After a run in the sun or a day spent on the windy ski slopes, I usually come home to discover that my hair is a sweaty, tangled mess. Trying to pull a comb through it only seems to make it worse, forcing me into yet another wash, which I’m pretty sure we’re not supposed to do daily, right? And considering how much of a beating our hair takes when exercising, it’s important to take good care of your hair during and after a workout.

The good news is that protecting your hair doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your fitness goals. With the right routine for your hair type and a few mess-free styling tips, you can ensure your hair and scalp stay as healthy and strong as you.

A Build-Up of Sweat Creates the Perfect Environment for Bacteria to Grow

According to a Colorado-based dermatologist, and avid hiker and climber, when we work out, sweat sits on the scalp and increases moisture and oil, which can lead to excess fungal growth.

She explains that this kind of fungi, also called , is a type of yeast that naturally exists on our skin. But, if it overgrows, it can lead to inflammation, itching, scaling, excessive oiliness or dryness, and flaking on the scalp.

Sunlight and Elements Dry Out—and Break—Your Strands

“Sun exposure can damage the actual hair shaft, and it can lead to excessive dryness, which can lead to breakage,” says Shao, who adds that sun exposure over time on the scalp itself can also increase your risk for skin cancer.

If you are doing an activity like skiing or biking, wind may also cause damage. “When your hair is getting whipped around, it gets super knotty, and you have to get all that out; that is definitely going to cause hair breakage and damage,” says Shao.

She adds that it’s important to avoid doing outdoor activities while your hair is wet. “Wet hair is really weak, making excessive heat and cold when your hair is wet a potential problem.”

Too-Tight Buns and Ponytails May Cause Hair Loss

Keeping your hair pulled taut and away from the face with a scrunchie can lead to , a type of hair loss caused by prolonged or repeated tension on the hair strands. “This pulling can lead to hair loss and scalp damage,” says Shao.

Swim Caps Are, Ironically, Not Great Either

Wearing tight swim caps may also cause the hairline to recede.

“Swim caps are great in one sense because they have the benefit of protecting our hair from chlorine,” says Shao, who explains that the chemicals can damage the protective hair cuticle, drying out your strands and scalp. “But swim caps—especially if they are too tight, or worn for extended periods of time, or not put on properly—they can cause a lot of excessive pulling force.”

Silicone caps are better than other materials, like latex, because they tend to fit better and don’t pull on the hair. Regardless of your chosen material, Shao suggests applying a leave-in conditioner to your hair before putting on a cap, which can allow it to slip on more easily. Put both hands inside the cap facing each other and stretch the cap as wide as you can, pulling it over your forehead.

How to Manage Your Hair While Working Out

Your active hair care routine should be tailored to your specific hair profile.ÌęHair knowledge and routine adjustments will go a long way in protecting and nourishing your hair.

Consider Your Hair Type

Hair types divide your hair’s growth pattern and texture into numbered, lettered categories. The accompanying letters, A, B, and C, align with section width, aka the tightness of your curl. Coily hair, for example, may be categorized as type 4b or 4c.

In terms of texture, there are :

• Straight (Type 1): lays flat and can be harder to curl
• Wavy (Type 2): has more volume than straight hair; the tightest waves can be mistaken for curls
• Curly (Type 3): can be loose or tighter, springy curls; because oil has a harder time traveling down the winding strands, curly hair can get dry and frizzy
• Coily (Type 4): tight curls and strands have a zigzag pattern

Additionally, your hair may be naturally thick or thin, oily or dry. And while anybody can experience scalp conditions like psoriasis or alopecia, different hair types are often associated with different conditions. “In general, coarse, coily hair is going to be more prone to dryness and breakage, while more fine hair can be more susceptible to oiliness and scalp irritation,” says Shao.

Choose Accessories Best Suited to Your Hair Needs

While getting to know your locks is a must, proper styling is another can’t-miss step. , co-founder of , an organization dedicated to elevating Black women distance runners, suggests wearing hats with satin linings to prevent snagging.

That said, Shao notes that cotton hats can trap sweat and moisture against the scalp—so if you are going to wear a hat, make it a moisture-wicking one. “Make sure that you are washing those caps frequently and allowing them toÌę fully dry before using them again, as caps, as well as headbands, can hold on to bacteria, and that can lead to acne, folliculitis, and breakouts,” she says

In terms of all styles, loose is better. Shao recommends a low bun, loose braid, or hair twists rather than tight braids for those with type 4b or 4c hair. Silk or snag-free hair ties can help ensure that there’s no unnecessary tearing.

“Everyone’s hair is unique to them and how they care for it is also something that is deeply personal to them, so finding what works best for you is important,” says Robinson. “If one thing doesn’t work, just try something else.”

5 Easy Workout Hairstyles

Not sure which updo is right for you? These simple styles are worthy contenders.

1. French Braids

“My go-to is two French braids that lead into a ponytail,” says running influencerÌę. “It keeps hair out of my face and is super cute, too.”

SAVE FOR LATER! Instructions below! What you’ll need: two clear elastics, regular hair tie, brush Step 1: Part your hair down the middle Step 2: Start a French braid on the left side. When you reach the back of your head, don’t gather more hair and instead pivot to a regular braid! Tie off at the end. Step 3: Repeat on the right side Step 4: Gather all hair in a ponytail and that’s it! Optional Steps: Use a wax stick to keep any flyaways down. You can also untie the smaller elastics once the ponytail is secure and undo the braids in just the pony so they still stay up top but the ponytail is brainless. If you try this out, defo let me know!

2. Loose Bun or Puff

A not-too-tight bun or puff is a good choice to keep your hair off your neck on hot days. Spiral hair ties Ìęare a good option if you want to toss your hair up; they can stretch to accommodate thick hair, are durable, and are gentle on your strands.

A hair tutorial for hair or any babes.

3. Bubble Ponytail

Justine also often wears a bubble pony (where you use elastic bands to create puffy sections in a ponytail). This is a great style for an intense workout because gathering the hair down the ponytail can prevent nasty tangles which then cause breakage when you try to comb them out.

Now accepting ideas for my next running hairstyle! I need fun inspo and I love trying new things!

4. Rip Tied

Shao suggests a , a brand of hair tie that keeps your hair contained. “Those are really nice, especially if you are a skier and you want to wear your hair in a braid, or if you’re a surfer, because the wind factor is a problem, so having your hair a little more tied up is nice.” As a bonus, Rip Tie offers ties in an array of vibrant colors to suit whatever vibe you’re going for.

This @RipTieHair are such a game changer for my tangled hair girlies

5. Softly Secured

Robinson likes to wear wide elastic headbands if she is wearing her hair straight and loosely clipped back to avoid the dreaded ponytail dent. “If I’m wearing a protective style, same thing: I just loosely tie my hair up so it doesn’t give my edges too much tension,” she says.

Need more headbands

How to Care for Your Hair After a Workout

Ultimately, intentional hair care is just one part of a healthier whole. After working out, the correct cleansing schedule and between-wash products can make all the difference.

Cleanse with Care

“In general, it’s important to maintain a regular hair wash routine, but that is going to be a little different for everybody,” says Shao. “It really does depend on the type of scalp and hair that you have, and also your activity level.” If you are exercising daily and have an oily scalp, for example, you may need to wash your hair daily or every other day. For frequent cleansing, Shao suggests using a mild, sulfate-free shampoo and applying it directly to your scalp before lathering. “You don’t necessarily need to put shampoo on your hair shaft, and definitely not your hair ends unless you rolled around in the dirt or something,” she says.

People with coily, type 4b or 4c, hair may not need to wash every day. Shao notes that these hair types tend toward dryness and brittleness, making the natural oils that come with skipping a wash essential. For people with extensions, weaves, or braids, Shao recommends diluting your shampoo into a spray bottle—just spray your scalp and rinse.

Refresh Between Showers

There are ways to refresh your hair after a workout without fully washing it. If you have coily hair, Shao recommends doing a water rinse of your scalp after workouts to get some of the salt and sweat buildup out. Robinson says she only washes her hair about once a week but uses the to revamp her hair between washes.

If you are washing infrequently and still struggling with dry hair or dandruff, Shao suggests using an anti-dandruff serum ( from Jupiter, a scalp repair and haircare brand), which she says can help control yeast growth.

“Don’t be discouraged by your hair getting messed up because the bigger picture is making sure you are well,” says Robinson. “You can always style your hair in a different way, try something else, wash it, and start over, but you only get one you, one life, to be healthy. That’s the priority.”

The post Your Workouts Are Destroying Your Hair appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Last fall, tech entrepreneur and multi-millionaire Bryan Johnson spent two hours having all the plasma in his body removed. There was nothing wrong with his plasma; he simply hoped that replacing it would help him achieve eternalÌęyouth. ÌęSo, despite very limited scientific evidence, Johnson swapped it all for a protein-based fluid called albumin.

It’s not the first time Johnson’s pursuit of immortality has made the news. The 47-year-old allegedly spends about $2 million on anti-aging treatments each year. In 2023, he injected himself with a liter of plasma harvested from his then-17-year-old son. At the time, Johnson he was trying to “become like an 18-year-old.”

I turn 32 this spring. That’s not old, but it’s old enough to have gotten my first few wrinkles. Over the last few years, I’ve watched my friends get laser facials and boob jobs. I’ve watched them spend a fortune on face creams and dyes, an endless and expensive game of whack-a-mole with their laugh lines and battle scars. Sometimes it doesn’t work, and I feel validated. Sometimes, it does, and I feel I’ve been left to grow old alone.

