Run Balance

Calm, Moves
Run That Also
Confident Light Up
No More Your Core
Imposter Win-win!
Syndrome
P. 27

The New Egg

Freezing Debate

Sydney
On The Sport
That Gave Her
MUSCLES
Sweeney
ACTIVIST. DREAMER.

DESIGNED TO PROTECT.
 MODEL. EXPLORER.

QUANNAH CHASINGHORSE

ENGINEERED TO ENDURE.
 DECEMBER 2023

O N TH E COVE R

72
SYDNEY SWEENEY
The actor introduces
us to her most
natural, happy self.

27 RUN CALM, RUN CONFIDENT The sport of running evokes a shocking amount of imposter
syndrome. We’ve gathered the best tips and tricks to help you overcome it for the long haul.
80 THE NEW EGG FREEZING DEBATE Experts say the best time to freeze your eggs is generally
when you can least afford it—and that’s where a new “freeze and share” model comes in. Is it
DENNIS LEUPOLD

right for you? WH goes deep on the topic. 86 BALANCE MOVES THAT ALSO LIGHT UP YOUR
CORE Focusing on improving stability has payoffs beyond just injury prevention (though that’s
a good one!). Ex: Your midsection muscles will be quite pleased with these five exercises.
2 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H DECEMBER 2023
 DECEMBER 2023

AL S O I N TH I S I S S U E

51
NEED FOR SEED
Why you should
cook with and eat
more of the li’l guys.

PHOTOGRAPHED BY DENNIS
LEUPOLD. Styling: Kristen Saladino.
Hair: Glen Coco using Shark Beauty
for Prtnrs. Makeup: Melissa Hernan-
dez using Armani Beauty at The Wall
Group. Manicure: Zola Ganzorigt
using OPI at The Wall Group. Props:
Sean Costello/Art Department.
Production: Crawford & Co. Adidas
parka, adidas.com; Moeva bikini set,
moeva.com; Charles & Keith sandals,
charleskeith.com, Lady Grey Jewelry
ear cuff, ladygreyjewelry.com; Socco
socks, socco78.com
NICO SCHINCO, FOOD STYLING: HADAS SMIRNOFF

SECTIONS
6 ADVISORS 7 LIZ’S LETTER 13 BEAUTY 27 FITNESS 35 HEALTH
43 MIND 51 FOOD 60 FEATURES 100 BREAKTHROUGH

Women’s Health Vol. 20, No. 8 (ISSN 0884-7355) is published monthly except combined issues in January/February, May/June, and July/August, by Hearst, at 300 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019. Steven R. Swartz, President
& Chief Executive Officer; William R. Hearst III, Chairman; Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman. Hearst Magazines, Inc.: Debi Chirichella, President; Regina Buckley, Chief Financial and Strategy Officer; Treasurer;
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4 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H DECEMBER 2023
 Purina trademarks are owned by Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.
FOR ONE AMAZING LIFE
PROVEN NATURAL NUTRITION

STRONG IMMUNE SYSTEM

A Difference TM

From Day ONE

A DV I S O RY B OA R D
CARDIOLOGY
Jennifer H. Mieres, MD Professor of
cardiology, Zucker School of Medicine
at Hofstra/Northwell; senior vice
president, Center for Equity of Care,
Northwell Health
DERMATOLOGY
Mona Gohara, MD Associate clinical
professor, department of dermatology,
Yale School of Medicine
Ellen Marmur, MD
Founder, Marmur Medical
Joshua Zeichner, MD Director of
cosmetic and clinical research in
dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital
in New York City
FAMILY MEDICINE
Navya Mysore, MD Primary care
physician; sexual and reproductive
health expert
FERTILITY
Sheeva Talebian, MD Fertility
specialist and reproductive
endocrinologist, CCRM New York
FITNESS
Ariel Belgrave, CPT Board-certified
health and fitness coach; Under Armour
athlete; creator of the L.E.A.N. Method;
DEI wellness expert
Ben Bruno, CFSC Certified functional
strength coach and private trainer
Sohee Carpenter, MS, CSCS Evidence-
based fitness coach and certified sports
nutritionist; author of Eat.Lift.Thrive.
Betina Gozo, CFSC Certified functional
strength coach; NASM corrective
exercise specialist; Nike master trainer;
creator of Women’s Health’s The
Woman’s Guide to Strength Training
Lauren Kanski, CPT NASM-certified
personal trainer; functional strength
and conditioning specialist; kettlebell
skills specialist
Stacy T. Sims, PhD
Exercise physiologist; nutrition scientist;
author of Roar: How to Match Your Food
and Fitness to Your Female Physiology for
Optimum Performance, Great Health, and
a Strong, Lean Body for Life
FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE
Robin Berzin, MD Founder and CEO,
Parsley Health
Frank Lipman, MD Founder and
director, Eleven Eleven Wellness
Center; creator, Be Well
Gabrielle Lyon, DO Founder, Institute
for Muscle-Centric Medicine
GASTROENTEROLOGY
Samantha Nazareth, MD
Board-certified gastroenterologist
GYNECOLOGY
Jessica Shepherd, MD, MBA
Minimally invasive gynecology,
Baylor University Medical Center;
founder, Her Viewpoint
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Keri Peterson, MD Physician,
internal medicine; medical advisor,
HealthiNation.com
MENTAL HEALTH
Ken Duckworth, MD Medical director,
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
NEUROSCIENCE
Claudia Aguirre, PhD Neuroscientist;
founder, Doctorclaudia, Inc.
NUTRITION
Keri Glassman, RD President,
Keri Glassman, Nutritious Life;
author of The O2 Diet
Amanda Baker Lemein, RD, MS
Registered dietitian; nutrition
communications specialist
ONCOLOGY
Karen H. Lu, MD Chair, department of
gynecologic oncology and reproductive
medicine, The University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Jen Fraboni, PT, DPT Creator, The
Mobility Method and The Optimal Body
RELATIONSHIPS
Chloe Carmichael, PhD Clinical
psychologist; founder, Carmichael
Psychology; author of Nervous Energy:
Harness the Power of Your Anxiety
Shawntres Parks, PhD, LMFT
Licensed marriage and family
therapist; cofounder, Parks & Powers
Psychotherapy; core faculty, Antioch
University Seattle
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LIZ BAKER PLOSSER
EXECUTIVE EDITOR EXECUTIVE DIGITAL DIRECTOR
Abby Cuffey Amanda Woerner
MANAGING EDITOR Laura McLaughlin
DESIGN DIRECTOR Betsy Halsey
SENIOR DEPUTY DIGITAL EDITOR Maridel Reyes
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COPY & RESEARCH CHIEF Marli Higa
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FASHION
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FOOD
CHIEF FOOD DIRECTOR Kate Merker
DEPUTY FOOD EDITOR Trish Clasen Marsanico
RECIPE EDITOR Susan Choung
FOOD PRODUCER Tina Martinez
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 Staud top,
staud.clothing
for similar styles;
DKNY jogger,
dkny.com; Jenny
Bird earrings,
jenny-bird.com

There I was,
post-hike and
post-shower,
barefoot in jeans and a tank, hair washed and wet, journaling
on the balcony of my hotel room in Santa Fe, New Mexico, before
dinner. Glorious.
Thanks to a company policy that allows WH editors to work re-
motely for several weeks a year, and my three kiddos living their best
bunk bed lives at camp in Colorado, my husband, Matt, and I took
advantage of the opportunity to fill our backpacks with the bare
essentials and hit the open road. We made stops in Pagosa Springs,
Colorado; and Taos, Santa Fe, and Los Alamos, New Mexico. (Yes,
lucky us!) We logged onto Zoom calls from hotels—some divey, some reflect on and experiment with what Vibe Check
Keep your happy
delightful—and explored trails and towns after work and on the gives you pleasure—and then encour- place front
weekends. We wandered through museums and galleries, made a ages you to do more of that. and center, even
rad playlist for the car, and ate many tacos. All of this reminds me of something at home.…
I rediscovered journaling, did drop-in yoga wherever I could, and a friend told me years ago, as I was Plant Visual
found new words and ways to compare the colors of the changing entering a new chapter of my life: “Go Cues
Put a sticker or
Southwest terrain over meals and miles with Matt. Suffice to say, I where it’s warm.” She meant it meta- postcard from the
understand why Georgia O’Keeffe left the big-city buzz of Manhattan phorically—seek out the people, places, road somewhere
to make a home in the starry-skied Rockies. and things that make you feel good, or you’ll see it often.
No, I am not leaving NYC! My life is here. *But* I do think that most like yourself. But I also believe Savor the Smell
when we find parts of the world that make us feel like our truest, most there’s a physical sensation you’ll rec- I scored lavender-
scented hand
authentic selves, we should do what we can to be there, and often. ognize. And if you find something that sanitizer from a
Cover star Sydney Sweeney gets it. In the profile on page 72, we sets your soul ablaze, like mine was in Santa Fe boutique.
meet “Lake Syd,” a woman who feels most at home near and on the Santa Fe? All the better.
Plan Your Next
water, whether slalom waterskiing or hanging with friends and fami- Here’s to our happy places! Visit
ly. (Feel ya, Syd…lake life suits you!) Elsewhere in this issue, WH edi- Anticipation
LIZ BAKER PLOSSER is powerful. See
tors unpack the concept of satisfaction. We explore sexual connection, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ya in 2024,
yes, but ultimately, it’s bigger than that. The package invites you to @lizplosser Southwest USA!
PHILIP FRIEDMAN (PORTRAIT), STYLING: KRISTIN SALADINO

Road Memories…
I was feel- My Bullet Flight dra- Cute card
ing artsy Journal ma turned in a moun-
with clay looks extra into a magi- tain town
and paints cute with a cal detour bookshop?
after my souvenir to a national I will make it
museum sticker. park. mine.
visits.

DECEMBER 2023 W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 7
When WH assistant social media editor Isabel McMahon heard
about a ballet class for grown-ups, she decided to face down her
dancing embarrassment, once and for all.
Before
Weekends often find me
hitting the dance floor with
friends, but each time, I
battle the same old de-
mons: embarrassment and
lack of coordination. Lately,
my dancing has turned into
a series of jumping, point-
ing, and strange facial
expressions (think: Elaine
Benes’s “Little Kicks”
sprinkled with self-con-
sciousness). At a recent
wedding, my dance fears
got so bad that I didn’t step
out on the dance floor, even
as my go-to song, Usher’s
“Yeah!” blasted.
As a child, I took ballet
on and off, but I never stuck
with it. During middle
school, I kept my ballet at-
tempts hidden, fearing
judgment from the sports
jocks who reigned supreme.
Sneaking off to ballet class
felt like my deepest secret,
and I quit shortly after the
spring recital. Rekindling
my ballet journey after a
decade-plus hiatus was
daunting. I feared the re-
turn of that all-too-familiar
embarrassment.
8 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
During
The Brooklyn-based studio
Dance Again is dedicated to
ex-dancers like me looking
to get their groove back. The
minutes leading up to my
“Rusty Ballet” class—its
aim is to “oil up the joints” in
out-of-practice bodies—
were stomach-churning.
We kicked off with a rele-
vé warm-up at the barre.
The familiar classical piano
played in the background,
keeping me company as I
felt at ease repeating the
steps. Then came centre
practice, where I faced the
same pliés and relevés but
sans barre, then pirouettes,
and finally, adage.
Though I often turned in
the wrong direction or lost
my rhythm, as class moved
along I noticed I was gaining
confidence—or at least los-
ing the ability to care what
others thought.
After
As the session neared its
end, I was drenched in
sweat and out of breath—
ballet class proved mental-
ly and physically demand-
ing. Walking out, I felt a
newfound sense of accom-
plishment and pride, some-
thing I hadn’t experienced
in middle school.
I can’t claim that ballet
magically erased my dance
fears, but it did remind me
of the importance of rules
and foundations.
As a TikTok-obsessed,
70-words-per-minute tex-
ter, I’ve gotten so used to
living life in autocorrect
mode. I’m the master of
shortcuts, from sending
emoji-laden emails to out-
sourcing my coffee order to
an app. Ballet, however,
yanked me back to reality.
Standing at that barre, ob-
sessing over every finger
and joint, felt like a crash
course in meditative mind-
fulness. Maybe my form
isn’t perfect and my rhythm
could use some work, but
the next time I have the
opportunity, I’ll focus on Isabel
dancing like nobody’s stretched
watching. herself—
literally and
figuratively.
 Future of Fitness
When the chaos of life hits, a tried-and-true routine can help you thrive.
Take it from these five trainers—alumni of the Women’s Health/Men’s Health
Strength in Diversity initiative—who are pros at juggling growing
businesses, endless to-dos, time with loved ones, and self-care.

CLAUDETTE TAMMECA ROCHESTER,

SARIYA, 30, 42, New York City
New York City @tammeca_rochester
@yearofclaude
“I use the Notes
“A simple yet pow-
app on my erful ritual: making
iPhone to jot my bed. As I tuck in
down to-do lists, the sheets and fluff
grocery lists, the pillows, a sense
video ideas, and
more. Making
of accomplishment
lists helps me washes over me. It’s
feel more in con- a small task, but
trol—I can see all completing it sets
THIS PAGE: KOFI HAYFORD (SARIYA); NOAH BANKS (ROCHESTER); COURTESY OF SUBJECT (3). OPPOSITE PAGE: GETTY IMAGES (BALLERINAS’ LEGS); COURTESY OF ISABEL MCMAHON

the tasks I need the tone for my day.”

to get done,
prioritize the
most important
items, and group
things together
for the most effi-
ciency. Plus, I
love that it syncs
up with my lap-
top so I can stay
organized across
my devices.”

ARI COBB, 27,

Houston
@thearicobb
“When you’re feel-
ing overwhelmed,
that’s the perfect
time to move your
body. Plan walks
with friends or try
a new class (pole
dancing, anyone?).
This can help
break up mundane
daily tasks.”

ALMONI ELLIS, 26, Chesapeake, Virginia ASHLEY NICOLE, 40, Dallas

@runningsoles_
“I am a mom, trainer, powerlifter, entrepreneur,
elementary school PE teacher, girlfriend, and so
much more. At times, it may feel as if I’m sinking
and unable to come up for air. In those moments,
I take the time to create affirmations that will be a
constant reminder of my abilities, values, and
strength. Think: ‘My dreams have no limits,’ ‘This
week will not drain me,’ ‘I am the best parent for
my child,’ or ‘I am worthy of rest.’ ”
@ashnic_rawarriorfitness
“When the storms of life are raging, I prioritize faith,
food, and fitness. Self-care rituals such as prayer,
meditation, or listening to an audiobook offer me the
opportunity to recharge and replenish. Proper
nourishment provides the stamina needed to conquer
my daily challenges and maintain focus on my long-
term goals. And exercise not only invigorates the body
but renews the mind. Movement is medicine, and I
choose movement to reduce stress.”

Strength in Diversity is a WH/MH initiative that connects rising stars with mentors and more. Follow @strengthindiversityinitiative for info.
Take a peek into the fridges of WH’s editors and advisors as we share must-buy products.
For this issue, we asked: When it’s prime cold and flu season, what do you stock up on?
Illustrated by Mark Nerys
Clean-Out Soup-er Bowl A big bowl of
broth makes the ultimate
Challenge blank canvas for so many
miscellaneous veggies and
STRATEGIES FOR herbs. Chop ’em up; sauté
SPARING FRESH GOODS (with oil) in a pot before add-
ing broth and beans. Cozy!
DECEMBER 2023
Nacho Night Shred up bits
and bobs of cheese, then
pile onto tortilla chips and
pop in the oven until nice
and melty. Top with dollops
of Greek yogurt, salsa, pick-
led jalapeños, you name it.
KEVITA GINGER
KOMBUCHA
This drink is my go-to if
the season has my stom-
ach in twists and turns. It
always eases any discom-
fort I may have. —Tina
Martinez, food producer
TRADER JOE’S
COLD -PRESSED
GREEN BEVERAGE
I’ve tried pricier blends
and made my own, but
this one strikes the per-
fect balance of conve-
nience and cost. —Jenni-
fer Nied, fitness editor
WONDERFUL
SEEDLESS LEMONS
I always slice up a lemon
for my tea—this type
doesn't have any seeds
to deal with!—and keep
extras in the fridge so
I can replenish my cup
throughout the day.
—Dangi McCoy, deputy
photo director
CHLOE’S
MANGO POPS
When I’m sick, only an
icy-cold pop will do.
These are really yummy,
and one has 10 percent of
your daily recommended
vitamin C. —Becca Miller,
associate food editor
BONAFIDE PROVI-
SIONS CHICKEN
BONE BROTH
If I don’t have a home-
made batch in my freez-
er, this is the next best
thing. Its clean, pure
flavor makes it an ideal
base for soup. —Kristina
Kurek, recipe developer
Grain Glow-Up Have extra
canned coconut milk? Use
it to flavor-boost rice: Re-
place some water with the
coconut milk (just follow
package directions for ideal
total liquid-to-rice ratio).
 Palm Springs
So your soul could use a recharge? This desert town will light you up.
By Liz Baker Plosser

Perhaps, like me, you live somewhere where the win-

ters are harsh, fall and spring are increasingly rainy,
What to Do

and summer is sweltering. (Still love ya, NYC!) The

ideal antidote: a quick zip to the desert oasis of Palm
Springs, a 110-mile drive from Los Angeles.
The appeal goes beyond its gorgeous mountain
views and endless palm trees: My PS visits have
included the stuff of a wellness-lover’s dreams:
tennis, golf, vintage shopping, concerts, and even
professional sports spectating.
You’ve heard about the Coachella music festi-
val—it happens every spring—but check the city’s
cal for other events worth the journey. For example, Fluffy snuggles in the desert AmEx Golf Tournament
my mid-January trip coincided with THE AMERI-
CAN EXPRESS GOLF TOURNAMENT, where I was a
media guest. It’s an extravaganza featuring food
from local female chefs, concerts under the moon
and stars…and, yep, serious golf spectating.
Even if you don’t coordinate your stay with an
event, there’s no wrong time to visit, though winter
and spring are glorious. Hiking abounds just minutes
outside of town, with plenty of beginner-friendly
trails like ANDREAS CANYON TR AIL and AR ABY
TR AIL . If you have a little more time, tack on a two-
hour car ride west to the ocean, or northwest to the
mountains for skiing and snowboarding.
The Shops at Thirteen Forty Five Cutie Airbnb in Palm Springs
Back in town, the shopping is ridiculously good.
THICK AS THIEVES is a must-visit: I left with bun-
What to Buy

dles of sage and palo santo sticks, a year’s worth

BIANCA SIMONIAN; JEREMY SMICK; COURTESY OF THE SHOPS AT THIRTEEN FORTY FIVE. OPPOSITE PAGE: COURTESY OF BRAND (5)

of stationery, and a cowboy hat. (When in Palm

Springs…) Over at ELIZABETH & PRINCE , a shop-
THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: COURTESY OF LIZ BAKER PLOSSER (2); COURTESY OF AIRBNB; GETTY IMAGES (2);

keeper who moonlights as a biking-trip guide

helped me find the *perfect* white tee. Love vin-
tage? THE FRIPPERY is a solid place to start. On
a budget? Hit the thriving museum scene: Most
offer at least one day with free admission hours. As
for where to stay, there’s no wrong decision. Afford-
able Airbnbs are plentiful. Hotels like SAGUARO
PALM SPRINGS and THE COLONY PALMS are ideal
for those looking to shop and restaurant-hop with- Thick as Thieves Saguaro Palm Springs
out a long schlep. Outside of town, LA QUINTA
RESORT & CLUB has an awesome tennis center.

