All mammals produce colostrum, a nutrient-dense milk, to feed their newborns in the 48 hours after giving birth. It’s meant to help young babies and their fragile immune systems develop antibodies for warding off illness in a world filled with pathogens. 

“Colostrum is specifically designed to seal up our internal barriers from the outside world,” said Dr. Sarah Rahal, an NYC-based pediatric neurologist who launched ARMRA Colostrum in 2020. 

“When babies are born, their bodies are immature. So this food evolved 300 million years ago specifically to be the first thing that goes into your body and seal up all of your barriers like glue.” 

Over the last 30 years, it’s also become a component in the diets of experimental weightlifters, bodybuilders, and professional endurance athletes looking to boost their performance. Grown men are consuming colostrum, primarily from cows, despite very little credible data that shows it has positive effects on athletic performance. “Got Milk?” takes on a whole new meaning. 

It’s the definition of a woo-woo health trend that sounds crazy, and to a certain extent, it is. Yet some researchers have found it’s beneficial in a totally different way than the gym bros initially suspected. 

A growing body of research conducted over the last 10 years shows it can protect endurance athletes from the risks of rigorous training schedules and the elevated exposure to infection they get while traveling and in large stadiums. It still helps athletes, but instead of making them faster or stronger, it provides a boost to their immunity. 

The initial theories around the supplement’s benefits have been disproven, but that hasn’t diminished interest within the medical community, and there’s reason to believe that anyone’s ability to ward off illness could benefit from a (small) scoop of freeze-dried cow milk every day. 

IGF-1 Muscle Growth, and Colostrum

“If you take colostrum within the first 0-24 hours after birth, and test it, it’s very high in IGF-1, or insulin-like growth factor,” said Glen Davison, a professor of sport and exercise science who specializes in immunology at the U.K.’s University of Kent. His lab is producing the bulk of the latest colostrum research.

IGF-1 is a driver of muscle growth, hence its ability to help babies develop fresh from the womb. Grown men, however, assumed that it would help supercharge their muscle growth after hours spent pumping iron in the gym. 

Initial research also showed that this was the case, often with small groups of athletes taking colostrum and comparing their performance to a placebo group consuming whey protein, or similar replacement. 

The problem with these studies, however, is they’re not designed to isolate colostrum as the cause of the enhanced performance, since it’s not a 1-1 substance compared to standard protein and athletic performance will improve naturally over 6-8 weeks regardless of which supplements one is taking. 

“My suspicion is that the performance-enhancing effects that were found in the early studies weren’t because it was colostrum. They were because they were getting a bit more protein and some more micronutrients that were contributing to their training gains,” said Davison. 

Davison also explained that these previous studies assumed that certain larger proteins within colostrum were able to permeate the gut barrier in adults in the same way they do in children. However, more recent research has shown this is not the case. An adult gut has far more barriers than a baby’s within the first few days of its life, so larger proteins, like IGF-1, aren’t able to pass through and have an impact. They’re broken down and digested like any other protein. 

Nonetheless, groups of heavy lifters in America hopped on the bandwagon in the early 2000s, and began buying freeze-dried powders from China in the hopes that their muscles would swell without hundreds of pounds of iron. Since then, dried bovine colostrum powder has remained a supplement for rumored benefits for fitness, beauty, and overall wellness. 

Michael Bosstick is the CEO of Dear Media, the podcast studio, and co-host of the podcast The Skinny Confidential HIM & HER, which has over 200 million downloads. Earlier this year, he defended his use of colostrum to guest Scarlett Johanson live on the show who questioned the practice. Bosstick shared he didn’t know where the “powder” comes from, but that he’s also used a liquid form on his face. 

Wellness podcast hosts, they’re just like us. 

Davidson noted that other supplements, like whey protein and beta-alanine, are likely superior to colostrum in their benefits for gym performance and recovery. 

“Beta-alanine is 10 times better at increasing muscle recovery capacity than colostrum ever will be,” said Davison. 

“If you were to compare it to creatine, it’s not going to come close in terms of benefitting resistance training, strength development, and all those sorts of things.” 