As women, we’re taught that we are desirable as long as we’re beautiful. We’re useful as long as we’re young. But it’s not just the cosmetic aspects of aging that scare me. I’m also afraid of the pain and endless surgeries my grandparents—both in their mid-80s—are enduring right now. I’m afraid of having to hang up my ice axes and skis, and give up steep trail runs for slow walks around the pond. I’m afraid of the day that achy knees cost me access to all the places I love.

That fear is very human—and very common. While Johnson may be one of the more extreme longevity obsessives, he’s far from the only one.

You may have heard of 81-year-old real estate mogul Kenneth Scott, who spends about on “vampire facials”—a skin treatment involving injections of your own blood plasma—supplements, and other unproven therapies. Or posh gym chain Equinox, which recently launched a $40,000-per-year membership aimed at helping its members live longer. Other folks go the budget route, paying just $10 to $100 per month for , an off-label immunosuppressant that’s recently become the darling of longevity zealots.

With the advent of experimental new therapies, pop-science books like The Blue Zones, and big-name wellness influencers like Andrew Huberman and Wim Hof, more people than ever are tapping into the longevity trend. According to research firm Grandview, the current longevity market was valued at $37 billion in 2020. By 2028, it’s projected to .

I get it; I’m not immune to the allure. But still, when I first started reading about the extreme lengths people go to for longevity—the plasma swaps, the drugs, the weird diets—my initial reaction surprised me. It wasn’t bemused curiosity; it was a flash of fist-balling, brow-sweating, red-hot anger. It pissed me off. I just couldn’t put my finger on why.

Bound By Biology

It’s said that there are two certainties in life: death and taxes. And while a privileged few have proven that extreme wealth can help you avoid taxes, they have yet to successfully fend off death. With infinite money and resources, most problems seem solvable. But how much control do we really have over our lifespans?

To find out, I called up Cambridge professor Dr. Venki Ramakrishnan, a Nobel laureate in chemistry and author of Why We Die: The New Science of Ageing and the Quest for Immortality.

I chose Ramakrishnan because of his expertise in this field. But, more importantly, he’s not peddling anything. Unlike other top longevity authors and researchers,ÌęRamakrishan isn’t selling a training plan, video course, or pill. He doesn’t own any longevity-coaching startups, and he doesn’t have any supplement sponsors forking over a commission.

Our lifespan is dictated by factors outside of our control, Ramakrishnan told me. All our cells undergo regular wear and tear just from living, eating, and surviving. Different species have adapted different strategies for dealing with that wear and tear. Some animals have robust mechanisms for cleaning out problematic cells, which helps them live longer. But developing and maintaining those mechanisms takes energy and biological resources.

That cost might be worth it for a large animal, which isn’t likely to get eaten quickly. An elephant, say, is going to last a while, so it makes practical sense for the species to develop some strategies for cleaning out dead cells and living longer so it can reproduce more and defend the community group.

Small animals, on the other hand, tend to get eaten pretty early in life. To work with that constraint, they evolved to grow, mature, and reach reproductive age as fast as possible. It never benefitted them to develop sophisticated biochemical machinery for dealing with old age because they never got there. For millions of years, small animals evolved under that constraint. Everything about a rabbit or mouse—from their rapidfire puberty to their litter size to their fast metabolisms—adapted within the bounds of this shorter life. Same with human beings. All of our machinery is adapted to work within a medium-sized lifespan.

In other words, our capacity for longevity is built into the blueprint of our species. It’s the framework—not a feature you can freely dial up or down.

The Illusion of Control Ìę

Still, some human beings live longer than others. Take Jeanne Calment, the oldest woman who ever lived. She died in 1997 at the age of 122. Allegedly, she also smoked a cigarette and drank a glass of port wine every night.

“She was simply lucky that she didn’t come down with cancer or other diseases,” Ramakrishnan says. “There’s definitely luck involved.”

There’s also genetics. In an old but often-cited on twins, researchers found that about 25 percent of longevity was heritable—in other words, predetermined by your genes. The remaining 75 percent can be influenced by individual lifestyle factors.

But when it comes to those lifestyle factors, we don’t have as much control as we’d like to think. According to the Social Determinants of Health, a for thinking about factors that influence overall health, our personal habits—like eating, smoking, drinking, and exercising—only account for about 30 percent of influencing factors. The rest are structural and social forces far harder to control: about 40 percent of a person’s health is determined by socioeconomic factors, 10 percent by their physical environment, and 20 percent by their access to healthcare.

Even if radical new therapies did come online in our lifetime, there are bigger forces at play here. A in the journal Nature indicates that people cannot live much longer than they do now. There is a cap on the human lifespan, and we’ve reached it. No one has lived to 120 since Calment died. There’s no guarantee that anyone ever will. At least, not until we cure all cancers, dementia, and other neurological diseases—something Ramakrishnan says is still very far off.

The truth is we have little control over our lifespans. Many of us obsess over what we eat and how we exercise not because these habits hold the secret to health and longevity, but because we feel helpless, and are comforted by the illusion of control. But even if you eat and exercise perfectly, you can still die young.

When The Plan Goes Awry

My father wasn’t perfect. He often worked too much. He stayed up too late. He had a weakness for Little Debbie Nutty Buddies. He once binged an entire season of Game of Thrones in a single sitting even though he’d sworn to my brother and I that he’d wait to watch it with us (we’ll forgive him someday). And often, at the dinner table, he would make me laugh so hard I’d shoot orange juice out my nose.

But he did a lot of things right, both as a dad and as a health-conscious American man. He ate mostly rice and vegetables, wore sunscreen, and woke up at 5:00 A.M. every day to run five miles and lift weights. He was thin. He had a rich social life. He was a good husband and father. He spent time outside. And despite all that, he died from an out-of-nowhere heart attack at age 53.

Six months before my dad’s funeral, I lost my dear friend and former boyfriend Alexander. He was a vegetarian. He fasted. He’d just taken the MCAT and was on track to be a doctor. He exercised and stretched. He even flossed every day. And he right before he turned 25.

Both of themÌędid practically everything right. And they’re gone.

And that, I realized, is why I’m angry.

Johnson often wears a T-shirt that says “Don’t Die,” as if it was that easy. As if, for my dad, it was avoidable—and all his fault for not doing the right things or adopting the correct obscure therapies soon enough.

As if, instead of spending his free time with his family, he should have been flying to Dallas to get his plasma replaced or consulting with overpaid doctors about a custom nutrition plan. As if that would have saved him. As if any of us could be so arrogant as to pretend to play defense with the Reaper.

Can You Extend Your Life?

Of course, it’s Johnson’s prerogative to spend his free time pursuing various therapies and longevity-boosting routines. We all have our hobbies. And maybe it’s not my place to say this is a less-worthwhile use of time than dodging cactuses on a steep trail run under the hot Colorado sun, which is how I spend many of my free afternoons.

The good news is that some studies show that lifestyle choices can make some difference—and even help offset our genes. One long-term study published in 2021 examined more than 350,000 individuals with DNA markers indicating they were genetically predisposed to early death. The study showed that exercise and other healthy habits reduced that chance of early death in those populations by . The effects aren’t necessarily dramatic. The researchers estimated that even if you adopt such habits by age 40, they’re only likely to add about five years to your life. Still, eating relatively healthy and exercising: definitely good for you.

The nitty gritty of what you eat or how you exercise tends to be less important. A recent study shows that only exercising on weekends is just as beneficial for your health as sticking to a strict daily routine. Concepts like the Blue Zone Theory—which purports that people living in certain areas of the world hold the secrets to longevity—rest on shaky science, according to critics.

However, some research shows that how much you eat does matter. In animal studies, animals placed on restrictive diets tend to live longer than those that aren’t. A quick caveat, though: these fasting studies often use animals on a gluttonous, all-you-can-eat diet as the control group. They don’t always compare fasting mice to mice who eat in moderation.

“So these studies might just show that all-you-can-eat isn’t healthy, not necessarily that fasting is the benefit,” Ramakrishnan says. Regardless, the science does indicate that caloric intake makes a difference.

Sleep is another big lever you can pull. One of more than 700,000 U.S. veterans showed that folks who slept at least seven hours a night lived 18 percent longer on average. And even if you don’t sleep a ton, sticking to a can also increase your life expectancy.

Cold-exposure therapy and contrast therapy (the practice of alternating between heat and cold) are also commonly touted as ways to boost longevity. But while cold therapy has been shown to help —both contributors to chronic disease—the effects aren’t necessarily long-lasting. Longevity studies thus far have mostly been limited to mice and worms. There’s no evidence that cold exposure can make human beings live longer.

Does Biohacking Really Work?

So, what about the biohacking stuff—the rapamycin and the lasers and the thing Kenneth Scott does where he bathes his face in his own blood? Does that give us the power to take back control?

Ramakrishnan calls some of these therapies “promising.” Rapamycin, for example, mimics the effects of calorie restriction by targeting similar metabolic pathways. In mice, rapamycin has been shown to extend lives by 20 percent. But humans aren’t mice.It’s also only FDA-approved as an immunosuppressant for organ transplant patients, because it helps prevent the body from rejecting the new organ. Its side effects include slower wound healing and a higher risk of infection—the opposite of what you want if you’re trying to live forever.

