New wellness and beauty trends pop up all the time, and you can’t buy into them all. For one, it’s too expensive to try all the products that advertisements and influencers say you need. Sometimes, product trends and the information out there actually contradict each other—and some trends can be downright dangerous.
Navigating all the information in ads and online can be difficult and confusing. Always make sure to look at the science behind the claims being made, and that will help you figure out which trends are actually going to help you and which are all hype.
In 2021, the stay-at-home culture created by the coronavirus has revitalized the market for self-care products. The following health and wellness problems have emerged or continued to grow in popularity in 2021:
CBD Skin Care Products
CBD is a naturally occurring compound found in cannabis plants. It’s the non-high-inducing half of cannabis and is generally agreed to provide the majority of the noted health benefits. Multiple studies have shown that, as a powerful antioxidant, it helps reduce lipid production in sebaceous glands, overproduction of which leads to acne.
But be careful. CBD has become the latest buzzword for the beauty industry and isn’t well regulated. Also, don’t confuse CBD oil with hemp seed oil, as the two compounds have different properties. According to Forbes, you should “look for products that mention ‘cannabidiol,’ ‘hemp extract,’ ‘broad-spectrum CBD,’ ‘full-spectrum CBD,’ or ‘hemp CBD’ on the label.”
Collagen Peptides
Collagen is used by your body to hold everything together. Most people know collagen as a skin care product that reduces wrinkles and fine lines, tightens up your skin, gives it a healthy glow, but collagen is more than that. It also helps keep your joints and muscles working properly as well.
As you age, collagen production in your bodies slows, and studies have shown that taking collagen supplements can increase the collagen in your body and improve your overall health. Collagen peptides, or hydrolyzed collagen protein, get amino acids to where they are needed in the body, particularly to your fibroblasts, which are in charge of producing collagen in your body.
Just be sure to look for a supplement that is flavorless and doesn’t clump when you stir it in, because that will allow you to use it in everything from coffee to protein shakes to soup.
Reishi Mushroom Elixirs
The reishi mushroom has been used for years in Eastern medicine. Reishi mushrooms contain several compounds, including triterpenoids, polysaccharides, and peptidoglycans, that may be responsible for its numerous health benefits.
For example, studies show that molecules from the reishi mushroom can boost your immune system. It can also help to fight some cancers. There have also been a few other studies linking reishi mushrooms to improvements in fatigue, depression, heart health, and diabetes.
You can eat the mushroom raw or cooked, but most people use a dried form of the mushroom when taking it as a supplement. There are some potential side effects to using the mushroom, but those typically consist of upset stomach or digestive issues and have not been shown to have long-lasting effects.
CBD Energy Drinks
CBD energy drinks provide the benefits of CBD in a consumable product. In addition to the benefits already listed, CBD has been linked to improved focus and increased wakefulness in young adults. Combining that with caffeine and B vitamins in energy drinks is a natural merger.
Essential Oil Bath Bombs
Bath bombs like the ones Devon Wick offers introduce essential oils in two ways. If you are taking a hot bath, the steam from the water will send the essential oils into the air, producing an aromatherapy effect. The oils will also sit in the water and be absorbed through your skin.
Essential oils may have different benefits depending on which ones you use. Lavender, for example, has been linked to increased relaxation and calm. Eucalyptus has been shown to help clear the mind. And citrus-based essential oils like orange or lemon help you feel energized. However, before indulging in new essential oil products, you should know that their health benefits are still up to debate within the scientific community.
CoQ10 Supplements
CoQ10 is an enzyme your body produces naturally. But, like many other bodily processes, production decreases as you age. It’s possible to get CoQ10 from meat and fish, but you can also take supplements to increase your intake.
CoQ10 has been shown to help with heart health, and early research shows there may be some benefit for early Parkinson’s patients. It also may help decrease the frequency or severity of migraines. Many tout the benefits to physical performance due to the enzyme’s role in energy production. However, there have been mixed results in the research.
Anti-pollution Beauty Products
Especially if you live in a busy city, simply walking down the street may subject your skin to a barrage of chemicals. Although skin acts as a physical barrier between your internal organs and the outside world, it too needs protection. Anti-pollution beauty products, many of which contain antioxidants that fight free radicals, may help protect your skin from the damage caused by the chemicals in the air.
Sometimes, Beauty is a Science—Not an Art
Just because a company’s marketing team has come up with an amazing ad doesn’t mean you should purchase that product. Be sure to do your research and make sure their claims are sound before picking up the latest item that says it will cure everything. Science is something you can trust to make sure you are making the best purchasing decisions when it comes to your health, wellness, and beauty routines.