H E A LT H / W E L L N E S S
L
CLOSE YOUR PORES
arge, clogged pores are a big no-no for your clear skin goals! But how exactly can you unclog and minimize them? Pores are tiny openings in the skin that release oils and sweat. They’re also connected to your hair follicles. If you’re suffering from large pores, it may be because of the following: • acne • increased sebum production, which causes oily skin • sun damage • noncomedogenic makeup Although you can’t change the size of your pores, four products can help minimize their appearance. Start with an exfoliating cleanser. The best ones contain either AHA or BHA or both. Effaclar Gel Facial Wash for oily skin with zinc pidolate effectively cleanses away dirt and oil while respecting the skin’s pH balance. It cleanses without over-drying your skin, and is great for all skin types, including sensitive skin. Next, you will need a niacinamide serum. Most dermatologists recommend 2%-5% for our skin; however, the oilier your skin, the higher percentage of niacinamide is recommended. The Ordinary’s Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is an excellent serum for everyday use. You can add retinol with your niacinamide, but please add it slowly.
NEED MORE BLACK REPRESENTATION IN ALZHEIMER’S STUDY
Niacinamide reduces inflammation, which may help ease redness from eczema, acne, and other inflammatory skin conditions. It helps minimize pore appearance. Keeping your skin smooth and moisturized may have a secondary benefit — a natural reduction in pore size over time. Too much niacinamide can irritate, especially if you have sensitive skin. Follow up with a lightweight moisturizer. A daily moisturizer is essential. We recommend looking for ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to help restore and maintain the skin’s protective barrier. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer that helps hydrate the skin and restore its natural barrier. Lastly, WEAR YOUR SUNSCREEN! Sunscreen is vital for keeping your skin healthy and protected from the sun’s harsh UV rays. Aveeno’s Hydrate + Protect Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is perfect for your sunscreen needs. Formulated with SPF 60 & prebiotic oat, the facial sunscreen helps leave skin feeling soft & hydrated. Another “bonus” step that many of us forget is not to go to sleep in our makeup. Double cleansing is a great way to ensure your face is cleared of all residue.
HITTING YOUR PEAK
M
ost people would assume that the sexiest time of your life would be when you’re young, in your 20s, before the kids and the houses and the adult responsibilities. But according to new research, most women reach their sexual peak around age 36. Contraceptive app Natural Cycles commissioned a study of 2,600 women, asking them about their experience with sex—from orgasms to sexual enjoyment. The answers were segmented by age group (younger than 23, 23 to 35 and 36 and older), and the results were surprising. Women in the older than 36 group reported feeling sexier and more confident than their younger counterparts. Eighty-six percent of the older age group said they had great sex in the last month, compared to only 76 percent of the middle group and 56 percent of the youngest, The Independent reported. And not only were the older women having better sex, they were orgasming more, too. The 36 and older cohort reported higher frequency of reaching climax with their partners as well. So ladies in your 20s and early 30s, the best sex of your life is on its way. – Hello Beautiful
30 ONYX MAGAZINE
A
WALK TO REDUCE BLOOD SUGAR
T
here are numerous benefits to walking. It makes you feel good, and a nice walk can improve your health. However, did you know a quick stroll can reduce your blood sugar? According to a 2022 study in Sports Medicine, a two-minute walk after a meal will do the trick. In addition, standing up after a meal can help, but not as much as walking. “Intermittent standing breaks throughout the day and after meals reduced glucose on average by 9.51% compared to prolonged sitting. However, intermittent light-intensity walking throughout the day saw a greater glucose reduction by an average of 17.01% compared to prolonged sitting,” Aidan Buffey, a doctoral student in the physical education and sport sciences department at the University of Limerick in Ireland. “This suggests that breaking prolonged sitting with standing and light-walking breaks throughout the day is beneficial for glucose levels,” he added.
BENEFITS OF A SHORT WALK The study showed that a quick walk after a meal stabilized insulin levels in the participants. According to experts, keeping blood sugars from spiking is good for the body as large spikes and fast falls can raise the risk for diabetes and heart disease. Furthermore, studies proved blood sugar levels would spike within 60 to 90 minutes after eating. Our muscles need glucose to function. Therefore, movement helps clear sugars from the bloodstream. For instance, runners rely on carbo-loading before a big race. If you want to put in a more significant effort to lower your blood sugar, then make sure you are doing 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle training per week. “People who are physically active for about 150 minutes a week have a 33% lower risk of all-cause mortality than those who are physically inactive,” the U.S. CDC. Meaning that just 21.43 minutes each day of the week cuts your risk of dying by one-third.
lzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia, which is a general term for the impaired ability to remember, think, and make decisions that interfere with everyday activities. It’s a progressive disease beginning with mild memory loss and possibly leading to loss of the ability to carry on a conversation and respond to the environment. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, as many as 5.8 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and Blacks are about twice as likely as non-Hispanic Whites to develop AD and other forms of dementia. Among Black Americans ages 70 and older, 21.3% are living with AD. Blacks are also carrying a disproportionate burden of the overall national cost for AD, which is mainly from caregiving costs, as well as loss of income and productivity, according to Stephanie Monroe, director of the African American Network Against Alzheimer’s. “Alzheimer’s is costing Blacks generations and generations of income and wealth that’s been built since the Civil Rights era,” Monroe told Caregiver Crossing, a podcast focused on caregiving. Researchers are still examining why Blacks are impacted disproportionately by AD. Studies show that it’s a combination of socioeconomic disparities, higher rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and genetics. Lack of participation in trials is another contributing factor. Last year, the National Institute on Aging, part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, launched an online tool, OutreachPro, to help researchers and clinicians increase awareness and participation in clinical trials in Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, especially among traditionally underrepresented communities. In order to qualify for the study, potential participants are adults ages 55-80 who have not been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia. The treatment is experimental and participation is approximately four years with a variety of options available to accommodate participants’ busy schedules. Most study sites provide reimbursement for travel and a stipend for attending study visits. Those interested in participating in the AHEAD study can apply at https://www.aheadstudy.org/pre-screener/. ONYX MAGAZINE 31
