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Anti-cellulite products are big business – but here’s what the science says

<div class="theconversation-article-body"><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-shepherd-423135">Rebecca Shepherd</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Although <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jocd.14815">90% of women have cellulite</a>, we’re yet to see it represented as a normal anatomical characteristic in popular culture. In Greta Gerwig’s 2023 Hollywood blockbuster, for instance, Stereotypical Barbie, played by Margot Robbie, develops dimples on her upper thigh as part of her existential crisis – along with other human faults such as halitosis, flat feet and irrepressible thoughts of death. When Stereotypical Barbie asks doll sage Weird Barbie what the dimples are, she explains: “That’s cellulite. That’s going to spread everywhere. Then you’re going to start getting sad and mushy and complicated.” Barbie’s perfect smooth plastic perfection is marred. Despite its prevalence, then, cellulite has been constructed as a flaw in need of correction. Consumers, it seems, agree, especially when fed a diet of the <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21604851.2021.1913827">photoshop smoothed skin</a> of models, social media influencers – and Hollywood stars. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rmThigh1i8s?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe><figcaption>“NO!” Barbie shouts when Weird Barbie tells her she has cellulite.</figcaption></figure> Cellulite’s usually found in areas that have greater amounts of subcutaneous fat, when fat deposits push through the connective tissue beneath the skin, leading to a lumpy appearance. It is common, <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0738081X1300076X?via%3Dihub">usually painless</a> and harmless. The human skin is the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-skin-is-a-very-important-and-our-largest-organ-what-does-it-do-91515">body’s largest organ</a>, made up of three layers. At the surface, the epidermis acts as our first line of defence against the environment. This outermost, impermeable layer is made up of cells that are constantly renewed and shed, protecting our body from external elements. Beneath the epidermis lies the dermis, a robust layer containing fibroblasts, the cells responsible for producing essential proteins such as collagen and elastin. These proteins provide structure and elasticity, contributing to the skin’s strength and flexibility. Deeper still is the hypodermis, also known as the subcutaneous layer. This layer is rich in adipose tissue – mostly made up of fat, which plays a crucial role in cushioning and insulating the body, as well as storing fat that can be used when needed. Beneath these three layers of skin, there is muscle. Running from the muscle to the dermis are <a href="https://journals.lww.com/amjdermatopathology/fulltext/2000/02000/cellulite__from_standing_fat_herniation_to.7.aspx">bands of connective tissue</a>, that holds the adipose tissue in “pockets”. Cellulite does not affect health, although some people report that it affects their <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/07853890.2018.1561731">self-esteem and body image</a> but that’s more to do with the social pressure on women to be physically perfect – or spend money, time and energy trying to be as close to perfect as possible. Cellulite, then, has become big business for the beauty industry. In the lead up to summer especially, companies will promote <a href="https://www.asa.org.uk/advice-online/weight-control-cellulite.html">all manner of products</a> from creams and serums to gadgets and pills, all aimed at creating perfectly smooth limbs. The most popular question seems to be, “Do these treatments work?” but as an anatomist I think the more pressing question is, “Why are healthy women’s bodies considered something to treat, cure or correct?” The beauty and wellness industry has long capitalised on societal standards of beauty. The idea that cellulite is undesirable and <a href="https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/abstract/1978/03000/So_Called_Cellulite.9.aspx">should be corrected</a> has been perpetuated since Vogue magazine was the <a href="https://archive.vogue.com/article/1968/4/cellulite-the-new-word-for-fat-you-couldnt-lose-before">first English language magazine</a> to use the term “cellulite”, introducing the concept to thousands of women. This marketing strategy taps into the insecurities of consumers, particularly women, and promotes an endless pursuit of “perfection” for bodies that have normal anatomical variation. By framing cellulite as a condition that needs treatment, companies can sell a wide range of products and services, bolstered by celebrity endorsements, which lend credibility and aspirational value to pseudo-medical “smoothing” products. However, there is limited scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of these supplements in treating cellulite. In fact, the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1524-4725.1978.tb00416.x">first scientific paper</a> on cellulite, published in 1978, referred to it as “so called cellulite: the invented disease”. Recent product launches include, <a href="https://lemmelive.com/en-gb/products/lemme-smooth-capsules?variant=45597048111318">Lemme Smooth</a>, Kourtney Kardashian-Barker’s latest addition to her vitamin and supplement range. The product’s promotional materials claim that the capsule “visibly reduces cellulite in 28 days”. But what does the science tell us? Supplements like Lemme Smooth claim to improve skin texture and reduce cellulite from within. Kardashian-Barker’s supplement contains a mixture of <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10298-015-0977-4">french cantaloupe melon</a>, hyaluronic acid, chromium and vitamin C among other ingredients. The body’s ability to absorb and utilise these ingredients in a way that would impact cellulite is still a subject of debate. There is evidence that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4110621/#:%7E:text=In%20a%20randomized%2C%20double%2Dblind,in%20part%2C%20to%20the%20skin.">ingested hyaluronic acid</a> can migrate into the skin, stimulating the production of collagens within the dermis – and vitamin C has been shown to <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-72704-1">thicken the surface layer</a> of the skin. However, the lack of standardisation in testing for the use of these ingredients in the treatment of cellulite means it’s still not clear if they will have a <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-2494.2006.00318.x">significant effect</a>. Other products marketed to reduce the appearance of cellulite include topical creams and lotions, containing ingredients like <a href="https://karger.com/books/book/763/chapter-abstract/5600478/Specific-Use-Cosmeceuticals-for-Body-Skin-Texture?redirectedFrom=fulltext">caffeine, retinol, and herbal extracts</a>. Cosmetic products are not able to penetrate the epidermis enough to significantly affect the underlying fat deposits and connective tissue. Some invasive treatments, such as <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/fat-removal/cellulite-treatments-what-really-works">laser therapy, subcision, and acoustic wave therapy</a> can offer more promising results. These procedures work by breaking down the connective tissue bands that cause dimpling and stimulating collagen production in the dermis to improve skin elasticity. While these methods <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/cosmetic/fat-removal/cellulite-treatments-what-really-works">may be more effective</a>, they are often expensive, require multiple sessions to achieve results – and aren’t without risk. Maintaining a healthy diet, drinking lots of water, and regular physical activity can help improve the overall appearance of the skin and reduce the visibility of cellulite. Losing weight and strengthening the muscles in the legs, buttocks and abdomen may make cellulite less noticeable, but it won’t make it <a href="https://jndc-chemistryarticles.info/ijn/article/318">disappear altogether</a>. The bottom line, though, is that cellulite does not need to be treated. It’s a normal anatomical variation that’s been transformed into a condition driving a lucrative market for cures <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40257-015-0129-5">that don’t exist</a>. My top expert advice in the run up to summer? Be wary of claims from cosmetic companies and save your money. <hr /> The Conversation has approached the Lemme Live brand for comment.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/232318/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebecca-shepherd-423135">Rebecca Shepherd</a>, Senior Lecturer in Human Anatomy, School of Anatomy, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-bristol-1211">University of Bristol</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/anti-cellulite-products-are-big-business-but-heres-what-the-science-says-232318">original article</a>. </div>