The local eating-and-drinking scene generally veers

in two directions: bachelorette party or foodie. For a
What to Eat

more raucous vibe, hit weekend brunch at NORMA’S ,

the restaurant inside Jonathan Adler’s PARKER PALM
SPRINGS . You’ll score a quieter but no less memorable
meal at ROOSTER AND THE PIG , where the Vietnam-
ese dishes are fresh and spicy. My sweet spot in the mid-
dle: sipping mocktails at dusk at BOOTLEGGER TIKI
with my husband. No matter which direction you take
your visit, you’ll head home content. I was recharged
with muscles buoyed by tennis, new freckles, and a full
heart: my version of the best possible adventure. Rooster and the Pig Koffi

PRO TIPS
Choose a theme. The options can be overwhelming, so pick a sporty, spa-y, or shop-y focus and build from there.
Try local fare. Women-founded businesses abound. I tucked Tutu’s lime-dusted tortilla chips into my carry-on.
Look up. The sunrises and sunsets are mind-blowingly awesome; pause and enjoy the pink and orange sky.
W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 1 1
 Award
Winners
Your routine is about to get a major
upgrade with these 34 powerhouse
skin and hair products chosen by a
panel of top experts then put to the
test by the Women’s Health team.
GETTY IMAGES

By Erica Metzger and Deanna Pai

DECEMBER 2023 WO M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 1 3
 TK

In some ways, we’re living in the golden age of beauty products. With
just a few clicks, you can discover hundreds of items that promise to give
your complexion extra glow or your strands a boost (and you can have BEST FACE WASH FOR
the box on your doorstep tomorrow, dopamine rush included). Unfortu- SENSITIVE SKIN
“This cleanser is free of
nately, many of us know how that story usually ends: disappointment, irritating ingredients, making
even mild anger, at less-than-stellar results. So, for our 2023 Women’s it ideal for even those
Health Healthy Hair and Skin Care Awards, we tapped the best of the with very sensitive skin.”
—Nkem Ugonabo, MD,
best—world-class dermatologists and aestheticians, celebrity hairstyl- dermatologist in New York City
ists, and the intrepid WH beauty team—to help you narrow the field and Vanicream Gentle Facial
Cleanser, $8, amazon.com
find the products that really deliver results. Check out the full list of win-
ners at WomensHealthMag.com, and rest assured, you can add these to
your cart with utmost confidence.

BEST TONER
“It’s affordable and has glycolic
acid, which gently exfoliates.
There are also ingredients to
help reduce irritation.”
—Karan Lal, DO, dermatologist
in Scottsdale, AZ
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Exfo-
liating Toning Solution, $13, ulta.com

“This cream is so lightweight and

feels refreshing on the skin, but it
doesn’t have the ultrathin,
watery texture lots of other gel
F ace
moisturizers do.” —Danielle
Jackson, WH beauty editor
Charlotte Tilbury Charlotte’s
Magic Water Cream,
$100, charlottetilbury.com
GETTY IMAGES (WOMAN, SWIPE); COURTESY OF BRAND (12)

Morning and evening
picks to cleanse,
hydrate, protect, and treat
your complexion
BEST MOISTURIZER
WITH SPF
“Sunscreens are a tough sell—
gloopy, greasy, and some leav-
ing your skin looking ghostlike.
This blends in well and leaves
behind a velvety feel.”
—Brian Underwood,
WH beauty director
Ware Sonny SPF 40 Face Serum,
$65, thewarecompany.com

DECEMBER 2023

BEST OIL-FREE
MOISTURIZER
“Hydration without that heavy,
sticky sense like some creams.”
—Fatima Fahs, MD,
dermatologist in Canton, MI
Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel
Cream with Hyaluronic Acid for Ex-
tra Dry Skin, $20, neutrogena.com
BEST VITAMIN C SERUM
“This delivers a concentrated
dose of actives to protect the
skin from free-radical damage
and restore brightness.”
—Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD,
dermatologist in Westport, CT
Isdinceutics Flavo-C Ultraglican
Ampoules, $115, isdin.com
BEST RETINOL SERUM
“This is an over-the-counter
vitamin A cream that can
provide results as good as tret-
inoin when used consistently
over time.” —Ryan Turner, MD,
dermatologist in New York City
Naturium Retinaldehyde Cream
Serum 0.10%, $32, naturium.com
BEST UNDEREYE
PATCHES
“These cute patches hide all
evidence of a rough night—or
early morning. They’re
made with niacinamide and
hyaluronic acid to deliver
moisture to the skin under your
eyes in 30 minutes.” —Jackson
Hero Cosmetics Mighty Patch for
Tired Eyes, $15, herocosmetics.us
BEST SENSITIVE-
SKIN MOISTURIZER
“When it comes to
moisturizer, this is a
favorite! It has cerami-
des, thermal spring
water, and prebiotics, BEST PIMPLE PATCH
keeping skin hydrated “This is not just any pimple
for 48 hours after patch—it’s medicated,
application.” —Dr. Lal with salicylic acid, retinol, and
La Roche-Posay aloe vera leaf extract to
Toleriane Double Repair help treat active acne lesions.”
Face Moisturizer, $22, —Dr. Lal
amazon.com Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne
Healing Dots, $19, sephora.com
BEST DARK SPOT BEST WATERPROOF
REMOVER SUNSCREEN
“Alpha arbutin and kojic acid “This hybrid mineral and
work to stop pigmentation in chemical sunscreen nourishes
its tracks without irritation or the skin before, during, and
dryness.” —Dr. Fahs after sun exposure.”
Pillowtalk Derm Major —Dr. Turner
Fade Hyper Serum, $68, CeraVe Hydrating Sheer
pillowtalkderm.com Sunscreen SPF 30, $18, ulta.com
W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 1 5
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 BEST BODY SUNSCREEN
“Easy to spread, weightless,
no-mess, fragrance-free, and
incredibly sheer. Applying sun
protection doesn’t have to be
laborious, and this proves it.”
—Jackson
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen
Body SPF 40, $42, supergoop.com

BEST MOISTURIZER
FOR ECZEMA
“Fortified with ceramides, cho-
lesterol, and hyaluronic acid, this
product works to maintain the
natural skin barrier, which is
negatively impacted by eczema.”
—Dr. Turner
CeraVe Moisturizing Cream,

Reminder:
Skin care doesn’t
stop at your neck!
Soft, smooth, and
happy results all over

Body
are possible.
BEST INGROWN HAIR
TREATMENT
“This contains both alpha
hydroxy and beta hydroxy
acids to gently exfoliate. Roller
packaging makes it convenient to
apply to the bikini area.”
—Dr. Ugonabo
Topicals High Roller Ingrown
Tonic, $26, mytopicals.com
MICHELLE MONIQUE/TRUNK ARCHIVE (LEG); COURTESY OF BRAND (7)

BEST BODY WASH
“Not only is it gentle enough for
all skin types, but it delivers
incredible moisture courtesy of
jojoba oil, a personal
favorite ingredient of mine.”
—Dr. Turner
Dove Dryness Relief Body Wash
with Jojoba Oil, $7, walgreens.com
BEST BODY SCRUB
“A smoothing mixture of alpha,
beta, and polyhydroxy
acids as well as volcanic pum-
ice that effectively exfoliates
and refines the skin.”
—Dr. Fahs
Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator,
$30, necessaire.com
BEST SCENTED BODY
LOTION
“This blend of incense,
bergamot, and patchouli takes
me back to Italy instantly.”
—Underwood
Eau D’Italie Signature
Scent Hand & Body Lotion, $49,
beautyhabit.com
BEST HAND CREAM
“The formula is oil-free and
absorbs beautifully into the
skin. It’s also fragrance-free,
making it a good choice for the
most sensitive skin types.”
—Dr. Mraz Robinson
EltaMD So Silky Hand Crème,
$25, eltamd.com

DECEMBER 2023 W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 1 7
 BEST SHAMPOO
“I love the refreshing scent and how
this makes my scalp and hair
feel after using it. It was developed to
promote a healthy scalp environment,
which is a big plus in my book.”
—Sheila Farhang,
dermatologist in Tucson, AZ
Nutrafol Root Purifier
Scalp Micro-biome Shampoo,
$44, sephora.com
Hair

GETTY IMAGES (SUDS, WOMAN); COURTESY OF BRAND (14)

BEST HAIR MASK BEST HAIR SPR AY

Beloved stand- BEST CONDITIONER
“A clean, cruelty-free mask “This product helps any long-
“This is the conditioner of my
outs that get dreams! It allows hair that gives hair next-level mois- lasting look stay in place for
the job done— to air-dry wonderfully with ture and leaves it incredibly hours. The extra-strong for-
zero frizz.” soft, smooth, and shiny.” mula provides continual hold.”
no matter what —Felicia Leatherwood, stylist
—Jenna Perry, celebrity colorist —Meri Kate O’Connor,
your strands Rōz Foundation Conditioner, celebrity hairstylist and textured hair expert
need $42, rozhair.com Amika Soulfood Nourishing Matrix Vavoom Extra Full
Mask, $32, sephora.com Freezing Spray, $28, ulta.com

DECEMBER 2023

TREATMENT
“This product is the Holy Grail
for stressed-out hair; it
should be your last step before
using heat for a longer-lasting
blowout.” —Perry
Living Proof Triple Bond
Complex, $45, livingproof.com
BEST COLOR-SAFE
SHAMPOO
“I love this for repairing dam-
age, adding shine, and healing
hair that’s fried from chemical
services.” —Justine Marjan,
celebrity hairstylist
Redken Acidic Bonding Concen-
trate Shampoo, $32, ulta.com
BEST SPLIT END
TREATMENT
“Repair damage and seal split
ends with ceramides, oils, and a
signature complex.” —Underwood
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair!
Moisture + Damage Defense Leave-
In Treatment, $29, sephora.com
BEST CURLY-HAIR
SHAMPOO
“It enhances the natural shape
of curls and gently cleanses.”
—Nava Greenfield, MD,
dermatologist in New York City
Aveda Be Curly Shampoo,
$31, aveda.com

BEST HAIR OIL
“The lightweight oils and botani-
cals in this formula balance
the scalp while smoothing hair
for an easy style.”
—Leatherwood
Sienna Naturals Daily Elixir Scalp
Oil, $28, siennanaturals.com
BEST SCALP TREATMENT
“A leave-in treatment with
niacinamide to add a burst
of moisture to the scalp while
also relieving irritation
so your hair can grow healthier
and fuller.” —Jackson
Michiru Scalp Tonic, $15,
target.com
BEST HAIRBRUSH
“This is my go-to brush to
define curls and for
quality blowouts on curly and
coily hair.” —SherriAnn
Cole, celebrity stylist
Felicia Leatherwood
Detangler Brush,
$22, brushwiththebest.com
BEST DANDRUFF
TREATMENT
“Flake-fighters like apple
cider vinegar nix irritation.”
—Jackson
SheaMoisture Apple Cider Vin-
egar Anti-Dandruff Conditioner
with Salicylic Acid, $14, target.com

BEST VOLUMIZING
PRODUCT
“Need a little oomph? This will
bring even the flattest hair
to life with just a few pumps:
Apply it directly to the scalp
and use it as a leave-in before
styling.” —Jackson
Rodan & Fields Densifying+
Treatment, $63,
rodanandfields.com

BEST HAIR TOOL

“The Airwrap is by far the
easiest, safest way to get a
salon-quality blowout without
any damage.” —Perry
Dyson Airwrap,
$600, dyson.com

W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 1 9
 YOUR SUMMER WORKOUTS, DONE

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Or Scan to Join

Beauty
MVPs
The WH team selected
and sweat-tested
the best products for your
active lifestyle.
Photographed by
Massimo Gammacurta
1. Deep Breath
The aroma of lavender is a well-
known stress reliever, so cool-kid
brand Le Labo completely
reimagined the scent to make it
PROP STYLING: ANNA LEMI
more modern, pairing the note including niacinamide to fight discol- newbie is up to the task, removing one, which also features a gor-
with bright bergamot and rich
tonka bean to give it a little edge. collagen peptides—into one beauti-
Le Labo Lavande 31 Eau
de Parfum, $322,
lelabofragrances.com
DECEMBER 2023
1
“I’m obsessed with 2
this milky serum,
which brings on
a serious glow,
courtesy of gentle
exfoliators.”
Brian Underwood,
beauty director
5
3
4 “My hair
loved this
mask. It
has so
much slip
and works
its magic
quickly,
making
wash days
super time-
efficient.”
Danielle
Jackson,
beauty editor
2. Right Price 3. Soft Touch 4. High Note 5. Nice Vibes
If most serums leave you with Cleansing isn’t the most exciting It’s a fact: Fine, dry hair needs Melding science and spirituality,
sticker shock, here’s some good part of a routine, but it’s an impor- moisture, but many condition- Knesko adds chakra-balancing
news: Olay’s latest option packs tant one that preps your skin ing products can weigh gemstone powders—in this case,
five powerhouse ingredients— for the products to come. This down strands. Not so with this green jade—to its products. Too
woo-woo for you? You’ll also find
oration, brightening vitamin C, and grime with soothing ingredients geous scent blend of magnolia, proven anti-inflammatory ingredi-
that won’t aggravate your face. neroli, rose, and mandarin. ents such as colloidal oatmeal
fully affordable bottle. Cha-ching! Clark’s Botanicals Heal + Philip B. Weightless and tiger grass to calm irritation.
Olay Super Serum, Hydrate B3 Cleanser, $50, Volumizing Hair Masque, Knesko Green Jade Calm
$35, olay.com clarksbotanicals.com $65, philipb.com Serum, $70, knesko.com
W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 2 3
 Your Go-To
Squad

THE
PLAYBOOK
A Flake-Free Scalp
The problem: dandruff and dryness. The fix: these expert tips.
MONA GOHARA, MD
By Danielle Jackson Associate Clinical
Professor of
Dermatology at Yale
School of Medicine

BRIDGETTE HILL
Scalp Expert and
Trichologist

MARISA
GARSHICK, MD
Assistant Clinical
Professor of
Dermatology at Weill
Cornell Medical College

The Essentials
A scalp-centric routine
can make all the
difference. We’re loving
these products.

1 2 3 4
Find the Root Cause Wash This Way Mind the Label Don’t Scratch That

GETTY IMAGES; COURTESY OF SUBJECTS (HEADSHOTS); COURTESY OF BRANDS (PRODUCTS)

Seborrheic dermatitis
(SD) and its milder
form, dandruff, are
often behind flakiness,
but they can differ in
appearance. Dandruff
looks like white flakes,
while SD manifests as
“thick, greasy scales,”
says Garshick. (Of
course, the only way to
really know which you’re
dealing with is to con-
sult a dermatologist.)
If dandruff is plaguing When it comes to SD, Going at itchiness Special Suds
you, the simplest more powerful ingredi- with your fingers, Coconut oil and algae
fix is to use a medicat- ents like ketoconazole especially if your nails extract moisturize while
ed shampoo. Look and selenium sulfide— are long or sharp, is zinc pyrithione breaks
for one with the found in OTC sham- a not-so-great idea. down flakes and buildup.
ingredients zinc pyri- poos and treatment Tiny nicks and cuts Jupiter Balancing Shampoo,
thione or salicylic serums—slow fungal only cause more irrita- $25, hellojupiter.com
acid, which eliminate growth, Hill says. tion and may worsen
flakes by breaking If these options aren’t dryness and inflam-
apart dead skin cells working, a dermatolo- mation. Instead, try
and zapping the gist can prescribe a a scalp serum with
yeast-like fungus that stronger topical or oral soothing aloe vera
causes the condition treatment such as or tingly mint,
in the first place. low-dose isotretinoin. Dr. Garshick says.

