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Your Guide to Retinol, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin C, and More Confusing Skin Care Ingredients


By now you know the drill: Every few months a new wunderkind skin care ingredient is discovered in some remote locale, and pretty soon it’s everywhere—in your masks, serums, foot creams, insert-step-in-your-beauty-routine-here. But at the end of the day, there are only a handful of ingredients that have stood the test of time and truly become essential. “In skin care, they’re the holy grail,” says Cambridge, Massachusetts, dermatologist Ranella Hirsch.

You’ve probably heard of all these by now. (Retinol, hyaluronic acid, AHAs, peptides, and vitamin C all make the list.) But you may still be a little confused on what exactly each one does—and how you should be using them. Here, we break it all down.



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How to Cure Butt Acne: A Complete Guide


Let’s just get straight to the point: Butt acne is real, and it’s not comfortable. Breakouts that occur on unlikely parts of your body can be especially distressing because we often have no idea how—or why—they got there.

Technically called “folliculitis,” acne on your butt isn’t quite the same as the flare-ups that happen on your face. It’s often due to clogged hair follicles rather than clogged pores and can occur from a combination of occlusion (i.e., blockage), friction, sweat, and bacteria, according to Susan Bard, M.D., of New York’s Sadick Dermatology. Basically, if you leave your sweaty yoga pants on for hours after class or wear skintight jeans or leather pants when its balmy out, you could be upping your chances of getting butt acne.

For me, it happens every time I “forget” to shower between a Spin class and brunch, or when I want to leave my cute workout outfit on all day instead of putting on real clothes. Needless to say, it makes all subsequent Spin classes seriously awkward, both in front of other women in the locker room (even though I know I shouldn’t care) and on the bike. (Let’s just say it’s not a time you want to do tap backs.)

Determined to put an end to this cycle, and help out anyone else who might need it, I grilled Dr. Bard for her best advice on how to get rid of butt acne. Here, the four tips she swears by, because I know we’ve all been there.

1. Give the tight clothes a rest.
In case you needed another excuse to embrace the sweats-and-stilettos trend, loose pants are your best bet for avoiding breakouts. “To prevent folliculitis, I encourage patients not to wear tight, friction-inducing clothing such as tight jeans and to change out of your sweaty gym clothes as soon as possible,” says Dr. Bard. Opt for cotton underwear over nylon or Spandex to give the skin on your butt a chance to breathe.

2. Wash up after workouts.
Not only should you always shower after working out, but it’s important you actually pay attention to your skin back there while you do it. To cleanse, skip the basic body wash and reach for an antibacterial soap or benzoyl peroxide wash like Neutrogena’s Clear Stubborn Acne Cleanser. Some other tips: Make sure you wash your hair first and body last so the dirty suds from your scalp won’t drip down and clog your follicles. And after you shower, steer clear of thick, heavy body lotions that may do more harm than good. A good option to try? Curél’s Fragrance Free Comforting Body Lotion, which goes on light and is formulated for sensitive skin.

Also, when your skin is clear (so before any zits arise), remember to exfoliate regularly to remove dirt and bacteria, the same way you would for your face. You can use a gritty body scrub like one of these editor favorites. Or you can use a product with glycolic acid, like Glycolix 18% Extremity Cream which will help exfoliating skin more gently.

3. Don’t try to pop or pick at butt acne.
Not that you can reach them easily, anyway. But just in case you have bionically long arms, or have managed to find a way to get a hand on them, it’s important you resist the temptation to squeeze or pick at butt acne, which—according to Dr. Bard—will only make it worse. Doing so risks the chance that the spots will become more prone to infection, and it also might cause scarring.

4. Don’t be embarrassed to see a dermatologist.
We know. There’s nothing more cringeworthy than having to lie on your stomach while a doctor examines your bare ass, but here’s something to keep in mind: Derms have seen it all and they’re there to help. If you feel as if your acne isn’t improving, is getting worse, or is too painful to get about your day to day, it’s time to visit a pro. They’ll be able to help custom tailor a skin care plan that works best for you and/or recommend prescription medication you can take.