Stem cells are another promising (albeit new) area of research, Ramakrishan says. So are genetics—i.e., reprogramming cells. However, both involve injecting human beings with new cells or new DNA, which is difficult to do safely.

Johnson’s plasma replacement strategy represents another approach: cleaning out senescent cells that have stopped dividing because they’re too old. Scientists think they can have a domino effect on nearby cells, causing them to become senescent, too. This is an enormously complex process, though. And while plasma replacement sounds good in theory, it might not actually address any of the root causes of senescence. We just don’t know yet.

In other words, the science on all of this is new. The studies that do exist are small and mostly inconclusive. And many of the folks who say otherwise are trying to sell you something.

Yes, there are some promising therapies and drugs on the horizon, Ramakrishnan says, but it could take decades before they’re available. Plus, they’re expensive and time consuming.

As I researched, I started to do some mental math, adding up all the time I’d spend planning out therapies, working to pay for them, and agonizing over whether or not they worked. I realized it wasn’t worth it: I was more likely to spend years missing my life by trying to extend it. Perhaps the right question to ask isn’t how to live a longer life, but how to live a better life.

The Gift of Growing Old

When I started writing this story, I wanted to punch Johnson in the teeth. For his dumb shirt. For his arrogance. But now, I just want to shake him. He—and all of his adherents—are missing the point: the hours you spend swapping plasma or getting your skin lasered to look younger are hours you could be spending with your family and friends. The money you spend on rapamycin could go toward a plane ticket to visit that college roommate you haven’t seen in ages, or to a date night with your partner. Spend it on a scuba certification, a telescope that lets you see the stars, a skydive, a dance lesson, a concert. On any one of a million things that make this life worth living.

I think of the afternoons I’ve spent flopped on my housemate’s bed, talking between sunbeams about what it means to grow older. I think of the pre-party minutes we’ve spent examining each other’s roots, our new freckles, the pudgy bellies we laughed over. I have such fond memories of growing up—even when it was hard or painful or ugly. I want fond memories of growing old, too.

Alexander never got the chance to watch his hair go gray, or to see time etch his laugh lines into place. He will be 24 forever. I think often of how much he’s missed.

If I’ve learned anything from his death—or that of my dad—it’s that aging is a privilege. It’s precious and bittersweet and wonderfully human. It isn’t easy. But nothing worth doing is.

The post It’s Time to Give Up on the Longevity Experiment appeared first on șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű Online.

Chick fil-A used to be my guilty pleasure, especially when traveling. When I’m rushing through airports that seductive red and white sign always calls for a detour and a Chicken Deluxe. Now, thanks to about the plastic chemicals found in food packaging, that sandwich is dead to me. A team of scientists and concerned citizens recently tested more than 300 unique foods for harmful plastic chemicals. My beloved treat sat near the top of the inauspicious leaderboard.

My regular readers know that I have long been concerned with the scary amount of plastic chemicals that we interact with as we Ìęgo about our daily lives.

There’s the black plastic in our utensils. And the PFAS (a.k.a forever chemicals) found in everything from our clothing and furniture to our beauty products and toilet paper, the foaming agents in our toothpaste and laundry soaps.

The list goes on and on. We are a society addicted to plastic chemicals and all the modern conveniences they afford. Meanwhile, cancer rates in people under 50 are . I am in doubting that this is merely coincidence.

But nothing freaks me out more than chemicals making their way into my family’s food. Who among us could ever enjoy a bite of a Chicken DeluxeÌęagain if we knew it were laced with poison?

I decided to look into what we know about chemicals in food packaging, what regulators are doing about it, and how we can protect ourselves.

Plastic Chemicals Pervade Our Everyday Food

I’ve been seeing pop up in my newsfeeds about plastic chemicals in food. I’ve had moments of paralysis in the grocery story trying to find a decent head of lettuce that wasn’t swathed in a plastic.

A group of Californians felt the same way. TheyÌęembarked on a six-month research project to test common food items—from local grocery stores and take-out joints—for the presence of chemicals that enhance the performance of plastics. Phthalates, for instance, are a class of chemicals used to make plastic more pliable. Think: milk jugs and yogurt cups. Bisphenols are plastic hardeners found in beverage bottles and linings of canned goods.

The independent group, working under the name PlasticList, purchased 775 food samples of 312 items. Everything from Almond Breeze milk (currently sitting in my fridge) and grass-fed steak from Whole Foods to Taco Bell chicken burritos and, yes, my beloved Chicken Deluxe from Chick fil-A. They then tested those items for the presence of 18 common plastic-related chemicals that fall under the umbrella of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (or EDCs). Ample proof exists that EDCs cause like cancer, diabetes, and reproductive and neurological disorders.

The is pretty shocking: the PlasticList team detected plastic chemicals in 86 percent of the food tested. “But this doesn’t mean we should all freak out,” says Yaroslav Shipilov, the PlasticList team leader. “Although it was surprising to discover the presence of plastic chemicals in such a huge percentage of the food we tested, in all but 24 specific cases, the items are still safe to eat according to the three major regulating bodies, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).”

Shipilov hopes that his findings will spawn more testing. He also hopes that the regulating bodies will update their outdated safety limits, which are decades old and often contradictory. “For example, in some cases we have chemicals that have been banned from children’s toys, but not food. This suggests that they are not safe for toddlers to touch, but are fine for them to ingest,” he says.

Are Plastic Chemicals Harmful to People?

Make no mistake about it. A rapidly growing body of evidence proves that plastic chemicals are really bad for human health, not to mention the harm they cause the environment.

To get an overview of the health impacts, I reached out to Philip J. Landrigan MD, a pediatrician and biology professor at Boston College. Landrigan serves as director of both the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good and the Global Observatory on Planetary Health.

In October 2023, Landrigan published , a wide-ranging report covering the many health and environmental implications of plastic chemicals.

“Plastics have allowed significant benefits to humanity in the fields of medicine, electronics, aerospace, and more. But it’s also clear that they are also responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth’s environment,” says Landrigan. “Thousands of chemicals—including carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and persistent organic pollutants—leach out of plastics and harm human health at every stage of the lifecycle, from production to discard.”

For example, Landrigan says, consider the coal miners and oil field workers who suffer from cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. (These workers extract the raw materials that create plastic.)ÌęThe plastic production workers who have an increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, and brain and breast cancer. The plastic recycling workers who contend with high rates of toxic metal poisoning and neuropathy. The workers in the plastics textile industry die of bladder cancer and lung disease. And the families who live near plastic production facilities who have increased risks of premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood leukemia, lung cancer, and a host of other life-threatening ailments.

The report says that these harms exceed $500 billion per year in health-related costs in the U.S. alone.

“What’s most concerning to me as a pediatrician,” says Landrigan, “is the risk that chemicals in our food pose to pregnant women and young children. We all need to be more aware of plastics’ threats to human health. And we need to take intentional steps to reduce our exposure and our children’s exposure to plastic.”

Food Packaging Regulations Are Rolling Out–But Not Fast Enough

The federal government has been slow to respond in a meaningful way to the growing body of evidence that plastics in our food system are poisoning us.

Just last week, a group of environmentalists filed a new lawsuit against the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over the use of phthalates in plastic food packaging. For close to a decade, the FDA has ignored calls to take stronger action against phthalates. We lag far behind the European Union in this regard.

Reporting from suggests that this refusal is due to pressure from the chemicals industry, which would surely suffer in the face of a phthalates ban.

Still, some states have begun to take independent action to protect our food from plastics chemicals.

“States have taken the lead on phasing out dangerous chemicals from food packaging and containers,” says Gretchen Salter, policy director for Safer States, a national alliance that works to protect people and the environment from toxic chemicals. “Our shows that 16 states have adopted 29 policies to remove chemicals like PFAS, phthalates, and bisphenols (chemicals like BPA and BPF)Ìęfrom food packaging. Additionally, Washington state has recently Ìęto ban allÌębisphenols in drink can liners and require disclosure of the use of allÌębisphenols in food can liners.”

5 Ways To Protect Yourself From Plastic Chemicals in Food

Try as we might, avoiding plastic food packaging altogether is downright impossible. But there are some things we can do to not only limit our exposure to their inherent chemicals (like phthalates, bisphenols, and PFAS), but to be part of long-term solutions that will protect our kids, grandkids, and all the generations to come.

1. 1. Avoid fast food and take-out. When you can’t, get that hot food out of its packaging as soon as possible to avoid chemical leaching. Even pizza boxes contain PFAS.
   2. Bring your own take-out containers. When dining out, bring a glass or metal container from home for leftovers. And avoid putting plastic take-out containers into the microwave. Although the specific research around this practice is , most experts believe this can cause additional contamination and leaching.
   3. Opt for fresh, whole foods. Skip the packaging whenever you can. For example, buy loose veggies rather than those ensconced in plastic. For meat and fish, buy direct from the counter. Ask for it wrapped in paper, rather than picking up a package from the chiller, where it’s been resting in a plastic package for who-knows-how-long. (Note: even that butcher’s paper likely has chemicals on it, so unwrap it as soon as you get home.)
   4. Ditch all plastic from your kitchen. Yep, you heard me—all of it. Storage containers, colanders, utensils, cereal bowls. Start to replace all of those items with glass, wood, metal, and ceramic. I’ve scored some really high quality replacements at the second-hand stores I love to frequent. And don’t forget the Saran Wrap and Zip-Lock bags. Transition away from those, too, and go with beeswax bowl toppers and silicone baggies.
   5. Speak up! It takes one minute to to create a Global Plastics Treaty. Do it! Another powerful action you can take is to write a letter to your state congress representatives. Urge them to support the Global Plastics Treaty as well as state laws to ban toxic plastic chemicals. Here are to get you started.