Cool Down
Chill Factor A few drops of this
peppermint-rich formula
Stress tends to exacerbate dandruff symptoms and can raise your cortisol relieves the discomfort
levels, increasing inflammation, says Dr. Gohara. Try research-proven helpers like caused by dandruff or SD.
Act+Acre Microbiome
exercise or meditation if you suspect tension and anxiety are affecting your scalp. Cooling Scalp Serum, $68,
actandacre.com

2 4 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H DECEMBER 2023
 Parent Next Level
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of others, so you need a bed that takes care of you. Effortlessly adjusting and responding to you.
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 Movement
Mindset Shift
WH’s executive health and fitness director
explores why runners are particularly
prone to imposter syndrome—and learns
how to flip the internal script.
By Jacqueline Andriakos
FRED GORIS AND ZACH HETRICK/NIKE (3)

DECEMBER 2023 WO M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 2 7
 On a recent bus ride
to upstate New York
with a group of about
20 runners of all dif-
ferent levels, I had somewhat
of a running epiphany: Im-
poster syndrome is crashing
runs for too many of us. Rude!
Let me back up. We were
en route to a two-day running
camp, hosted by Nike, where
we got to explore our individ-
ual relationships with run-
ning, test our technical skills
on dirt and gravel trails, cheer
each other on during multiple
group runs, and more. But
when Chris Bennett, Nike Running with
Running global head coach buds helps get
you out of your
(who is pretty much a real-life own head.
Ted Lasso), asked each of us,
as an icebreaker, to describe
our relationship with run-
ning, the answers were pretty
much all laced with self-doubt
and second-guessing. “Well,
I just did a half-marathon,
but I’m definitely not, like, a the narrative to squeeze more joy immediately—especially as it’s
real runner.” “I am really bad out of the sport? something that takes courage and
at running and will probably If you relate (*raises hand*), effort to do,” says Bennett.
be walking a lot.” “I signed keep reading for expert advice on There are a few possible reasons
up for a race in a few months, how to improve your running self- for this. For one, most people have
but I’m definitely not a runner talk, quit the comparison game, engaged in running in some form in
runner like [insert another and infuse every single run with their lifetime, so the comparison-
person or athlete’s name confidence and satisfaction. trap opportunities are plentiful. “It
here].” And so on. can feel like added pressure when
WHERE RUNNER IMPOSTER you see exercisers around you do-
Nearly every single one of us—de- SYNDROME COMES FROM ing what you think is an everyday
spite our various backgrounds as Experts agree that the comparison activity faster or ‘better’ than you,”
joggers, marathoners, walk-run- and self-doubt trap with running is Bennett says. What’s more: The
ners, 5-K participants—still did not all too common. “You never hear spin Hollywood puts on the sport
believe we were actually…runners. someone who plays pickup basket- can make you think you must look a
Running, it seems, is a unique ball say, ‘Well, I’m not a real basket- certain way or perform at a certain
challenge that causes more people ball player,’ when you ask them level to be considered a true runner.
than I realized to feel insecure, about it. It’s fascinating to me that Picture Blake Lively’s character in
self-deprecating, and inadequate. running is one of the only things in The Sisterhood of the Traveling
I wondered, How can we change life that people are negative about Pants, with her long, beachy hair

DECEMBER 2023
down, in a sports bra and shorts,
sprinting on the beach to impress
her soccer coach. Or Emily in Par-
is’s leading lady bopping through
the streets of France in a matching
set sans any sweat stains. “How
running is covered in the media is
not exactly a realistic representa-
tion for 99 percent of the popula-
tion,” says Lennie Waite, PhD, a
Houston-based sport and perfor-
mance psychology consultant and
former Olympic athlete.
Historically, running has been
used as a form of punishment (e.g.,
running sprints after being late to
soccer practice) or as a measure-
ment of health (when you had to
run the mile in gym class). Those
associations stick and can give you
a negative view of yourself when
you run as an adult. Now, let’s talk
about flipping the script.
How to Make Every
Run a Great One
Our pros have simple, actionable tips for
quieting the shame-y internal dialogue.
1. Picture your most confident
self—then show up as her.
A new client who approached Waite
about how to get her head in the game
to break 3:30 in her marathon said she
felt silly contacting the sports psych
since she “wasn’t a professional ath-
lete,” Waite recalls. But if something
is important to you (including a hobby
or passion), Waite told her, it warrants
seeking help in the form of a mental
health pro or coach.
As an exercise, Waite took the fo-
cus off running entirely and instead
spent a lot of time discussing other
environments in which the client felt
like her most self-assured, profes-
sional self. “We talked about her work
environment as a successful lawyer,”
Waite says. Then, turning the scenario
around, she asked: What would hap-
pen if you entered the courthouse
with your running self? “She said, ‘Oh,
that would be horrible. I would lose.’”
You can try this mental exercise
too. Picture the most confident ver-
sion of yourself, and where and how
she shows up. Then channel that en-
ergy each time you head out to run,
even if it feels phony or awkward at
first. When you’re stuck, remind your-
self that you wouldn’t show up to, say,
your job or relationship in the self-
critical way you do on your jogs.
2. Practice mindfulness.
When you’re pounding the pave-
ment, you probably do a breathing
check from time to time or take note
of foot strikes. Your mind deserves
periodic check-ins, too, says Bennett,
who incorporates mental touch-bases
into the guided audio runs on the Nike
Run Club app. “I call them system
checks, where I talk about breathing,
form—and then ask, ‘Now, how’s the
conversation in your head?’ ”
Do this for yourself by asking in the
middle of a run, How do I feel? What do
I need right now? What’s around me?
Perhaps you want to take a walking
break (do it!). Maybe you notice you
have the trail to yourself this morning.
You’re both acknowledging and meet-
ing your own needs, as well as leading
with gratitude and appreciation for
the environment around you, Bennett
says—two positive qualities you can
associate with runs if you stick with
the mindfulness practice. Still having
trouble keeping your head in the game?
A guided audio run is a great tool (see
“Hype Squad,” page 31).
3. Celebrate the act itself.
The decision to lace up is a powerful
one. “More people don’t run than do,”
Bennett says. That choice is uncom-
mon and extraordinary, he adds. In-
stead of using a run as an opportunity
to tear yourself apart, use it as a
W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 2 9
 chance to say, “Wow, I’ve had a hard
day, I’m frustrated, and I still showed
up to run. I’m taking care of myself and
doing something positive.”

4. Be your own running buddy.

Consider how you would hype up a
friend after a race or cheer them on
when they get down on themselves.
“You’d say, ‘Listen, you’re out running
on a Tuesday night after a long day of
work. You’re a badass. You did a 10-K
two months ago. I was there; I saw you
do that. How dare you say these things
to yourself!’” Bennett says.
Next time you’re beating yourself
up, pause, acknowledge that negative
voice, then switch into hype mode.
There’s always a cheerleader some-
where in your head, and a terrible
teammate as well, Bennett says, but
“you’re in charge of who gets the mic.”

5. Keep track of wins.

“You never stop during a great run
and think about how and why every-
thing is going great,” Bennett notes.
“But on a bad run, you analyze and go
through the minutiae of ‘What did I
eat?’ ‘Did I start out too fast?’”
On your next awesome bout, pause
mid-run (really!) and recognize some-
thing that’s going right, he suggests.
The dialogue might sound like this:
“I feel pretty good. I’m enjoying my-
self. I went up that hill, and I didn’t yell
at myself. I took the path I don’t nor-
mally take—that was cool.”
You can go so far as to keep a run
journal to log these moments and re-
fer back to them. When you start to
see all the joyful happenings, you will
begin to see and talk about running
(and yourself) in a positive light.

6. Remind yourself you’re

not alone.
Even elite athletes feel the burning
lungs, last-mile fatigue, and side
stitches. Waite shares that her own
sister thinks “running is just easy” for
Waite, because Waite has run at the
Olympic level. “There’s a misconcep-
tion among recreational runners that
the elites find it easy. I always tell her,
‘Hey, pro runners are also about to
go to the bathroom in their pants at
the end of a race too,’” she jokes.
In other words, “running is still su-
*See packaging or visit Beneful.com/faq for complete
per challenging for everyone,” Waite
details. Refund request must be made within 60 days of
reminds. “It’s just that people’s ceil-
date on receipt. Offer good only in USA, APOs & FPOs.
ings and thresholds are different—
and it can be oddly comforting to
tell yourself that.”
 !

Hype Squad
These are editor-tested guided
running apps for when you need a voice
much louder than your inner critic.
PELOTON APP
Someone cheering through headphones
on a tough interval or long sprint “was essential
for my marathon training,” says Currie Engel,
WH news and features editor. “Listening to their
coaching phrases during my workouts
changed the way I talk to myself during my runs now.
It was really cool to see how my mindset has
shifted, and how I can now coach myself through
the roughest, stickiest of runs.”
From $13/month, iOS and Android

NIKE RUN CLUB

With nearly 300 highly specific runs—a
25-minute session designed to calm you down and
inspire you on a Big Day, a second trimester run,
and way more—there’s a motivating
listen-along option for every runner, day, distance,
and mood. “I don’t run often, but NRC guided runs are
the only way I’ll do it,” says Amanda Lucci,
WH deputy editor of content strategy. “Specifically,
the Don’t Wanna Run Run, paired with my
own playlist, reminds me that just getting out
there is a victory in itself.”
Free, iOS and Android

AAPTIV
While the audio workout offerings go beyond
running, the app is arguably best known
for this category. “The guided runs feature coaching
that’s informative, inspiring, and conversational,”
says WH editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert.
“You can link the app to Spotify, but they also have
a wide variety of music genres to choose from as well,
to help you get into the zone.” There are
options for the treadmill and the outdoors, plus
tailored plans based on a goal, like racing a
specific distance or running to lose weight.
$15/month, iOS and Android
 PLATEAU
BUSTER
When my measure-
ments stagnated, I made
multiple changes (more row-
SWEAT ing sessions, greater protein in-
TEST take). I had to do the work, of
course—but the suit gave
me insightful data as
guidance.

Zozosuit
This new wearable enables you
to track body composition from
the comfort of your home.
By Jennifer Nied
Illustrated by Lauren Tamaki

I love stats…in any

health-related form.
From VO2 max to pre-
dicted race times, data is
a huge motivator for me. That’s why
the launch of Zozosuit—a wearable
garment that can calculate body fat
percentage and measure muscle
size—was so intriguing to me.
How it works: Slip on the stretchy,
long-sleeve top and leggings, and
snap a series of smartphone photos
prompted by the accompanying app.
From there, the program creates a
3D model of you with detailed head-
to-toe measurements that allow you
to look at and then monitor inches
and body fat.
The smart set has already piqued
fitness pros’ interest too: “It’s a
quick, convenient way to measure
progress,” says Daniel Giordano,
DPT, cofounder of Bespoke Treat-
ments, who uses it to help clients
FLEXIBLE
understand muscle atrophy and FIT GOING FOR
growth while rehabbing an injury. GOALS
The suit comes in 13 siz-
While wear-testing the suit for six es that correspond to differ- The app made it
months, I was able to keep tabs on ent height and weight ranges simple for me to
muscle growth with much more (going up to over six feet and change my training
robust intel than I would have gotten nearly 400 pounds). So, no targets, whether
from a scale or a measuring tape. matter your goals or start- that meant building
ing physique, you can up my glutes or
likely try it out. righting imbalanc-
es. I also loved how
easy it was to share
the 3D model and

15,000
BEGINNER stats with outside
FRIENDLY
fitness pros to help
Offering step-by-
tweak my workout
step audio guid-
programming.
ance, the app made
($98, zozofit.com,
it simple to follow
no subscription
the scanning pro-
The number of markers all over the fabric. When you use the app to take pics cess. When I wasn’t
required for a life-
of your bod from different angles, the software calculates your stats (within time of scans and
in optimal lighting
full app access)
0.15 of an inch). You can also observe trends in the app over time, to figure out, or standing in the
say, whether your quads are actually bulking from all that lower-body lifting. right spot, it would
trigger an alert so
I could fix the prob.
DECEMBER 2023
 HIP
MOVE OF
THE
MONTH
Driving Force ACTIVATOR
Fire up the hips, glutes, legs, and abs (!) with the LEVEL
explosive and dynamic single-arm hang clean.
By Jacqueline Andriakos

WHY WE LOVE IT: Increased core

strength and glutes that pop. Need
we say more? The kettlebell hang
clean is the secret sauce for oh-so-
many perks. “It’s essentially an
explosive deadlift,” says Lauren
Kanski, CPT (pictured), WH advisor
and creator of Body & Bell on the
Ladder app. “It trains power and
strength in the core unit and is an
extremely athletic full-body move-
ment.” How to get the hang of it…

The shins stay

vertical in START with KB between feet, under
the starting

STEP 1
position.
pelvis. Keeping chest above hips,
bend knees to grab the horns of the
bell with one hand. Lift the bell to
mid-shin. Take a deep breath in.

EXHALE as you stand, letting force

STEP 2

from hips accelerate the bell up.

Draw core in and let bell flip around
wrist to rack position (using upper
arm as a “shelf,” elbow tucked).

Keep bell REVERSE the move by letting the

close to body
STEP 3

bell fall toward the floor (not pic-

as it moves to
rack position. tured). As it passes the belly but-
ton, push butt back to lower bell,
but don’t let bell hit the floor.

!
LOAD IT UP WORK IT IN
Pick a KB you can Do 2 or 3 sets of
hold at your 5 reps as a warm-
chest (try 20 to up to turn on the
30 pounds). Too hip-dominant
light, and the muscles—setting
upper bod takes you up for many
over for the hips. types of training.
Thrive Société bra, thrivesociete.com; Wilson tights, wilson.com; Nike sneakers, nike.com
PHILIP FRIEDMAN, STYLING: ROSE LAUTURE

PREP STEP
Bell smacking forearm? Practice hiking it to the hip like a
cowgirl flaring a pistol (pictured). “Grab with the opposite MODIFY THE MOVE
hand and practice guiding it to the rack,” Kanski says. A precursor to the hang clean is “a
strong single-arm deadlift,” Kanski
Connect the dots and perform the motion with one arm. Cool! says. Nail that first, then level up.

W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 3 3
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 Don’t let the
misinforma-
tion out there
fool ya.

Know Your Options

Emergency contraception is more important than ever,
so you should understand exactly how to get it—and use it.
Ahead, an ob-gyn debunks common misperceptions.
DOUG CHAYKA

By Alison Edelman, MD, MPH,

as told to Amelia Harnish

DECEMBER 2023 WO M E N ’ S H E ALTH / 3 5


At no time in the past 50 years
has a broken condom had more
dire consequences than it does
today. Recently, countless court
cases and changes to state and
national legislation have opened
the floodgates for restrictions to
abortion. Now, in more than 20
states, abortion is either difficult
to access or illegal. Roughly one
in three women in the U.S. live in
states where the medical proce-
dure is simply not a practical op-
tion, per the Guttmacher Insti-
tute. This reality has launched
emergency contraception into a
new stratosphere of importance.
Accidents happen. Contracep-
tion fails. And because care is
so restricted in places, these
scenarios can be more stressful
than ever. Thankfully, emergen-
cy contraception, though no
replacement for abortion care,
can be an effective tool for pre-
venting pregnancy if used cor-
rectly. I know firsthand how
much misinformation exists
around both birth control and
emergency contraception.
We are living through a mo-
ment when women’s health is
unfortunately politicized. While
myths about reproductive
health, and emergency contra-
ception in particular, may con-
tinue, knowing the facts ahead of
time can help you make the best
decision for yourself if and when
you need to. Let’s clear things up.
Alison Edelman, MD, MPH, is an ob-gyn
with training in complex family planning
and a professor of obstetrics and gynecol-
ogy at Oregon Health & Science University.
DECEMBER 2023
MYTH
Plan B is
your only
option.
WHEN YOU NEED AN EMER-
GENCY SOLUTION, you actually
have multiple choices. The first
is the one everyone thinks of:
Plan B, or levonorgestrel, which
is also sold under brand names
such as Take Action and New
Day and is available over the
counter (no scrip needed). Levo-
norgestrel is a synthetic proges-
tin, similar to what is in regular
birth control pills and the hor-
monal IUD. Next is another pill,
Ella, which contains ulipristal
acetate, a selective progester-
one receptor modulator. (Ella is
not available OTC.) Both of these
pills work to shift your natural
hormone levels in order to inter-
rupt the normal signaling in your
brain that tells your ovaries
when to ovulate. The result: The
release of an egg (a.k.a. ovula-
tion) is prevented or delayed.
Then there’s the copper IUD,
which is often overlooked. Al-
though it’s not FDA-approved
for this use, it’s actually the
most effective form of emergen-
cy contraception. If you can get
an appointment to have a cop-
per IUD placed within five days
of unprotected sex, it has a near
100 percent efficacy rate in pre-
venting pregnancy. (Studies on
Plan B and Ella show effective-
ness ranging from 60 to 90 per-
cent.) The hormonal IUD, which
contains 52 milligrams of levo-
norgestrel, has also been stud-
ied for this purpose, but there’s
not enough evidence just yet.
MYTH
Plan B is
an“abortion
pill.”
IF YOU ARE ALREADY PREG -
NANT, no method of emergency
contraception will cause an abor-
tion. That’s just not how it works.
During a normal menstrual
cycle, your brain sends a signal
(via a hormone called luteinizing
hormone) to your ovaries to re-
lease an egg into your fallopian
tubes. Once the egg is released,
there’s an opportunity for sperm
to meet the egg and implantation
to occur, which is the point at
which pregnancy begins.
Both Plan B and Ella work by
preventing or delaying the signal
from the brain to release the egg,
so an egg won’t be available to
meet up with the sperm awaiting.
The copper IUD works as emer-
gency contraception by creating
an environment in the uterus that
isn’t well suited for sperm, so that
the sperm can’t make it to the
egg, regardless of whether you’ve
ovulated already or not. More
specifically, the copper in the IUD
increases cervical mucus that
immobilizes sperm so it’s much
harder for it to swim up into the
uterus. The copper IUD also
causes changes to the uterine lin-
ing, making it harder for a fertil-
ized egg to implant.
It’s important for people to un-
derstand, especially those living in
states with abortion bans, that
emergency contraception will not
cause abortion. If you have to end
a pregnancy, you’ll need abortion
care, either a medication abortion
using misoprostol and mifepris-
tone (both of which are still on the
market and available via prescrip-
tion) or a surgical abortion. Those
living under bans may have to
travel. Abortion funds and organi-
zations like INeedAnA.com,
AbortionFinder.com, and Aid
Access can help connect you to
STOCKSY
resources for accessing care.
 24.3%
of women ages 22 to 49 who
have had sex have used
emergency contraception.
MYTH Source: CDC’s National Survey of Family Growth

Plan B doesn’t
work if you’re
overweight.
THIS ONE’S TRICKY, but everyone, no matter
their weight, has options. Let’s start with the not-
so-great news. Plan B, which is the most accessi-
ble option for emergency contraception, does
appear to prevent pregnancy less often for those
at a higher weight or higher body mass index (BMI).
Overall, the research suggests Plan B is about
three to four times less effective for those with a
BMI higher than 30 (though Plan B does not ac-
knowledge this research). It’s unclear exactly why This
defe li’l guy
it isn’t as effective for some people at a higher time nder if is a str
weight, even at a higher dose (so you won’t benefit ly m plac ong
ann e
from, say, taking two pills). er p d in a
ost-
If your BMI is 30 or higher or your weight is 176 sex.
pounds or more, your best options for emergency
contraception are going to be either the copper
IUD or Ella. Remember: You can get an advance
prescription of Ella from your health-care provider
to have on hand. In my experience, many practitio-
ners will do what it takes to fit you in ASAP for
inserting the copper IUD for emergency contra-
ception if that’s what you want.
All this said, while Plan B may not work as well
for certain folks, it is the most easily accessible.
If you’re in a situation where it’s your only option
(say, you can’t get an appointment in time or a pre-
scription for Ella), take it. It’s better than nothing.