Body

The hidden dangers of household products

The materials, fabrics and fragrances contained inside our homes are host to thousands of chemicals that may pose a threat to human health. Healthy home expert Nicole Bijlsma says there simply aren’t enough regulations to ensure the products and materials in our homes are safe for consumers. “We have this incredible, unregulated, chemical onslaught in our household products, personal care products, building materials and cleaning products which is why the burden of chemicals is increasing with each generation,” Bijlsma says. “Just because it’s on the supermarket shelf doesn’t mean it’s been tested.” The largely unregulated cleaning product industry is often placed under scrutiny in the fight against chemicals but Bijsma says this issue extends to all areas of the home. “What happens is we wait for the disease to occur in the general population before we look back and realise [the harm]…It’s a stupid system; it doesn’t protect consumers and it certainly does not protect the most vulnerable in our society– our children and the unborn fetus.” Only through thorough research can consumers determine where their products are being sourced, under what conditions they’ve been made and the impact they may have on health. Even then there are gaps. Imported items are not under the same regulations as those made in New Zealand. “A lot of the products, especially furnishings, you can’t load with formaldehyde but if you import them from Asia as most people do, they’re going to be loaded with chemicals…Bijlsma says. Bijlsma advises going back to basics when selecting materials and products, reducing the chemical load, choosing natural fibres and buying home made. “The big problem is most chemicals in building materials and household products have never been tested for their impact on human health,” Bijlsma says. Creating a healthy home is of the utmost importance to homeowner Irena Bukhshtaber, who has recently extended her home to be 100 per cent sustainable and hypoallergenic. “Because our industry standards are so high, usually it’s a local product too…Watch out for imports, from floorboards to air-conditioning, as there’s no way to guarantee what they say on the label unless the seller can guarantee provenance or knows the company.” Despite the time-consuming research process (three years) of renovating the home to a healthy standard Bukhshtaber says the outcome has been worth the effort. “How difficult is it to live with sick or tired family members? How hard is it to live your values? If the outcome is positive then it’s not difficult, but it is time consuming and does require you to spend time researching, calling and discussing with suppliers.” To keep her costs down when renovating, Bukhshtaber advises determining the elements of a home that matter most to you, whether this be using recycled materials, limited chemicals, high-quality design, ethical manufacturing or buying New Zealand made. “None of these things are mutually exclusive but you do need a hierarchy in mind as no one has unlimited budget,” Bukhshtaber says. Written by Amelia Barnes. First appeared on <a href="http://www.domain.com.au/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Domain.com.au.</a> Images: Getty

Home Hints & Tips

Actors blamed for delaying movie production

These single cast members have been responsible for delaying movie production on these titles. 1. Marlon Brando — Mutiny on the Bounty Brando was singled out as the reason months of production and $6 million went down the drain during the making of Mutiny on the Bounty in 1962. According to the film’s director Lewis Milestone, Brando put earplugs in on set to silence instructions and argued over many scenes in the script. Reportedly, he also refused to shoot the finale and demanded to make his own ending. The delays and tension on set were ironic as the film focused on deadly mutiny. 2. Johnny Depp — Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales The fifth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise had a very messy production due to extensive delays and behind-the-scenes drama. Depp delayed production after illegally bringing his dogs into Australia during shooting, injuring his hand and reportedly showing up late to shooting. 3. Brad Pitt — The Fountain Writer and director of The Fountain Darren Aronofsky admitted that Brad Pitt was responsible for delaying film production. Pitt was initially going to star in the film but when it was just weeks away from the start of principal photography in Australia, Pitt let Aronofsky know that he was leaving the film. The departure meant there were extensive delays in starting production, but Aronofsky pins the departure on creative differences and says that neither of them were to blame. 4. Benedict Cumberbatch — Doctor Strange Benedict Cumberbatch was originally the only actor director Scott Derrickson had in mind to play Marvel’s Doctor Strange. Cumberbatch initially turned the role down due to conflicting schedules, so production was delayed to allow the actor a second chance at starring in the film. "If you can't jump on board when the ride's going past, that's usually it," Cumberbatch said "So the hugest compliment they paid me was to come back to me. It motivated me to try to fulfil their faith in me." 5. Robert Downey Jr — Sherlock Holmes 3 The next instalment of Sherlock Holmes has been delayed while Robert Downey Jr fulfils his contractual obligations with the Avengers, according to Holmes producer Joel Silver. Hopefully Downey will return to the Sherlock films after the fourth Avengers. Images: Getty

Movies

Scented products may be making us sick

From body wash, air fresheners and hand soap to our household cleaners, scented products may be making us sick, according to new research. The University of Melbourne study found that one in three Australians reported adverse health effects – including breathing problems, migraine headaches, skin irritation and asthma attacks – from fragranced products. "There's a belief that fragrance products in some way improve air quality but the opposite is actually true: fragrance products impair rather than improve indoor air quality and they pose a range of health and economic risks," says lead author Professor Anne Steinemann, a world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects. "Some people have immediate, severe and disabling health effects. But the effects can be very subtle and insidious and people may not realise they're being affected until it's too late." Steinemann says the findings confirm her previous research on the subjects, including an <a href="http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellbeing/wellbeing/a-problem-of-hidden-hazards-common-fragrances-a-public-health-problem-20161026-gsax8k.html">American study she published in 2016</a> and a yet-to-be published British study. "There's something about these fragrance chemicals. It doesn't matter whether the product is called 'green', 'organic', 'natural' or with 'essential oils', basically if it has a fragrance it can cause health problems," she said. "When I've analysed these fragranced products called 'green', 'organic', 'all-natural', there's little difference in the hazardous chemicals they emit compared to regular versions." There is currently no law in Australia that requires the disclosure of all the chemicals in a fragrance or a consumer product. "We have very little information on the toxicity of these mixtures – there's a focus on individual chemicals. Also very little information on the toxicity of a natural versus synthetic version of a chemical,” says Steinemann. Images: Getty