Kristin Hostetter is șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s sustainability columnist. Sadly, she has eaten her last Chick fil-A Chicken Deluxe. But she’s currently working on recreating a healthier version in her home kitchen.Ìę Follow her journey to live more sustainably by for her twice-monthly newsletter.Ìę

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New Year’s resolutions are all well and good—we’ve even made a few ourselves. There’s nothing wrong with setting goals to improve your wellbeing, and the fresh start of January can be a greatÌęmotivator. But not every aspect of our lives needs optimizing.ÌęEating dinner at midnight, watching trashy reality TV, and blaring music through our headphones during a run—this isÌęthe spice of life. Here are all of the vices that we’re hanging onto in 2025.

Not Planning My șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűs More Than Absolutely Necessary

At school and work I’ve always managed to be organized enough to get by, but it’s a constant struggle against my true Type B nature. In real life, I don’t even try to pretend that I’m a planner.

There are undeniable consequences to the seat-of-my-pants approach to life—I don’t make it to some really amazing backpacking spots because I don’t think to enter the permit lottery months in advance, for example. But even if you put aside the headache of making plans, I also just genuinely enjoy making last-minute decisions throughout a loosely planned adventure. I love being able to shape my weekend based on how far I feel like driving and what the weather’s like to the south versus the west and if, at that moment, I want to go for a hike or a bike ride. And I like that a loose itinerary leaves me flexible to jump on any unforeseen opportunities that might arise.

Obviously there’s a point when not making plans becomes inconsiderate (like when other people are trying to coordinate their schedule with yours), or even downright unsafe (like when you don’t have the right gear because you didn’t know the conditions you were getting into). That kind of thing is worth the extra effort. But in 2025, I fully intend to continue leaving town on a Friday afternoon with a full car and only the vaguest idea of what I’ll do the next day, or even where my campsite that night will be.—Miyo McGinn, assistant editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Spending Way Too Much Time on Facebook Marketplace

Every night after we put our daughter to bed, my wife and I pour ourselves steaming cups of tea, curl up on the couch, and then scroll for hours on Facebook Marketplace. We hunt for the items we need and sell the items we no longer use. We bargain, lowball, and negotiate with random people on the internet. It’s not exactly the romantic ritual that we anticipated when we got married almost a decade ago. But back then, we never anticipated that parenthood, homeownership, and normal middle-class suburban life would require so much stuff. And with American wages still trailing far behind the post-pandemic wave of inflation, our checking accounts are far too empty to pay retail for the items we need. Enter, Facebook Marketplace: a user-friendly platform for buying and selling used stuff, where every asking price is negotiable. Winter jackets, toys, tools, books, ski poles, bathroom vanity units, automobile tires, shelves, and bicycle parts—these are just some of the items that I’ve bought and sold on Facebook in recent months. And while I couldÌęabandon this practice and spend my evening hours reading or pondering the meaning of life, that’s just not going to happen.—Frederick Dreier, articles editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Not Letting My Skins Dry Out In Between Tours

Skiing is my all-time favorite activity, but there are way too many pieces of gear involved. I’m not always the most organized person, so it’s essential to me that my gear is as simple and streamlined as possible. I try to be on top of it and let my touring skins dry out every time after a backcountry ski. But there have been way too many instances when I forget to re-pack them and drive halfway to the trailhead (or sometimes all the way there) until I realize I left them at home. And when I’m touring before or after work on weeknights, there just isn’t enough daylight to waste time like that. As a shoddy solution, I’ve taken to leaving my skins inside my pack right where I left them when I transitioned—ready to go for the next time I need them. My skins won’t stay as sticky for as long since they won’t dry out as well, but if it means it’s one less piece of gear to remember, that’s a price I’m willing to pay.—Kelly Klein, gear editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Scrolling on My Phone Before Bed

I know, I know. The blue light , the flood of information my brain, and what I’m really doing is . But with a toddler, a stepdaughter, a farm, and a full-time job, I’m on the go from sunrise until the moment my little one is tucked into bed, and I just want an hour or two to myself. I want to catch up on the news I missed while I was in meetings all day and mindlessly watch cooking videos on TikTok—even if it means sacrificing a bit of quality sleep.—Abigail Wise, digital director, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Driving an Absolutely Filthy Truck

In 2025, I might try and establish more of a morning routine, or make a habit of walking during my lunch break. But I will not wash my damn truck.

I live down a dirt road, on a dusty piece of desert land with a big garden, tall cottonwoods, four horses, and no garage to speak of. I park outside, in the baking sun and the driving rain. I spend my weekends romping through the mud to get to the bend in the river where the big browns live. I climb into the driver’s seat with dust from dozens of miles on high-alpine trails on my shoes. I road trip endlessly in the winter, through salt- and sand-treated roads, to chase storms. And as much as I love my cherry little 2002 Toyota Tacoma, I just can’t be bothered to try and keep her in mint condition. I will spare no expense when it comes to the parts that matter: her engine, suspension, good tires. But cosmetics? I don’t have the time or the money. She looks better with a little rooster tail of mud on either side, anyways.

Come to think of it, I’ll take the same approach to my body, too. I’ll happily pay for the things that make me go, like physical therapy, great food, and a comfy bed. But the crows feet gathering around the corners of my eyes? Well, it wouldn’t look right to drive a filthy truck with a flawless face, now, would it.—Abigail Barronian, senior editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Eating the Whole Jar of Nutella

Long ago, in my twenties, I went on a women’s climbing exchange to France, climbing in Buoux, on Corsica, and in the Verdon Gorge. Among my cohort from America was Rhea Dodd, of Boulder, Colorado, and on that trip we were introduced to the Italian-made hazelnut-cocoa paste Nutella, which may not even have been available yet in this country. In La Palud, somehow, we five visitors were each given a little plastic sampler of it along with something—a cookie, a cracker?—to eat it on, and a tiny popsicle stick to dig it out. I thought it was the best thing I’d ever had, and Rhea, with a mock mournfulness that cracked me up, said, of our little bites, “That just makes me want more.”

Unfortunately, when I get a jar of Nutella—which contains 12 grams of fat per two tablespoons, and a primary ingredient of sugar—there is no stopping me. Only last week, my husband said, “What happened to the Nutella?” There had been a jar here…On a hiking trip to Patagonia two years ago, I was thrilled to be offered Nutella at breakfast, but OK, we were hiking eight to 12 miles a day, so we could eat a lot.

Rhea, who became a dear lifelong friend, who was a veterinarian and lifelong champion of animals, including elephants, is gone now, lost young to cancer; and I think of her every time I see a jar. Because I eat too much of it, I don’t always keep Nutella on-hand, but I never go too long between jars.—Alison Osius, senior editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Not Unpacking from Trips Until the Next One

Few things bring me more joy than returning home after an all-day spring skiing mission, tossing my pack on the floor next to my bed, and not looking at it again until I’m about to head out the door for my next expedition. It makes me frantic to clean dormant electrolyte mixes out of stinky water bottles and throw out old, moldy snacks five minutes after I text my adventure partners, “On my way.” But the simplicity of not unpacking hits like hard drugs.

The spare bedroom of my apartment sits at an ambient 48 degrees Fahrenheit because the woodstove is upstairs and, shocker, heat rises. It isn’t good for much but a gaping, disorganized gear closet. It houses bikes, skis, and touring packs full of dubious goodies. It’s a nightmare, but it’s my nightmare, and I’ll keep it looking like someone tossed a hand grenade in a ski shop this year, and into the next one.—Jake Stern, digital editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Hoarding Chapstick

I try to be extremely conscious of my consumption and buying habits, which goes only as far as purchasing chapstick. Living and working in the world of skiing, my lips get pretty dry in the winter and I’m no stranger to a bluebird ski day lip sunburn. I have at least ten different types of chapstick for all sorts of purposes—SPF for the day, endless tubes of Aquaphor for the night, ultra-moisturizing, aloe, and of course a treasure trove of some that are just for fun. I don’t need anyone to tell me I don’t need this many lip products, or even worse, that they don’t work (I won’t hear of it). Here’s the thing: I don’t care. Keeping a rotation of chapstick products is fun, and ultimately harmless. I’ll be bringing all of my chapstick with stride into the new year, and probably the year after that as well.—Jamie Aranoff, digital editor, SKI

Bringing a Gourmet Picnic on Every Outdoor șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

When I moved to Croatia last year, I quickly realized I’d need to reassess my adventure fuel. My beloved Cliff Blocks, and the wide variety of protein bars I’d come to rely on in the states, were nowhere to be found. After attempting to choke down my 47th Corny Big (don’t ask) bar of the year, I decided it was time to branch out. What started as salami and a little bit of cheese from the deli blossomed into over-the-top sandwiches. My husband and I perfected our “mortadella, bresaola, fresh mozzarella, greens and pickled peppers piled on fresh-baked ciabatta with a hefty drizzle of olive oil” combo and it became a staple of every hike, ski day and road trip. Unfortunately, it pairs really well with a half-bottle of wine, so my backpack’s gotten way too heavy. I’m freshly back in the U.S. now, but I can’t imagine a Kind Bar is going to cut it after discovering the good things in life. I think, unfortunately, my snacks are never going back to ultralight.—Mikaela Ruland, editor-in-chief, National Park Trips