Beta-Alanine

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$19.96

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Bulk Supplements’ beta-alanine powder has 3000 milligrams per serving and each bag comes with over 160 servings.

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Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine

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$26.04 $30.35

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Optimum Nutrition’s creatine comes with 5 grams per serving and is a 100% pure creatine monohydrate. This is one of SPY’s favorite brands for reliable, clean supplement powders.

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Davison said the initial testing groups likely didn’t design the studies to confirm commercial interest on purpose, but the standard follow-up studies that tend to be more robust and dive deeper into the initial interest weren’t conducted because “they’d gotten the answer they wanted.” 

Marketing a product to men with the promise of better gym performance is, perhaps, more lucrative than a product that helps you avoid the common cold. Davison and his team are nonetheless more focused on the latter. 

Colostrum’s Daily Flu Shot

Davison’s colostrum studies focus on professional endurance athletes who are not only frequently taxing their immune systems through intense exercise, but are also more exposed to illness. 

“There’s a pretty strong body of evidence that shows supplementation with bovine colostrum can reduce the incidents and/or the duration of these [colds and flus] in active individuals, in those who are training hard,” said Davison. 

“The proportions tend to be about 50% to 30% reduction in the risk of contracting it and/or the duration it’ll persist for, or the ratings of severity people give to that illness.” 

This happens due to “passive immunity,” or the strengthening of the immune system through transmission of proteins as opposed to being exposed to an illness and developing antibodies. The larger proteins bodybuilders assumed would be the golden ticket don’t get through, but smaller proteins do and may strengthen the body’s immune defenses. 

Where to Find Colostrum

Colostrum is frequently sold in powder form since it’s easier for the body to absorb and easier for folks who can’t swallow pills to consume. 

Consumers looking to find high-quality colostrum should look for two things, according to Davison. 

“There’s definitely massive variability in the quality of these products. One of the things [one should look for] is the total protein content and one of them is the total IGG content — that can give you an indicator. The higher those things are, the more likely you’ve got high-quality colostrum,” said Davison. 

“They’re not the reason for it but they’re a surrogate marker that you’ve got a high-quality colostrum.” 

He also mentioned that colostrum that’s been exposed to high temperatures is less likely to be potent and beneficial since it can kill off beneficial proteins. For this reason, it’s important to store it in a cool place, like the refrigerator, and be wary of certain brands’ shipment practices. 

An exact timeline of colostrum’s benefits is hard to quantify, but Davison said that after 2-4 weeks of consistent use, the product’s full benefits have had enough time to take effect. 

Rahal, along with her team at ARMRA, developed a proprietary cold-chain pasteurization technique to avoid damage to the product. 

Armra Colostrum

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$109.99 $159.96

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Armra’s colostrum is pricey, but it only requires a half teaspoon per dose so this jar will last a while. It comes in an unflavored variety, but there are also watermelon and blood orange flavors.

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This product is sourced from grass-fed cows on family-owned farms in the U.S., whose overflow production was formerly going in the trash. 

“Cows make about [seven times more] colostrum than their babies consume and it’s considered a waste product in the industry because they’re not allowed to sell it to their milk suppliers. It’s considered a separate good,” said Rahal. 

“Right now, it’s either thrown out or it’s stripped off to China because they’ve been using this stuff for decades. They know the benefits.” 

Davison uses a brand called Neovite colostrum in all of his studies, and trusts the quality of the product. He recommends anyone looking to vet specific brands check out the clinical research that’s been done and find the brands they used.

Here are a few other brands SPY editors recommend to frequent travelers, endurance athletes, or anyone who’s interested in an alternative immune system boost. 

WONDERCOW Colostrum Powder Supplement

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$64.99

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The WONDERCOW Colostrum powder supports the immune system and overall health and wellness. It contains 40% IgGs (immunoglobulins) which play a vital role in the function of the immune system.

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Ancestral Supplements Grass Fed Beef Colostrum Supplement

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$68.00

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This non-GMO Colostrum by Ancestral Supplements promotes and supports gut health and the immune system, while also increasing athletic performance and iron levels.