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Sexting 101: Your Complete Guide to Sending and Receiving Nude Photos


Sexting with a partner can be thrilling. It can also be nerve-raking. How can you be sure they’re the only one who will see a racy pic? What if they send you a nude photo, but you don’t feel comfortable returning the favor? What’s the appropriate way to respond if you like what you see? And what if you get a nude pic that’s not appreciated?

Sending and receiving nude photos can be amazing, but only if everyone is on the same page. “In terms of pictures, consent and communication are needed as they are in all sexual interactions, off or online,” says Laurie Mintz, Ph.D., a sex therapist, psychologist, and author of Becoming Cliterate.

Here’s how to handle every sexting situation that comes your way.

Situation 1: Your partner asks for a nude photo

First things first: It’s completely up to you if you’re willing to get naked in front of the camera. (If full-on nudity isn’t your thing, you might try something more subtle like underwear or even just a t-shirt.)

Second, be aware that sending a nude photo always entails some risk, says Mintz. The question to ask yourself is, “How sure are you this would not be someone who would show these photos to someone else or post them in revenge if you break up?” she says. “You need to be aware that trust can be broken.”

To practice safer sexting, at the very least, add a passcode to your phone and have your partner do the same. Cropping your face out of any photos also helps to minimize privacy concerns. To really be protected, consider using an encrypted app like DiscKreet which adds an extra layer of protection to your peace of mind. Messages and photos sent between partners in the app require two passwords to open at any given time—in other words, you have to give your consent every time a partner wants to view your photos.

Situation 2: You want to send a nude photo to someone

You’re comfortable enough with someone to take your texting to the next level? Awesome. Just make sure they’re on board, too, since not everyone has the same comfort level.

Rule number one: Always ask before sending an unsolicited racy photo. “If they reply with enthusiasm, you’ve got the green light,” says Astroglide’s resident sexologist Jess O’Reilly, Ph.D. “If they say no or sound unsure, respect their boundaries. Sexting can be hot, but there are many other hot activities in which to engage if it’s not your partner’s cup of tea.”

Situation 3: You want your partner to send a nude photo

When you’re asking for a photo, the same rules apply: make sure your partner enthusiastically consents before engaging in any nude photo exchange. Mintz recommends a simple, clear request like “I’d love to get a picture of your XX.”

Most importantly, don’t pressure them, and don’t take it personally if they say “no,” says O’Reilly. They may be concerned about privacy or just not feel comfortable with it, but that doesn’t reflect how they feel about you.

Situation 4: You get a photo you like but aren’t sure where to take it from there

Sexting can be fantastic foreplay—it can also be a little awkward to get the hang of. Once you get a sexy photo from your partner, it’s not uncommon to draw a blank on what to say next, especially if this is a new activity for you or your partner.

Spoiler alert: “Nice!” probably won’t cut it. Taking a mental health day to binge watch Game of Thrones is nice. Scoring the last spot in your favorite SoulCycle class is nice. When someone get’s vulnerable enough to share a nude photo, you can do better than nice.



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Dermal Fillers: Your Ultimate Guide to the Types of Injectibles


Ultimately, if it sounds too affordable to be legitimate, it probably is. If in doubt, get a quote from several clinics near you. Dr. Golueke warns against injecting products without being able to trust exactly where they came from. “There’s a black market for Botox and fillers, so people get Botox and fillers which look like the original product, but they are fake,” he says. We’ve already seen the many deals floating around online, but this is one case where you should definitely stick to reputable professionals. You just don’t want to risk it.

“Board-certified dermatologists and plastic surgeons are the only providers fully trained and qualified to administer injectables,” cautions dermatologist Dr. Jessica Weiser. “It’s always appropriate for a patient to ask the provider what their training and qualifications are for providing the suggested treatments.”

The consultation should cover a few key things.