Body

Have you been using expired beauty products this whole time? Here’s when to toss them

Let go of your loofah every few weeks We all have our beauty besties. Whether it’s a love connection with brushes or a match made in heaven with mascara, saying goodbye is never easy. But it’s important – especially when we’re talking about spoilage, expiration dates, or skin infections. One potential hotbed of bacteria is the loofah you use in the shower, which collects your dead skin cells and literally redeposits them – dirt, grime, and all – right back onto your body the next time you use it. Be prepared to replace that body sponge every few weeks, or sooner if it smells or changes colour. Or skip the loofah entirely and just apply a cleanser with a chemical exfoliant, such as glycolic acid, using your fingers, advises cosmetic dermatologist, Dr Anjali Butani. Mix up your mascara every three months As much as you love your lengthening, feathering, dramatically lash-boosting mascara, you have only one pair of eyes and you can’t afford to lose them. That’s why you’ll need to chuck your mascara every three months, or face risks from contamination with bacteria and cold viruses. “Anything moist that’s touching wet parts of the body – eyes, lips, open skin – lasts a shorter period of time,” explains dermatologist, Dr Joshua Zeichner. A good rule to follow: if the product can’t be sterilised, toss it. Swap your beauty sponge every three to four months “If these disposable sponges are not replaced every few months, or if there are any colour changes, they could be a breeding ground for mould,” Dr Zeichner says. Always wash and thoroughly dry your beauty blender after each use to minimise the bacterial build-up that could cause breakouts. And definitely chuck the sponge sooner than three to four months if it starts to crack or crumble, or if you used it when you had a bad cold or an infection. Re-up your eye cream every three months Once you open a jar of any cosmetic product, the active ingredients are exposed to air and begin to break down. You’re also inviting contamination with every dip of your finger, which is probably not sterile even if you just washed it. Expect to switch out your eye cream every three months – unless it comes in a pump. Dr Zeichner says pumps are a better option because they can last several months to years due to the lower likelihood of contracting bacteria. Turn over your toothbrush every three months To keep up with your dental hygiene, you need your toothbrush to be in good working order. “When bristles are not standing straight anymore, they don’t clean as well, so you should throw it out,” says Dr Zeichner. Kiss lip balm goodbye every six months to a year Licensed aesthetician Jennifer Aimi, cautions lip balm lovers to part with their lip treatments every six months to a year, especially if they come in a pot that you dip your finger in (see eye cream). “Follow the instructions that come with the product,” Aimi urges, “and always resist the urge to share it – especially during cold season.” Zap those zits for six months at a time If your acne cream seems to be losing its pimple-fighting power, it may be a sign to pop it in the wastebasket. Dr Zeichner says that if the product is used past the expiration date, its active ingredients may not work as well. Slather on that sunscreen for two years Sunblock is not something you can take chances on, especially when you’re holidaying at the beach and there’s a real possibility of getting fried. Look to a sunscreen’s expiration date for guidance, or figure you’ll need to toss it two years after opening. But don’t abandon common sense. If a formula looks, smells, or feels different than when it was originally purchased, Dr Zeichner says to dump it. Give your eyelash curler two to three years It’s a good idea to consider replacing an eyelash curler every two to three years, according to Aimi. And if the rubber part starts to crack or look old, replace that part sooner. The good news is that they’re sold separately. Don’t forget to wipe down the curler with rubbing alcohol between uses. Spritz on perfume for two years (or more) The longevity of a perfume will depend on how you care for it over time. “Keep the bottle out of heat, humidity and sunlight,” Aimai says, “and don’t shake it, because that causes a chemical breakdown that can alter the scent quickly.” Expect to enjoy a fragrance for about two to three years, and obviously bin it sooner if the colour changes or if it starts to smell a tad like vinegar (obviously you won’t want to wear that). Clip and snip for under five years Even nail clippers and scissors have a shelf life – and it’s two to four years. Of course, the lifespan of these beauty necessities depends on their quality and how often you use them, according to beauty experts behind the brand Japonesque. Definitely don’t use tweezers, clippers or scissors if they’re nicked, dented, misshapen, misaligned, or rusted. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/beauty/have-you-been-using-expired-beauty-products-this-whole-time-heres-when-to-toss-them?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Beauty & Style

12 tricks to save every last drop of beauty products

It’s easy to end up spending a fortune on beauty products. All too often you can find yourself caught short when your favourite product runs out just when you need it. So to save some of your hard-earned cash, try some of our tips to make your products go the extra mile. 1. If you have a favourite foundation that’s only got a bit left in the bottle, add some Sorbolene cream, shake well, and turn it into a tinted moisturiser. 2. Don’t throw away plastic tubes of product such as eye cream, foundation or lip balm. Cut off the ends and scrape out the remaining product to get a couple more uses out of it. 3. Remove the hard top layer of your powder compact (caused by the oils in your skin) by placing a strip of sticky tape over it. When you lift it off, the top layer will come off too leaving you with a like-new compact. 4. Dropped and broken an eye shadow, blush or powder foundation? You can fix this by pouring a small amount of rubbing alcohol into the container until the product becomes a paste. Use your finger to press the product back together. Once the alcohol evaporates you will have a solid product once again. 5. Bring your dried out mascara back to life with a few drops of saline solution. Pop the lid back on, shake well, and use again. 6. Another mascara tip for when you’re running low is to place the container in a cup of warm water before use. This will loosen the product from the insides of the tube. Remember though that mascara should only be kept for about three months, so toss it if it is past its best. 7. Broken your favourite lipstick? You can melt it with a lighter and join it back together. Wind up the lipstick that is still in the tube and use the flame from a lighter to gently melt it a little. Then do the same with the matching end of the broken piece. Push the two pieces together and smooth out the sides with your finger. Allow it to dry and it should be as good as new. 8. If your powder blush has crumbled, turn it into a lip colour by adding a blob of Vaseline. Mix with a spoon and store in a small tub with a lid. 9. Use a crumbled eye shadow to make your own nail polish. Simply add the fine powder to a clear nail polish, shake well and use. Works well with glitter-based eye shadow too for a sparkly look. 10. If you have old nail polish that you can’t get open, place the handle in a mug of warm water. This should loosen it enough to be able to open. 11. Turn your last few drops of perfume into a scented moisturiser by adding it to a tub of lotion. 12. Keep your make-up brushes in good condition by wetting with warm water and then rubbing in some olive oil. Rinse under warm water to remove excess product, and then rub in some shampoo to get the last of the make-up out. Leave to dry before storing. Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Household items you should use a beauty products

