See, actives are such an integral part of product formulation; without them, it’s hard to fully understand how your products are working, or whether they are working at all. However, it gets a bit fuzzy when we talk about them within the context of beauty—because there’s the stricter FDA-regulated term “active ingredients,” and there’s the looser, less involved colloquial way that it’s used (or when you see people use it in beauty stories or marketing)....

That’s why we’re here to talk about the two most common retinoids for acne-prone skin: adapalene and tretinoin. Don’t fret; most don’t have but a clue what they are, let alone what they’re good for. And if you’ve done a quick Google search on either of the two, you might feel slightly afraid at the thought of applying these powerful ingredients to your skin. But the truth is, they’re actually not that scary—as long as you use quality formulas and use them appropriately....

Aquarius, on the other hand, is a fixed air sign ruled by Uranus, the planet of innovation, imagination, and dramatic change. It’s the second to last sign of the astrological year and is symbolized by the water bearer, representing life-giving spiritual energy. As astrology expert and author of Astrology SOS Imani Quinn tells mbg, given that these two signs share the element of air, “the most immediate thing about their compatibility is that they both process similarly—they’re going to intellectualize things, whether that be their relationships or their own internal processing system....

Future-forward Aquarius is the star sign of collaborations and technology, making Aquarius season 2022 prime time to unite around a common cause—both online and in real time. While Gemini and Libra (the companion air signs) center around twinning and twosomes, Aquarius is the sign of large groups. Three is company, not a crowd; in fact, you might need to upgrade your Zoom account so you can invite more people to be part of your gatherings....

For starters, vitamin D is vital to skeletal muscle form and function—and we’re talking all movement.* Vitamin D receptors (VDR) have been found in skeletal muscle throughout the body (i.e., the ones that flex and make your bones and body move), indicating muscles need vitamin D to participate in all sorts of daily activities—not just exercise.* Sufficient vitamin D is also required to maintain a healthy percentage of muscle mass throughout the lifespan....

One common term that you’ll likely see is “ascorbic acid,” which can admittedly sound a bit scary (er, acid?) but is one of the most important nutrients you can add to your routine. Read on to learn about what ascorbic acid is used for, some health benefits, plus how much you should take. A quick science lesson: Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. It’s an essential micronutrient, meaning the human body is unable to make its own (unlike most other animals that are able to synthesize the vitamin)....

But sleep is only as helpful as you allow it to be, which is why it’s important to implement best practices, from beneficial skin care products and simple nighttime rituals to supportive sleep aids so you can wake up with a glow from head to toe. So as you’re putting together your evening lineup, let’s assume you’ve washed your face thoroughly. Then apply your serum or treatment of choice. Most skin care experts recommend retinol or bakuchiol....