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Symbiotics Colostrum Plus Powder Supplement for Immunity Support

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$42.89

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Symbiotics Colostrum powder helps boost and maintain a healthy immune system. As an added bonus, it’s also gluten-free.

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Spy.com may receive financial compensation from affiliate and advertising partnerships on this page and/or when you make a purchase after clicking through partnership links.

The only way to get through the beginning of a new school year is to stay organized. Keeping science and history notebooks separate is one thing, but arranging one’s digital life is arguably more important. Student ID numbers, portal log-ins, and other essential codes for academic life all need to stay in order, or assignments can pile up fast. This is why all students, young and seasoned, should have Dashlane on their side.

Dashlane is our favorite password and data protection tool because it’s one of the safest and most secure password managers available. Their online manager tool is intuitive and easy to access, and it won’t slow you down when logging on to turn in an assignment last minute.

Sign Up for Dashlane

Safety and Organization First

Writing down that locker combo/student ID/list of log-ins in a spiral notebook for anyone to see is a terrible idea. Instead, store it all in Dashlane, where it’s always at your fingertips but in the safest and most secure manner possible. It’s also easier to transition a list of passwords into adult life when it’s not bound by ink and paper.

Once you’re out of school, of course, that list of essential information you need to recall and protect only gets longer and more complicated. Dashlane can automatically generate random passwords between 4-40 characters for extra security and allows you to create a combination of letters, digits, and characters as well.

If you can remember a randomly-generated 40-character chain without storing it somewhere, you should take that show on the road, or go to Vegas and count cards. But with Dashlane, you don’t have to remember a thing. You can automatically create the safest password possible, and Dashlane will store it for you in a virtually unassailable app. Even Dashlane does not know your passwords due to its zero-knowledge architecture.

Dashlane’s interface is exceptionally well designed — clean and neat and impeccably organized — so your passwords are right there when you, and only you, need them, across all of your devices.

Sign Up for Dashlane

Dashlane’s Top-Tier Encryption and Security

Dashlane protects all users’ passwords and data with AES-256 encryption, which was the first publicly accessible and open cipher approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) to protect top-secret government data. If the guys who watch over our nuclear arsenal and other state secrets approve, you should too.

Dashlane also uses ARGON2, the most powerful and up-to-date cryptography advancements. They’re constantly seeking out and repairing vulnerabilities, and innovating new protection plans faster than wannabe data thieves can create new digital worms, viruses, or other compromising software. The war between hackers and safety experts is never ending, and Dashlane can help you stay on the winning side.

How ahead of the game is Dashlane? It was the first password management tool to deliver passkey support, for one. And as more and more online businesses join Microsoft, Best Buy, eBay, PayPal, and others in supporting passkeys — Apple’s new iOS release coming this fall will also support them — your data will gain yet another layer of protection.

How Expensive Is Dashlane?

Dashlane is affordable, even on a student budget. The basic version is free and offers basic password management for one device. It includes unlimited password storage and secure sharing, and if you divert a few takeout cold brews a month you can bump yourself up to one of these levels of Dashlane:

Sign Up for Dashlane

The vast world of skincare is divided into two camps: the behemoth library of brands that cater to women’s sensibilities, and a modest number of male skincare brands with neutral-toned bottles and scents like “oak moss.” This discrepancy may lead some men accompanying their partners to Ulta on Sundays to question whether or not they can use these bright, bubbly brands themselves. 

The answer is yes, they certainly can, and perhaps they should. 

The beauty and personal care industry is worth over $500 billion globally, and women’s products make up a much larger piece of that pie. The demand for niche skincare products isn’t as high amongst men, but marketing is partially to blame. 

“Men can definitely use skincare from brands marketed toward women,” said Dr. Dendy Engelman, a New York-based dermatologist. “Although the packaging and marketing may be geared towards women, skincare formulations target skin concerns that are universal. The ingredients and benefits are not exclusive to men or women.”