We’ve all seen cases of objectively bad injectables. Beyond going to a board-certified expert, it’s always a good idea to make sure you and your derm (or surgeon) are on the same page about what you’re trying to achieve. And in some cases, you might be told that what you’re trying to achieve isn’t possible. While you can do a lot with injectables, they still need to work with the proportions of your features and it’s possible to over-enhance them. Dr. Weiser recommends going for a gradual approach and adding more if needed.

Dr. Golueke adds that you should also feel comfortable about changing your mind. “If you’re unsure, no real, serious doctor would mind if said you needed to think about it,” he says. “If you don’t feel like doing it, don’t do it.” If you do, make sure you take this time to get any remaining questions or concerns addressed. “The doctor may ask you if you have had any adverse reactions to past injections, how long ago the last injection was, if you are taking any medications—those are all important,” he says.

Smoothing wrinkles is just one of many options.

People typically think of injectables as a treatment for wrinkles and fine lines, but there are many other reasons why someone might get them. Dr. Weiser tells us that her most frequent requests used to come from women, typically ages 40 and over. Now, she’s seeing a dramatic increase in their use in patients from 20 to 40 years old, “primarily neuromodulators to reduce lines, but also dermal fillers to soften under-eye hollows, lift cheekbones, and enhance lips.”

You may have heard the phrase “off-label” before, which Dr. Weiser defines as “using products for unapproved indications.” Injectables go through clinical trials for safety, but they’re not technically approved for their full range of popular uses. For instance, the brand Botox is the only neuromodulator approved for use in your forehead and around your eyes, but brands like Dysport and Xeomin are routinely used there, too. Off-label uses for neuromodulators include injecting them into the masseter muscle at the back of your jaw (to lessen clenching and narrow your lower face), on neck bands (to relax them), and in the central jaw (to keep the corners of your mouth from pulling down).

Filler has even more uses. Dr. Weiser sees the most requests around the midface (to define and raise cheekbones), along the nasolabial folds (to soften frown lines), and in lips (to plump them or just to smooth the surface). “Many off-label uses include the hollow under the eyes, the temples, the jawline, and liquid rhinoplasty to finesse the appearance of the nose,” she adds.

In comparison, Kybella is pretty straightforward. It’s approved on-label for melting excess fat under your chin, but derms may also use it off-label in other “small stubborn pockets of fat.”

Pain is usually “minimal.”

Whenever we’ve brought up the topic in the past, we’ve seen many people flinch at the idea of a huge needle approaching their faces. It can be disconcerting, but it shouldn’t hurt. Dr. Weiser classifies the feeling as “minimal pain.” Dr. Golueke likens the feeling of neuromodulators to “a pinch, similar to when your blood is taken.” Dermal fillers are a step up, but your derm or surgeon will offer a numbing cream before treatment to reduce the insertion pain. Your doctor might also cool the area. According to Dr. Golueke, the two more painful filler areas on the face are the nasolabial fold and the lips. As for Kybella injections, Dr. Weiser says they will sting intensely, but that can be lessened with lidocaine injections and ice packs.

Recovery time is relatively short.

There’s a reason so many patients opt for minimally invasive treatments; they offer fast results and very little downtime. If you get Botox, you might see small pink dots immediately after treatment, but they should go away with 10 to 15 minutes. Dr. Golueke notes that you might see minor bruising in certain instances, but it fades in five to seven days.

Filler does cause swelling and bruising, but it lasts no more than a few days (and can even go away within hours, although you probably shouldn’t make any plans day of). Sensitive tissues will probably swell more—your lips, for instance. Dr. Weiser warns that if swelling doesn’t go away within a few days, you should call your doctor.



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Hulu's 'Can I Steal You For a Second? The Ringer’s Guide to Colton’s Season' Review: This 'The Bachelor' Special Will Shock Even the Biggest Superfan


To say I was unhappy about this season of The Bachelor ending would be an understatement. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy that Colton Underwood has found love with Cassie Randolph (and potentially lost his V-card), but I’ve gone into full panic mode over what I’m supposed to do with my Monday nights for the next two months. (The Bachelorette premieres May 13, but who’s counting?)

