Traditionally associated with herbal medicine and supplements, adaptogens have been used in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. More recently, they’ve gained popularity for their ability to encourage healthy, glowing skin. “Adaptogens are herbs, roots, and other plant substances that help our bodies manage stress and restore balance after stressful situations,” says Lucy Miranda, master esthetician at LifeSpa in Bridgewater, N.J. “As skincare ingredients, they can help with antiaging, as well as be anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and brightening.” Adaptogens c ..read more

Real Feel For unmatched warmth combined with barefoot-style comfort, try the beautiful Tipi indoor moccasins from Manitobah. $80 at www.manitobah.com. Warm Toes For those with perpetually cold feet, Baabuk’s sustainable wool high-top slippers offer a little more coverage and comfort. Available for kids ($39) and adults ($89) at www.baabuk.com. Repeat Performer The SeaChange slipper is super soft, supremely comfy, and made from ­totally recycled fleece. A durable rubber outsole means you can wear them outside when you can’t bear to take them off. $65 at www.se ..read more

Washing your face may seem like a simple task, but according to skincare experts, a few can’t-miss steps in the process can make all the difference for the health of your skin. “When cleansing your face, it’s important to eliminate bacteria and dirt while not over-stripping your skin of its much-needed natural oils,” says Jasmine Martinez, a licensed esthetician at LifeSpa in Peoria, Ariz. “This helps to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier, as well as clear up acne breakouts and prevent future blemishes.” We asked Martinez to share her guidance for optimal cleansing. How to Wash Your Face ..read more

Every year brings changes in trends and technology, as well as discoveries, that gradually influence our day-to-day lives. To stay in the know, we asked experts from across Life Time to share their predictions about what they see coming to the forefront — or continuing to stay relevant — in 2024. Check out their top anticipated trends for the categories of health and wellness, fitness, nutrition and food culture, mental wellness, skincare, and decorating and home design. Sections in this article: 1. Health and Wellness ⋅ 2. Fitness ⋅ 3. Cooking and Food Culture ⋅ 4. Mental Wellness ⋅ 5 ..read more

Thanks to the close relationship between skin and gut health, fiber may be the skin’s greatest ally. Because the body doesn’t digest it, fiber ferments in the gut, which helps feed the community of microbiota that reside there. “You know how pregnant people say they are eating for two?” asks Julie Greenberg, ND, AHG, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in integrative dermatology. “Well, you are eating for trillions.” And a diet high in fiber is the best way to keep the crowds happy. Studies also show that fermentation of high-fiber foods generates short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These incl ..read more

The most abundant protein in the body, collagen is a key component of skin, tendons, and ligaments. As the body ages, it makes less (and lower quality) collagen. This contributes to reduced elasticity and less fresh-looking skin. Eating meat twice a week provides all the collagen most people need, says Mark Tager, MD, author of Feed Your Skin Right: Your Personalized Nutrition Plan for Radiant Beauty. Other foods can help stimulate collagen production too. “To make collagen, we require other cofactors, such as vitamin C, copper, zinc, vitamin A, and silica — all of which can be supplied by a ..read more

It’s that time of year again: When the hustle and bustle of the holidays seem to take over our normal routines. When it doesn’t seem like there are enough hours in the day for all the to-dos, it becomes even more important to make the most of the time you do have — and to maintain the habits and behaviors that support good mental and physical health. “Finding ways to become more efficient with your time could improve your satisfaction, reduce your stress, and help you become more productive with your days,” says Julie Brown, RD, CPT, small group training coach, and senior lead general at Life ..read more

Clothes are go-to gifts — they are, after all, an essential need in our daily lives. But there’s little cheer in unwrapping something you know you’re unlikely to wear. This year, make that “thank you!” when you open your gifts a genuine one by sharing a few of your wish-list picks with your loved ones. Life Time’s Winter Apparel collection features go-to items that you can count on to power you through your workouts, while also delivering style, comfort, and versatility. Curated with insights from a couple of Life Time trainers, this list previews a few of our favorite pieces from the colle ..read more

One of the most powerful antioxidants, vitamin C reduces cell damage from external insults like pollution and too much sun. It protects us from factors that age us from the inside, like poor sleep. It also works topically. “Vitamin C is the topical nutrient we’ve tracked the longest and know the most about,” says Mark Tager, MD, author of Feed Your Skin Right: Your Personalized Nutrition Plan for Radiant Beauty. Research shows that vitamin C protects against sun damage, age spots, and even melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer. As the skin ages, a diet high in vitamin C reduces wrinkles ..read more

If you’re someone who’s dealt with a dull skin tone, annoying peach fuzz, or lingering acne scars, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about dermaplaning. A form of physical exfoliation, dermaplaning is a common offering in many spas, either as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other services. The process involves a licensed esthetician using a small stainless steel surgical blade to scrape the top layer of skin from the face. This removes the build-up of dead skin cells to reveal a brighter complexion. It also gets rid of fine facial hair, known as vellus (often referred to as “pe ..read more