Curious men who are interested in expanding their skincare routines beyond basic products with lumber-adjacent scents shouldn’t miss out on top-tier products just because they’re sold in bright pink packaging. The active ingredients are the same, and with high-quality products, the potencies are tantamount as well. 

 “There are only small differences between the two skin types in a very general sense. Men tend to have oilier skin and thicker skin but that’s not to say that some men don’t have dry skin or have thinner skin, and all of our skin thins out and dries up as we age,” said Adam Hurly, an expert grooming writer who has tested thousands of products over a decade plus of work in the field

“Men will fall within that spectrum at different times in their lives and there’s a good chance that the women’s product is just marketed with a font or a color scheme that suits women or with a scent that might skew feminine.” 

Female-focused brands tend to have a wide swath of products, from the basics to niche active ingredient serums designed to target puffy under eyes, even skin tone, provide extra moisture, and chemically exfoliate. 

“Women have embraced cosmetics in a very different way from men, historically,” said Hurly. “Men are much less curious about [skincare] and are function-forward. They want something that works and if they can’t tell how it’s working they get impatient. A cleanser makes sense because their skin doesn’t feel as gross. They’re not as stinky if they use a soap. Things just have to function and have this immediate benefit.”  

It’s because of this that many skincare brands marketed toward men cover the basics and little else, leaving men with few options for expanding their routines into the elaborate, complex regimens their girlfriends, partners, friends, or influencers in their feed have. 

But masculine sensibilities around skincare are shifting, and it’s time for men to roam the aisles at Sephora, too. “There’s no shortage of male customers! There are as many of them as there are women, statistically, but I think a big part of it too is a lot of women are buying the products for the men. It’s probably the women driving the purchases in at least half of relationships, if I had to guess,” said Hurly. 

While female skincare brands aren’t necessarily superior or more potent, there are too many expertly-formulated, effective female-oriented skincare brands available for men to miss out because they lack knowledge or guidance. 

Each of the brands below comes recommended by an expert and sells products all men should consider when looking to build up or enhance their skincare routines. 

“Most skincare brands I love are gender-neutral and have high-quality, potent formulations that benefit all skin types. Some of my favorite go-to brands are ISDIN, Skinceuticals, and SkinBetter Science,” said Dr. Engelman. 

Hurly shared a plethora of his favorite brands, as well as go-to products based on his years of testing. 

Herbivore

Herbivore is a very feminine-looking brand, but their formulas would be powerful on any skin type. 

“I love Herbivore, they’re one of my favorites,” said Hurly. “The active ingredients they’re using are very clear. Some of the core SKUs I love from Herbivore include their exfoliating serums and their bakuchiol night cream.” 

“I get good results from them and I love the packaging and I love the branding. It’s stuff I’m genuinely excited to have on my vanity in my bathroom.” 

Herbivore Moon Fruit Retinol Alternative Sleep Mask

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$54.00

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Buy Now at sephora

$48.00

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Bakuchiol is an alternative to retinol, and this cream is designed to be worn at night when the skin can best absorb it and experience the benefits. It’s hydrating and formulated to lighten the appearance of wrinkles.

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Herbivore Prism AHA + BHA Exfoliating Glow Serum

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$44.99 $54.00

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Buy Now at sephora

$54.00

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This exfoliating serum is made with both alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids for double the power and smooths and hydrates skin at the same time. It’s designed to be used at night, up to every other night, and paired with retinol on off nights for skin cell removal and renewal.

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Biossance

“They feel a little more feminine to me, and I really like them. I’ve probably used a few of their products in the last few years, and their squalane is one of my favorites,” said Hurly. 

Biossance  Squalane + Copper Peptide Rapid Plumping Serum

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$67.12

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Buy Now at squalane

$50.00

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Squalane is super hydrating, and this serum is perfect for men with dry skin who want even more moisture than the average cream can provide. It can be used in the morning and evening, and stacked on top of other active ingredients to lock them in. 

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The Ordinary

Hurly is mixed on some of The Ordinary’s products but noted that their exfoliating serums are great additives to existing products. 