Your house is full of products that can be repurposed as effective beauty products. From static-y hair to puffy eyes, we bet you’ve already got the fix at home! Oatmeal: If your skin is feeling dry, add unsweetened oatmeal to your bath to help sooth your skin. This can also help when the little ones get chicken pox. Spray starch: No time to wash your hair? If you’re out of dry shampoo, try baby powder or spray starch, both of which have similar ingredients as your favourite dry shampoo sprays. Coconut oil: Coconut oil has amazing moisturising benefits. Apply it to your hair and use it as a hair mask or rub it on your skin to use it as a body moisturiser. Dryer sheets: Static-y hair? Banish flyaway hair by running a dryer sheet over your strands. It has the same effect on your hair as it does on your clothes. Green tea bags: If your eyes are puffy as a result of a lack of sleep, try de-puffing them by applying chilled, moist green tea bags under your eyes for five minutes. The caffeine and coolness help to reduce the swelling. Tape: If you can’t seem to get your cat-eye liner straight, apply a piece of tape to the side of your eye to act as a stencil for your line. Baking soda: This one is a cult classic at this point, but it’s worth repeating for anyone unaware: Brush your teeth with baking soda before your toothpaste to get whiter, brighter teeth. Matches: If you find yourself with a broken nail and you’re lacking a nailfile, use the striking strip of a matchbook in the meantime. Petroleum jelly: Apply some to your pulse points before spritzing your favourite scent on to make it last longer! Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Professional cleaner shares her holy grail products

A professional cleaner has shared her holy grail products, revealing what she would never use to clean with and what she would use for alternatives. The 22-year-old cleaner and business owner hit the cleaning aisle of her local supermarket to suggest swapping out some popular products for “better results” and to make cleaning “simple, cost effective and less toxic”. She would never use products like Ajax Spray N' Wipe, Windex glass cleaner, Easy Off soap scum remover and White King two-in-one mould and soap scum remover. The cleaner, who owns <a href="https://www.spotoncleaningsydney.com/">Spot On Cleaning Sydney</a>, first suggested swapping Ajax Spray N' Wipe for Morning Fresh washing up liquid mixed with water. She said that mixing a small amount of dishwashing liquid with water would produce better results on commonly used surfaces. She also said the solution works better than Windex to get glass surfaces sparkling without the need to buy different products. Her next tip was to swap Easy Off soap scum spray for Bar Keepers Friend, which is a 'better alternative for built up soap scum and water stains'. The woman also recommended swapping out White King two-in-one mould and soap scum spray for Selleys rapid mould killer for better, longer lasting results. Her followers were thrilled with the cleaning hacks, with one person calling her a “life saver” after following her cleaning tips. Another follower said, 'Yes! Dishwashing liquid is literally so great for cleaning so many things. Surface cleaners only leave residue when not wiped off after spraying.” Despite the flood of praise, others were concerned that using dishwashing liquid won’t have the same germ-fighting results as sprays. “But dish liquid won't kill surface germs like surface spray?” one woman asked. However the cleaner assures her it “absolutely” will, “after all it is designed to clean dishes and kill bacteria,” she wrote. Image credits: TikTok

Home & Garden

The correct way to store beauty products

To keep your coveted beauty products working their best for longer, try these beauty storing tips. Face wash – It may be convenient, but storing your scrubs and cleansers in the shower can damage them. The product will take in moisture which can turn them into a breeding ground for bacteria or mould. Skin creams – Skin creams should be kept out of the bathroom altogether. The humidity can damage them just as the shower damages your cleansers. Keep them in your bedroom away from the window. Fragrances – Fragrances should always be stored away from direct sunlight, as heat and sunshine can cause them to go off. Nail Polish – Storing your nail polish upright in the fridge can help keep your lacquers lasting to their fullest potential. Powder make up – Try to keep your blushes and powders out of the bathroom as the change in humidity and temperature can negatively affect their make up. Brushes – Store your make up brushes out of direct sunlight, as sunlight can cause their fibres to wear. The same goes for heat and humidity, which can cause them to become caked. Try rolling them up in a make up brush bag. Lipstick – Store your lipsticks in the fridge with your nail polishes to help them last longer. Image credits: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

What you need to know about using retinol beauty products

By now, you've most likely heard of retinols, the Vitamin A derivative that's been hailed a hero when it comes to anti-ageing products. But is it really worth the hype? "There's good evidence in the literature that they can correct some aspects of sun damage, ranging from fine wrinkles to dark spots," says Dr Paul Jarrett, the president of the New Zealand Dermatological Society. Yet along with those positives are some rather significant negatives, so it pays to do your research before jumping on the retinol bandwagon. I learnt that lesson the hard way after slathering on heaps of an over-the-counter retinol serum, thinking if a little was good, a lot would be even better. The result? Dry, red, peeling skin that certainly didn't look any younger. "That's a really common mistake people make when they try retinol," says Fran Caliari-Pearce, the director of Caci's Centre of Excellence. "When you're working with corrective skin treatments, less is definitely more." To save you from making similar mistakes, here are few things retinol newbies need to know: 1. Start slow The strength of retinol products varies and unless you, too, want red, flaky skin, it pays to be a little cautious. Jarrett warns that retinols can be very irritating, and it's hard to predict how your skin will react. He suggests easing into it by applying a thin layer to your face for only five or 10 minutes and working your way up to a few hours and then overnight. "The good news is that most people get used to retinols over time, so if you do have a mild reaction, you can take a break and try again," he says. 2. Avoid other irritants As retinol can dry the skin, hydration is key, but choose your moisturiser carefully. "You really want to avoid other stimulating products," says Caliari-Pearce. "We always recommend a hydrating moisturiser rather than one with a lot of active ingredients, so you're not causing too much irritation." 3. Keep at it Once you've found the right retinol for your skin, your best bet is to stick with it. "It's not just a wham-bam kind of thing where you use it and then you're done. If you want to keep those skin cells turning over, you need to keep using it," says Caliari-Pearce. "A lot of skincare brands now incorporate retinol as part of a daily skincare regime." 4. Wear sunscreen – always Retinol products can make your skin extra sensitive to sun exposure, which is why you should only use them as part of your night-time routine. And be sure to follow up with a good sunscreen in the morning - which you should really be doing anyway. "A lot of skin issues are due to sun exposure, so using sunblock regularly would be the best idea," says Jarrett. "Preventing [wrinkles] from forming is better than trying to treat them." Image: Getty