So I started scrolling through Hulu the other night to see if I could find something to fill my Bachelor void, and let me tell you, I struck gold. Can I Steal You For a Second? The Ringer’s Guide to Colton’s Season—starring former Bachelor Ben Higgins, former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay, The Ringer’s Juliet Litman, and E!’s Lauren Zima—is a hilarious one-off special that recaps the latest season while providing some juicy behind-the-scenes info about the show.

Let’s recap what I learned, shall we?

“I think it’s more like, ‘Enjoy it,’” Rachel revealed of the advice she received before kicking off season 13 of The Bachelorette. “Everybody’s nervous. It’s the first time, you know, for some people, you’re ever on camera. For the lead it’s the first time you’re holding this role. You don’t get any direction.”

Ben agrees: “Zero direction. Chris [Harrison] is standing there like, ‘All right, here you go’ and the limo pulls up. No coaching, no direction.”

This worked for Rachel when she competed on Nick Viall’s season of The Bachelor. “I was like, ‘No, I sweat easily. Like, I can’t. I’ve got to be the first one out to meet Nick.’ They were like, ‘OK,’” she recalls.

“I think it’s a big misconception that we know about all the drama that’s going on in the house,” Rachel said. “They truly do separate us, and the only time we know that there is drama is if you just happen to hear it in the house, like if someone is yelling like crazy, or if someone comes and tattles on the next person.”

Ben added, “When somebody does come to you with, ‘Oh, these people aren’t here for the right reasons’ or ‘This person’s mean and they’re fighting in the house,’ it’s good for us because it gives us information that we wouldn’t have and it allows us to make a fair judgement when it comes to rose ceremonies.”

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“I would go with general terms like, ‘Hey boo, hey you, hey there,’” Rachel admitted, confirming that it wasn’t until midway through her season of The Bachelorette that the names fully started to register for her. Ben, however, took a more strategic approach to remembering names when he was the Bachelor: “I did word associations. So when somebody would come up out of the limo and say, ‘Hi, I’m Rachel and I like sports,’ I would, in my head, come up with a little song.”

Ben admitted that during his first one-on-one date with Lauren Bushnell, they filmed in a hot tub that was completely cold. “It was cold because there was no electricity,” he confirmed. “So it was just like, cold water that you’re sitting in and acting like it’s hot.”

Ben revealed that when he was on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of The Bachelorette, he was never told if he was the first, second, or third person that she had a fantasy suite date with. “I didn’t know what order I went and I didn’t care,” he said. I don’t think I’d want to know.”



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Friends Thanksgiving Episodes Guide: List of the Best and Worst


With the holidays around the corner, we all know that hanging with the family, eating pie for four days straight, and, of course, watching tons of TV is the whole itinerary for Thanksgiving. Now, some of you might want to binge-watch shows you haven’t gotten around to yet, but if you’re in the throwback mood, might I suggest Friends? During its 10-year run, the show dominated Thanksgiving episodes with hilarious jokes and great celebrity cameos that still stand the test of time. So, without further ado, let’s rank the Turkey Day episodes from worst to best.

Read, below, to find out where your favorite iconic Friends moments rank in the countdown.

10) “The One With the List”

I’m ranking this one so low because technically, it’s not a Thanksgiving-themed episode. Sure, the writers shoehorned in a subplot about Monica making Mocklate—a fake chocolate—for a job, but this episode was really about Ross and Rachel following their first kiss. Ross is torn between Rach and Julie, so he makes a list of pros and cons for each. Because it’s a sitcom, Rachel finds it, and they fight:

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9) “The One With the Late Thanksgiving”

This is the final Thanksgiving episode the show ever did, and it shows. After 10 years, it’s hard to keep things fresh, so the main conflict is that the gang pleaded with Monica to make Thanksgiving dinner. She does, but of course, Rachel, Phoebe, Ross, and Joey show up late because they went to a sporting event. Ho hum. Still, there’s an adorably sweet moment at the end of the epi regarding Chandler and Monica’s adoption struggles, and this scene always cracks me up:

