Melatonin is a supplement that’s often used by people suffering from insomnia, jet lag and other sleep problems. While the body naturally produces melatonin to signal the brain that it’s time for sleep, people who don't make enough of it need a supplement to help them sleep.  In this post, we explain everything you need to know about melatonin including how effective it is, dosage recommendations and some precautions to keep in mind. What Is Melatonin? As evening approaches and darkness sets in, the pineal gland begins to release more melatonin, or what we call the sleep hormone. This is part of the body’s circadian rhythm, which is mostly governed by light and darkness.  Melatonin does not put you to...

Jet lag can take the fun out of traveling. Each time you cross time zones, you have to suffer through a few days of fatigue, mental confusion and a general feeling of malaise.    Currently, there is no cure for jet lag. But there are jet lag aids that can help minimize the severity of your symptoms. Some of these work best before or during travel, while others can help when you are in the throes of jet lag.   1. Melatonin  Melatonin is a natural hormone that’s produced in the body. It helps us relax and get ready for sleep. Melatonin is also a common sleep aid that you can take to help with insomnia and other sleep problems.  It also...

I dread shopping for a new mattress. There are just so many types that I have no idea what to pick. On the other hand, this variety is awesome as it allows everyone to find the perfect mattress for their needs.  Some people love the cuddly comfort of memory foam mattresses while others swear by the bouncy coolness of latex mattresses. Whatever you prefer, there’s a mattress for you. Below, we recommend the best mattresses for different kinds of sleepers.  What To Look For In A Mattress Before we start, let’s do a quick rundown of the features that actually matter when picking a new mattress. Don’t get tricked by the marketing-speak of mattress companies.  Support - if you are...

When buying bedding for your college kid, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind including comfort, longevity and hygiene. It may be tempting to, but don't get cheaper items. It’s worth spending extra to ensure they get high quality bedding that promotes better sleep.  Here are some of the best bedding for college students.  Comfortable Mattress If the college dorms don’t have mattresses or if your kid is planning to live in their own place, you’ll need a good mattress. Don't get the cheapest foam mattress you can find. It will ruin their sleep, which in turn will affect their academics, health and social life.  College kids are already bad at getting adequate sleep. Buying an uncomfortable...

Acne can often feel like a cruel game of whack-a-mole. You treat it and it goes away only for it to reappear unexpectedly. Many people, especially women, spend their life in a cycle of clear skin to acne back to clear skin ad infinitum.  If you are experiencing this, there’s something (or several things) triggering your acne. Figuring out what it is can help reduce or prevent recurrence.   1. Skin Care Products  The first place to check is your collection of makeup and skin care products. There’s probably one or two things there that don't agree with your skin.  Lookout for products that contain alcohol, mineral oils, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, parabens and other ingredients known to irritate or inflame the...

Believe it or not, your sleeping position has an impact on the health of your skin, particularly your face. The main issue is contact between your face and your pillow.  Certain sleeping positions like sleeping on your side can age your skin faster and increase your risk of getting acne.  The Worst Sleeping Positions for Your Skin  Your side and stomach are the worst sleeping positions for your skin health. The reason is simple: these positions keep your face constantly in contact with the pillow.  This has three big problems.  1. Pressure and Friction On The Skin  When you sleep on your side or stomach, the side of your face will be in contact with the pillow for hours. This...

Acne can sometimes feel like this mysterious condition. It strikes unexpectedly and you are never really sure what has caused it. Is it hormones? Is it the cream I’m using? Is it something in the air? There are plenty of acne triggers including hormonal imbalance, poor skin hygiene, stress and so on. Here’s one more you’ve probably never considered — sleep deprivation.  That’s right, lack of sleep could trigger or worsen an acne breakout. It’s one more reason why you should really try and get 7-9 hours of high quality sleep every night.  Can Sleep Deprivation Cause Acne?  The research we have so far indicates that, yes, sleep deprivation is linked to the occurrence of acne. People who get less...

Pregnancy and menopause are two periods in a woman’s life when hormonal changes are most extreme. These changes affect almost every aspect of your body, the skin included. We’ve already covered how pregnancy affects the skin. In this post, we focus on menopause and how it changes your skin. The bad news is that most of these changes are not good. We are talking about increased skin dryness, more acne breakouts, higher risk of sun damage and so on. The good news is that there’s plenty you can do to mitigate these changes and keep your skin looking great.  How Do Hormones Change During Menopause? The biggest change that happens during menopause is a drop in estrogen and progesterone levels....

A lot of women experience a pregnancy glow when they are expecting starting around the second semester. But this is one of the few good changes to your skin that you will experience during pregnancy.  Most of the effects of pregnancy on the skin are less pleasant. Fortunately, many of them go away or reduce after delivery, so you don't have to worry about being stuck with acne or dark patches forever.  5 Ways Pregnancy Affects Your Skin 1. Your Skin Glows Let’s start with the good news: your skin will probably look brighter, shinier and rosier when you enter your second trimester. That is what’s called a pregnancy glow.  Pregnancy glow can be less noticeable in some women, so...

You may not think it matters, but your pillowcase is essential for your skin health. In fact, your pillowcase could trigger or worsen acne on your face. We wrote an entire post on it here.  People with sensitive and acne-prone skin need to be especially careful what kind of pillowcase they get and how well they maintain it.  How Your Pillowcase Affects Your Skin Health You (hopefully) spend over 6 hours each night with your face touching the pillow, so it makes perfect sense that your pillow can affect your skin health.  Your pillowcase is not as pristine as it seems, especially after a couple of nights of sleeping on it. If you were to examine it under a microscope,...