Beauty & Style

6 ways doodling can make you smarter, happier and more productive

Doodling and attention Like a perpetually active toddler, the human brain constantly demands stimulation. When you’re in a setting that’s noticeably devoid of stimuli (say, on a long plane ride, or in an ultra-boring meeting) your brain compensates by creating its own stimulation in the form of daydreams. And while zoning out is a fine way to pass the time, it’s a dismal way to absorb information. Doodling, on the other hand, engages the brain’s planning and concentration centres just enough to keep you living in the moment – and according to some researchers, it may be even more effective for retaining information than active listening. In one study in the journal Applied Cognitive Psychology, subjects who monitored a monotonous phone message for names of party guests recalled 29 percent more information later if they were doodling during the call. Meanwhile, in a 2012 study of science students who were asked to draw what they learned during lectures and reading sessions, doodlers not only retained more information, but also reported more enjoyment and engagement with the material. Doodling and memory In general, multitasking lowers cognitive performance on tasks, makes you think harder than you have to, and decreases productivity. However, recent experiments out of Waterloo University suggest that doodling might be an exception. In a series of tests, subjects were given 40 seconds to either draw a word in detail or write it by hand as many times as they could. When quizzed later, doodlers recalled more than twice as many words as writers did. Give this a try in your next meeting: Don’t just write down the crucial points – draw them. Doodling and mindfulness So, doodlers, your pen is moving and your brain is engaged – do you feel the zen yet? According to Jesse Prinz, a philosophy professor at City University of New York Graduate Center, doodling keeps participants in a state of “pure listening” that borders on meditation. “Doodling helps hit that sweet spot between listening too much and listening too little,” Prinz says. “It keeps you in a state where your mind can’t wander, and your mind can’t also reflect or think more deeply about what you’re hearing… it’s to such a great extent that if I do not doodle, I find myself having difficulty concentrating.” With your mind so engaged, it becomes hard not to feel yourself in the present moment. And with meditation comes relaxation. Doodling and your mood Beyond the kindergarten wisdom that drawing is just plain fun, there may be psychological forces improving your mood when you put doodles to paper. The key: keep it positive. In a 2008 study where participants were asked to either draw something that was making them unhappy (to “vent” their emotions) or something that made them happy, those who focused on the positive showed a greater short-term elevation in mood than those who vented. So when you doodle through your next boring meeting, draw yourself on a train to your dream holiday location instead of drawing your blowhard boss tied to tracks. Doodling and creativity This may seem like a no-brainer, but creative acts lead to creative thinking. Take this case study from a 2014 paper published at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology: An architecture student hit a creative block while designing a new kindergarten building. To ease his mind, the student began habitually doodling his own signature, larger and larger. As the doodles grew in size, the student began seeing an outline for the building in the negative spaces between the letters of his name. The doodle soon became the architectural sketch on which he based his building. Doodling and stress Creative activities have been proven across dozens of studies to reduce stress, decrease negative emotions, and even improve the health of people who participate in them. The end product doesn’t even have to be a masterpiece; as the great doodling philosopher Charles Schulz wrote, “the joy is in the playing.” In no form of art is this more true than doodling, a game where your brain talks to itself by using your hand as a medium. There is no concern for the end product, or who else might see it. Relax in the fact that a doodle is just a little present from you, for you. Written by Brandon Specktor. This article first appeared in <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/true-stories-lifestyle/thought-provoking/6-ways-doodling-can-make-you-smarter-happier-and-more-productive" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here’s our best subscription offer.</a>

Mind

How to clean your leather products easily at home

Whether you want to protect your shoes, fix up your handbag or give life back to a belt, cleaning leather is actually a lot easier than you might think. You won’t need to pay someone else to do it once you learn just how easy it is to do at home. All you need is some non-toxic dishwashing liquid (such as the eco store brand, available from the supermarket). That’s right, the stuff you use to scrub your dishes work perfectly well to clean your leather items as well. You will need: <ul> <li>1 tbsp non-toxic dishwashing liquid</li> <li>2 large mixing bowls or buckets</li> <li>2 clean cloths </li> <li>Leather conditioner to protect the item (optional)</li> </ul> How to: <ol> <li>Squeeze one tablespoon of liquid into a mixing bowl and add warm water to mix it together. </li> <li>Fill a second bowl with warm water.</li> <li>Dip one cloth into the soapy water, squeeze to remove excess water, and use it to wipe down the leather with gentle strokes. </li> <li>Dip one corner of the second cloth into the fresh water, give it a squeeze and then use it to wipe the leather again to remove the soapy water. </li> <li>Use the dry part of the clean cloth to thoroughly dry the leather item and then place somewhere out of the elements to air dry completely before use.</li> <li>Once dry you can opt to protect your leather goods by applying a water-resistant leather conditioner, such as Dubbin, which you can buy from the supermarket. </li> </ol> What’s your favourite leather item that you’ve ever bought? We would to hear from you in the comments.

Beauty & Style

Three must-have products for winter

Staying warm and cosy is a must for winter, but when we do venture into the chilly outdoors, it can wreak havoc with our beauty routines. With a rise in everything from dry skin and chapped lips to frizzy hair and itchy scalps, the products we use in warmer months might not be cutting it as temperatures drop. But, there are plenty of ways to combat these undesirable symptoms of winter, and these must-have products are sure to help. Moisturiser Hydration is key during winter, and for achieving the currently trending look of dewy skin. Recreation beauty founder, Nedahl Stelio, says this comes down to prepping and hydrating skin thoroughly using a moisturiser and face or body oil. Not only does this boost the moisture in your skin, but it can help you create a glowy base to apply makeup over. “This year the big focus is on the Glazed Donut look – a trend we'll be seeing on body and face for the next few years,” Stelio says. “It's been building and building, but now everyone is obsessed with getting as much dew on their skin as they can – real or however you can fake it.” Hair Oil Caring for our locks and our scalps is always important, but it can become much more difficult as winter sets in. To combat itchy, brittle ends, and dry scalps, using a nourishing serum, mask or leave-in conditioner is a must, according to Jennifer Gilbert, the international brand manager of Essano. "We have been seeing the importance of scalp care on the rise over the past year, but especially recently as the colder weather sets in,” Gilbert says. “Cold weather has been shown to exacerbate a dry and itchy scalp and contribute to brittle hair.” As for frizz, hair oil that deeply conditions your hair can help tame and return some moisture to your locks. “To tame frizz, we use GLOW QUEEN GLOW BODY + HAIR OIL as a deep conditioning treatment,” Stelio says. “Put a handful through dry hair and really massage into the scalp for a gorgeous dry scalp treatment. Wait 20 minutes, then wash out in the shower, shampoo and condition and style as normal. It makes hair incredibly smooth and is the perfect pre-blow dry tonic. We also add a few drops into ends after blow drying for extra gloss.” Humidifier Along with the chills, winter can bring drier air that can contribute to dry and chapped skin that’s exacerbated by an unlikely culprit: heaters. Since they work by pulling cold air in from outside and heating it, the resulting air inside your home is quite dry. Humidifiers have become a popular solution for this particular problem, with potential benefits including reducing chronic runny noses, nose bleeds, asthma flareups, and congestion. “Air temperature has a major effect on humidity levels – cold air holds much less water than warm air," Lively Living, which sells diffusers, adds. "This is why humidifiers are so popular during the cooler seasons. Since cold air holds less moisture, the water in our bodies evaporates more quickly, resulting in chapped lips and dry skin.” Image: Getty Images