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8) “The One Where Underdog Gets Away”

This is the OG Friends Thanksgiving episode. We learn that Chandler is a Turkey Day Grinch because it reminds him of his parents’ divorce and see that Joey is the face for a VD ad campaign. Poor Joey. Plus, everyone gets locked out of Monica’s apartment while Thanksgiving dinner is cooking inside:

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7) “The One With Rachel’s Other Sister”

Yay, Christina Applegate! She’s a TV comedy all-star and she brings it as Rachel’s highly self-absorbed sister Amy. Case in point, she’s upset that Rach and Ross want Monica to take care of their child if anything should happen to her. Mind you, Amy keeps calling the baby Emmett, when her name is Emma. Plus, there are more Joey shenanigans because he forgets that he’s supposed to be in the Days of Our Lives float, so he makes up an excuse, but he’s a terrible liar. And then there’s super-anal Monica who micromanages the way that everyone uses her wedding china:

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6) “The One With Chandler in the Box”

Chandler is probably my favorite character on the show and makes a scenario funny even when he’s in the wrong—like in this episode. He kisses Joey’s girlfriend, and as a result, Joey punishes him by placing him in a box. Plus, there’s Monica wearing an eye patch. I mean, c’mon! That’s awesome.

5) “The One Where Chandler Doesn’t Like Dogs”

Obviously, the most important moment of this episode is that Rachel and Tag kiss. He’s so dreamy, right?! OK, fine. There are other standout moments, such as Chandler’s hatred of dogs, learning that Ross isn’t as smart as we all thought he was (he can’t name all 50 states in America!), and probably one of the best Joey sayings ever:

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4) “The One With All the Thanksgivings”

Flashback episodes are a tried-and-true sitcom device, but they always work! In this season five gem, Joey gets a turkey stuck on his head. We go back in time and learn the reason Monica lost all that weight: because Chandler called her fat. Yikes. This then leads to Monica’s revenge on Chandler, we see Rach pre-nose job, and to top it all off, one of my favorite moments happens on the show:

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3) “The One Where Ross Got High”

So much goodness happens in this episode that if you wanted to rank it number one, I wouldn’t be mad. There’s clueless Rachel completely screwing up a recipe for trifle. Phoebe having sex dreams about Jack Geller/Jacques Costeau. Monica hiding her relationship with Chandler from her parents (played by the awesome Elliot Gould and Christina Pickles), and the epic showdown between Ross and Monica where they each reveal the other one’s secret to their parents:

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2) “The One With the Rumor”

Two words: Brad Pitt. OK, fine. That’s just me being lazy, so I will add some more words. This season-eight episode aired during the height of Aniston/Pitt mania, so naturally, it was going to be a ratings juggernaut, but it wouldn’t rank so high on the countdown if it wasn’t so good. Will (Pitt) is an old friend of Monica and Ross’s, and he comes to spend the day with the gang. Rewatching this episode reminds me that Pitt is so great in comedic roles, so he should do more of that! Anyway, the highlight of the dinner is, of course, the reveal that Will and Ross cofounded the “I Hate Rachel Club” and spread a rumor about her because in high school she was quite the bully. Besides that, there are other golden moments: Phoebe constantly throwing herself at Will, and Joey losing it because all he wants to do is eat. Check out this following scene in which we get to the heart of the rumor:

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1) “The One With the Football”

From top to bottom, this is a fantastic episode and one of my favorites to rewatch. Any time there is any sort of sibling rivalry between Ross and Monica, there are going to be tons of laughs. Plus, classic boys vs. girls scenarios are always hilarious (e.g. Phoebe clotheslining Chandler and shouting, “I love this game!”). This episode, in particular, proves why this show is so beloved: Everyone is funny, the comedy still holds up, and you truly do believe that they are all friends:

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This post was originally published in 2014.

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