W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 3 7
 Which
MYTH option is
right for
Taking Plan B too many you?
times harms your fertility. So, you have an emer-
gency sitch and need
EMERGENCY CONTR ACEPTION WILL NOT AFFECT YOUR FERTILITY— the most effective
whether you use it once or repeatedly. Remember that the ingredients in the pills contraception type.
are very similar to (if not the same as) what is in regular birth control pills. The How to figure out next
IUD is used by millions to safely prevent pregnancy and can be used for up to 3, 5, steps…
or even 10 years at a time, depending on the device. These medicines are FDA-ap-
proved and have been used for decades. There is no evidence that any of the
options affect fertility down the line. Would you be
I wouldn’t recommend using emergency contraception as regular birth control— open to having an
but that’s mostly because it can be inconvenient and expensive if you use it that IUD placed?
way. It would also be likely that your bleeding pattern would be very irregular You can buy
Plan B at a IF YES…
(which is a total nuisance), and it’s worth noting that emergency contraception
pharmacy or Call your health-care
may cause more nausea than regular birth control pills. Plus, using emergency on Amazon at
contraception like Plan B as regular birth control doesn’t work as well as other provider ASAP. You
any age.
contraceptive methods. The bottom line: Even if you did use it every time you have five days from
had sex, Plan B wouldn’t hurt you, your fertility, or a pregnancy once established. unprotected sex to
get the copper IUD to
prevent pregnancy.
(You may have up to
seven days if inter-
course wasn’t more
than five days after
you ovulated.)
IF NO…
You can still opt for
Plan B or Ella.

Which option is
more effective for
you, based on BMI?
IF YOU’RE
UNDER 30…
You can get Plan B or
a generic version of
levonorgestrel emer-
gency contraception
at the pharmacy or
online without a pre-
scription. You have
up to three days after
unprotected sex. But
taking it ASAP im-
proves effectiveness.
IF YOU’RE
OVER 30…
Your best bet is a pre-
scription for Ella. Call
your provider or find a
telehealth service
that can send it ASAP.
You have up to five
GETTY IMAGES

days after unprotect-

ed sex to take it.

3 8 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H DECEMBER 2023
 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP,
MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION
1. Publication title: Women’s Health
2. Publication number: 0706-0500
3. Filing date: October 1, 2023
4. Issue frequency: MONTHLY; EXCEPT COMBINED JAN/FEB, MAY/
JUN, JULY/AUG, & OCT/NOV
5. Number of issues published annually: 8
6. Annual subscription price: $16.94
7. Complete mailing address of known office of publication:
300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019
8. Complete mailing address of headquarters or general business
office of publisher: 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019
9. Full names and complete mailing addresses of publisher, editor,
and managing editor. Publisher: Nancy Berger, 300 West 57th
Street, New York, NY 10019. Editor: Liz Baker Plosser, 300 West
57th Street, New York, NY 10019. Managing editor: Laura
McLaughlin, 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.
10. Owner: Hearst Magazines, Inc. (complete mailing address: 300
West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019). Stockholders of Hearst
Communications, Inc. are Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. (complete
mailing address: 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019)
11. Known bondholders, mortgagees, and other security holders
owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds,
mortgages, or other securities: None
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13. Publication title: Women’s Health
14. Issue date for circulation data below: September 1, 2023
15. Extent and nature of circulation:
Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months:
a. Total no. of copies (net press run): 915,904
b. Paid circulation (by mail and outside the mail)
1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on
PS Form 3541 (include paid distribution above nominal
rate, advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies) 610,269
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(include paid distribution above nominal rate, advertiser’s proof
copies, and exchange copies) N/A
3. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales

5
through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter
sales, and other paid distribution outside USPS®
4. Paid distribution by other classes of mail
through the USPS®
c. Total paid distribution
28,386

N/A
638,655
$
d. Free or nominal rate distribution (by mail and outside the mail)
1. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included
on PS Form 3541 209,985
2. Free or nominal rate in-county copies
included on PS Form 3541 N/A
3. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes
through the USPS® N/A
4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail
(carriers or other means) 3,340
e. Total free or nominal rate distribution 213,325
f. Total distribution 851,980
g. Copies not distributed 63,924
h. Total 915,904
i. Percent paid 74.96%
No. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date:
a. Total no. of copies (net press run) 638,900
b. Paid circulation (by mail and outside the mail)
1. Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on PS
Form 3541 (include paid distribution above nominal rate,
advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies) 404,808
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3541 (include paid distribution above nominal rate,
advertiser’s proof copies, and exchange copies) N/A
3. Paid distribution outside the mails including sales
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sales, and other paid distribution outside USPS® 25,000 $89.99 VALUE $20.99 VALUE
4. Paid circulation by other classes of mail through the USPS® N/A
c. Total paid distribution 429,808
d. Free or nominal rate distribution (by mail and outside the mail)
1. Free or nominal rate outside-county copies included
on PS Form 3541 159,006
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PS Form 3541 N/A
3. Free or nominal rate copies mailed at other classes
through the USPS® N/A
4. Free or nominal rate distribution outside the mail
(carriers or other means) 1,628
e. Total free or nominal rate distribution 160,634
f. Total distribution 590,442
g. Copies not distributed 48,458
h. Total 638,900
i. Percent paid 72.79%
16. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months
a. Requested and paid electronic copies 185,755
b. Total requested and paid print copies and
requested and paid electronic copies 824,410
c. Total requested print distribution and requested and paid womenshealthmag.com/joinpremium
electronic copies 1,037,734
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(both print and electronic copies) 79.44%
No. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date
a. Requested and paid electronic copies: 153,500
b. Total requested and paid print copies and
requested and paid electronic copies 583,308
c. Total requested print distribution and requested and paid
electronic copies 743,942
d. Percent paid
(both print and electronic copies) 78.41%
17. Publication of Statement of Ownership is required. Will be
printed in the December 2023 issue of this publication.
18. Signature and title of Editor, Publisher, Business Manager, or
Owner: Liz Baker Plosser, Editor in Chief

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete.
I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information
on this form or who omits material or information requested on the
form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines and impris-
onment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

WELLNESS
CURIOUS
Whole-Body
Screening
Is this the future of preventive health care?
By Caitlin Carlson
It’s a proactive approach
to health.
DEPENDS WHO YOU ASK
“A full-body scan can give you
If you’ve ever gotten an MRI, it was probably a huge level of confidence in
ordered by your doc based on symptoms or a your health,” says Jeffrey Morri-
potential injury that warranted a deeper look. son, MD, of the Morrison Center
in New York City—allowing you
Now imagine going in for one for, well, no to be proactive about treat-
specific reason, exactly—just overall well-being. An in- ment. (Dr. Morrison learned he
creasing number of start-ups now offer preventive health had arthritis of the back and
MRIs (which use powerful magnets and radio waves to was then able to do more mo-
create images of your body). They claim the scans help bility exercises to address the
issue.) It’s important to note
diagnose medical conditions early. that the American College of
Prenuvo, for example, provides full-body scans (at eight Radiology does not believe
locations around the U.S. and Canada, with more coming “there is sufficient evidence to
soon) to potentially detect over 500 conditions, including justify recommending total-
body screening for patients
early-stage tumors and issues like muscle tears, fat depo-
with no clinical symptoms, risk
sition in the liver, and appendicitis. (ICYMI: This is the factors, or a family history sug-
test that helped Maria Menounos detect a stage II pancre- gesting underlying disease
atic neuroendocrine tumor.) or serious injury.” Ask yourself
In addition to the high price point (scans cost anywhere if more data makes you feel
in control or causes a spiral,
from $1,000 to $2,500), there are a ton of things to consid- and whether a scan is in your
er before booking. What’s compelling—or potentially de- budget, as they are generally
terring—about a next-gen workup… not covered by insurance.
4 0 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
It replaces other
medical tests.
IN SOME CASES
Experts still recommend
tests like a mammogram and
colonoscopy because an MRI
may not see microcalcifications
in the breast or small polyps in
the colon. While there are some
differences between Prenuvo
and a more targeted MRI of a
specific body part (e.g., Prenu-
vo won’t pick up on ligament
or cartilage tears, etc.), they
are similar in some major ways;
both are able to pick up on
cancer masses, gallstones, or
thyroid inflammation, for
example. One more note: Tests
like this aren’t a replacement
for other preventive health
behaviors, like eating well,
exercising, and getting your
yearly physical, adds WH advi-
sor Keri Peterson, MD.
It’s foolproof for catching
bad stuff.
NOT EXACTLY
“One of the notable concerns
is that screening your whole
body could leave you with a
false positive,” says Dr. Peter-
son, though these companies
do try to avoid it through ad-
vanced tech. But if the scan
picks up, say, a mass that then
requires a biopsy and turns out
to be benign, you end up with
findings that resulted in unnec-
essary follow-up testing and
procedures, plus expenses.
That’s why Dr. Peterson consid-
ers a full-body scan to be of val-
ue only for patients who have
a strong family history of can-
cers. If you’re worried about
pieces of your health history
and interested in this test, chat
with your primary physician as
a first step. While Prenuvo, for
example, does offer a nurse
practitioner who can walk you
through results, it doesn’t hurt
to involve another pro who
knows your health intimately.
GETTY IMAGES
DECEMBER 2023
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 How to Be
Decisive
YOU COULD USE A MAGIC 8 BALL TO HELP
YOU MAKE A CHOICE. OR, WHILE YOU’RE WAITING
TO “ASK AGAIN LATER,” LET OUR EXPERTS
EXPLAIN THE BEST WAYS TO GET UNSTUCK.

By Olivia Evans
Photographed by Joe Lingeman

DECEMBER 2023 WO M E N ’ S H E ALTH / 4 3

 Imagine if every time you’re
struggling to make a decision, a
giant, colorful wheel appears
before you. On each tab, YES or
NO is written in bold letters. Like clock-
work, it pops up whenever you feel stuck—
your own personal wheel of fortune, only
it never asks you to buy a vowel.
If you are me, you already exist in this
reality, and you’re currently hoping the
wheel lands on YES. I’ve just asked the
website Wheel Decide whether I should
order Thai for dinner. The virtual whirli-
gig claims to be the “ultimate decision
maker,” and, considering the website is
pinned to the favorites tab on my phone’s
Internet browser, I tend to agree.
4 4 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
Decision-making has never been
my strongest muscle. It’s not that
I dislike making decisions, but I al-
ways fear I am making the wrong
choice—even with something as
simple (seemingly) as dinner. What
if I order food and it takes forever to
arrive? What if I regret what I order
and end up just wasting money?
What if this so-called inconsequen-
tial decision actually has serious
lifelong consequences? When
worst-case scenarios start to stack
up in my mind, the Wheel Decide
website takes away the pressure.
Like flipping a coin, spinning the
wheel gives me insight into what I
actually want, or a reprieve when
I really don’t know what to do. My
instinct to go to the website isn’t
about having a choice made for me,
but about seeking out a place to
pause and evaluate.
Granted, I don’t need to use the
virtual wheel in every situation—I
make plenty of decisions daily
without its help—but when I do, it’s
usually because I feel stuck.
WHY DECISION-
MAKING IS SO HARD
The typical person makes around
35,000 choices each day, according
to research in the Journal of Health
Psychology. Though you may not
even realize you’re making all these
decisions, especially ones to do with
daily life, it’s very normal to get
DECEMBER 2023

bogged down by the sheer volume.
This can lead to decision paralysis,
says Lace Padilla, PhD, a computer
science and psychology assistant
professor at Northeastern Univer-
sity. Ironically, because we have no
choice but to play the numbers
game over and over again, sitting
on the bench sometimes feels like
the safest bet. The choice itself
may not be difficult, but your men-
tal decision-making energy may
be so maxed out that you just don’t
want to think about it, says Padilla.
It’s not just decision fatigue that
can leave you stranded at a cross-
roads—confidence can be a factor
too. When people are indecisive,
“often it’s because they are having
to take control of a situation they
feel unprepared for, or they’re hav-
ing to demonstrate certainty in
something where they don’t neces-
sarily have control,” says Peter
Atwater, an adjunct professor of
economics at William & Mary and
author of The Confidence Map:
Charting a Path From Chaos to
Clarity. “Our decisions reflect the
[level of] confidence that we feel.”
Even with a low-stakes sitch like
ordering dinner, I may feel solid
enough to know what I want (I
have a go-to spot, after all), but
decision fatigue takes over when I
try to weigh the other variables—
like cost and time.
With too little sureness, you can
wind up stuck in your comfort
zone; too much, and you might take
an outsize risk. “Our best decisions
are made when we are open to the
possibility that things could go well
4 6 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
or that things could go poorly and
we are prepared for either
outcome,” Atwater says.
But that sweet spot can elude
you, especially if you’re dealing
with mental health issues, like
depression. If you have low self-
esteem as a result of a mental
health condition, you may feel less
able to trust yourself to make the
right decision, or even a good deci-
sion, says Paul Greene, PhD, a clini-
cal psychologist based in New York
City specializing in cognitive be-
havioral therapy. If this struggle
resonates with you, working with a
professional can help, because they
can serve as a sounding board.
So, sure, spinning a wheel can
be a fun—and surprisingly infor-
mative—way to uncover what you
really want. But if you, like me,
are ready to ditch the decision-
making difficulties once and for
all, reading this doubt-busting
guide is the right choice (promise!).
IF YOU’RE OVERWHELMED
WITH OPTIONS…
START THE TIMER
When you’re spoiled for choice, lim-
it your options to a few, says Margie
Warrell, PhD, a motivational speak-
er and author of You’ve Got This!:
The Life-Changing Power of Trust-
ing Yourself. Say you’re shopping
for a new lipstick. Instead of trying
on every possibility at Sephora,
pick out three you like and choose
among that curated group, she says.
Here’s a secret for the no-stone-
unturned set: Choices may abound,
but you won’t actually gain any-
thing from trying every single
shade. (In fact, you’ll lose some-
thing: time.) Rest assured, “you are
not going to make a bad decision,”
Warrell says. “You’re going to make
whatever [you choose] work for
you.” Why? Because you were at-
tracted to those three colors in the
first place, so you obviously like
them enough.
Instead of nonstop searching for
the ever-elusive better option, give
yourself a tight deadline to make
the call, says Warrell, because too
much time will only make the
choice murkier. “Whether you have
10 minutes to buy that new shade
of lipstick or two hours, the quality
of the decision won’t be any better
with more time—and will probably
be worse,” Warrell says. So start the
clock, and…ready, set, decide!
IF YOU LACK CONFIDENCE…
LEAN INTO
VULNERABILITY
The most important part of good
decision-making isn’t necessarily
confidence in the outcome, but con-
fidence in yourself that you can be
resilient enough to make it through
the wrong choices, says Atwater.
(Remember that time you got post-
breakup bangs? You lived to tell the
tale!) “Understand that what you’re
going through is for now, change is
a constant, and the uncertainty and
powerlessness you feel aren’t going
48
percent of millennials
said they struggled with
making basic decisions
during the pandemic.
Source: American Psychological
Association
SKIP THE
MEAL PREP to be forever,” says Atwater. You’ve
navigated every worst day of your
SCARIES life so far, right? Trust that you’ll
overcome this too.
Letting go of trying to control
WITH all of the variables that factor into
a good choice can be liberating,
STOUFFER’S Warrell says. And when social ex-
pectations—like the desire to im-
SIDES. press friends by choosing a great
restaurant—exacerbate the deci-
sion-making pressure, it’s a smart
idea to let yourself off the hook.
Explain your fear of failure to your
group, and go through your reason-
ing for picking the restaurant in
the first place. Maybe you saw the
place on TikTok or loved a certain
item on the menu. “A little bit of
humor can go a long way too,” says
Warrell. Try a line like If I got it
wrong, my bad—I promise you I
will never trust strangers online
again! Choice crisis averted.
All trademarks are owned by
Société des Produits Nestlé S.A., Vevey, Switzerland.
IF YOU’RE JUST PLAIN STUCK…
DO IT ANYWAY
Hate to break it to the benchwarm-
ers (myself included!), but not mak-
ing a decision is still a decision, says
Warrell. And one that usually has
very few positive benefits. Think
about it: The longer you stand on
the sidelines, the greater the chance
this choice will be made for you, es-
pecially if it’s a time-sensitive one.
For example, if I spend too long
waffling over the menu, my favorite
restaurant could close and I’ll be
forced to order something subpar
or, worse, open a can of soup. Not to
mention, I could’ve used that time
going for a walk, calling my sister,
or sprucing up my space. (Plus, I’m
only making myself hungrier.) Take
this route and you’ll likely end up
less happy than if you had just gone
for the “good” option to start with.
The trouble is that good never
seems good enough because hu-
mans are always chasing after the
perfect decision—which, Warrell
says, doesn’t exist. Whether it’s a
small choice like what to eat for
dinner or a large one like a career
switch, you’ll never be sure you’ve
made the perfect choice, and that’s
okay. “Just go with, ‘I’m going to
make the best decision I can right
now with what I have,’ ” Warrell
says. Reader, I ordered Thai food.
DECEMBER 2023
WHEN DINNER DREAD
HITS, THE ANSWER IS
MEATYCHEESY.
 HEMP
Containing all
nine essential
amino acids, this
complete protein
offers up a mild,
earthy taste.

SUN-
FLOWER
The shelled
seeds blend into a
creamy butter or
smoothie, adding
vitamins B and E,
and selenium.

Need
for Seed
Chicken
Lettuce
Wraps recipe,
page 54
FOOD STYLING: HADAS SMIRNOFF

Sidekicks no more! Seeds add instant

texture, flavor, and stellar nutrients to
snacks and meals—so we put them front
and center in these delish eats.
By Samantha MacAvoy
Photographed by Nico Schinco

DECEMBER 2023 WO M E N ’ S H E ALTH / 51

 CHIA
Put these tiny
orbs in water and
they absorb
Passion Dragon Fruit
liquid, plumping
up into a pudding-
Chia Pudding
like consistency. TOTAL: 10 MIN. PLUS OVERNIGHT
CHILLING SERVES: 6

21/4 cups unsweetened cashew milk

1/2 cup thawed frozen passion
fruit snack-size pieces (we
used Pitaya Foods brand)
3 Tbsp thawed frozen dragon fruit
snack-size pieces (we
used Pitaya Foods brand)
2 Tbsp unrefined coconut sugar
1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/8 tsp kosher salt
3/4 cup chia seeds
1/2 cup toasted flaked
unsweetened coconut
1/3 cup lightly salted shelled
pistachios, chopped
Amber agave nectar, for
serving
1. In blender, combine cashew
milk, passion fruit, dragon fruit,
coconut sugar, vanilla, and salt;
puree until smooth.
2. Transfer to large bowl and
whisk in chia seeds. Cover and
refrigerate 3 hr., then whisk to
redistribute chia seeds. Cover
and refrigerate overnight.
3. Serve topped with coconut
and pistachios. Drizzle with
If the best things come in small packages, then seeds— agave nectar if desired.
full of fiber, fats, and antioxidants—prove that point. Per serving: About 198 cal, 11.5 g fat (3.5 g sat),
0 mg chol, 112 mg sodium, 22 g carb, 9 g fiber,
8 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 5 g pro
“They have cardio-protective and anticancer proper-
ties, so including them in your diet is a healthy choice,”
says Melissa Halas, RDN. But you don’t have to munch
on them all day to reap the benefits. “A spoonful is all
you need,” says Ashlee Carnahan, RDN, who snacks
on them solo or stirred into yogurt or oatmeal. Recipes
that lead with seed are here.