“They have a lactic acid 10% serum that I love. I love their little serums because their formulas are direct and precise enough that you can almost use them as boosters in your moisturizer,” said Hurly.

“They’re so potent that they’ll roll off your hand so I’ll take a moisturizer and drop something in. The hyaluronic acid that they have is good. We’re using their foaming cleanser right now that I really really love. Sometimes the viscosity of the product or how it wears on my product feels sub-par so I need to add it to another product.”

The Ordinary Lactic Acid 5% + Ha 2% 30ml

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$17.00 $29.99

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$8.90

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The Ordinary is known for concentrated, potent formulas that don’t contain any unnecessary, filler ingredients. Their price tags are also much lower than other brands for that reason. Their lactic acid is a great gentle exfoliator and can help prevent ingrown hairs between shaves. This formula is powerful, so you only need a few drops for it to work properly, and it can be mixed in with a moisturizer or cream. 

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The Ordinary Facial Treatment: 2% Hyaluronic Acid & Niacinamide Bundle

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$22.50 $29.99

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This serum bundle contains both a hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, two beneficial ingredients for moisturizing and improving skin tone. Niacinamide, when used consistently, can improve skin’s protective barrier, hyaluronic acid delivers multi-depth hydration more efficiently than the standard moisturizer. 

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La Roche Posay

“La Roche Posay is a big thumbs up for me. Here in Germany, they’re in all the pharmacies. I often go off of cues from dermatologists and this is a top brand for so many of the ones I interview. My affinity for them has really grown out of what the experts say,” said Hurly. 

“If I need a product in a pinch and I’m away from home and I don’t have my normal pile of things to choose from, that’s for sure one of the brands that I’d go for.”

La Roche Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen, SPF 60

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$36.99

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$28.99

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Hurly recommends this as a “one formula fits all” sunscreen that’s great for both the face and body as well as sensitive and fair skin. It’s water-resistant, so it’s great for workouts and will satisfy most people who aren’t looking for mineral sunscreen. 

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La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% Retinoid Acne Treatment

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$35.99

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$35.99

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This Adapalene Gel is “one of the best OTC retinoids you can get, specifically for targeting acne,” said Hurly. It’s oil and fragrance-free, so it’s formulated for minimal irritation, and the vitamin A derivatives promote skin cell turnover. 

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La Roche Posay Toleriane Hydrating Cleansers

buy NOW at dermstore

$7.99 - $16.99

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$16.99

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An effective cleanser doesn’t have to be expensive, and both the gentle and foaming cleanser from La Roche Posay proves that. “Any brand that gets prescriptive with its formulas is doing something right. This pair has been recommended to me by so many dermatologists, that I now just associate them as ‘the doctors’ favorites,’” said Hurly. 

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Paula’s Choice

“Big thumbs up. Ugh, I love them. The ingredient focus that they have. The depth. Their roster is stacked. If you can’t find what you need from Paula’s Choice, don’t use anything at all,” said Hurly. He touted the CLEAR assortment as a “paint-by-number” remedy for getting rid of acne. It makes it that easy. 

“The brand feels more skewed towards women, but they’re really focused on function, which is what appeals to most male consumers. So it satisfies so many people. Also, they have so many products and cover all the bases for different skin types, needs, goals, etc.” 

Paula's Choice Niacinamide Booster

buy now at dermstore

$49.00

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$49.00

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Both the peptide and niacinamide boosters from Paula’s Choice are among Hurly’s top picks from the brand for a balanced complexion and firm skin. They can be mixed in with other products, like a moisturizer and eye cream, for an extra bit of nutrients. 

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Paula's Choice Pro-Collagen Multi-Peptide Booster

Buy Now at dermstore

$58.00

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$58.00

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Paula’s Choice’s multi-peptide booster contains six pro-collagen peptides that deliver nutrients to multiple layers of the skin. It’s formulated to visibly smooth lines within 15 minutes and absorb into the skin easily with a lightweight texture.