Not Wearing a Coat

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve found winter coats to be a sensory nightmare. Somehow, they’re always too tight, too bulky, and too warm. I hate the feeling of wearing them more than I hate being cold. And to be clear, I am cold. I have enough sense to bundle up for a hike, but I can’t bring myself to put a coat on when I’m only walking across the grocery store parking lot. “I’m just going to be in and out,” I say, even when the temperature is below freezing. The ease of forgoing this one article of clothing somehow makes running errands in the winter more bearable. My parents still tsk-tsk me for my ill-advised sartorial choices, but unfortunately, I’m an adult now and nobody can make me change.—Isabella Rosario, associate editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍűÌę

Eating Dessert Every Single Night

I have a major sweet tooth. I believe I inherited this from my Dad because he’s a late-night dessert eater, too. Maybe I have a sugar addiction—who knows? And who cares? The comfort and excitement that I feel when I warm up a brownie (I always heat it for exactly 23 seconds in the microwave) and top it with Ben and Jerry’s Half-Baked ice cream is worth the calories. I was born in April, and we Taureans like a little bit of luxury when it comes to treating ourselves. Each night, around 11, I sit at my dining table with my brownie-and-ice-cream-filled bowl, turn on my electric fireplace, ask Alexa to play smooth jazz, roll out a place setting, and dig in. When I’m done, I lift the bowl to my lips and drink the melted ice cream. As I type this, I’m already salivating. I can’t wait for tonight.—Ayana Underwood, senior health editor, șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű

Sitting Like a Bird

When I’m working, the only way I can focus is sitting perched on top of my chair. It’s hard to explain unless you’re also prone to perching but let me try: I put my feet on the seat, knees bent and tucked up to my chest with my upper body curled forward to type or write. When I worked in an office setting, this position would alarm people. I got a lot of, “How do you sit like that?” from colleagues. Embarrassed, I’d attempt to put my feet on the floor like a professional, but it felt like a prison for my legs. (According to the medical handbook of Instagram, this is typical for neurodivergent folks with concentration problems, and yeah, that’s me.) At some point, I’ll probably need new joints. I could resolve to save up enough money to get myself this but I don’t know if it will let me feel as bird-like as I need to do good work. So professionalism and physical health be damned, I’m sitting like a weirdo for life.—Ali Nolan, digital editor, RUN

Drawing the Line at Cheese

Over the last few years I’ve made some significant changes to my diet for environmental reasons. For instance, I grow a ton of my summer produce. And 95 percent of my home cooking is plant-based. I only eat meat when I’m dining out or someone else serves it to me. That’s because the meat and dairy industries account for about 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gases worldwide. I also switched to plant-based milk (coconut is my fave). But don’t come after my cheese. Cheddar, feta, parm, gruyere, mozzarella, it doesn’t matter which type: I’m nothing without these gooey, salty, satisfying cheeses. I’ll skip meat for the rest of my days if I have to. Just don’t come after my cheese.—Kristin Hostetter, head of sustainability and șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű contributing editor

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The tradwives of TikTok have superhuman trend-setting abilities. They’ve revived and have made whipping up complicated recipes and even everyday household goods from scratch—like and —cool again. Now, is a staple in their skincare routines and on their plates.

Over the last month, TikTok has exploded with videos of people applying beef tallow as a moisturizer, claiming that it heals skin conditions from acne to dryness to hyperpigmentation. In other , users share how they make their own tallow to cook with as a substitute for more conventional sautéing fats like olive oil and butter.

You might be wondering: What makes it so special? Registered dietitians and dermatologists help us get to the greasy bottom of it all below.

What Is Beef Tallow?

Beef tallow is the product produced after removing fatty tissues from cow meat and melting them down, a process that’s also called rendering. Once rendered, any solids are strained from the liquid, and the remaining liquid is tallow, explains , a registered dietitian at Balance One, a supplement company. “The fat generally used is found around the loins or the kidneys of the cow,” she adds.

Once the tallow cools down, it solidifies into a butter or margarine-like texture. “It’s been used for centuries in traditional cooking methods and even in non-food products like candles and skincare,” explains , a registered dietitian and owner at Bravespace Nutrition, a nutrition therapy service. In the beauty world, much of the buzz around tallow stems from its alleged success in treating stubborn skin problems.

From an environmental and ethical standpoint, consuming or using tallow comes with the baggage of the beef industry, which is responsible for 3.7 percent of annual greenhouse gas emissions nationally, per the . (But if you’re down to eat beef, tallow shouldn’t raise any concerns.)

TikTokers Are Adding Beef Tallow to Their Skincare Routines

According to a that analyzed the scientific data on tallow’s benefits,Ìę the big draw to tallow is that it’s biocompatible with human skin, meaning it’s made up of lipids and fatty acids that mimic the composition of the epidermis. There are dozens of videos of alleged complexion transformations with nothing but a beef tallow balm to thank—but dermatologists aren’t jumping on the train just yet. “While it does show some potential for hydration, the research is limited and inconclusive,” says , a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Dermatologists Say Beef Tallow Can Be a Good Moisturizer

The hydration perk comes from its store of fatty acids like stearic acid and oleic acid, which help restore and strengthen the skin barrier and lock in existing moisture, explains dermatologist .

“From a moisturizing perspective, it can work for some people, especially those with very dry or compromised skin,” Kopelman explains. “However, when it comes to clearing acne and scars, I’m skeptical. Acne scars are deeper issues caused by skin damage and collagen loss, and while a good moisturizer can improve the overall look of the skin, tallow isn’t going to regenerate collagen or repair scars,” she says.

But Beef Tallow Might Clog Your Pores

Because tallow is quite heavy and occlusive, meaning it acts as a protective, impermeable shield, it can also trap oils, sweat, and bacteria on the skin, Kopelman adds. “For someone with acne-prone or oily skin, this could lead to clogged pores and even more breakouts,” she adds. “Another concern is hygiene—if the tallow isn’t processed properly, it could introduce contaminants or bacteria.” She notes that it also has the potential to cause allergic reactions in those with sensitive skin.

The review mentioned earlier was inconclusive about other potential side effects of using beef tallow cosmetically. Some studies conducted on animals found it to cause eye and skin irritation. There is also concern about other ingredients brands could put into beef tallow skincare. “What’s marketed as ‘beef tallow’ may actually be a mix of fats from various animals,” says Dr. Kazlosukaya.

And that’s why, for now, you may not find many derms joining the chorus on this one. “I approach these trends with caution. There are already so many wonderful moisturizers available,” says Dr. Kazlosukaya. “Unlike tallow, these products are backed by extensive research, ensuring their safety and efficacy.”

Kopelman adds: “While tallow’s properties may warrant further investigation, this should happen in controlled lab settings where its physical properties and safety can be thoroughly evaluated. For now, it’s too early—and too risky—to start slathering animal fat on your skin.”

Is Adding Beef Tallow to Your Diet a Good Idea?

“Beef tallow is rich in healthy fats but also contains less healthy saturated fats,” explains Best. It contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and K, too, “but those levels depend a lot on the diet and quality of the animal,” adds Metzelaar.

The Saturated Fat Content Can Be an Issue

In comparison, olive oil, for example, contains more heart-healthy unsaturated fats, Best says. “Too much saturated fat can impact cholesterol and heart health negatively. And while the science around saturated fat is evolving, eating too much of it while not balancing other nutrients in your diet could still pose risks for some individuals,” says Metzelaar.

It’s Great for Cooking Veggies and Frying

The real pro of using beef tallow in the kitchen is its high smoke point, which makes it versatile and ideal for frying or roasting vegetables compared to more delicate oils, Metzelaar says. It has a rich, savory flavor, which may not always gel well with sweet notes but can be used as a substitute for butter or shortening in recipes like pie crusts because it creates a flaky, tender texture, she adds.

Metzelaar says that you can also use it to fry eggs, sear meats, or make french fries, but that it’s best to eat tallow in moderation. “Ultimately, it’s another tool in your cooking arsenal,” she says. “Whether it’s the right fit for you depends on your preferences and how it fits into your overall diet,” she says.

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Update (January 9, 2025): The study cited in this article had a mathematical typo in calculating the exposure risk of a harmful chemical called deca-BDE, inflating the number by tenfold. As a result, some news outlets have canceled the study. But the recommendations to avoid black plastic in the kitchen remains, according to co-author of the study, Megan Liu: “Due to our miscalculation (not included in the abstract, highlights, or conclusion) the estimated exposure of one of the chemicals detected, deca-BDE,Ìęin kitchen utensils is an order of magnitude lower than we originally reported. But our recommendation to use alternatives such as wood and stainless steel, especially with kitchen utensils, remains. Deca-BDE is a banned flame retardant that can still pose health hazards, especially to children. Plus, our study also found 10 other harmful flame retardants in certain black plastic items. None of the chemicals tested are regulated in recycled plastics. And they should be.”

Fair warning: if you invite me to dinner at your house and I spy a black plastic spatula in the utensil canister on your counter, I’m confiscating it. Not because I’m a thief, but because I care about you. I don’t want black plastic anywhere near your scrambled eggs or anything else that goes into your mouth.

A published in Chemosphere, a scientific journal covering environmental chemistry, sounds the alarm on the toxicity of black plastic, which is commonly used in kitchen utensils, take out containers, sushi and meat trays, and even childrens’ toys.

