The basic fundamentals of toothbrush design have not changed since the times of the Egyptians and Babylonians—a handle to grip, and a bristle-like feature with which to clean the teeth.
Norwegians are a great lens to teach us about some healthy longevity practices. The Norwegian diet is a significant factor. It's been described as the cold-weather cousin to the Mediterranean diet.
The 'Chinese baddie' diet trend on TikTok humorously highlights various traditional Chinese wellness practices, sparking interest in alternative health approaches among users.
When pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter shared a TikTok video talking about her favourite lip balm, she described how it absorbs the lips' natural pH and "brings out this beautiful pink" and keeps them "super moisturised." The product went viral, as did the concept of pH-reactive make-up.
Consultant dermatologist Dr Aiza Jamil says facial puffiness is usually caused by fluid retention and common triggers include high salt and alcohol intake, allergies and lack of sleep. Dr Tina Tian, also a consultant dermatologist explains most viral hacks fall into three categories - cold exposure, massage and temporary tightening effects. They can "genuinely reduce visible swelling and provide relief but the key word is temporary - they won't permanently change facial structure".
Drinking tea, particularly green tea, is linked to better heart health, improved metabolism, and lower risks of chronic diseases like diabetes and cancer. It may also help protect the brain and preserve muscle strength as people age. However, processed teas-such as bottled and bubble varieties-often contain sugars and additives that may cancel out these benefits. Moderation and choosing freshly brewed tea appear key.
The viral trend - where people share Chinese lifestyle hacks, from wearing red for luck during Lunar New Year to banning outdoor shoes indoors - felt like watching the world embrace the culture I grew up with. Around the same time, another phrase was everywhere: "You met me at a very Chinese time in my life." The line went viral after Hong Kong-born stand-up comedian Jimmy O Yang posted a video of himself singing the well-known Chinese song "Yi Jian Mei" on Instagram in November, with those words splashed across the screen.
Medieval medical writers didn't shy away from sexual topics-they offered practical advice, foods to try, and prescriptions meant to boost desire and potency. In one of the Middle Ages' most widely used medical textbooks, the physician Ahmed Ibn al-Jazzar lays out why men might struggle with sexual performance and what could be done about it, from everyday ingredients like chickpeas and turnips to carefully measured electuaries and beverages.
I am familiar with this feeling. Breadcrumb trails of heat lead to pain that's called minor, pressure that's called surprising. Rooms like this-the salon where my scalp scalds as my curls burn away or the aesthetician's office where I lie as vulnerable as I might in a hospital bed-are drenched in anxiety's musk, scented with antibacterial spray. The women who leave me their warmth are like older sisters, evidence files, guinea pigs, role models, comrades, and competition.
You know those people who make you do a double-take when they mention their age? The ones who casually drop they're 52 but look like they could be in their mid-thirties? I met someone like this at a coffee shop last week. She mentioned her adult son was turning 30, and I nearly choked on my drink. I would've guessed she was maybe 40, tops. When I asked about her workout routine, she laughed and said she hadn't been to a gym in years.
This opening episode dives straight into detoxing. From juice cleanses and detox teas to charcoal pills, foot pads, and coffee enemas, Edwards and Baumgardt watch, wince, and occasionally laugh their way through some of the internet's most popular detox trends. Along the way, they ask what these products claim to remove, how they supposedly work, and why feeling worse is often reframed online as a sign that a detox is "working."
Remember that viral TikTok showing someone's $500 skincare routine? I watched it three times, mentally calculating how many months of rent that collection represented. Then I looked at my own bathroom shelf, packed with Korean beauty products that cost me less than a nice dinner out, and realized something: My skin had never looked better, and I'd spent a fraction of what my luxury-brand-devoted friends had.
Beauty of Joseon's gentle cleanser leans on a few skin-loving ingredients. Plum extract—rich in natural exfoliating acids—helps soften dead skin cells, while mung bean nourishes and strengthens the skin barrier. It's especially well-suited for oily or combination skin, helping keep excess shine in check while maintaining your skin's natural pH balance.
vyv (pronounced v-eye-v), a new personalized vitamin and supplement brand designed for women ages 20 to 30 who want wellness to feel intuitive, flexible, and easy to keep up with. Think less pressure, fewer bottles, and way more "this actually works for my life." vyv is the younger sister brand to Persona™ Nutrition, designed with a fresh lens for Gen Z/Millennial females juggling packed schedules, shifting hormones, and big goals-without asking them to become supplement experts along the way.
Have you ever struggled to find the perfect drink just before bed? Something like coffee or another caffeinated drink is usually out of the question. Likewise, you don't want a sugary drink if you just brushed your teeth. Cold water, and even room-temperature water, might be the standard, but you should consider the benefits of hot water if you've never tried it before. It can benefit you in more ways than you'd think.
Demand for beauty treatments is soaring. The global aesthetics market is projected to reach €22.9bn by 2028, according to analytics company Clarivate, driven by the development of more natural-looking results and the influence of social media. But how much are Irish women actually spending on such treatments? "It's very hard to find statistics, because they're all private enterprises, so they don't need to release them," says Liz Dwyer (@lizdwyerbeauty), co-founder of the Future Beauty and Health Show, which returns to the RDS on March 21-22 with a line-up of Irish and international experts in aesthetics and longevity.
'Stem cell-based' treatments and just the latest aesthetic treatment marketed to those seeking to maintain or obtain youthful skin, but what exactly is involved and what's the evidence that they work It's hard to keep track of the number of scientifically based beauty treatments on offer these days. Most are aimed at middle-aged females with disposable incomes, who are willing to splash large amounts of money on their skin to counter the effects of time.
On a recent stay at a friend's house, I encountered a familiar problem. The friend, a thoughtful host, had left us washcloths, shampoo, body wash, toothpaste, and towels. She'd set out a bottle of filtered water and plastic cups. But when I stepped into the shower, I discovered that she had not given us what once would have seemed like a basic personal-care necessity: a bar of soap.