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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting BHA Liquid Exfoliant

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$34.00

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$13.00

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This is their most popular product worldwide because it’s one of the best liquid exfoliants you can get. The BHA (beta hydroxy acid) removes layers of dead skin so retinol can encourage cell turnover more easily. 

“Like all of Paula’s Choices’ products, it does the assigned task efficiently and thoroughly,” said Hurly. “They’re the best one-stop-shop in skincare.”

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Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant is notorious for their brightly-colored, large, and somewhat bulky packaging. Rather than extraneous marketing, Hurly shared insight into how their product design alludes to the quality of the product inside. 

“Their product design is really smart, and it’s a brand you can really trust for having a fresh product,” said Hurly. 

“They do a really good job of making sure what you’re using is at its full potency as long as possible. For me, if a brand is going through that much trouble to invest in its vessels, that is saying a lot about what they want you to experience from the product.”

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum

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$72.00

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Buy Now at sephora

$78.00

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Drunk Elephant’s vitamin C is one of the most potent, effective formulas available. It’s expensive, but it evens both skin tone and texture, and the bottle is opaque and doesn’t expose the formula to oxygen which spoils it very quickly. 

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Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

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$56.99

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Buy Now at sephora

$68.00

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Multiple SPY editors, including Hurly, recommend this Protini Moisturizer from Drunk Elephant because of its lightweight feel and nutrient-packed formula. It’s hydrating without feeling too heavy and comes in a pumping canister designed for less wasted product. 

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The Superiority of Female Haircare Brands

Hurly also mentioned that while skincare is a great area for men to explore, female hair care is where the real substantive differences are. The breadth of female hair care products is designed to address a variety of different issues, something the selection of men’s products doesn’t do as well. 

“To that tune, a lot of hair care brands are the ones that men really need to consider switching over to. Men’s haircare brands are so one-size-fits-all and it’s so frustrating to me,” said Hurly. 

“What if you have super curly hair or super thin hair and the conditioner weighs you down? So I think men should switch over to women’s hair brands.” 

He had a few brands in particular that he recommended, and encouraged all men to consider visiting a salon, or at least adopting salon-grade products at home. 

“Pattern Beauty or Living Proof, Kerastase is for everyone,” said Hurly. 

A lot of those salon brands are good. It’s salon vs. barbershop. Like a lot of men don’t want to go into a salon because they don’t realize what a hairstyle is versus a haircut,” said Hurly. And so it’s that same dichotomy between the brands. I wish everyone would use Kevin Murphy and all these incredible salon brands but they don’t.” 

Roman, the telemedicine site that offers prescriptions and over-the-counter solutions for hair care, fertility, and weight loss — and other common health issues among men — is now offering prescriptions for oral minoxidil. Minoxidil is the name of the drug commercially known as Rogaine, and it exists in both an oral and topical form. The oral form may be more effective than the foam applied directly to the scalp, according to the latest research, and now anyone can get a prescription from Roman for as little as $30/month. 

Oral Minoxidil — Quarterly Delivery

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$30/Month

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Oral minoxidil is considered an “off-label” drug by the FDA for male pattern baldness. It’s taken orally, daily, and should be stored at room temperature.

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What Is Minoxidil?

Minoxidil was developed to treat hypertension in the 1970s, but the topical version is now the only FDA-approved drug for treating androgenic alopecia, or hair loss. Oral minoxidil is considered “off-label” and still only available with a prescription. They both contain the same active ingredient, just administered in different forms. 

Minoxidil is a vasodilator that helps hair follicles withstand Dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or testosterone, high levels of which can cause hair loss in men. It helps increase the amount of time hair spends in the growth phase, also known as the anagen phase, so there are more new hairs on the head at any given time. It also shortens the telogen phase, or the “resting” phase, for hair. Initially, this shift in the hair’s natural progression can cause hair to shed temporarily, but after about 8 weeks most users begin to see results. 

The exact ways in which it achieves this is still a bit of a mystery, but a 24-week randomized study out of São Paulo, Brazil concluded that oral minoxidil is more effective than the topical version with fewer side effects. 