The study tested 200 household items for bromine, a chemical that indicates the presence of dangerous brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Of the 87 items that contained bromine, the 20 with the highest concentrations were then analyzed for BFRs. 17 came back positive. The items with the highest levels of BFRs: a take-out sushi tray, a black plastic spoon, and a children’s pirate necklace.

For me, the scariest part of this discovery is that BFRs have been banned in the U.S. since 2004. So why are they showing up in products on our shelves today? It’s because we’ve recycled BFRs into places that they were never intended to go and it raises big questions about the safety of plastics recycling in general.

Is It Safe to Use Black Plastic?

The growing consensus among experts is that black plastic poses risks to human health and the environment. BFRs are linked to including endocrine, liver and kidney toxicity, cancer, adverse effects of fetal and child development, and more, according to The National Institute of Health Sciences.

“Our study showed that BFRs (including one called deca-BDE which has been banned in the U.S.) still exist in a percentage of new black plastic household items,” says Megan Liu, co-author of the study and the science and policy manager for , an environmental health and advocacy nonprofit.

The problem, she says, is that BFRs is a broad class of chemicals and only a handful of them have been outlawed. (This is a common challenge with chemical regulations, as I discovered when researching an article on PFAs, aka forever chemicals.) When a specific iteration within a large class of chemicals is banned, companies often switch to a similar—and equally harmful—one. It’s been likened to a dangerous game of whack-a-mole in which companies technically stay compliant but exacerbate the danger.

Liu says black plastic contamination traces back to electronics or e-waste recycling. For decades, BFRs have been added to electronics to prevent fire-related injuries and damage to property. BRFs—both the banned ones and their cousins— are still in circulation as old and new e-waste makes its way into the recycling system.

“Without regulations to end the use of harmful chemicals and prevent them from being recycled, toxic flame retardants will continue to enter our homes through the back door and show up in products,” says Liu.

Plastic Was Never Meant to Be Recycled

This black plastic study reveals an inherent and much deeper problem with our plastic recycling system. Despite how desperately we want to recycle the plastic we consume, it was designed to be durable by its very own founding fathers.

Consider thisÌę against Coca-Cola and PepsiCo. The suit alleges that the mega companies contributed to the plastics crisis by misleading consumers with advertising that praises the recyclability of single-use beverage bottles. “Except at the margins,” the suit reads, “it is theater—a show designed to make consumers feel good about, and be willing to, consume unprecedented volumes of defendants’ single-use plastic.”

But don’t take my word for it. Take it from one of the early champions of disposable packaging. At a 1963 plastics conference, Lloyd Stouffer, editor of Modern Plastics magazine, gave a horrifyinglyÌęcelebratory speech about the disposable nature of their darling packaging material and all the money it would make them.

“The package that is used once and thrown away, like a tin can or a paper carton, represents not a one-shot market for a few thousand units, but an everyday recurring market measured by the billions of units,” he espoused. “Your future in packaging does indeed lie in the trash can. You are filling the trash cans, the rubbish dumps and the incinerators with literally billions of plastics [sic] bottles, plastics jugs, plastics tubes, blisters and skin packs, plastics bags and films and sheet packages–and now, even plasticsÌęcans,” he said. I picture him raising his fist in celebration, dollar signs in his eyes. “The happy day has arrived when nobody any longer considers the plastic package too good to throw away.”

You can read the text of for yourself, and you should because it will blow your mind. It reads like an SNL parody. He waxed on and on about how all the different types of throw-away plastic–jars, bottles, cigarette boxes, shrink wrap–were replacing reusables at a staggering rate. All while saving companies millions.

In this room full of industry titans, Stouffer was leading a pep rally for pollution.

Jackie Nuñez, advocacy and engagement manager for Plastic Pollution Coalition, summarizes the fundamental in four words: “Toxics in and toxics out.” In other words, that should be taken out of the recycling system all together, and dealt with as the toxic/hazardous waste that it is.

“It’s ludicrous,” says Nuñez. She even takes issue with the word “recycling” when it comes to plastics. She argues that when plastics are reclaimed and melted down, they deteriorate and lose some of the function they were originally designed for. “Every time you heat up plastic, the chemical bonds weaken,” she says. “To turn it back into usable new plastic, virgin plastic must be fed in, perpetuating our hunger for plastic.”

It sounds like the evil twin of a sourdough starter that needs to be fed in order to rise.

Is It Better to Not Recycle Plastics?

Our long-term goal, according to both Liu, Nuñez, and many other environmental and health experts, should be to phase out plastic production.

According to Plastic Pollution Coalition, about 460 million metric tons of plastic are now produced annually. That number is expected to triple by 2050. Yet, ever made has been reclaimed. Recycling rates for other materials, like aluminum, glass, and paper, are far higher.

“This black plastics study brings to light a disturbing fact about plastic recycling,” says Liu. “We can’t recycle our way out of the toxic plastic crisis. It is critical that governments adopt strong restrictions on harmful chemicals and plastics to protect the health of all people.”

While Nuñez agrees that we need strong policies and regulations, and that polluters should pay for the harm they’ve done, she does not think that we should just give up and stop recycling.

“Yes, consumers should still separate out and sort their plastic according to their local guidelines,” says Nuñez. “This is our current, albeit flawed, system. It’s not broken, it’s just contaminated with plastic.”

How Can You Be Safe from Plastic?

While it’s clear that single-use plastic is bad for us and for the planet, it’s also, very hard to avoid it in today’s world. ThatÌę said, here is anÌęever-growing list of ways that I try to keep myself and my family safe from its harmful effects.

• Speak up! This is perhaps the most important thing you can do to create meaningful change. Ask your grocers and favorite restaurants to offer packaging choices that are nonplastic. Ask them to allow and embrace reusables. Write to your legislators and local officials and tell them we need to break free from plastic. Vote for politicians who support these views.
• Throw out your plastic kitchen utensils. This includes spatulas, spoons, strainers, bowls, cups, cutting boards, and containers.
• Shop smart. When you have the choice between plastic and any other material, steer clear of plastic. This is especially important when it comes to food packaging and anything that touches food.
• Adopt a reusable mindset. CarryÌęyour own water bottle. Bring your own cup to the coffee shop. Even tote your own container to restaurants for leftovers. This not only keeps youÌęsafe, it sends a message to the proprietors that you do not approve of single-use plastic.
• Know your local recycling guidelines. Really know them. Call your town or local recycling center and ask specific questions about exactly what they’ll take and won’t take.
• Sign petitions. It’s a fast, easy way to be part of collective action. Here are two you can sign today in minutes: supports federal legislation that would limit plastic pollution. supports a global treaty with the same goals.

Kristin Hostetter is șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s sustainability columnist. She is on a perpetual quest to banish plastic from her life. Follow her journey to live more sustainably by for her twice-monthly newsletter.

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If you were to unfurl all the toilet paper that Americans use in a year, it would stretch more than 930 million miles. That would reach from the Earth to just beyond Saturn.

Toilet paper is one of those ubiquitous household items we all use every single day. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never given my bum-cleaning tool too much thought.

But consider this: per year, producing our toilet paper bridge to outer space churns up tens of millions of trees and uses approximately 197 billion gallons of water per year. And production emits as much greenhouse gas as 12.4 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles. When I read these mind-blowing numbers, I started to give a crap about toilet paper.

What Is the Most Environmentally Friendly Toilet Paper?

Not all toilet paper is created equal, says Ashley Jordan, corporate campaign advocate for Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).ÌęNRDC is a nonprofit environmental advocacy group that leverages science, policy, law, and people power to safeguard the earth.

NDRC publishes an , analyzing and grading (A to F) the environmental impact of top brands. This grade takes into consideration the impact tissue production has on Canada’sÌęboreal forest, a massive swath of old growth trees that stretches for 1.2 billion acres from Newfoundland to Alaska.

The Canadian boreal forest is an environmental superhero. “Its soil and vegetation stores more carbon acre-per-acre than any other terrestrial ecosystem on Earth,” says Jordan. “But every year, Canada clearcuts a million acres of boreal forest, in part, to feed U.S. tissue consumption. The toilet paper we choose can have a major impact.”

But not all toilet paper comes from this embattled ecosystem, and the NRDC also examines products generated from other sources.

Breaking Down the Impact of the Three Major Types of Toilet Paper

Forest fiber

Most toilet paper brands come from wood pulp harvested from trees. Think Charmin, Scott, Cottonelle, and Kirkland (Costco) as well as most low-budget brands. “Each roll of forest fiber toilet paper uses around 1.2 to 2 pounds of wood,” says Jordan. “It requires twice as much water and has three times the carbon footprint of recycled fiber tissue.” No surprise: all the 100 percent forest fiber toilet papers received Fs on NRDC’s report card.

Many forest fiber brands display “FSC Mix” label—a certification that requires a product to be made from a blend of recycled wood and trees harvested from specific forests (including the Kirkland brand that I’ve bought for years). “FSC Mix brands brands get some additional points in our methodology,” says Jordan, “but ultimately, they still earn F grades.”

Bamboo

The wood-like plant is often touted as an environmentally friendly alternative because it’s fast growing and has a lower land use impact and carbon footprint than forest fiber. “It is a better option,” says Jordan, who notes that bamboo toilet papers received Bs and Cs on NRDC’s report card. “But where that bamboo comes from is an important factor. Did it come from a bamboo plantation that was clearcut and converted from a natural forest? Or did it come from a natural bamboo forest?”