DECEMBER 2023
 SESAME
These specks
contain lignans,
plant compounds
that may have
cholesterol-
lowering effects.
Green Salad With Sesame-Quinoa Granola
TOTAL: 45 MIN. PLUS COOLING SERVES: 4

1/2 cup old-fashioned oats 1/2 tsp honey 1. Heat oven to 325°F. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment
1/2 cup sliced raw almonds 9 oz arugula, thick stems paper or nonstick baking mat.
discarded (8 cups) 2. In large bowl, combine oats, almonds, quinoa, pepitas, and sesa-
1/2 cup tricolor quinoa
3 Persian cucumbers, me seeds. In small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, egg white,
1/4 cup unsalted raw pepitas
sliced 1/8-in. thick cayenne, 2 Tbsp oil, and 3/4 tsp salt; drizzle over oat mixture and toss
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds to coat evenly. Spread on prepared baking sheet and bake, stirring
3 scallions, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp pure maple syrup twice, until golden brown, 25 to 30 min. Let cool completely.
1 Granny Smith apple
1 large egg white (8 oz), cored, 3. Meanwhile, in another large bowl, whisk vinegar, honey, 1/4 tsp
quartered, and sliced salt, 1/8 tsp pepper, and remaining 1 Tbsp oil. Toss with arugula,
Pinch cayenne pepper
crosswise 1/8-in. thick cucumbers, scallions, and apple. Gently fold in avocado. Divide
3 Tbsp olive oil, divided among plates; sprinkle each with 3 Tbsp granola (there will be left-
1 avocado, sliced
Kosher salt and pepper over granola).
Per serving: About 322 cal, 21 g fat (2.5 g sat), 0 mg chol, 306 mg sodium, 28 g carb, 8 g fiber,
1 Tbsp rice vinegar 10 g sugar (3 g added sugar), 9 g pro

W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 5 3
 FLAX
Give yourself a
heart-healthy
Chicken Lettuce boost of energy
with these
Wraps With Sunbutter bites packed
with fiber and
Dressing omega-3 fats.
TOTAL: 45 MIN. PLUS MARINATING AND
RESTING SERVES: 4

11/2 cups unsalted hulled sunflower

seeds
1/4 cup shelled hemp seeds
1 to 3 tsp avocado oil
1/2 cup light coconut milk
3 Tbsp honey
2 Tbsp Thai red curry paste
1 Tbsp fish sauce
THE SITCH
2 tsp lime zest plus 2 Tbsp juice WITH
1 2-in. piece ginger, peeled and
grated (about 1 Tbsp) SEED OILS
Oils pressed from seeds,
4 cloves garlic, grated
such as canola, corn,
4 6-oz boneless, skinless grapeseed, and safflower
chicken breasts, pounded to
oil, have been targeted on
½-in. thick
social media as toxic to
Kosher salt
Flax Energy Bites your health. Believable or
2 heads Little Gem lettuce, TOTAL: 30 MIN. PLUS COOLING AND BS? WH explores three
leaves separated CHILLING MAKES: ABOUT 30 main critiques.
4 radishes, thinly sliced 2/3 cup roasted unsalted almonds
1/2 cup mint leaves 6 pitted Medjool dates
Unhealthy Foods Are
Loaded With Them
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spread sun- 1/2 cup flax meal It’s true that seed oils can be
flower seeds on rimmed baking 3 Tbsp rolled oats found in fried and processed
sheet and bake until toasted and foods, but they’re not the reason
fragrant, 10 to 12 min.; transfer to 2/3 cup smooth natural almond these products may be harmful
food processor (make sure it is dry). butter, stirred well
to your health: “Excess sugar and
Add hemp seeds and process, 11/2 Tbsp honey refined carbohydrates are more
scraping sides as needed, until 1 tsp pure vanilla extract concerning,” says Carnahan.
smooth paste forms, 8 to 10 min. If
too thick, add oil 1 tsp at a time until 1/2 tsp kosher salt They’re High in
desired consistency is reached. 4 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely Omega-6s
2. Add coconut milk, honey, curry chopped (about 3/4 cup) Critics say a type of omega-6 in
seed oils (linoleic acid) can
paste, fish sauce, lime zest, and gin- 1. Heat oven to 375°F. Spread al-
cause inflammation, citing
ger; process until smooth, scraping monds on small rimmed baking
research conducted on animals.
sides as needed. Remove ½ cup to sheet and roast until fragrant, 10 to
But human studies reviewed
small bowl and set aside; transfer 12 min.; let cool 10 min.
by the American Heart
remaining to resealable bag and Association show that linoleic
2. In food processor, pulse dates to
add garlic and chicken. Massage to acid might actually lower
chop. Pulse with almonds, flax
coat. Let sit at room temp 15 min. inflammation and reduce your
meal, and oats to finely chop nuts.
3. Meanwhile, heat broiler and ar- Pulse in almond butter, honey, va- risk for heart disease.
range oven rack 6 in. from broiler. nilla, and salt until dough starts to
To reserved sauce, whisk in lime form. Pulse in 1 Tbsp water (adding Seed Oils Are Super
juice, 1/8 tsp salt, and 1 to 2 Tbsp more water 1 tsp at a time if needed) Processed
water until pourable. until dough holds together when The refining process gives oils a
squeezed. Transfer to large bowl longer shelf life and higher
4. Place marinated chicken, nicer smoke point, which is key for
and fold in chocolate.
side up, on foil-lined baking sheet; cooking at hot temps. And
broil until cooked through, 6 to 7 3. Roll into 1-in. balls and place on although some nutrients are
min. Transfer to cutting board and parchment-lined baking sheet. Re- lost in refining oil from seeds,
let rest 5 min. before slicing. Serve frigerate, covered, 30 min. Refriger- research has shown that the
sliced chicken with lettuce, radish- ate in airtight container up to 1 week social media claims of harm from
es, mint, and sunbutter dressing. or freeze up to 1 month. seed oils are false, says Halas.
Per serving: About 677 cal, 40 g fat (6 g sat), 94 mg Per serving: About 97 cal, 7 g fat (1.5 g sat), 0 mg
chol, 996 mg sodium, 32 g carb, 7 g fiber, 16.5 g chol, 45 mg sodium, 8 g carb, 2 g fiber, 5 g sugar
sugar (13 g added sugar), 51 g pro (2 g added sugar), 3 g pro

5 4 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
EVEN MOM WILL
SAY, “THIS TASTES
LIKE MOM’S.”

IT’S GONNA
BE GREAT
™

Nobody makes it better than Mom, except you.

Scan the code for a Brown Gravy recipe that’ll
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 CHEF CRUSH
Dream of hiring your
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The next best thing:
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Source: Grand View Research

FOOD STYLING: HADAS SMIRNOFF

Photographed by Nico Schinco

The Sweetness Everyone
is Talking About, With
Zero Calories per Serving
 Sausage and Fennel
Chickpea Rigatoni
TOTAL: 25 MIN. SERVES: 4

12 oz chickpea rigatoni
3 Tbsp olive oil, divided
1 Tbsp fennel seeds, crushed
1 lb Italian turkey sausage,
casings removed
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken
broth or water
1 large bulb fennel, cored
and thinly sliced
Kosher salt
2 cloves garlic, finely
chopped
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp grated
Pecorino Romano
6 cups baby kale
1. Cook pasta per pkg. direc-
tions, stirring occasionally to
prevent sticking. Reserve 1 cup
cooking water; drain and rinse
pasta.
2. Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbsp oil in
large skillet on medium. Quick-
ly add fennel seeds and bite-
size pieces of sausage on top,
gently pressing with spatula.
Cook on medium-high, undis-
turbed, until golden brown on
bottom, 4 to 6 min. Toss and
cook just until cooked through,
1 to 2 min.; transfer to bowl.
Add chicken broth (or water) to
same skillet and bring to a sim-
mer, scraping bottom of pan.
Transfer to bowl with sausage.
3. Wipe out skillet and heat
remaining Tbsp oil on medium.
Add sliced fennel and 1/2 tsp
salt and cook, stirring occa-
sionally, until just tender,
about 4 min. Stir in garlic and
FOOD red pepper flakes and cook
IN A 1 min. Stir in lemon juice and
FLASH 1/2 cup reserved cooking liquid.
4. Gently fold pasta and 1/4 cup
FOOD STYLING: HADAS SMIRNOFF

cheese into sliced fennel, then

Comfort Champ
PUMP UP THE PROTEIN WITH CHICKPEA-BASED RIGATONI AND SPICED
kale and half of sausage, add-
ing more cooking liquid if pasta
seems dry. Serve topped with
remaining sausage and 2 Tbsp
Pecorino Romano.
TURKEY SAUSAGE. PASTA NIGHT JUST GOT WAYYY YUMMIER (AND HEALTHIER). Per serving: About 638 cal, 30.5 g fat
(6.5 g sat), 77 mg chol, 1,062 mg sodium,
56 g carb, 16 g fiber, 10.5 g sugar (0 g added
Photographed by Nico Schinco sugar), 46 g pro

5 8 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
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Better nutrition.
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60
 When life
shifts, so
does your
satisfaction.
Learn to
navigate any
brave
new world.

ILLUSTRATED BY
MARYLOU FAURE

Finding yourself in a sexual rut or realizing what
used to turn you on no longer cuts it can feel like
hitting a dead end in the world’s least satisfying
labyrinth. You don’t know where to turn, and even
if you have a long-term partner, you still feel alone.
Heck, you may not even be comfortable admitting
to yourself that there’s a problem. But when you
view a shift in sexual satisfaction as an opportuni-
ty for self-exploration, you empower yourself.
No matter what’s different in your life (maybe you
just gave birth, are going through menopause, or
survived sexual assault), you’re not navigating
this uncharted territory alone. In fact, others have
been there before–and their journeys, coupled
with expert insight, can help you learn to not just
survive but thrive amid these changes.
6 2 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
Satisfaction Shift
Trying a
Sex Toy
for the
First Time
LIKE SEX AND THE CITY ’S CHAR-
LOTTE, I discovered sex toys reluc-
tantly. Growing up in a strict house-
hold, sensual self-exploration wasn’t
discussed, much less encouraged. I
was content to keep my hands still
until my sophomore year of college,
when a tragic game of Never Have I
Ever revealed to a group of close
friends that I’d never masturbated
(I was the only one). Back then, it had
been a point of pride—something I
didn’t need to do because my sex life
was already satisfying (it wasn’t).
But my lack of experience must’ve
made an impression because, as with
Charlotte, it was one of those friends
who shepherded me into the world of
sex toys. She gave me my first vibrator
that summer. One night, I decided to
give it a try—and realized how much
I’d been missing out on. Unlike Char-
lotte, I didn’t get addicted to my new
vibe, but I was able to shake off the
sexual shame and reframe my under-
standing of sex toys. They weren’t
taboo, they were—they are—a tool to
help me understand my body.
Before discovering sex toys, I
thought my body was broken because
I’d never had an orgasm, which is a
sentiment shared by many female-
bodied people, says certified sex
therapist Holly Richmond, PhD, LMFT,
associate director of Modern Sex
Therapy Institutes. “Seventy-five
percent of female-bodied people
need direct clitoral stimulation in
order to have an orgasm, and a lot of
times, male-bodied partners just have
not had enough sex ed around the
clitoris.…They’re usually focused on
penetration,” she says. As a hetero-
sexual cisgender woman, all my sex-
capades up until this point had rated
somewhere between fine and good,
but I’d never come close to that “know
it when you feel it” moment.
A sex toy can help close the pleasure
gap, says Richmond, because it offers a
different sensation-based experience.
But sex toys aren’t just about buzzing
your way to O-town; they’re about
discovering what sensations satisfy
you so you can better understand how
to treat your body well (a lesson worth
learning in and out of the bedroom,
right?). —Lindsay Geller
 Experiment
Based on
Experience
It may be your first time with a toy,
but it’s probably not your first romp-
ing rodeo. When deciding what type
of toy best suits your sensual needs,
consider the stimulation you enjoy
from your hands or a partner—clitoral,
G-spot, a combo?—and experiment
with toys that can simulate that sen-
sation, says Richmond. Dunno what
you like? Try a palm-shaped vibrator
that offers allover vulva coverage,
says Richmond. You’ll get stimulation
on your clitoris (which most vulva
owners need to orgasm, btw) but also
on the rest of your labia so you can see
where else feels good. A wand
vibrator is another beginner-friendly
option because its large,
ball-shaped head provides a wide
range of direct stimulation and most
Practice Erotic
2 Tech-Savvy
Flexibility
Even if you swear by your trusty vibe,
keep a roster of different sex toys so
you can practice what Richmond calls
“erotic flexibility.” It’s not just about
having a fully stocked nightstand:
“Use them in different positions in dif-
ferent ways at different times of the
day,” she says, because just like how
neural pathways become set in cere-
bral stone, so do erotic pathways.
Translation: Your body gets used to
orgasming with a certain toy in a cer-
tain position, which could reduce sen-
sitivity or even make your erogenous
Suggest a
3
Threesome
Perhaps you are adept at vibing solo
but want to share your toys with
a playmate. Before you get hot and
heavy, ask your sexual partner,
“What do you think about using a vi-
brator on me?” says Richmond.
You can offer to hold it or encourage
them to do so while you give direc-
tions. “Hopefully, your partner says,
‘Oh my god, that’s so hot. Thank
you for asking for what you need,’”
says Richmond. “If they don’t…offer
some sex ed around toys and
why that’s what works for you.”
If they’re hesitant, a partner-based,
hands-free vibrator, like the Eva
or We-Vibe Sync 2, can be an unobtru-
A new toy can
spark a new form
of exploration.
 Ditching the map
can lead to greater
happiness.

6 4 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
Satisfaction Shift

Discovering
Queerness
AS A TEENAGER, I THOUGHT I WAS STRAIGHT—OR, AT LEAST, I did a
good job repressing the part of me that knew I wasn’t. Still, growing up “straight”
meant I spent my formative years cobbling together a road map of what I imagined
sex would look and feel like, based on everything I learned from sex ed, movies, TV,
my more experienced camp friends, and even the “sex talk” with my mom. The gist:
There’s “foreplay,” then penetration, and then—when the partner with the penis
climaxes—it’s done. You’ve “had sex.” Because this singular definition of sex was so
ingrained in my mind, I viscerally recall the first time I “had sex” with a cisgender,
heterosexual guy, at 19. And even though the sex itself was pretty underwhelming
and awkward, I still felt as if I’d crossed some sort of before-and-after threshold.
A year later, I fell for a girl for the first time, and these feelings made me confront
the fact that I was bisexual. As I started coming out to my loved ones and grappling
with attraction in a totally new way, I realized I had only vague ideas of what queer sex
looked like. With the notable exception of Orange Is the New Black, most of
my favorite TV shows and movies in the mid-2010s depicted queer women
as sexless, showing nothing beyond chaste kissing scenes.
I had to
On the other hand, sex scenes in movies like Blue Is the Warmest Color
rediscover what
were clearly shot for the male gaze. I also had access to constant memes on sex was and
social media and in my group chats, which promised queer sex was miles redefine what it
better than “straight” sex—but didn’t really explain how. All of this left me meant to me.
curious, a little unsure as to whether scissoring was a real thing, and pretty
convinced that any kind of queer sex would always last for eight hours and result in
both partners having upwards of 10 orgasms. (Spoiler alert: I know very few queer
women who were regularly having this experience at 20 years old. At least, I wasn’t.)
Basically, my brain and body no longer had a step-by-step script to follow. I had to
rediscover what sex was and redefine what it meant to me. Discovering my queer-
ness didn’t necessarily lead to a total, sudden shift in satisfaction—I wish I could say
I started dating people of all genders and suddenly felt totally at home in my body
and never faked an orgasm again—but what did change, pretty quickly, was my idea
of what sex is and what it can look like.
Now, at 27 years old and in a long-term, monogamous relationship with my girl-
friend, I’m more satisfied than ever with my sex life. But as I get older and as my
relationship evolves, I still allow myself to redefine what qualifies as “sex” and what
turns me on. In the same way I left behind the heteronormative idea of who I as-
sumed I’d love as an adult, I’ve ditched that high school road map too; at the end of
the day, I’m much happier traveling the open road with the person I love than fol-
lowing someone else’s directions. —Lydia Wang

Own Your Newbie Status

If it’s your first time having queer sex, be honest with your
partner, says Gigi Engle, a certified sex educator. Remember,
they’ve already been there, so they get it. “Most people are
going to be nice about your experience level, and most people
will be okay taking that journey with you,” says Engle. Best
part: You get to chart your own course, together.