Beauty & Style

Do natural cleaning products really work?

As we become more educated and aware of the cocktail of chemicals hiding in our everyday cleaning products, many people are turning to making their own. With the help of essential oils and household pantry items, it's fairly easy to make your own natural, homemade cleaning products. But, do they have the same bite as store bought products? Do they even work? Scientist and entrepreneur Dr Vincent Candrawinata says they do, as natural ingredients can help cut through grease and kill germs. "Vinegar is an acid, powerful enough to cut grease, remove dirt, grime and mineral deposits, and because it kills bacteria and germs, it has disinfectant properties," Dr Vincent told <a href="https://www.bhg.com.au/do-natural-cleaning-products-work" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Better Homes & Gardens</a>. As for bi-carb soda, he says, "Bi-carb soda is a mild alkali; this means that it is a mild abrasive material and can be useful to dissolve impurities, dirt and grease." The great thing about these two cleaning ingredients is they are food grade, which means "that in general, they are safe and non-toxic," he says. Just because these products are considered “natural”, that doesn’t mean they won’t do a fantastic job cleaning your home. Ingredients such as vinegar and bi-carb soda are still technically classed as chemicals, meaning they can do just as good a job as anything store bought. "Vinegar is acetic acid, CH3COOH," says Dr Vincent. "The same way that water is chemical, H2O." "These materials have surfactant properties that can dissolve dirt, remove grease, and their pH level can kill bacteria and germs." "Alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and certain essential oils are strong natural disinfectants. Vinegar has considerable disinfectant power too." While these household ingredients can give you an extra boost with your cleaning routine, according to Dr Vincent, the most natural way to kill germs in your home is with steam. "Many people choose to use a steam mop rather than cleaning agents to kill germs on the floor," he says. "I love using steam. Many steam mops on the market now come with many attachments to clean different surfaces, even toilets and bathrooms." As a lot of people are turning to making their own cleaning products, one warning from Dr Vincent is to not mix dangerous chemicals together: especially vinegar and bi-carb soda. "They will become useless as a cleaning agent. The mixture will also produce gas and can cause the container to explode.” "The bubbles produced by the mix do not equal effectiveness. Essentially what's left are water and a bit of sodium acetate.” Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

Unlikely product that makes grout sparkle with no scrubbing

A TikToker has revealed an unlikely cleaning product typically used in the kitchen that is super effective at cleaning grout. In fact, you don’t even need to scrub it. Azure MacCannell, who goes by the handle @livecomposed on TikTok, discovered the Healthier Home brand degreaser worked on her tiled floor after an accidental spill. The video that shows how effective it was has gone viral with 3.5 million views. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@livecomposed/video/7034707513379458351" data-video-id="7034707513379458351"> <section><a title="@livecomposed" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@livecomposed" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@livecomposed</a> Effortless grout cleaning! <a title="cleantok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleantok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleantok</a> <a title="cleaningtiktok" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaningtiktok" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaningtiktok</a> <a title="cleaning" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaning</a> <a title="cleaninghacks" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaninghacks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaninghacks</a> <a title="cleaningproducts" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/cleaningproducts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#cleaningproducts</a> <a title="groutcleaning" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/groutcleaning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#groutcleaning</a> <a title="hhambassador" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/hhambassador" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#hhambassador</a> <a title="♬ abcdefu - GAYLE" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/abcdefu-6994724904944568322" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ abcdefu - GAYLE</a></section> </blockquote> To use the degreaser as a cleaner Azure said she "poured it on. Let it sit one minute and just wiped it off." The cleaning guru used a mop to wipe off the product after applying it to the floor. This cleaning tip has been liked 156,000 times and sparked plenty of discussion. Some viewers revealed using degreaser as a grout cleaner is a well-known cleaning secret in the fast-food industry. "Fast food places add degreaser to their mops all the time. It works," one TikToker said. If you can't get your hands on the degreaser from Healthier Home, which doesn't appear to ship to Australia, other followers insist other degreasers will work just as well. Like with any cleaning advice you see on TikTok you might want to test your degreaser on a small spot first, in case it's not suitable for your floors. It’s also best practice to read the information on the bottle, in case its not safe for use on particular materials. Image: TikTok

Home Hints & Tips

Genetic mutations slowly accumulated over a lifetime change blood production after 70 years of age

