Skimm Well

Something in the Air

“Whimsy girl summer” is almost here, but even the most romanticized park picnic or flower market stroll loses a little charm when your eyes won’t stop watering. Right now, the “pollen tsunami” is our seasonal villain. But we’ll fight back with a few smart hacks:

Apparently, a lot of us use allergy meds wrong, but easy tips can remedy that. Number three wasn’t on our radar.
Speaking of whimsy, find a body of water, and you’re ready for this magical fitness trend.
K-beauty sunscreens have a cult following. But are they actually better?
Think hygge vibes are only for winter? The Danes say, nej.
Your “home microbiome” could benefit from a seasonal reset. Commit this seven-point checklist to your Notes app now.
After years of wellness culture telling us to do the absolute most, one new trend says maybe… don’t.

— Anna “currently being personally victimized by a tree” Davies, writer

What's Making the Rounds

Scientists predict a new drug could possibly be the “most significant advance in cancer treatment in 15 years” — so how does it work?

For anyone who tracks protein intake like a part-time job, a few common habits could quietly get in the way of muscle gain. (We’re guilty of number one.)

Listen up: Researchers discovered a small trick that extended people’s workout endurance by 20%. Music to our ears.

Your sense of smell does more than pick wine and candles. Researchers say it may reveal new information about how the body ages.

If "Maycember" makes you feel overloaded, try the Eisenhower matrix to get it all done.

Today's Recs For a Life Well-Lived

Everything you need for healthy hair all year.

These sugar-free, single-serve syrups are a delicious add to your at-home coffee (and they even have a boost of fiber).

Keep scrolling...more recs below

What Were We Talking About Again?

"Brain fog" is one of those perimenopause punch lines that's actually not that funny. While you hunt for the right word for "that thing you make with bread and meat and spreads" (hint: sandwich), your brain goes through a complex rewiring.

What's actually happening? Up to 60–70% of women report cognitive changes during the menopause transition when estrogen naturally starts to decline. The hormone plays a vital role in brain function, and it's highly concentrated in the areas that handle memory, learning, and executive function. Which is why researchers say perimenopause is a critical window for long-term brain health.

Tell me more: In perimenopause, your brain also uses less glucose, a preferred energy source. To compensate, it pulls power from other sources in the brain, which may lead to that foggy feeling.

And what about post-menopause? It gets better for the most part. The brain finds a new "normal" once gray matter volume recovers, energy production improves, and hormones find their new baseline. Many postmenopausal women report their brain fog lifts eventually — it just takes time.

For Your Sanity:

Don’t DIY treatments. A viral menopause “hack” has doctors concerned. There’s no clinical evidence this medication combo works, and self-treating for too long could hide a bigger issue.
HRT can help. Research suggests hormone replacement therapy (HRT) started early enough may help verbal memory. But experts say it’s important to find the right provider — not all OB-GYNs have menopause-specific training.
Lifestyle moves the needle. Better brain health in midlife may start with one habit many women sacrifice early. And research links exercise, stress management, and a modified Mediterranean diet to stronger cognitive function as you age. Something to think about.

Is it too late to start Botox in my 50s? What should I consider?

Featured Expert

Karen Horton, MD

Board-certified plastic surgeon based in San Francisco, CA, and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

“It’s never too late to consider Botox or other neuromodulator treatments for the first time. I had my first Botox treatment at 39, much younger than most of my patients take the plunge. Now that I’m turning 55, it’s become a vital part of my quarterly beauty routine.

Botox works to weaken the muscle contractions that cause wrinkles to form and deepen over time, especially in the forehead, eye area, face, and neck. It’s not supposed to completely paralyze muscles. Carefully administered Botox by a skilled injector will decrease the strength of muscle contractions and, in turn, soften active wrinkles. Over months and years, less forceful muscle movement can reduce the depth and appearance of wrinkles.

My advice: Do your homework, make sure your injector’s aesthetics match your goals, ask to speak with other patients they’ve treated, and go for it.”

PS: Not ready for Botox? Dermatologists recommend these six alternatives.

Today's Recs For a Life Well-Lived

This new cookbook is the reason we're making easy healthy dinners in about 30 minutes or less.

A compact air purifier that's saving us in peak pollen season. Plus, you don't have to replace the filter for six years.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

Get a Grip

It may not be sexy, but “grip strength” (yep, the skill you use to open a jar of pickles) is a sign of longevity that may offer clues to how well you’ll age.

There are plenty of ways to add grip strength training to your gym routine. Or, you can improve yours with everyday exercises at home — number three is great to do on boring calls.

The More You Know

What’s a science-backed reason some places feel creepy for no clear reason?

Your brain misinterprets shadows as threats

Low-frequency sound waves your ears can’t detect but your body still reacts to

Subtle temperature drops that trigger a stress response

Exposure to airborne toxins in old buildings

Keep It Cool

It’s about to be the off-season for our ovens. Time to lean into warm-weather recipes that are more “arrange” than “cook.”

Ramen noodle salad. Dry ramen gives crunch and flavor to a bright, summery salad. For more protein, add edamame, tofu, chicken, or fish. Top it off with your favorite fruits and veggies for added density and texture.

White bean Caprese salad. Cannellini beans are nutritional powerhouses that pack about 15 grams of protein per cup, as well as fiber, iron, and magnesium. These beans soak up the olive oil for a rich, hearty salad that still tastes good at your desk the next day.

Rotisserie chicken and avocado tostadas. Taco Tuesday gets an upgrade when you add in rotisserie chicken and mashed avocado. The MVP is a tangy salsa dressing you’ll want to pour over everything.

No Filter? Not Here

A water pitcher filter is the easiest way to ensure you have access to great-tasting water, free from contaminants… without the foray into amateur plumbing. Here, the best pitchers to add to your fridge:

Pur

Pur Plus 30-Cup Dispenser With Lead-Reducing Filter is the best filtered pitcher for multi-person households.

Brita

Brita Tahoe Water Pitcher With Elite Filter is the best basic filtered pitcher.

Soma

Soma 10-Cup Filtered Water Pitcher is the easiest filtered pitcher to fill.

Hydros

Hydros 40-Oz Glass Slim Pitcher is the best compact glass filtered pitcher.

Here’s the full list of the best filtered water pitchers, according to experts.

Um, How Concerned Should We Be About Hantavirus?

American passengers from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak are now being monitored or quarantined at specialized facilities in Nebraska and Atlanta. Here’s what to know before you forward the headline with 14 exclamation points.

Is this COVID-19 2.0? No. But some headlines would have you believe the virus hired a publicist. The facts are that hantavirus is contagious, especially in tight quarters, but it's not new. The Andes strain tied to this outbreak is rare, can affect the lungs, and has links to severe illness and death. But health officials say the risk to the general public is extremely low, and this isn’t a COVID-style situation. The Andes virus can pass from person to person, but usually through close or prolonged contact, not casual exposure. Think shared rooms or direct contact with bodily fluids — not a trip to the grocery store.

What should I do? Take a deep breath. Confirm the source before you share it. Check updates from the CDC, WHO, or your local health department instead of the loudest post in your feed. And if you traveled on the affected cruise ship or had close contact with someone exposed, follow public health guidance.

Your to-do list needs the Eisenhower Matrix