“In your 40s, signs of sun damage may show up more prominently with decreased skin elasticity and enlarged pores,” says board-certified dermatologist Keira Barr, M.D. “Hormones may be shifting, which means more dryness, irritation, and acne breakouts.” Here, some best practices: What does this mean for your basic routines? Start getting smart about the sort of products and actives you are using: Really research ingredients and their primary function so you can target your specific needs....

Selecting a hydrator, though, is a bit of a journey—while I’d argue the search for the dreamiest product is half the fun, it can also be confusing to wade through various ingredient lists and marketing claims. For example, many shoppers are left scratching their heads when browsing body creams versus lotions: Are these two products actually different, or is it merely semantics? Because of their higher concentration of oils and butters, “Body creams take longer to rub in, and body lotions tend to not be as sticky,” adds board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M....

From neuroprotection to mood support, it’s clear that vitamin D plays a critical role in brain health—which is exactly why dementia researchers have shown an interest in how, exactly, vitamin D impacts cognitive functions. Free of known dementia at the time of enrollment, all MAP participants agreed to participate in annual evaluations and organ donation when they died. In this study, the average age of participants was 92 at the time of death....

The cacao used in these ceremonies is chocolate in its purest form. Cacao beans or seeds come from the fruit of the cacao tree and have a distinctly bitter flavor. They’re also chock-full of nutrients, making cacao a superfood that has been used in ceremonies dating back to the Mayans and Aztecs. Today, the bitter bean has made its way from Latin America to many corners of the world for casual sipping and ceremonies alike....

The cacao used in these ceremonies is chocolate in its purest form. Cacao beans or seeds come from the fruit of the cacao tree and have a distinctly bitter flavor. They’re also chock-full of nutrients, making cacao a superfood that has been used in ceremonies dating back to the Mayans and Aztecs. Today, the bitter bean has made its way from Latin America to many corners of the world for casual sipping and ceremonies alike....

Here are 15 calming crystals to help you relax and self-soothe. Selenite was named after Selene the Greek goddess of the Moon, meaning literally the stone of the Moon. This crystal has been prized by humans for thousands of years and is one of the most popular to clear and connect today. Both the Romans and the Greeks associated moonstone with their lunar deities. The Roman natural historian Pliny coined the name of this gemstone when he wrote that moonstone’s shimmery appearance shifted with the phases of the moon—a belief that held until well after the 16th century....

We turned to the experts: Below, derms explain whether castor oil can help you look dolled-up and doe-eyed, and how to apply it for the best results. Though the actual clinical evidence is lacking, there is scientific weight behind the ingredient itself: Castor oil’s main compound is ricinoleic acid, a fatty acid that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The oil also contains vitamin E, which can also help protect those hairs from environmental aggressors....