Becoming a Parent
Alex M., a pregnant
mom of two, in
Philadelphia, says…
“After baby number one
and a C-section, sex was
hard because it was painful
and we had no time. We
started scheduling it, which
was not very ‘sexy’; it some-
times felt like a chore. After
baby number two (and C-
section number two), we
never got back to the same
spot. When we decided to
have a third baby, the kids
were sleeping more reliably,
and we had more energy,
but then pregnancy hit with
morning sickness and ex-
haustion. We thought night-
time wake-ups would end
with babydom, but even our
preschoolers wake up with
bad dreams. Sleep—and
energy for sex—just feels
incredibly out of grasp.”
Satisfaction Shift
Real moms, real (expert) advice
EXPERT TAKE: Scheduling
sex is a common fix for busy
parents, but it can make it
feel like another task on the
never-ending to-do list, says
Catharine McDonald, LPC, a
perinatal sex therapist in
Tolland, Connecticut. In-
stead, schedule time to con-
nect so you avoid falling into
a roommate relationship.
“Quick moments of con-
nection and intentional
affection—a thoughtful
text message, and checking
in about each other as part-
ners, not just parents—are
the building blocks for posi-
tive sexual experiences,”
says McDonald. And when
you do have sex, nix the
guideposts for “good” sex.
Instead, “a great sexual goal
for a couple is to feel sexual
pleasure together, whether
or not there’s penetration or
orgasm,” McDonald says.
Remember: Sexual health
is health, so it’s worth taking
care of.
Jenny M., a mom of
an 8-month-old, in
New Jersey, says…
“Since becoming a par-
ent, my sex drive has al-
most become nonexistent.
I’m breastfeeding, which
tanks my libido and makes
me dry down there. I now
think of my boobs—which
used to be a sexual body
part—solely as a food
source; I get annoyed when
anyone who isn’t my daugh-
ter touches them. My hus-
band, though patient and
supportive, doesn’t under-
stand. He will make a move,
and I almost always shut
him down, which makes me
feel bad. My biggest strug-
gle, though, is how much
the mental load—the anxi-
eties, the lists, the late
nights, figuring out when I’ll
be able to go to the store
between naps, and mostly
a messy house—negatively
impacts my sex life. I can’t
relax enough to get turned
on; with motherhood, your
brain is always cluttered.”
EXPERT TAKE: “New
motherhood is often de-
scribed as being in survival
mode,” says Damaris John-
son, LMFT, clinical director
at The Walk of Life Counsel-
ing Center in Atlanta. “It is
okay not to desire sex right
now; quite frankly, it is the
norm for most new moth-
ers.” However, you can still
find creative ways to enjoy
physical touch. Try “the
five-minute morning,”
Johnson suggests, which
is taking five minutes each
morning to embrace or
“New share compliments. “It is
motherhood a nonsexual yet intimate
is often way to be intentional in pri-
described as oritizing your relationship.”
survival
mode.”

Carolyn Brown, a mom
of a 6-, 3-, and 1-year-old,
in Austin, Texas, says…
“My sexual relationship
with my partner has evolved
throughout the years. With
every life phase, there are
evolutions of the physical,
emotional, mental, or
spiritual dynamics between
partners; we’re always in
constant ebb and flow. With
becoming a parent, those
ebbs and flows are a bit more
extreme. There are moments
when I have needed space
after being needed by/avail-
able to/touched out by
my children. There are other
moments when sensual
touch reminds me that I’m
allowed to feel human.”
EXPERT TAKE: Recognizing
that you’re not the person
you were before you had
children is a major a-ha
moment, but it’s just as
beneficial to realize that
you shouldn’t seek to return
to that person either, says
Johnson. As people and
partnerships change, so can
the desire for sexual intima-
cy. “What’s most important
is that you maintain emo-
tional intimacy.” One way:
Be vulnerable with each oth-
er about what’s going on—
your everyday trials and tri-
umphs. “This can involve
scheduled check-ins where
you discuss how you’re feel-
ing and what you need,” says
America Allen, LCSW, a peri-
natal therapist and owner of
Sunu Healing Collectively.
It’s also important to “take
some time to explore your
own identity apart from be-
ing a parent and a partner,”
says Allen. Maybe that’s a
hobby or passion project for
you. “While the sexual rela-
tionship can change, couples
thrive when they remember
that those changes are rarely
a reflection of their commit-
ment,” says Johnson.
—Cassie Shortsleeve
Satisfaction Shift
Getting a Hysterectomy
WHEN I GOT PREGNANT AT 42,
it was a surprise, but I was game—even
excited. I didn’t think much about how
it would impact my health, my relation-
ship to my body, or ultimately, my sex
life. Then I had a miscarriage at 10
weeks. My body was already perimeno-
pausal, but the pregnancy spiked my
estrogen and progesterone levels,
which crashed with the miscarriage.
Until this point, I’d had a drama-
free relationship with sex. I was com-
fortable in my body and confident in
my ability to communicate my needs
to my partner. But as my body healed,
sex wasn’t an option. Even after I re-
covered, my body reeled from hor-
monal whiplash.
On top of it all,
Our bodies re- my pregnancy ul-
quire us to be trasound alerted
good stewards,
me to fibroids, but
making adjust-
ments as needed. they weren’t my
biggest concern at
the time, so I ignored them until I
couldn’t. Over the next few years, I ex-
perienced debilitating bleeding and all
that goes with it (anemia, fatigue,
having to carry a change of clothes for
“just in case” emergencies). Eventual-
ly, my fibroids grew until their mass
was equivalent to a half-term fetus,
and I had the back pain and pressure
on my bladder and nerves to prove it.
Sex was, not surprisingly, a disaster
during this time—I was physically in
pain and always felt as if I were on the
verge of peeing or bleeding, which
doctors told me is normal in your 40s.
After years of suffering, I went to a
new ob-gyn in tears, and we agreed
that a hysterectomy was my best op-
tion. In addition to concerns about the
Sex and Menopause
What all women, but particularly those starting new relationships at midlife, should know…
Speak up when
something changes.
Your doc can help you navi-
gate changes (libido decline,
hot flashes, etc.), whether
that’s by prescribing hormone
therapy or recommending an-
other personalized strategy.
Source: Emily Hu, MD, ob-gyn, menopause practitioner and medical director at Evernow, a menopause care company
surgery itself, I worried my vagina
would dry up, I’d never want to have
sex again, and even if I did want to
have sex, I wouldn’t be able to relax in
the moment. Basically, I worried my
sex life was over. But it wasn’t.
Getting a hysterectomy gave me my
body back. Suddenly free of physical
pain and bleeding, my energy re-
turned. I kept my ovaries, so I didn’t
wake up from surgery in menopause.
My sex drive came back too, but there
was a catch: My partner of five years
and I split up, so my first post-hyster-
ectomy sex was with someone new.
At first, I was self-conscious about
the idea because of my surgically
altered vagina (I had scars inside and
out). But I had the opportunity to start
fresh. Turns out, that was what I need-
ed. I emerged from a sexual desert to
find myself having some of my life’s
most creative, exciting, liberated sex.
Everything was great until my es-
trogen and progesterone levels plum-
meted (without my knowing), and I
was exhausted again. Eventually, my
gynecologist figured out the problem
and prescribed the hormones I needed
to start feeling like myself again.
I thought my hysterectomy would
fix everything—and for a while, it did.
But our bodies require us to be good
stewards, making adjustments as
needed. Just like how I had to think
about communicating with partners in
new ways, I also adjusted how I checked
in with myself about the kind of sex
I wanted. Instead of feeling ashamed
about my bodily changes, I embraced
learning to take care of myself with
new effort. Now, I feel sexier than I have
in years. —Jaime Stathis
Remember: Sex Lean on your learned
should never be a experiences.
source of pain. You may not be comfortable
Vaginal dryness is a common with your body changing with
challenge for post-meno- age, but your mind (which
pausal women; vaginal estro- many experts consider the
gen can help, but intimacy is most powerful sexual organ)
possible in other ways too. has only benefited. —LG
W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H / 6 7
 I wasn’t pre-
pared for how it
would change
literally every
part of my life,
including sex.

Instead of simply being a source of

pleasure, sex became a multifactorial
calculus of keeping my blood sugar
levels in a safe range (overexertion
makes them drop). In addition to hav-
ing lube and sex toys within arm’s
reach, I also had insulin (in case my
blood sugar was high) and gummy
bears (in case it plummeted). In short,
sex became a risk—another thing to
manage. But acknowledging my ill-
ness, instead of ignoring it, led me to a
new level of freedom—and even a new
level of pleasure.
I realized I had to relearn sex alto-
gether. The first step was getting to
know the new me (with all its tech ex-
tensions). I wear two medical devices
on my body at all times. One continu-
ously monitors my blood sugar, and
the other doses me with insulin. While
technology has made giant leaps and
bounds when it comes to the lifesav-
ing qualities of diabetes wearables,
these aren’t like a smartwatch you
can take off and leave on the bedside
table before trying out a new position.
They’re part of me.
It took several months of having
every sex experience feel brand new—
even if it was with the same partner, in
the same position and environment—
to get anywhere near celebrating the
Satisfaction Shift sex that emerged from acceptance
and self-love. There were countless

Dealing With a nights spent second-guessing wheth-

er my partner was truly attracted to
me and my gadgets; memorizing the
Chronic Illness differences between what symptoms
of my illnesses felt like, versus sensa-
tions associated with excitement and
pleasure; and building sacred rituals
HER LIPS AND TONGUE MADE SNAIL TR AILS DOWN MY ABDOMEN. I could tell around making sure my body was
my breaths were getting heavier, my body riding its own waves. And then, a loud, physically ready to have sex.
startling alarm—followed by four piercing beeps—screamed from the phone on the Ultimately, though, having sex
nightstand. The last beep and buzz sent my phone tumbling to the floor, and my while chronically ill ended up giving
partner and I could no longer ignore what we’d tried to forget for the past 19 min- me a deeper awareness of myself. I’ll
utes: She was having sex with a sick person—specifically, me, a type 1 diabetic with never be able to have carefree sex like
celiac disease, Graves’ disease, and Hashimoto’s. before. Sex is now a part of a continual
The beeping was my blood sugar alarm, signaling that my blood sugar was dan- adjustment of expectations from how
gerously low. If left untreated, I could lose consciousness. the world tells us things should feel to
When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two years prior, I wasn’t prepared for what they actually feel like. But I wish
how it would change literally every part of my life, including sex. My doctors had I knew when I received my first diag-
taught me how to dose my insulin depending on how many grams of carbohydrates nosis that this is an opportunity to
I was eating, if I was stressed, if I was exercising. But they never talked about the new verbalize my needs, build relation-
obstacles my diabetes could bring up with libido, arousal, and navigating intimacy ships with care, and, yes, have the
with a sexual partner. It’s not for lack of research: Challenges with sexual experienc- best damn sex of my life. And none of
es are super common in folks with chronic illnesses. Sexual desire, arousal, and the this is in spite of illness, but because
occurrence of orgasm all decrease with the onset of chronic illness, per one study. of it. —Kelsey Rhodes

6 8 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H

Surviving Sexual Assault
Reclaiming your power changes everything.
AFTER SOMEONE RAPED
ME, I said I’d never have sex
again. I couldn’t stand beside a
man at Whole Foods or on the
train platform without hives dot-
ting my chest. How would I touch
another man again?
It felt as if part of my life had
died as I tried to imagine what a
future without sex meant. No
meaningful romantic relation-
ships, I figured, so I’d never be
able to have children.
Months later, I set out to
prove myself wrong by having
sex with someone I was dating.
I liked him, but I stiffened under
his weight, and my heart began
to race. He looked nothing like
my rapist, yet his face morphed
into my attacker’s in a horror
movie of dissociation and symp-
toms of post-traumatic stress.
Gripped with flashbacks, I went
limp, hoping this would be over
in another 30, 45, 60 seconds.
Afterward, I dragged myself
to the bathroom and threw up—
defeated. I couldn’t slot in a new
sexual escapade to cover up my
trauma. Someone raped me,
and the sooner I confronted that
fact, the sooner I could heal.
I connected with the Boston
Area Rape Crisis Center, which
provides counseling for victims
of sexual assault. After almost a
year on the waitlist (an unfortu-
nately difficult spot to secure),
I was invited to group therapy,
where I slowly began to piece my
life back together.
Shadi Johnston, LMHC, and
Olivia Welk led groups I partici-
pated in. When I interviewed
them for this story, Johnston
reminded me of an important
Satisfaction Shift
distinction: “Rape is not sex. Rape
is an act of violence that uses sex
as a weapon. It’s about power and
control.” Much of recovering from
a sexual trauma, she says, is about
taking that control back.
After extensive group and indi-
vidual therapy, different sexual
healing strategies, and panic attacks
over the past six years, I proudly
have a healthy relationship with my
body and sex. Now, I focus on the
present moment during sex and
communicate what I need. As a sur-
vivor, I know how crucial it is to re-
claim your sexuality—even though
survivors often struggle to do so,
research shows. Wherever some-
one may be on their sexual healing
journey, these tips can help foster a
deeper connection to their sex life.
Communicate with your
partner. If someone touches my
neck or restrains me during sex, I
launch into fight-or-flight. I com-
municate this to sexual partners,
something I learned in therapy.
“[Sexual] communication is im-
portant whether you are a survi-
vor or not,” says Johnston. “If you
can’t talk about sex, you shouldn’t
be having it.” You don’t need to
explain why certain acts are off-
limits—remember, “no” is a full
sentence. If I told someone I
didn’t like mustard, they wouldn’t
quiz me on why, Johnston adds.
Develop a self-pleasure
practice. Reconnecting with
your body, independent of anyone
As a survivor, else, is crucial after an invasion
I know how like a sexual assault. Remember
crucial it is to to start slowly, says Welk—per-
reclaim your haps rubbing cream into your
sexuality. arms and observing how the
touch lands on your body. Anoth-
er way: Focus on your five senses
as you slowly eat candy or fruit,
Johnston suggests. While these
are not explicitly sexual acts, they
can help a survivor reconnect to
their sense of self.
Stay present. Ever since
the rape, my sex life has become a
huge practice in presence. If I’m
not in the moment, focused on
my breathing, and connecting,
my mind can veer into flash-
back territory. To stay
present, take deep
breaths and breaks, or
invite a cold sensation
into the experience, like
putting a mint or an ice cube
in your mouth, says Johnston.
—Jacqueline Tempera
 Solo Time
People are having less sex than
ever, found a study from the
Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Though these types of stats are
often seen as negative, some-
times, abstaining from sex is
what you need to reestablish a
healthy relationship with it.

Channel Your
Sensual Energy
Elsewhere
Reclaiming and celebrating your
sexual self goes beyond the bed-
room, says Katie Schubert, LMHC,
PhD, a sex and couples therapist
and owner of Cypress Wellness
Center: “Sexuality should be your
business and something you are in
charge of.” To channel any pent-up
energy, dress up in lingerie for
yourself or eat a meal sans distrac-
tions to engage all your senses.

Taking a
Celibacy Break Engage in
Self-Exploration
This may be a given, but mastur-
bation is a way of becoming
better acquainted with your pref-
THE FIRST TIME I WENT CELIBATE, it felt like a necessity. At age 20, I’d erences, especially if you’re plan-
just gotten out of a toxic relationship with my college ex that left me feeling like ning on resuming partnered activi-
a shell of my former self. My goal was to reimagine what intimacy and sex could ties after a celibacy break, says
Schubert. When you start having
look like for me outside of companionship.
sex again, you can approach
I spent two years post-breakup studying some of the most popular books a partner with new information—
about love, sensuality, and pleasure. I also prioritized solitude by taking myself and confidence—about your
out for dinner, attending concerts alone, and venturing on a solo trip. Ultimate- likes and dislikes, she says. Plus,
ly, frequenting spaces on my own that are typically tailored toward couples and the act itself is just satisfying!
large groups of people showed me that I didn’t need to be in a relationship to pri-
oritize pleasure. It truly felt empowering and cathartic to be alone.
Then, at age 22, I met someone who made me feel safe enough to try dating Fire Up Your Mind-
again. Although the relationship ended after a year and a half, I commend my- Body Connection
self for proclaiming my desires much more that time around. When we broke Sometimes, moving your body in
up, I left knowing that any future relationships would require me to put into ways that feel good can also
practice the internal work I’d done of communicating my limits, confronting tap into your sensual energy.
Maybe you love yoga, dancing, or
conflict, and expressing my sexual wants and needs.
even high-intensity interval train-
Now, as a more secure version of myself, I consider celibacy a way of exercis- ing. “Anything that enhances your
ing my autonomy. I’m approaching my 30s, so there’s pressure to build a life mind-body connection will en-
with someone, but I’m selective. Wanting companionship is a basic human hance sensuality,” says Schubert.
need, yet it’s possible to long for that while also loving up on yourself. My celiba- Opt for activities that allow you
to spend time focused on feeling
cy journey has helped me cultivate a sacred relationship with my body, and
good rather than any unneces-
I plan on nurturing that long after someone who makes my heart beat 1,000 sary mental minutiae, she adds.
times per minute comes along. So, in the meantime, if that means I’m not sexu-
ally active, that’s okay because I know exactly how to please myself. —Jeneka J

7 0 / W O M E N ’ S H E A LT H
Satisfaction Shift
Actually Caring
for Your
A FEW MONTHS AGO,
I posted on Instagram for
this story, asking people to
share their experiences with
mental health medications
Mental Health
and how they affected their
experience with intimacy.
My DMs flooded with peo-
ple—from high school, col-
lege, family, best friends—
The mind-body connection at its most literal who shared.
It’s not news that taking
care of your mental health
can sometimes come at the
cost of your sexual satisfac-
tion—antidepressants’
impact on libido and the
ability to orgasm is well doc-
umented. In fact, it’s actual-
ly common for women to
experience changes in sex
drive, satisfaction, or or-
gasm while taking SSRIs or
other prescription medica-
tions, says Rachel Smith,
LMFT, a certified sex thera-
pist who specializes in rela-
tionships and intimacy. Still,
I was stunned to see just
how many women I knew
had experienced this…and
wanted to talk about it.
An individual’s sexual
satisfaction—the pleasure
they feel within themselves
and their relationships—
feeds their mental health.
The irony: This often takes
a back seat when dealing
with stress, anxiety, and
depression. “Our sexual
self is something that
needs to be nurtured and
paid attention to,” Smith
says. But as we get older,
it becomes harder to leave
our (ever accumulating)
responsibilities at the bed-
room door. Sometimes, the
act of going on meds, de-
spite libido changes, can
be the magic ingredient to
improve satisfaction.
For Megan B., 45, from
North Carolina, antianxiety
medication wasn’t part of
her life until adulthood.
After becoming a first-time
mom at 40, then enduring
the pandemic, her anxiety
skyrocketed postpartum.
She talked to friends and
her therapist and started
on medication two years
ago. Her anxiety levels
went from a 10 to a 4, she
says. At the time, it was
unclear if low-level libido
changes were related to
starting perimenopause,
her low thyroid, being
a busy mom, or her new
medication. She mostly
just felt tired all the time.
But her thought process
was simple: I need this
[medication]. And I need it
to be the best mom I can
be, the best wife I can be,
the best person I can be.
Adelaide G., a 26-year-
old in New York, has been
taking SSRIs for anxiety
and depression off and on
since age 10. The meds
definitely affected her libi-
do as she navigated her
teen years laden with boy-
friends and breakups, she
says, but more recently,
Adelaide and her doctor
worked together to find
another option. Now, she
takes a mood stabilizer,
which can treat her depres-
sive anxiety with fewer side
effects. It was liberating to
know that “as my priorities
changed, my body changed
and my life changed. There
are other options,” she says.
Their stories prove that
you can’t cultivate a healthy
sex life or relationship if
you’re not taking care
of yourself first. Once you
realize that the state of
your mental health plays
a role in satisfaction, it all
changes. —Currie Engel
making
waves

Actor Sydney Sweeney

feels most like herself
when she’s on the water,
whether waterskiing or
spending time with family.
And that connection
with home flows into all
aspects of her public life.