Jordan says it can be difficult to tell, so she recommends looking for the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) “100%” certification label. “It indicates that the bamboo was sourced in a way that limits negative forest impacts,” says Jordan.

100 Percent Post-Consumer Recycled

These products comeÌęfrom paper that has been diverted from the landfill through recycling, then de-inked, re-pulped, and turned into tissue. This is the most environmentally-friendly choice, Jordan says. “As opposed to pre-consumer recycled content, which comes from scraps at manufacturing operations or unsold paper products, post-consumer recycled products have that added element of helping divert waste from landfills and fostering a more circular economy,” says Jordan. The brands that use 100 percent recycled fibers all received As and B+s.

Are Bidets More Environmentally Friendly than Toilet Paper?

The short answer is yes, bidets are more sustainable than toilet paper. They save trees and, surprisingly, they save water, too.

Unless you live in a water-scarce environment, bidets win over toilet paper because spritzing your bum uses far less water than wiping it. Here’s some conservative math: A typical bidet uses about one-eighth ofÌęa gallon of water per-flush. A single roll of standard forest fiber toilet paper requires six gallons. (Recycled toilet paper uses about three gallons). So one roll of standard toilet paper, which lasts my family of four maybe two days, equals 48 bidet sprays. If we each spray twice a day, that means a bidet uses 33.3 percent less water.

And there’s another factor to consider, too. Toilet paper, like so many of our household items, , which I wrote about several months ago. Also known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, this family of chemicals has been linked to a whole host of environmental and health problems like cancer, liver and thyroid problems, reproductive problems, and increased risk of birth defects, among others.

Since we know that the skin absorbs PFAS through contact, it’s a scary thought: with each wipe we could be exposing ourselves—in the most intimate way—to extremely toxic chemicals. Bidets avoid this exposure.

My Bidet Experiment

Bidets have been around since the 1700s, and while about 70 percent of the world uses them regularly, Americans have been slow on the uptake. That all changed when the pandemic hit and we were all scrambling to stockpile toilet paper. Since 2020, bidet sales in the U.S. have grown by .

I decided to see for myself what all the hype was about, so I ordered up one of the most popular, affordable bidets, the . After a simple 15-minute install, I was in business.

The Classic 3.0 is a simple insert that attaches to the base of the toilet between the bowl and the seat. A control panel juts out to side. A knob on the panel controls the spray. Here’s how it works: You sit. You poop. You spin the knob which controls the pressure, and a targeted jet of water hits you where the sun doesn’t shine. After about five seconds, you turn off the jet, grab a square of (recycled) toilet paper, dab dry, and off you go. (Tushy also offers washable bum towels as an alternative to toilet paper, but I have yet to make that leap.) My toilet paper use has plummeted by about 90 percent.

It’s been about a month of butt-washing, and I adore it. Seriously, there is nothing not to love about using a bidet. It saves trees, it saves water, it saves money, and my bum has never, ever been so clean. I’ll be ordering Tushys for the other bathrooms in my house. Heck, I’ll be ordering them for people on my Christmas list.

The upgraded model, the , is intriguing. It includes a seat warmer, a blow dryer, and the ability to control the water temperature. (I will surely appreciate this winter months!) But the Ace requires an electrical outlet near the toilet. I plan on installing one before the cold comes.

*The internet is rife with conflicting data about toilet paper. I made a few assumptions based on reliable sources (listed below) and relied on to determine the amount of resources that toilet paper consumes. Note: I calculated the numbers for forest fiber toilet paper. The reality is that an indeterminant portion of U.S. toilet paper usage is recycled.

• The average roll of toilet paper weighs 5 ounces and stretches .03 miles, according to my actual measurements.
• U.S. population is 345,000,000, according to
• The average person uses 85 rolls or 28 pounds of toilet paper per year, according to Statista. I adjusted this number conservatively because Statista’s assumption that a roll of toilet paper weighs just three ounces seemed way light compared to the variety of rolls I measured.Ìę

Hostetter has invited several friends over to poop on her bidet. Each one left a convert. Follow her journey to live more sustainably by for her twice-monthly newsletter.

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I’ve tried to dial in my outdoor skin-care routine many times over the years—half-hearted, half-baked attempts at sweat removal: A face wipe here, a splash from the Nalgene there. It was my tenure as a backcountry caretaker with Vermont’s that inspired this concerted technical overhaul. As a caretaker, my primary responsibilities were trail and privy maintenance. GMC maintains over 70 lovingly constructed, notably hand-emptied backcountry toilets. Depending on the week, I was the fortunate steward of one to three of these honorable facilities.

Long story short, human poop can spur even the most complacent outdoorswoman to great sanitary heights. At GMC, I lived in a tent and hauled materials into the field via backpack, so I needed to find affordable, lightweight products. After months of trial and error, I can confidently promote the carefully selected skin-care regimen below.

At a Glance

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Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes (84 Count)

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I opt for baby wipes over their face-specific counterparts because they’re cheaper and come in larger quantities. Sure, other wipes might sport “purifying” technologies, but the central purpose of this step is to remove dirt and physical debris from your hands and face, not to waterlog your pores. I usually use two baby wipes during this stage—one for my face and one for my paws— and more if the day has proved particularly grimy. These Pampers wipes are clinically proven to be gentle enough for a baby’s butt (they’re alcohol, paraben, and latex-free), and that’s good enough for my face.

Hand Sanitizer Clear Gel (2 fl oz)

In this Covid-adjacent era, you can get hand sanitizer to fit just about any description, dimension, or scent. ? For sure. ? Absolutely. For backcountry purposes though, I stick to the classics. A mini Purell or any of its off-brand relatives will do. Clean hands are the key to a clean face. comes in at a lovely $1.19 for two ounces.

Garnier SkinActive Micellar Cleansing Water (3.4 fl oz)

Micellar water—a gloriously pre-packaged purified water-cleansing agent combo—is a phenomenal backcountry hack. You don’t have to waste fuel getting a pot of water boiling, and Garnier’s is available in squeezy 3.4 fl oz containers. Adorable. I use reusable makeup remover pads and a dash of this stuff after my initial baby wipe and hand sanitizer steps for a squeaky-clean finish. These are a great bang for your buck (16 for less than $8) and they’re machine washable (though I wash them by hand, which works just as well).

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (2 fl oz)

I like Cetaphil’s moisturizer because it’s fragrance-free (minimizes critter temptation) and non-comedogenic. Non-comedogenic products are explicitly designed without common pore-blocking , which reduces breakout risk. I used to skip moisturizer in the backcountry, relegating it to my list of nonessentials. Little did I know: moisturizer acts as a shield. This part of your skin-care routine protects the work you’ve done thus far and expands its overnight potency by boosting your skin’s natural barrier. Remember, a stronger skin barrier equals fewer zits.

Neutrogena Clear Face Liquid Lotion Sunscreen 50 SPF (3 fl oz)

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I opt for Neutrogena’s Clear Face 50 SPF as the last step in my morning backcountry skin-care routine. Its non-comedogenic, oil-free formula feels light on my face, rubs in quickly, and keeps oily skin at bay. Not only does sunscreen , but it also reduces signs of premature aging, minimizes hyperpigmentation, and keeps your lovely visage resilient, hydrated, and therefore (more or less) acne-free. As my beloved Wilderness First Responder instructor, Eric, once told me: “One sure sign of outdoor incompetence is sunburn. Don’t be a moron. Put it on!”

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As I sit in my sun porch writing these words, my sweaty fingers are slipping on the keys one minute, sticking the next. My trackpad is glitching up, too. My computer does not like my perspiration. It’s 100 degrees Fahrenheit with 70 percent humidity at my house on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, making it 142 degrees.

I know I have it easy compared to . It’s steamy here in New England, but I’m not in any danger of Ìę(as long as I vacate this sun porch, which I’m doing right now) and my close proximity to the ocean gives me a bit of relief. But that’s not the case for millions of people in other parts of the country where the current heat wave is unbearable, downright dangerous, and inescapable.

Extreme weather phenomenon like heat domes—where the atmosphere traps warm air, creating dangerously high temperatures—are becoming the norm. According to a 2022 in The New England Journal of Medicine, “Climate change is causing a global increase in average temperatures and increasing the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme heat events, resulting in unprecedented levels of heat exposure.”

Soaring temperatures are deadly. In , the U.S. saw approximately 11,000 heat deaths, and that’s likely a conservative number. “Heat is absolutely no joke,” says Kim Knowlton, assistant clinical professor at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health who specializes in heat and ozone studies.

Symptoms of hyperthermia, a.k.a. heat illness, include dizziness, nausea, fatigue, rapid heart rate, and passing out. Heat stroke is the most severe iteration, which can lead to organ failure, brain damage, and death.

“So many Americans don’t have access to or can’t afford to operate an air conditioner. People don’t take it seriously enough,” says Knowlton. She believes that athletes and outdoor enthusiasts are particularly vulnerable to heat illness because we’re healthy and strong and some of us even love a good, sweaty sufferfest. “It’s easy to be cavalier about discomfort when you’re used to it,” she says. “But layer on extreme heat and it can get really dangerous really fast.”

For many of us, heat poses dangers—or, at the very least, extreme discomfort—in our home lives. I work from home and lack the luxury of an air-conditioned office in a high rise. Sometimes, the soaring temperatures makes a day of work feel like a trip to the sauna.