Ageing is likely caused by the gradual accumulation of molecular damage, or genetic mutations, in the cells of our bodies that occurs over a lifetime. But how this translates into the rapid deterioration in organ function that’s seen after the age of 70 has so far not been clear. Now, scientists have discovered that the accumulation of genetic mutations in blood stem cells are likely responsible for the abrupt change in how <a class="spai-bg-prepared" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/biology/why-do-we-have-blood/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">blood</a> is produced in the body after 70 years of age. The <a class="spai-bg-prepared" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04786-y" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">new study</a>, published in Nature, points to a change in the diversity of stem cells that produce blood cells as the reason why the prevalence of reduced cell regeneration capacity, <a class="spai-bg-prepared" href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2020.579075/full" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">cytopenia</a> (one or more blood cell types is lower than it should be), immune disfunction, and risk of blood cancer dramatically rises after 70. “We’ve shown, for the first time, how steadily accumulating mutations throughout life lead to a catastrophic and inevitable change in blood cell populations after the age of 70,” says joint-senior author Dr Peter Campbell, head of the Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation Program at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, UK. “What is super exciting about this model is that it may well apply in other organ systems too.” Blood cells are made in a process called haematopoiesis All of the cells in our blood – including red cells, white cells and platelets – develop in a process called haematopoiesis from haematopoietic stem cells in our bone marrow. These stem cells are what’s known as multipotent progenitor cells, which simply means that they can develop into more than one cell type. Researchers were interested in better understanding how this process changes as we age, so they sequenced the entire genomes of 3,579 haematopoietic stem cells from a total of 10 people – ranging in age from newborn to 81 years. <div class="newsletter-box spai-bg-prepared"> <div id="wpcf7-f6-p193434-o1" class="wpcf7 spai-bg-prepared" dir="ltr" lang="en-US" role="form"> </div> </div> Using this information, they were able to construct something similar to a family tree (<a class="spai-bg-prepared" href="https://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/reading-a-phylogenetic-tree-the-meaning-of-41956/#:~:text=A%20phylogenetic%20tree%2C%20also%20known,genes%20from%20a%20common%20ancestor." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a phylogenetic tree</a>) for each stem cell, showing how the relationships between blood cells changes over the human lifespan. They found that in adults under 65, blood cells were produced from between 20,000 and 200,000 different stem cells – each contributing roughly equal amounts to production. But after 70 years of age they observed a dramatic decrease in the diversity of stem cells responsible for haematopoiesis in the bone marrow. In fact, only 12-18 independent expanded sets of stem cell clones accounted for 30-60% of cell production. These highly active stem cells had outcompeted others and progressively expanded in numbers (clones) across that person’s life, and this expansion (called <a class="spai-bg-prepared" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-022-04785-z" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">clonal haematopoiesis</a>) was caused by a rare subset of mutations known as driver mutations that had occurred decades earlier. “Our findings show that the diversity of blood stem cells is lost in older age due to positive selection of faster-growing clones with driver mutations. These clones ‘outcompete’ the slower growing ones,” explains lead researcher Dr Emily Mitchell, a haematology registrar at Addenbrooke’s Hospital,UK, and PhD student at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, US. “In many cases this increased fitness at the stem cell level likely comes at a cost – their ability to produce functional mature blood cells is impaired, so explaining the observed age-related loss of function in the blood system.” Which clones became the dominant stem cells varied between individuals, which explains why variation is seen in disease risk and other characteristics in older adults. “Factors such as chronic inflammation, smoking, infection and chemotherapy cause earlier growth of clones with cancer-driving mutations. We predict that these factors also bring forward the decline in blood stem cell diversity associated with ageing,” says joint-senior author Dr Elisa Laurenti, assistant professor at the Wellcome-MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, UK. “It is possible that there are factors that might slow this process down, too,” she adds. “We now have the exciting task of figuring out how these newly discovered mutations affect blood function in the elderly, so we can learn how to minimise disease risk and promote healthy ageing.” <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" class="spai-bg-prepared" style="opacity: 0; height: 1px!important; width: 1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=193434&title=Genetic+mutations+slowly+accumulated+over+a+lifetime+change+blood+production+after+70+years+of+age" width="1" height="1" /> <div id="contributors"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/science/mutations-change-blood-production/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">This article</a> was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cosmos Magazine</a> and was written by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/contributor/imma-perfetto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Imma Perfetto</a>. Imma Perfetto is a science writer at Cosmos. She has a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Science Communication from the University of Adelaide. Image: Getty Images </div>

Body

This unlikely cleaning product will transform your toilet

A mum has been applauded as a genius after finding a cleaning hack to turn dirty brown toilets spotless, using a very unlikely item that every household has. Taking to social media, Jennifer posted a picture of her toilet which had discoloured yellowy-brown stains on the underside of the seat. It’s widely considered one of the hardest things to scrub, even with multiple attempts. Alongside a photo of her dirty toilet seat, she posted an after photo showing a spotless bright clean toilet, showcasing the stunning transformation. Jennifer revealed tooth cleaner was what she use to make her toilet spotless, in particular the White Glo Activated Charcoal Teeth Polishing Powder. "Check out what activated charcoal can clean," she wrote on the Cleaning & Organising Inspiration Facebook group. "Ran out creme cleaner to try (I tried everything), so I figured why not try my activated charcoal teeth cleaner." Jennifer explained she put the teeth cleaner directly on a wet cloth and gently scrubbed the dirty areas, warning not to leave it on for too long incase it stains. "I wouldn't leave it too long as it can stain, but will eventually come off," she said. "It even removed hair dye stain off my toilet seat. Hot pink ... damn kids!" Thousands responded to her hack, saying they've tried everything to remove the stains from the same place and haven't had any luck until now. Image: TikTok

Home & Garden

The one product to NEVER use on your carpets

A professional cleaner has shared her holy grail tips for cleaning carpets and what products to avoid. Kacie Stephens, from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thebigcleanco/">The Big Clean Co</a>, shared the golden tip on her TikTok account which has racked up thousands of views. The cleaning expert said that dishwashing detergent is a common product that is good for many cleaning tasks around the house, but has been known for damaging carpets. “By now you probably know how obsessed I am with dishwashing liquid … I really do just love this extremely versatile product but there is an exception and that is carpet,” she tells her followers in the clip. “Do not be tempted to remove your own stains with dishwashing liquid. Because one day a professional will come in and all that residue will still be there, and it will start to foam, and it looks like this.” Kacie can then be seen running a vacuum over carpet where dishwashing detergent had clearly been used – showing large, pale circles appearing on the floor. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ccue6U3AXKa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/Ccue6U3AXKa/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by The Big Clean Co - Est 2017 (@thebigcleanco)</a> </div> </blockquote> “Whenever you put a chemical on your carpet you want to be able to remove it completely. (That’s why professionals use a process called hot water extraction with high-pressure hot water going in, and a powerful vacuum sucking it out.)” “When you do a home hack on your carpet, you aren’t removing all that residue,” she said. “So along comes a pro, and that dishwashing liquid residue mixes with the high-pressure water going in and hellloooo foam.” “You can’t hide those hacks you tried before you called a professional carpet cleaner … Your carpet reveals the secrets.” One follower asked Kacie what they should do in the meantime while they wait for their carpets to be cleaned professionally. “What should we do when we get a spill (before calling in professionals)?” they wrote under the video. “Just blot with a damp cloth?” To which Ms Stephens responded. “Exactly.” Image credits: Getty Images