By Lindsay Geller Photographed by Dennis Leupold Styled by Kristen Saladino

73
This is a
story about
Sydney
Sweeney…
and a lake.
“I grew up on the water,” says the 26-year-old. On the
surface, she’s referencing where she spent childhood—
on a lake in a small town on the Washington-Idaho
border. But Sydney is sharing something deeper. To the
self-described homebody turned starlet, the lake is
more than a location; it’s the place that shaped her into
who she is, and where she returns to feel most herself.
There, she’s not two-time Emmy nominee and Fifty-
Fifty Films founder Sydney Sweeney; she’s Lake Syd.
She soft-launched the idea of Lake Syd last summer
after bringing her stylist and other members of her
work team to her family’s lake for a week. At the trip’s
end, she captioned an Instagram post chronicling their
adventures, “wish you knew lake syd.”
So who exactly is Lake Syd? “She’s truly just who I
am at the core, everything stripped away,” Sydney says.
“I wrote that caption because everyone with me was
like, ‘Wow, really wish the world could see Lake Syd,’
because it’s just who I am.”
Lake Syd goes on hikes with her rescue dog, Tank,
and spends her free time organizing her house. She
drives a four-wheeler in the woods and likes to jump off
a rope swing into the water. She wears matching
Christmas PJs with her family (including Tank) and
dreams of opening an ice cream shop. More than any-
thing, Lake Syd loves slalom waterskiing. Slalom is dif-
ferent from traditional waterskiing in that you strap
both legs onto a single ski .
74
“The moment I could walk, my mom put
me on what’s called a U-board to learn how to
ski,” Sydney says. “I remember that whenever
we would go by the docks of my grandma’s or
my cousin’s house, I’d wave. I felt so cool be-
cause I could take off one hand. That’s my
earliest memory of skiing, but I’ve been doing
it as long as I can remember. It’s my favorite.”
But Sydney doesn’t love slalom waterskiing
solely because it’s a respite from the Holly-
wood hustle and bustle. She loves it because
it’s a challenge. “It’s a lot of upper body
strength, it’s balance, it’s core, it’s legs—you
get tired really fast,” she says. “I see such a
change in my body after an entire summer of
[skiing]. My arms are stronger, more sculpt-
ed. My abs are rock solid. But I never look at it
as a workout because it is so much fun.”
To Sydney, the tough stuff is fun—on the
water and at work. “Whenever a new chal-
lenge presents itself and I’m not scared to
push myself to try, that’s when I’m really
proud of who I am,” she says. It might be
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ways more mental than physical. Of course you have to
train, but it’s mind over matter at the end of the day.”
Even when her arms are sore and her hands burn
from gripping the ski rope, Sydney doesn’t let go be-
cause, ultimately, the mental rewards outweigh the
physical toll. “It’s a rare moment when I can actually
just hear myself breathing, where everything else goes
quiet,” Sydney says. “No one else is back there with
me—just me, the ski, the lake behind the boat. All I’m
thinking about is skiing, and there are not many things
that allow my brain to shut off that way.”
Sydney struggles with anxiety, particularly social
anxiety. “Whenever it feels like the world’s so loud, and
there’s so much going on, and I’m trying to balance it
all—sometimes, it can feel overwhelming,” she says.
In these moments, Sydney finds solace in spending
time outdoors with Tank, whether they’re meandering
through lakeside forests or trekking Solstice Canyon
in Malibu near their new home.
She’s open to talking about anxiety because every-
one experiences it, in some way, at one point or anoth-
er, but she’s purposeful about what she shares about
her mental health, having previously dealt with a
media frenzy after an outlet mischaracterized a single
panic attack experience as multiple ongoing ones. “I’ve Gigi C surf suit, gigicbikinis.com; Alexis Bittar earrings, alexisbittar.com; Fry Powers rings,
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only once spoken about one panic attack,” she clarifies.
“I said, ‘I felt like I had a panic attack,’ and then the news
just kind of did their own thing with that.”

It’s not that Sydney

is uncomfortable with her (ever increasing) fame and
what that means for her personal or private life. She’s
incredibly grateful for every opportunity, from attend-
ing the Met Gala to starring in a Rolling Stones music
video. But she seems to realize, at a young age, that ca-
reer accolades and the attention that comes with them
are an unreliable source of happiness. She’s existed in
the spotlight long enough to know there is more to life
than red carpet interviews. “I started [acting] when
I was 11, 12 years old, and it was only in the last few
years that everyone was actually interested in talking
to me,” she says. “There was a good eight, nine years
where no one was saying yes. It was just me pushing
through all the no’s.”
As Sydney strived, her family sacrificed. “I watched
my parents lose a lot. We filed for bankruptcy, and they
lost their house back home on the lake. [Sydney has
since bought back her great-grandparents’ home on the
same lake so she can return.] We couldn’t afford life in
L.A. We couldn’t afford life anywhere,” she recalls.
To help pay the bills, Sydney babysat, cleaned restau-
rant bathrooms, and led tours at Universal Studios. “It
Alice + Olivia crop top,
shopbop.com; Alexandra
Miro bikini bottom,
mytheresa.com; Georg
Jensen ring (left hand),
georgjensen.com; Mara
Paris ring (right hand),
us.mara.paris

77
“I try to be as
loyal to
my people
as I can.’’

owning step 1:
puppy love
step 2:
hydrating skin care
step 3:
sweat sesh
her Before Sydney jumps Sydney washes her face with the soft and “I like to work out in the morning,
morning out of bed, she spends
quality time cuddling
gentle Laneige Water Bank Cleansing Foam
($25, sephora.com). She follows that with
so I’ll either go for a run or I’ll go to
Solidcore,” says Sydney. The high-
When she’s not filming,
with her dog, Tank. Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic Cream intensity, low-impact Pilates-
Sydney starts her days Moisturizer ($40, sephora.com), which is inspired workout “makes me feel
strong with a simple “like putting a cloud on your face,” then ends so strong, but also elongated,” she
a.m. routine. with Laneige Water Bank Blue Hyaluronic says. “I feel so good afterwards.”
Eye Cream ($43, sephora.com). Ready!
 was hard because they were supporting my
dream, and I couldn’t imagine doing anything
else,” she says. “I didn’t want to fail them. No
matter how long it took, I was going to be in a
TV show or a movie, and I wasn’t going to stop
until something happened.”

That something
was arguably the HBO miniseries Sharp
Objects. And once one thing happened, so
did many others: The Handmaid’s Tale,
Euphoria, The White Lotus, Reality, Anyone
But You, and more to come. A self-described
workaholic, Sydney revels in the chaos of
juggling multiple scripts and a packed sched-
ule. “I love the hecticness of it all,” she says.
During the SAG-AFTRA strike, she “tried to
create that in other aspects of my life.”
Despite her family’s well-intentioned
requests to chill, Sydney wanted, or perhaps
even needed, a challenge. In lieu of acting or
working on her production company’s up-
coming projects, Sydney party-planned—
starting with her own ’80s prom-themed
birthday party. (“I’ve never had a prom,”
she confides.) She even designed her perfect-
ly pink and poufy birthday dress, choosing
everything from the shape to the fabrics.
Family and friends were invited to a blowout A tight-knit social circle also ensures Sydney sur-
bash. But on her actual birthday, she cele- rounds herself only with those who align with her core
brated in modest Lake Syd style by painting a values: kindness and loyalty. “I truly believe that kind-
giant blue cupcake at Color Me Mine. “I love ness is the most important attribute anybody can have,
to paint, and I love to read,” Sydney says. because whoever you see on your way up, you’re going
“Those are the activities that are just for me.” to see on your way down,” she says. “I try to be as loyal
Sydney credits her mom with instilling in to my people as I can, and I hope they return the favor.
her a sense of independence and self-reli- I also love watching everyone succeed together.”
ance—something she hopes to encourage in An innate desire to treasure shared success is also
her own children someday. When Sydney was why Sydney’s family relationships remain some of her
young, she got into a wakeboarding accident strongest. “My cousins are my best friends.…I love my
(where there’s a water sport, there’s Sydney) family, and I love where I came from,” she says. “Any-
and had to get 17 stitches next to her eye. “The thing my family needs, I’m always there for them.”
day the doctor cleared me to go in the water, And because they loved her before millions of fans
my mom drove me to the lake and told me I did—back when Lake Syd was the only Syd—she has
couldn’t get out of the water until I stood back confidence in not only who she is, but who she can be.
up on my board,” she says. “I was crying, but “I look up to the older version of myself. When I was 10,
now I’m so thankful for everything she did.” I looked up to the 25-year-old version of myself, and
Hair: Glen Coco using That self-sufficiency comes in handy in Hol- now I look up to my 50-year-old version,” she says.
Shark Beauty for Prtnrs.
Makeup: Melissa Hernan- lywood, where friendships tend to last only as “I hope I make the decisions she would be proud of.”
dez using Armani Beauty
at The Wall Group. Mani- long as the shoots where they form. “It’s hard OPPOSITE PAGE: Oye Swim bikini top and bottom, revolve.com; Magn-
cure: Zola Ganzorigt us-
ing OPI at The Wall Group. to build meaningful relationships, so whenev- lens pants, magnlens.com; Melissa sandals, shopmelissa.com; Moncler
Props: Sean Costello/Art sunglasses, moncler.com; Jovana Djuric rings, jovanadjuric.com
Department. Production: er I am able to feel that connection, I try to fos- THIS PAGE: Longchamp jacket, longchamp.com; Isabel Marant swim-
Crawford & Co. ter it,” she says. “Like Maude [Apatow]—I look suit, mytheresa.com; Lady Grey Jewelry ear cuff, ladygreyjewelry.com;
Jenny Bird rings, jenny-bird.com
at her as my sister.” When they’re not working
together on a project, Sydney tries to spend as
much time with Apatow as possible.

79
THE
NEW
 New programs allow women to FR E E Z E their eggs for FR E E…
as long as they D O NAT E H A L F of them. WH goes behind
the scenes of this hybrid approach, then talks to experts about how
they see it expanding access—and hope—for women.

By Ph o t o g r a p h e d by
KRISTINE JA R R E N
THOMASON VINK
 22, Arianna W. was certain she wanted
to freeze her eggs—one day. It was 2016,
and she was interning at Boston IVF
Fertility Clinic, witnessing the spectrum
of ways people created families. As a queer woman with hopes of
becoming a mother, she knew her journey to starting a family,
biologically, would likely involve reproductive-tech interventions.
The idea of donating some of her eggs to help another family
with a parallel experience was always in the back of her mind.
Arianna was also aware that, “ideally, I should freeze my eggs on
the earlier side and not in my mid- or late 30s” because of the
studied age-related decline in fertility. But the five-figure price tag
put the option out of reach. “In my early 20s, I didn’t have that
money to spare,” she says. “So even though I knew this was some-
thing I wanted to pursue, the process was too cost-prohibitive.”
Seven years later, during an Instagram scroll, a compelling ad
popped up. The post promoted “accessible egg freezing,” includ-
ing an option to do so for free if she donated a portion of her eggs
to another family. Intrigued by this “split” program, Arianna im-
mediately clicked through to begin the process.

THE HYBRID CEO and cofounder Lauren Makler.

MODEL, EXPLAINED
Sometimes referred to as freeze-
and-share, this approach to fertility
preservation gives donors the option
to freeze a portion of their retrieved
eggs in lieu of monetary compensa-
tion. So, while the donor isn’t offered
a cash incentive for their eggs, they
don’t have to pay thousands of dollars
to freeze and store them, either. A
handful of fertility clinics across the
country, such as Oma Fertility and
Freeze and Share, offer a version of
this approach, with specifics varying
among programs.
At Cofertility—a company founded
by three women who each experi-
enced their own fertility challenges—
the “split” program, which Arianna
utilized, is one of the primary offer-
ings. The company also has a pro-
gram for women solely interested in
freezing eggs and a platform for in-
tended parents to connect with egg
donors. The split option connects
these two groups, giving women the
opportunity to freeze and store their
eggs for free when they donate half
to intended parents who are choosing
to use donor eggs because of genetic
disease in their family history or
who can’t otherwise conceive, says
That could mean cancer survivors,
same-sex couples, or a family simply
dealing with fertility challenges.
With the Cofertility offering, wom-
en get to keep their eggs frozen and
stored for up to 10 years at no cost.
The company says their goal is to
break down barriers and challenges
that exist in both the egg preserva-
tion and donation spaces. “Egg freez-
ing, in general, is something that’s
just not accessible for most women,”
says Makler, “and the best time to
freeze your eggs is often when you
can least afford it.”
EXPLORING
THE ETHICS
Freeze-and-share models are often
touted as more accessible and ethical
than standard egg donation, but there
are pros and cons for each option.
Traditionally, donors receive a
monetary payment of anywhere from
$5,000 to $25,000, on average, in the
U.S. for their eggs. But the fee also
can vary based on genetic makeup
and background, “which allows a rep-
lication and reinforcement of all kinds
of biases,” says Lisa Ikemoto, a pro-
fessor of bioethics and reproductive

82
 The percentage
increase in
egg-freezing cycles
performed at
Society for Assisted
Reproductive
Technology
(SART) member
clinics in 2021 alone.
 Knowledge
Boost

Curious about or considering

freezing your eggs? The answers to
questions likely on your mind:

What does the retrieval

process actually involve?
Prepare for “two weeks of coming
into the office for blood work and ultra-
sound appointments, taking
nightly injections, and then hopefully
ending with an egg retrieval,” says Lauren
Bishop, MD. It’s important to
understand egg freezing in general “is a
serious commitment,” she adds.

What about side effects?

The procedure is generally well
tolerated, says Dr. Bishop. Side effects can
include bloating, fatigue, and a full,
heavy feeling as a result of the enlarged
ovaries. Albeit rare, some more severe po-
tential concerns include ovarian
hyperstimulation syndrome and ovarian
torsion (when an ovary twists on itself).

Is egg freezing a
one-and-done thing?
It depends on your unique situation.
Women go through, on average,
2.1 retrieval cycles to get
enough viable eggs, research shows.

Does egg retrieval

PROP STYLING: ALLISON RITCHIE; GETTY IMAGES (TYPE FILL, 3)

impact my fertility?
Most likely no. But because the process
involves removing eggs that
would typically dissolve at the end of the
month anyway, there isn’t enough
research to confirm the long-term effects
of egg freezing or donating. Some
experts do have *hypothetical* concerns
about an increased risk of breast,
uterine, and other cancers—but again,
further research is needed.
rights at U.C. Davis School of Law—
which she finds “ethically problemat-
ic.” (Think: people paying up for eggs
from an affluent person with a certain
SAT score.)
Makler believes one of the reasons
there is so much stigma around tradi-
tional egg donation is the cash com-
pensation model. “It feels transactional
and impersonal for everybody in-
volved,” she says. Clinics that adver-
tise their cash compensation model
also often highlight only the positives
and incentives, which may motivate
someone who isn’t really interested in
donating to participate—“something
that has affected mostly women of
color who are more likely to be socio-
economically disadvantaged,” says
Karenne Fru, MD, PhD, a fertility spe-
cialist at Oma Fertility.
The icky feeling often associated
with getting money for your eggs is one
of the reasons someone might choose
a freeze-and-share program instead,
despite the fact that they won’t receive
payment. That was true for 27-year-old
Kristen C., who’d thought about egg
donation several times. “My parents
are foster parents, and one of my sib-
lings was adopted, so I am familiar and
comfortable with the idea of growing
your family in different ways,” she says.
But the cash exchange—though it
made sense to her based on the time
and physical investment—never sat
well with Kristen. So when she came
across the split program at Cofertility,
it seemed to solve her primary con-
cerns. For others, the higher payment
of the traditional method would be a
pro (not a deterrent). It bears repeating
that much of this ethical conversation
is very specific to a potential donor’s
lifestyle and values.
THE BEST TIME TO
FREEZE YOUR EGGS IS
OFTEN WHEN YOU
CAN LEAST AFFORD IT.”
WHAT ABOUT
PRIVACY?
Another factor to consider with modern
egg donation: “True anonymity can be
challenging as hereditary testing and
technology continue to progress,” says
Lauren Bishop, MD, who is director of
fertility preservation and an assistant
professor of obstetrics and gynecology
in the division of reproductive endocri-
nology and infertility at Columbia Uni-
versity Irving Medical Center. With this
in mind, Cofertility and Oma Fertility
are considering a different approach
with donors that looks more like an
adoption process than an anonymous
or impersonal exchange—the tradition-
al system that most (though not all)
agencies take.
This means donors and intended
parents are matched based on an ar-
ray of factors. “It could be anything
from someone they’d want to be
friends with to someone they feel
some sort of connection with,” says
Makler, of the Cofertility program.
From there, intended parents and do-
nors are given the option to meet vir-
tually or in person. Each side has the
power to move forward with the pro-
cess or decide it’s not the right match.
As an African American woman,
Arianna found it important to match
with a couple that included at least
one African American person. “I was
also drawn to helping another queer
couple,” she says. The matching pro-
cess has given Kristen a bit more
peace of mind too. “Once I met the
prospective parents, it was clear they
selected me more for my personality,”
she says. “Overall, I’ve felt like I’m
valued as a complete person, not just
for my eggs.”
MANAGING
EXPECTATIONS
Though the freeze-and-share option
opens doors for many, it won’t work for
everyone. At both Oma and Cofertility,
women must go through a rigorous
screening process to be eligible. In
some scenarios, a candidate may also
become ineligible even after they’ve
been matched with intended parents.
For instance, at Cofertility, candidates
go through further screening (includ-
ing fertility hormone testing). Some-
times, based on the results, “if she is
expected to get a very low egg yield, we
would not recommend moving forward
with the split program,” says Makler.
In cases where the split is no longer
an option, donors have to pay if they
wish to continue with freezing, and
they may choose not to. The average
total cost for retrieving viable eggs for
2.1 cycles, including freezing, plus
storage for five years, is $30,000 to
$40,000, per data from FertilityIQ.
Even after freezing and storing eggs,
the additional cost of IVF is in the ball-
park of $20,000 for a single cycle. Plus,
“since we can never test for egg quali-
ty, it still is an unknown if you would be
able to get pregnant using these eggs
down the road,” says Dr. Bishop.
LOOKING TO
THE FUTURE
No matter the route, egg freezing is
neither a breeze nor a 100 percent fer-
tility insurance policy—and the prices
attached to any offering speak to a
larger issue. “This raises questions
about whether there should be ac-
cess beyond the traditional frames,”
says Michele Goodwin, Chancellor’s
Professor at the University of Califor-
nia at Irvine, and founding director of
the Center for Biotechnology and
Global Health Policy.
And it’s important to consider who
benefits from these emerging options.
Most companies “want to expand
their customer base without reducing
prices and profit,” Ikemoto says. “Egg
sharing attracts people, including
young people, and leaves the stan-
dard price intact.”
Still, there’s no denying that assist-
ed reproductive technologies can
have a profound impact. “It has been
liberating for [people ] with fertility
challenges, those who aren’t coupled,
and those who are LGBTQ,” says
Goodwin. “This has been a way for
many people to create families.” More
choices and options for women and
families is a win.
85
stability

now
Training for
better balance
ushers in a
future filled with
performance
perks and
all-around ease
of movement.
Learn how to wipe
out wobbles and
gain control over
your bod.
 By Andi Breitowich
Photographed by Justin Steele
Styled by Rose Lauture

Additional reporting by
Jennifer Nied

87
When I
think about
balance,
I picture a
tightrope
or a balance beam or a unicycle with someone
gracefully perched atop making the feat look effort-
less. That’s certainly the high-performance side,
but balance is a huge part of everyday life too–and
deserves training time in your workout schedule.