My house does have some infrastructure for regulating temperature—I have mini-split air conditioning units as well as a heat pump. But I’m reticent to turn on these devices, due to the energy use and cost. According to theÌę, electricity consumption for cooling homes and commercial buildings in the U.S adds up to about 424 billion kilowatt hours per year. In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, that’s the equivalent of cranking 45.4 coal plants for a year.

But just because you’re an environmentally-conscious person doesn’t mean you have to endure a summer of agony. There are plenty of ways to stay cool without flipping on an electric device. So, in order to save money and carbon emissions this summer, I’ve been on a mission to find low-cost, low-impact hacks to stay cool at home, sans A/C. All of these tricks, tested and approved (by me) and pulled together with stuff I had lying around the house, helped keep me cool during the July 2024 heatwave.

1. Make a Cool Collar

This is my absolute favorite cooling trick. First, take a towel (ideal size is about 18 by 10 inches), wet it thoroughly, and wring it out. Second, roll the damp towel lengthwise and form it into a horseshoe shape. Third, lay it flat in the freezer for about an hour. Once frozen solid, hook it around your neck for a long-lasting cooling power. I experimented with lots of different fabrics: cotton bandanas, dish towels, typical wash cloths, and polyester Buffs. All of those dry out and become lukewarm too quickly, but I found a very clear winner. These ($2 each), made of a soft, highly absorbent material called viscose (derived from wood pulp), stay damp and cool for well over an hour in scorching temps. I’ve taken to wearing my collar on walks, hikes, and even during Zoom calls. You’re welcome.

Why it works: The carotid arteries, which supply blood to the head and brain, run up each side of the neck andÌęare one of our pulse points, where blood vessels are close to the skin surface. When you apply a cold compress to a pulse point, there’s an immediate cooling effect. One published in The Journal of Athletic Training also suggests that during physical exertion, cooling the base of the neck where the thermoregulation center lives, dampens our perception of heat discomfort and sends that signal to our brain.

2. Cool Your Jets

This method may sound crazy, but it really works, as any hot hiker who dips their feet in a river knows. Fill a basin with ice water and soak your feet. Combine this tip with No. 1 and you’ll be crushing the heat from head to toe.

Why it works: We have cooling points on the tops or our feet and ankles. shows that immersing our feet in cool water is an effective way to lower core body temperature.

3. Make a Cooling Mist

Fill a spray bottle with equal parts water and witch hazel, then add about 15 drops of any combination of peppermint, spearmint, or eucalyptus essential oil. Store in the fridge and give yourself a spritz as needed.

Why it works: Skin is the biggest organ in our body, says Knowlton, and keeping it moist promotes evaporative cooling. As water on the surface of the skin evaporates it pulls heat from our bodies and cools us down. The menthol oils activate the cold-sensitive receptors in our skin. It’s a quick and temporary solution, but it feels (and smells) really nice.

4. Make Wet Wipes

Start off by filling a big pot with water. Next add a bunch of drops of your favorite essential oil. I like peppermint and spearmint for their cool, refreshing vibes. Then submerge your choice of bandanas, Buffs, dish towels, or washcloths. Let them soak in the aromatherapy for 30 minutes or so. Lightly wring them out and fold them into a large mason jar. Refrigerate. Grab a wipe anytime you need a quick spurt of coolness. Wipe down your arms, legs, face after a workout, or wear it around your neck until it warms up.

Why it works: See 1 and 3.

5. Hack Your Fan

Did you know thatÌęin dry heat, fans can sometimes do more harm than good? According to a researcher quoted in , “fans at any temperature up to 104° Fahrenheit, where there is some kind of humidity, are beneficial. But as the temperature goes higher, if it’s dry, then fans are progressively less useful and potentially detrimental.” It’s because when the air temperature is greater than that of your skin, the opposite of evaporation occurs: the hot air flows into your body rather than out of it. But you can create a low-tech mini A/C unit if you have access to some ice. Fill a bowl with ice (or a mixture of ice and water) and place it directly in front of a fan pointed at you.

Why it works: It’s pretty simple. As air passes over the ice, it cools down and the fan circulates it around the room, mimicking an A/C unit which uses much more energy.

6. Drink a Slushy

Grab a sugary icy beverage at your local convenience store, or better yet, make a healthy one. Start by placing 6 large frozen strawberries, 3 chunks of frozen watermelon, a handful of blueberries, 6 ice cubes, fresh mint (the more the better), and the zest and juice of one lime into a high powered blender. Then, with the motor running, add water about 1/4 cup at a time, pushing fruit down the sides of the blender with a rubber spatula, until you get the perfect slushy consistency.

Why it works: Especially on high humidity days, a slushy is a great (and tasty) way to bring your internal temperature down, says Knowlton. “Sip it, don’t chug it, for a sustained and gradual cooling.” Other hydrating ingredients to experiment with: coconut water, cucumbers, citrus, stone fruits, apples, and pears.

“There’s been some controversy about whether hot or cold drinks are most efficient at cooling,” says Knowlton. “The rationale is that on a hot day, drinking hot tea will make you sweat, and the evaporation of that sweat offers high-efficiency cooling. That would be the case on lower-humidity days, but a nice cold slushy is so much more fun.”

7. Start the Night Off Cool

Generously mist a flat twin sheet with your cooling spray or plain water. Fold it and place it in the freezer an hour before bedtime. When it’s time to hit the sack, unfurl your sheet of coolness and climb under. A deftly aimed fan makes for a lovely end to a steamy day.

Why it works: Falling asleep when it’s hot can be brutal. This technique provides a fleeting (15 to 30 minutes, depending) burst of sweet, cool comfort, which is sometimes all you need to start the night off right.

Doing right by the planet can make you happier, healthier, and—yes—wealthier. șÚÁÏłÔčÏÍű’s head of sustainability, Kristin Hostetter, explores small lifestyle tweaks that can make a big impact. for her twice monthly newsletter or write to her at climateneutral-ish@outsideinc.com.

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At the southern terminus of the Cotswold Way, a 102-mile trail through the English countryside, there’s a beautiful sight for sore legs: the Roman Baths.

is a time-honored tradition in the U.S. and beyond, and not just because soaking feels good after a long walk. Many hot springs enthusiasts also claim that the waters themselves have healing properties. The Romans were no different: They believed Bath’s springs, which are today cordoned off as a museum exhibit, could and other afflictions. And now, recent science shows that they might have actually been right.

Bath’s Bacteria-Fighting Microbes

Scientists from the University of Plymouth recently analyzed Bath’s spring-fed waters and discovered 15 different types of microorganisms with the potential to fight human pathogens. These microorganisms have natural antimicrobial properties that could be , including E. coli infections, staph infections, and others.

While doctors currently have treatments for many of these infections, the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance could render some of them ineffective over time. If that proves true, then Bath’s waters could be the secret to finding new, more effective antibiotics.

By 2050, “antimicrobial resistance is predicted to be , maybe even more so,” says Dr. Lee Hutt, senior author on the research paper published in the journal The Microbe. As bacteria grow more and more resistant to antibiotic drugs, we may soon find ourselves at risk of dying from infections we see as minor today. And as hot springs are literal hotbeds of microbe activity, they could hold many more opportunities for potentially life-saving antibacterial microorganisms.

Healing Lore in Hot Springs Around the World

Interestingly, Bath’s hot springs don’t have the best track record for good bacteria. The Roman Baths were closed for swimming and bathing in 1978 after a girl died from a bacterial disease contracted in the pool. However, other springs have more consistent reputations. Tennessee’s , for example, were long thought to cure rheumatism, tuberculosis, and other ailments. And many of Colorado’s were used by Native Ute people for centuries as a source of healing and medicine.

Across cultures, hot springs have held similar allure. Perhaps it’s no wonder. Hot springs are a very unique environment, Hutt says, and he thinks they have a lot of potential, worldwide, to harbor other interesting microbes—including bacteria with possible medicinal uses.

Another recent study in Japan supports this idea of healing potential. Research published in January by Scientific Reports found that visitors to hot springs in Kyushu, Japan, after soaking for at least 20 minutes per day over the course of a week. Just by soaking in the hot springs—not drinking them—they experienced significant increases in certain types of gut microbiota.

Most notably, participants saw an increase in B. bifidum concentrations. That bacterium has been linked to improved glucose tolerance, relief from constipation, and better gut immunity overall. A limitation of the study, however, was that it didn’t involve a control group or compare results with a test group that experienced the heat of a sauna, for example, without the presence of the bacteria. So, it’s still possible that it’s the heat of the hot springs—rather than what’s in the water—that facilitates a beneficial environment for your gut. Scientists will need to conduct more research before we can say for certain.

So—Do Hot Springs Really Have Healing Properties?

Hutt said it’s important to note that you won’t cure diseases just by soaking in the hot springs alone. Significant research and testing still needs to be conducted in order to figure out how to make these microbes work for us in a medicinal capacity. There is a slim chance, however, that the Romans might have experienced the benefits of antibiotics in the water if they soaked in the pools while suffering from some kind of skin infection, he said. But he emphasized that that’s a stretch.

Of course, it’s hard to deny that soaking in hot springs can also make you feel better immediately. According to the Aspen Valley Hospital, a relative neighbor to the famous , soaking can , improve flexibility, and help you sweat to clear clogged pores. Minerals in some hot springs can also decrease stress, the hospital said, but we’d venture to guess that the simple fact of sitting in a natural hot tub with a stunning mountain view is pretty relaxing in itself. Even better, perhaps, if you’ve hiked there yourself.

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