Home & Garden

7 harmful beauty product ingredients that you should swap out

How harmful are your beauty products? A study found there are as many as 126 potentially harmful ingredients in the average adult’s daily beauty routine. From synthetics in your shampoo to chemicals in your concealer, find out which ingredients you should swap out and why. Fragrance “If you only change one thing in your beauty routine, the ingredient you should avoid is fragrance,” says Lindsay Coulter, the David Suzuki Foundation’s resident green living expert. Fragrance isn’t just in colognes or perfumes; in fact, it’s added to everything from body wash to shampoo to face creams. Even unscented products can contain fragrance compounds that act as masking agents. “It shows up as one word [on the ingredients label], but it can be a concoction of hundreds of different ingredients,” Coulter explains. According to research published by the Canadian Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, these anonymous chemical compounds can trigger allergies and asthma, cause hormone disruption, and in many cases, are harmful to fish and other wildlife after they get washed down the drain. Not ready to give up smelling pretty? There are still plenty of green alternatives, says naturopath Jen Newell. “I recommend that people opt for products with essential oils or other natural scents,” Newell says. Parabens Parabens are preservatives that can be found in everything from makeup to moisturisers to fragrances. Problem is, numerous studies have shown that these chemicals – which are easily absorbed through the skin – have the potential to interfere with hormone function and have been linked with breast cancer. How do you rid your beauty routine of this particularly harmful ingredient? Keep an eye out for products that are labelled “paraben-free,” and study the ingredient list carefully, as these pesky preservatives can be listed in different ways, including “methylparaben” or “propylparaben.” Triclosan Triclosan is an antibacterial agent that can be found in antibacterial soaps, body washes, hand sanitisers, toothpaste and mouthwash. The issue with triclosan, Coulter says, is that it kills all bacteria – good and bad. Although this ingredient is not yet regulated in Australia, the Food and Drug Administration in the United States banned its use in September 2016 on the grounds that it could pose health risks, including bacterial resistance and hormonal effects. The good news? It’s easy to steer clear of this harmful ingredient, as triclosan is listed on product labels. For an alternative to triclosan, Coulter suggests alcohol-based sanitisers or old-fashioned castile soap and water. Sodium lauryl sulphate Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS, sometimes also known as SLES) is a chemical additive that makes super-foamy bubbles and suds. It’s often listed as a main ingredient in soap, shampoo, face wash and dish soaps, says Coulter. The reason that SLS should be avoided is that it can be contaminated with ethylene oxide, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer lists as a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing chemical). Check your soaps for this ingredient before purchasing and don’t fret if the SLS-free product you try doesn’t produce a rich lather like your old shampoo or body wash. A lack of suds doesn’t mean it’s not doing its job, says Coulter; it simply means you’re skipping out on a harmful chemical. Phthalates Phthalates are commonly found in fragrance compounds, says Newell. Research suggests they can disrupt hormones during critical periods of human development (such as a baby’s development in utero) and they’ve also been associated with male infertility. If you’re having trouble identifying which products might contain harmful ingredients such as phthalates, Newell recommends downloading the Think Dirty App to your smartphone. It allows you to scan the bar codes of the products in your daily beauty regimen, and then assesses their degree of safety. Oxybenzone Oxybenzone is the active ingredient in many popular sunscreens, but Newell recommends avoiding it when possible – and for good reason. According to a study published in the International Journal of Andrology, oxybenzone has been linked to skin reactions and it may even disrupt hormones. There have also been studies indicating that when oxybenzone is exposed to sunlight it can form free radicals that cause skin cell damage. This doesn’t mean you should skip sunscreen altogether, of course. It’s easy to avoid this chemical if you stick with mineral-based zinc or titanium oxide sunscreens. Petrolatum Petrolatum or petroleum jelly is often used in moisturisers, lip balms and hair products because it acts as a moisture barrier and creates a sheen. The David Suzuki Foundation lists petrolatum as one of its “Dirty Dozen” harmful ingredients to avoid, as it can be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which the European Union lists as a carcinogen. If you want to skip petrolatum just to be on the safe side, try organic coconut oil or shea butter to moisturise your skin. If you’re feeling overwhelmed when it comes to “greening” your beauty routine, begin the transition slowly. “Start with the products you use most often and then eventually replace those items that you only use every once in a while,” recommends Newell. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/healthsmart/beauty/7-harmful-beauty-product-ingredients-that-you-should-swap-out" target="_blank">Reader's Digest</a>.

Beauty & Style

The must-have viral product for a perfect complexion

A must-have beauty tool has gone viral on TikTok for helping people everywhere fix the problem of oily skin. An Indigenous makeup artist named Ash has discovered the hidden gem and shared the impressively shocking results, all while revealing the product’s price-tag is less than $10. The Revlon Oil-absorbing Volcanic Roller mops up oil with one roll, without disturbing the placement or pigment of makeup. After rolling the stone roller over her face, Ash discovered a freshly matte look, with zero streaks in her makeup. Sharing the video with her followers, the video has racked up over 1.2 million views, with many other beauty gurus also trying out the product for themselves. Ash put the roller through a series of tests, including trying it out on a face full of makeup after a long day of work. "It's amazing what it can do visually, but longevity-wise I'm not entirely sure if I would use this but it's still amazing, I'll give you that, my God," she said. According to Revlon, their oil-absorbing roller is "made with real volcanic stone" because the stone is made of a porous material so it can soak up oil patches. For just $7.50 from <a href="https://www.chemistwarehouse.com.au/buy/99117/revlon-beauty-tool-volcanic-stone-facial-roller">Chemist Warehouse</a>, this simple product erases the need for blotting papers or powders, and is perfect to use on the go. Image credits: TikTok

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Anti-cellulite products are big business – but here’s what the science says

The hidden dangers of household products

Actors blamed for delaying movie production

Scented products may be making us sick

Have you been using expired beauty products this whole time? Here’s when to toss them

12 tricks to save every last drop of beauty products

Household items you should use a beauty products

Professional cleaner shares her holy grail products

The correct way to store beauty products

What you need to know about using retinol beauty products

6 ways doodling can make you smarter, happier and more productive

How to clean your leather products easily at home

Three must-have products for winter

Do natural cleaning products really work?

Unlikely product that makes grout sparkle with no scrubbing

Genetic mutations slowly accumulated over a lifetime change blood production after 70 years of age

This unlikely cleaning product will transform your toilet﻿﻿

The one product to NEVER use on your carpets

7 harmful beauty product ingredients that you should swap out

The must-have viral product for a perfect complexion

This unlikely cleaning product will transform your toilet