You may not recognize balance
every time you use it. “We usually
don’t think about how quickly our
brain and body coordinate to keep
us safe,” says Kerry Ann Madden,
CPT, NASM-master trainer and
owner of KAM Fitness and Nutri-
tion. Yet how steady you are (or
aren’t) is piquing curiosity: Google
search interest in “balance” and
“balance exercises” has gradually
climbed over the past five years.
What you’d ideally find as the
answer to that first query: “Balance
is being able to control your body
during movements and activities,
and to keep it in position while re-
maining static,” says fitness coach
Allison Kalsched, CPT, founder of
AK+. It isn’t an exaggeration to say
that everything you do requires
balance. Think of stepping off a
curb, walking, skiing, practicing
yoga, and getting up from a chair.
A major myth is that you’re ei-
ther born with A+ balance or you’re
not. “Most people can make im-
provements with some intentional,
progressive practice,” says Mad-
den. And when you do, your in-
creased steady state means your
body can respond appropriately to
challenges, adds Antonia Henry,
CPT, a registered yoga teacher and
pregnancy and postpartum athlet-
icism coach with A1 Fit Coaching.
“Your daily activities are easier,
and you feel confident in them as
well as in sports.”
Training balance becomes even
more important as you get older to
reduce the risk for injury. “With
good balance, our chances of acci-
dents due to falling from a misstep
or from muscle weakness decrease
greatly,” Kalsched says. But don’t
take that as an excuse to procrasti-
nate. Balance is “a use-it-or-lose-
it sort of scenario,” adds Henry.
“If you aren’t demanding higher
levels of neuromuscular control
from your body, then your ability
to balance can fade away.”
Luckily, balance exercises are
easy to pop into your routine,
whether that’s walking (level up
by adding weights or other resis-
tance), building core strength, or
by working one leg at a time. See
a pattern? Balance is everywhere.
Read on for the basics for steady
confidence moving forward.
89
Put It to the Test
If you’re curious about your balance skills,
Kalsched suggests trying this progression and
noting how you feel on both sides at each step.

1 Start With Support 3 Close Your Eyes

Stand near a counter or
wall so you can hold on or
lightly touch for stability.
Firmly plant right foot on
the floor and lift left foot in
the air. Hold the position
for 10 seconds. Steady?
Progress up to 30 seconds
and then 60 seconds.
Switch feet and repeat on
the other side.
2 Free Your Hands
Lift hands off the counter or
wall and try the sequence
again, holding steady for 10
seconds, then working up
to 30 seconds and 60
seconds. Remain as still as
possible, minimize wobbles.
Repeat on the other side.
Now, up the ante: Try it
without sight for 10 seconds,
30 seconds, and 60 seconds. Feeling the
“When we close our eyes, we shakes in the test?
That’s a sign to do
are relying on our proprio- more balance moves,
ceptive skills [your sense of like the workout on page
92. Finish solid? Keep up
how you move in space] that your routine to main-
tain it for life.
help us understand where
our body is,” says Kalsched.
4 Advance to Jumping
For even more of a challenge,
let yourself catch some
air. Instead of standing still,
jump in place on one leg
(open your eyes now) for 30
or 60 seconds, then repeat
on the other side. Focus on
whole-body steadiness
and soft landings each time
you return to the floor.
Great
Gains
It bears repeating: Anyone and everyone
can benefit from better balance. That’s why
balance training should be a core compo-
nent of any physical fitness program. The
biggie boosts that come with it…

Performance Perks
“In combination with strength, agility, and
coordination training in the gym, balance
work will help you control your body in situa-
tions both expected and unexpected,” says
Kalsched. A resistance-training program plus
balance drills can enhance lower-body mus-
cle strength gains, according to research in
the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine.
It can also up your vertical jump.

Pregnancy Readiness
Balance work is extra important for this stage.
“As the baby grows and your body changes,
the center of gravity shifts,” says Kalsched. If
you start balance training and strengthening
your core before you get pregnant, your body
will be strong and ready for the transition.

Injury Prevention
“An exercise that includes both balance and
strength work will help reduce the risks associ-
ated with falling,” says Kalsched. And it’s not
just a worry in the golden years. Better balance
at all ages can keep a stumble from turning
into an injury. For example, athletes undergo-
ing balance training reduced the risk for an
ankle sprain by 46 percent compared to those
without it, showed one review from the Inter-
national Journal of Sports Physical Therapy.
91
 sweat symmetry
Single-Leg Stand If this feels
Stand with feet hip-distance apart, hands way too 101, try
closing your
on hips (A). Root left foot firmly on the eyes to instantly
floor and shift weight into left side; avoid level up.
locking out the left knee as you lift right
foot a few inches in front of you (B). Hold for
10 to 20 seconds, then return to start.
That’s 1 rep. Complete 6 reps on each side.
PRO TIP: If you’re ready for a bigger
challenge, Kalsched suggests extending
your leg straight in front of you after
you lift the foot off the floor, as if you’re
showing someone the bottom of your foot.
A B
A

Alternating Forward The small

stabilizer muscles
B

Lunge in your legs will

fire because
Stand with feet hip- posture with abs lunges use one leg
at a time.
Marching
width apart and hands engaged (B). Keep
Stand with arms at side with weight in right
clasped (A). Step left front knee tracking
leg (A). Bend left knee as you lift left
leg forward, lowering over ankle. With
foot off floor and bring left knee and right
into a lunge by bending control, step back to
elbow toward midline of body (B). Replace
both knees about starting position.
left foot on floor as you shift weight into
90 degrees, and main- Repeat with right leg.
left foot and repeat on right side. That’s 1 rep.
taining an upright That’s 1 rep. Do 10 reps. A B
Continue alternating slowly for 10 reps.

Bird Dog
Start on all fours with back, engaging glutes bow and right knee to
wrists under shoulders to form a straight line meet under torso (B).
and knees under hips. from left hand to right That’s 1 rep. Complete
Extend left arm for- foot; hold for a few sec- 8 reps, then switch
ward and right leg onds (A). Bring left el- sides and repeat.

Engage
core and pel-
A
B ate the slow,

and leg move-

Single-Leg Deadlift A
Stand with feet hip-width apart, weight in left leg and right foot
forming a kickstand behind you (A). Drive right foot back with THIS PAGE: Onzie sports bra, onzie.com;
leg straight as you hinge at waist and tip torso forward until nearly Lululemon shorts, lululemon.com; ASICS
parallel to the floor; top of head to bottom of right foot sneakers, asics.com OPPOSITE PAGE: Splits59
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92
Beginner
Boost
This new-to-you skill can take
some practice. Follow these
expert-approved tips to optimize
your balance-building sesh.

FOCUS ON YOUR connect with the

BREATH ground, says
The biggest fac- Kalsched. Think
tor in steadying about rooting the
yourself is engag- whole foot: inside
ing the core, says and outside of the
Kalsched. “Think heel, inner arch,
of your breath as and mound of the
dumbbells for your big toe on the floor.
abs.” For example, The cushion in your
this simple breath- shoe can add un-
ing exercise can wanted instability,
help bolster core too, Henry says.
strength: Lie face
up with knees bent BE PATIENT
and hands wrapped You may feel
around ribs. more balanced on
Breathe in slowly one side than the
through your nose other. That’s okay
and feel your rib and to be expect-
cage expand into ed! “Some days
your hands. Exhale your balance will
all air out with an be good, and some
open mouth, en- days it won’t, but
gaging lower abs. that doesn’t mean
what you’re doing
TR AIN BAREFOOT isn’t working,” says
This allows you to Kalsched. “Keep
feel the floor, since working on it, and
shoes can change the bad days will
the way your feet be better.”
 SKiN

94
 As more
brands focus
on efficacy
and safety in skin
of color, the
product benefits
are multiplying.
Deanna Pai
explores this
long-overdue
development.

SCiENCE
For years, skin of
color was an MORE THAN
afterthought in the MELANIN
The biggest distinction between

beauty industry. Caucasian and, say, African Ameri-

can skin is the amount of melanin,
or pigment, that’s found in deeper

(Shout-out to those tones—it’s more plentiful and much

darker, says Neelam Vashi, MD, a
professor of dermatology at Boston

of us who’ve had to University School of Medicine and

the founding director of the Boston
University Center for Ethnic Skin.

mix multiple shades Because of this, people with tan,

olive, or brown complexions have
some built-in sun protection—

of foundation to get
though not nearly enough to skip
SPF—and they also tend to have
naturally uneven skin tone. (This

a decent match.)
is different from a fairer person
with freckles; those little spots are
caused by intrinsic factors like ge-
netics and also extrinsic ones such
as sun damage.)
That was the norm until Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty came onto the “People of color are predisposed
scene in 2017, unveiling a comprehensive range of 40 base shades to conditions like melasma and dark
with plenty of options for Black and Brown makeup wearers. It spots caused by acne, called post-
inflammatory hyperpigmentation,
led to a phenomenon since dubbed the “Fenty Effect,” which both of which can further increase
prompted other cosmetics brands to expand their lines. the appearance of unevenness,”
Now, the movement for inclusivity is coming (finally!) to your says Victoria Barbosa, MD, a profes-
skin-care routine. sor of dermatology at the University
And it’s about time. As dermatologists have known for years, of Chicago and president-elect of
the Skin of Color Society. This re-
not only does a melanin-rich epidermis have unique needs, but it
mains the case even as skin ages.
also is more prone to dryness and irritation. Plus, “when someone Skin of color also tends to be
with a darker complexion has an adverse reaction to a product, drier, more sensitive, or both. Those
they face a higher risk of developing hyperpigmentation as of African or Afro-Caribbean de-
a result,” says Nada Elbuluk, MD, a professor of dermatology at scent have a moisture barrier that
the USC Keck School of Medicine and the founding director of functions slightly differently; for
these groups, it can be “harder to
the USC Skin of Color and Pigmentary Disorders Program. hold in the fatty acids and lipids
In true better-late-than-never fashion, brands are now develop-
GEORGE/TRUNK ARCHIVE (MODEL IMAGES)

that keep skin hydrated,” says

ing serums, creams, and the like that are targeted toward—and Dr. Vashi. The same goes for some
tested on—skin of color. Welcome to the new age of beauty, where Asian populations, which tend to
a healthy glow is something everyone can achieve. have higher rates of skin irritability.
On the flip side, these groups do
tend to develop wrinkles and fine
lines much later in life. (All general-
izations, of course, and this also
doesn’t account for cross-cultural
backgrounds.)
True Colors
Research shows darker
skin tends to have more
collagen-producing
fibroblast cells, so it stays
smoother longer.

97

TAKING ON
TESTING
When it comes to cosmetics clini-
cals, people of color have historical-
ly been overlooked—an obvious
problem. “If you only test on lighter
tones, you’ll only know what hap-
pens with lighter tones,” Dr. Vashi
says. That’s led to a gap in under-
standing how well a product will
perform on melanin-rich skin. Could
it cause irritation? Will it be as effec-
tive? It’s hard to know, if darker skin
types aren’t represented in this
stage of the development process.
Thankfully, that’s starting to
change. For Dior’s new firming prod-
uct, Capture Totale Le Sérum, the
brand sought to improve upon the
Fitzpatrick scale, which divides skin
into six types based on its color and
tendency to burn or tan in the sun
(1 is the lightest; 6 is the darkest). If
this sounds overly simplistic, that’s
because it is. “Skin tone is much
broader than a mere six variations—
you can find a range from beige to
pink within the same shade,” says
Virginie Couturaud, the scientific
communications director at Dior.
So, Dior developed a span of 110
complexion hues powered by the
color system Pantone, then recruit-
ed more than 600 people to ensure
each was represented in the testing
process for Le Sérum. As a result of
their findings, the team tweaked the
formula. They discovered that while
the thickness of skin remains the
same across different ethnic back-
grounds, the number of cell layers
and size of the moisture barrier can
differ. In response, Dior implemented
a delivery system that allows the se-
rum to “pass through the cutaneous
The Injection Question Not-so-fun fact: “The typical Phase III clinical trial on muscle-relaxing
neurotoxins like Botox and Dysport has about 90 percent white females in the 50-year-old range,” says Rui
Avelar, MD, chief medical officer at Evolus, a company manufacturing a competitor called Jeuveau (which
was studied in a broader range of subjects). Lack of data on how skin of color responds to these injections
means it’s hard to tell whether they’ll work well, if there’s a difference in safety, or if providers should adjust
doses. Bottom line: There’s more work to be done, but Evolus’s efforts show that progress is happening.
barrier of all types,” Couturaud says.
Do formulas that aren’t tested in this
way absorb equally across a wide
spectrum of users? Hard to know.
When it comes to sunscreen, one
of the few topical products for
which extensive testing is required
by the U.S. Food & Drug Administra-
tion, the bias seems baked in from
the very start. Sunscreen protec-
tion factor, or SPF, is a measure of
how long it takes skin to burn when
protected by sunscreen versus
without. But it’s a purely visual test,
meaning scientists determine SPF
by how long it takes them to detect
erythema—or redness—with the
naked eye. Currently, the FDA
requires brands to test their sun-
screens only on Fitzpatrick skin
types 1, 2, and 3. That’s a problem
because “in the darker types 5 and
6, you may not be able to see red-
ness,” says Sophie Bai, founder of
the skin-care brand Pavise.
These testing limitations can
result in real-world problems: A
sunscreen with SPF 50, for example,
may provide that level of protection
only for fair-skinned people; it could
be less in darker individuals. And
while the difference in protection
between, say, an SPF 30 and an
SPF 50 may seem small (a 30 lets
in 3 percent of UVB rays, while the
50 allows in 2 percent), think of it
this way: The lower SPF is still allow-
ing almost 50 percent more UVB
radiation to penetrate.
That’s why, when developing
Pavise’s Dynamic Age Defense SPF
30, Bai focused on skin of color in
optimizing the formula’s perfor-
mance. She tested on the darkest
type recommended by the FDA
and formulated with zinc oxide that
appears completely transparent
on even the darkest skin.
FORMULATING
THE FUTURE
In the way that having a doctor of
the same race or ethnicity can lead
to better health outcomes, skin-
care brands being founded by peo-
ple of color means there’s unique
insight in the mix. “You need the
wisdom of a diversity of lived experi-
ences to inform the entire process,”
says Dr. Barbosa.
Skin-care brand Eadem was born
after cofounders Marie Kouadio
Amouzame and Alice Lin Glover
noticed “a lack of gentle, effective
products that work on darker skin,”
says Kouadio Amouzame. Off the
bat, they implemented certain stan-
dards across the brand, like running
clinical tests on people of color and
creating formulas that can address
hyperpigmentation without lighten-
ing surrounding skin. Their Milk
Marvel Dark Spot Serum uses a non-
irritating form of vitamin C and an
algae that fights discoloration with-
out compromising tone.
Similarly, the founders of the
brand Sepia, Mike Modula and Anna
Bueno, set out to test their Eventide
Retinol Renewal Serum on every
Fitzpatrick skin type. Third-party
testing companies balked at the
ask—only one agreed to do it, and
for an additional cost. To Modula
and Bueno, it was worth it; they’re
confident Sepia’s retinol can be
used by all without irritation.
And hopefully, as more brands
rise to the challenge of delivering
these types of products, we’ll see
the industry as a whole continue to
adapt. “The need is there,” says
Dr. Vashi. “The U.S. is changing. We
are much more ethnically diverse.”
JOE LINGEMAN
 1

Setting
the
Tone
Skin care for all: That’s
the promise of these
brands and products.

1
Good Hydration
The Body Shop has
committed to making
its product-testing
pool more diverse, as it
5
did when creating this
2 moisturizing serum.
The Body Shop Vitamin E
Bi-Phase Serum,
$28, thebodyshop.com

2
Skin Tight
A firming serum that’s
been shown to be
effective on more than
600 participants
representing 110 differ-
ent skin tones.
Dior Capture Totale Le
Sérum, $100, dior.com

3
Ray Ban
Mineral SPFs are not
typically friendly to
4 every face (hello, white
cast). This one was
specifically created to
be super sheer.
Pavise Dynamic Age
Defense SPF,
3 $148, pavise.com

4
Dark Horse
At last, a serum for
melanin-rich complex-
ions that tackles
patches of discolor-
ation without lighten-
ing skin around it.
Eadem Milk Marvel
Dark Spot Serum,
$68, eadem.co

5
Wrinkle Redux
Retinol is effective
at smoothing and
brightening but can be
irritating on dark tones.
Not this one—it was
tested for gentleness.
Sepia Eventide Retinol
Renewing Serum,
$85, sepia-skincare.com

99
STYLING: KRISTEN SALADINO, HAIR: GLORIA ESPINOZA, MAKEUP: ADRIAN ALVARADO
GET CRACKIN’ WITH PROTEIN POWER.