscles need to feel “fatigued” in order to grow. If your muscles take longer and longer to feel that fatigue, it’s a pretty good sign you’re growing your muscle mass.
You may also consider getting some blood work done at your physician’s office or through an elective service. Lyon suggests some of the measurements, especially those related to glucose, insulin, and triglycerides, may help you determine what range of skeletal muscle mass you have.
“What becomes really important to understand is where they are and making improvements,” Lyon says. So don’t get too caught up in the numbers if you can help it. No measurement of body composition is a perfect indicator of overall health. Finally, if you are concerned about your lean muscle mass or want to learn more specific info, it’s always a good idea to visit your healthcare provider.
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Hannah Frye
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But skin woes are not isolated to the under-eyes! The upper eyelids commonly turn crepey, and brows tend to droop over time as the skin naturally folds from aging. Even dark circles, which are often described as discolored half-moons underneath the eyes, can show up on the upper eyelid, biochemist Lauren Otsuki, co-founder of Ourself, tells mbg. “To fully address this issue, it’s important to look at the orbital area as a whole and the underlying cause,” she notes.
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Jamie Schneider
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That’s because the body is viewed as a system, and it’s important to care for it as a whole. In particular, body massage with botanical oils is a very important ritual.
“Body massages—especially if you focus on particular pressure points, like the fleshy part between your thumb and your finger—can help bring your body back to a place of balance and calm. Your skin will thrive when your body is calm,” she says.
She notes that she likes using sunflower seed oil on the body, especially for vata types. Sunflower seed oil2 contains mainly linoleic and oleic fatty acids. It also has a high amount of vitamin E for antioxidant benefits. It’s also a very light oil that drys down quickly, which makes it ideal for the body. (It’s often called a dry oil for this reason.)
Sesame oil is great for kapha doshas, and is high in vitamin E, K, and fatty acids.
Coconut oil is ideal for pitta doshas, and is high in vitamin E, vitamin K, antioxidants, and polyphenols.
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Alexandra Engler
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As I noted I’ve been using this almost daily for the last three months, which is the standard length of time they tell you that you’ll see results.
The most immediate and noticeable result was reduction in redness. My skin gets flushed easily, thanks to sensitivity and mild rosacea. In the last three months these flare-ups have become so infrequent that I can’t remember the last time I was bothered by the hue of my cheeks.
Often I’ll preemptively wear a tinted moisturizer just because I never know what might trigger my skin to turn pink. But now I’m far more comfortable leaving the house sans cover-up because I don’t live in fear of a flare-up. It sounds like a small thing, but as anyone with rosacea will know—this benefit is life changing.
Next I noticed the horizontal fine lines on my forehead and crinkles around my eyes disappeared. For the last several years I’ve been in a constant back-and-forth with these areas trying to make the dainty etches stay dainty. And at my age, the normal topicals aren’t as effective as they once were. This has smoothed out the wrinkles considerably, especially on my forehead.
The last thing I noticed was only recently—and that was from comparing my before, during, and after photos. There’s a phenomenon called perception drift, which happens when your appearance changes slowly over time. It’s much harder for your brain to pick up on improvements since they happen so subtly, so we’re not as able to notice how dramatic the results actually are.
So when I looked at my photos side-by-side, I couldn’t believe how soft my texture looked. I don’t think my texture was ever too rough to begin with, but in my most recent (make up and filter free) photos, it was so dewy and smooth.
I’m not the only one who is impressed by their results with the laser. “I recommend the LYMA Laser to all of my clients. This tool is one of a kind and I have never seen results like ones from the LYMA Laser. It is worth every penny, in my opinion,” says Czech.
As someone whose job is skin care, I consider the time commitment just part of the gig. But I can understand why people’s initial reaction is shock. And what I’ll say to people who can’t fathom sticking to a 30-plus minute session every day, this isn’t for you. If you’re not going to stick with it, it’s certainly not worth the money.
But if you are eager and willing to commit to it—and you have the budget—it’s the most effective piece of technology I’ve ever experienced.
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Alexandra Engler
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Now, for some much-needed expert opinions, we have board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD, and board-certified facial plastic surgeon Konstantin Vasyukevich, M.D.
“The truth is there is no strong evidence to suggest sunscreen, especially mineral-based sunscreens, are harmful to humans and our health,” Vasyukevich says. This alludes to the main problem with all of these anti-sunscreen arguments—they are dismissing mineral formulas entirely.
These products include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide—both of which are safe for human use and may even be better for folks with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, as they soothe the skin barrier while simultaneously protecting against UV damage. Plus, they’re generally reef-safe.
RELATED READ: Mineral Versus Chemical Sunscreen: What To Know About SPF + Pros & Cons
Regardless, “The more important fact is there is strong evidence to support wearing sunscreen helps prevent skin cancer,” Vayukevich says. Hence, why telling everyone to stop wearing sunscreen is quite dangerous.
Not only is skin cancer widespread, but it’s deadly. This is a bleak reality, but it’s true. The American Cancer Society reports about 2,000 people in the United States die every year from skin cancer. And while it might sound obvious, over 90% of skin cancers are caused by the sun.
Even if you don’t get skin cancer or even a sunburn, your skin still gets damaged when you spend extended time in the sun without protection. “Just because you don’t develop a sunburn, the skin is still being affected by UV rays,” Marcus says. “UVB tends to be responsible for burns, while UVA is responsible for changes associated with skin aging, but both can contribute to skin cancer,” she adds.
Now, there has been some research done on your diet’s role in skin cancer, many suggesting that antioxidants may help to prevent skin cancer—anti-sunscreen TikTok users have taken this research and run with it, extrapolating the study findings to assume that food causes cancer and the sun doesn’t.
There’s no question that your diet plays a role in your overall health and disease prevention, but stating that simply eating healthy food can prevent or cause cancer (especially in a generalized fashion) isn’t a science-backed claim. And to forget the nuance is just plain dangerous.
Finally, anti-sunscreen advocates continue to emphasize the importance of vitamin D, assuming you can and should only get it from the sun. Here’s the thing: You can get vitamin D from sunlight, but for many, sun exposure alone is not enough to provide all the vitamin D that your body needs.
Even if you’re outside in the heat all day long, you still may be vitamin D deficient. “In one study, [researchers] followed migrant farmworkers in Florida, as well as farmworkers in Hawaii,” board-certified dermatologist Shasa Hu, M.D., professor at the University of Miami who specializes in skin cancer detection, shares in a recent episode of Clean Beauty School.
She adds, “They found significant vitamin D deficiency in farmworkers who don’t use sunscreen. So even if you work outside in the field eight hours a day in various sunny [conditions], you can still be vitamin D deficient.”
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Hannah Frye
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