Two groups were each given minoxidil, one in the form of a 1-milligram pill and the other in a 5% concentration foam. While they both spurred the same amount of hair growth, measured in density at the conclusion of the six-week study, the oral treatment caused less hair shedding. 

Because of the way it works, it can cause low blood pressure and leg swelling, so it’s important to disclose any and all health issues with the doctor when inquiring about a prescription. 

SPY’s hair loss experts, alongside licensed dermatologists, ranked it among the two best hair loss treatments for men, the other of which is finasteride, for its accessibility and cost-effectiveness. It’s one of the least expensive and most beneficial hair loss treatments available, and now the more effective version is available online without a visit to the doctor’s office. 

Oral minoxidil is a tablet taken daily. For most men, it starts to work after eight weeks. After filling out a brief survey about your hair loss and health profile, Roman’s team of doctors review it over the course of 24 hours. If the drug is a fit for you and your needs, you’ll receive a minoxidil prescription and can order a subscription through Roman for $30/month. The drug is delivered quarterly. 

Four of the most popular toilet paper brands — including Charmin and Seventh Generation — tested positive for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (otherwise known as PFAS, fluorinated toxic chemicals, or “forever” chemicals) according to a new report from Environmental Health News. 

The agency, in partnership with the environmental wellness blog Mamavation, tested 17 different toilet paper brands in an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-certified lab and found PFAS in four popular waste paper products. PFAS, otherwise known as “forever” chemicals, build up in the body and never break down, and may cause cancer, birth defects, and infertility. 

Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper, Seventh Generation 100% Recycled Bath Tissue, Tushy Bamboo Toilet Paper, and Who Gives a Crap Bamboo Toilet Paper all contained levels of fluorine ranging from 10 parts per million (ppm) to 35 ppm. For context, guidelines released by the EPA in 2022 noted that levels as low as 0.004-0.02 ppt can cause adverse health effects. 

The PFAS levels in these toilet paper products are low, so replacing them with another brand in your bathroom will do some good, but not a lot. The degree of exposure through the skin is mild compared to, say, in drinking water, which contains PFAS in all 50 states according to an EPA report released in 2022. The chemicals have been found in everything from tap water to nonstick cooking products, so limiting overall exposure is key.

Numerous studies conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) showed that PFAS can absorb through the skin, and a study conducted across schools of public health in the U.S. and Singapore linked them to fertility issues in women. 

Can they also affect a man’s ability to conceive? Dr. Justin Houman, Director of Men’s Health at Towers Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Towers, explained to SPY that while this new report is concerning, data surrounding PFAS and fertility are limited. 

“Research on the effects of PFAS on fertility is ongoing, and while the evidence is not yet fully conclusive, there are concerns regarding potential adverse effects,” said Houman. “Some studies suggest that exposure to high levels of PFAS might be associated with hormonal disruptions which can lead to reproductive system abnormalities. These effects could potentially lead to difficulties with conception and fertility issues.” 

He also said many factors impact the degree to which PFAS are absorbed through the skin. “The degree of absorption may vary depending on factors such as the specific PFAS compound, its concentration, and the duration of contact,” said Houman. The amount of time toilet paper is in contact with the skin is quite brief, and surface-level, compared to a piece of fish cooked on a nonstick pan sealed with toxic chemicals, for example. 

He also said that toilet paper’s effect on men’s fertility is not an immediate concern. 

“While toilet paper may contain trace amounts of PFAS due to its manufacturing process or certain additives, the levels are typically low and may not pose an immediate threat to fertility,” said Houman. “However, it’s crucial to be mindful of potential cumulative exposure to PFAS from multiple sources. As a precautionary measure, individuals concerned about PFAS exposure should opt for products that are certified as PFAS-free or seek alternatives without unnecessary chemical additives.” 

The best way to avoid PFAS, based on the information that’s currently available, is to opt for something more eco-friendly and made with fewer chemicals. Bamboo toilet paper is a great alternative. The following options are what SPY editors recommend. 

Betterway Bamboo Toilet Paper 3 PLY – Eco Friendly, Sustainable Toilet Tissue

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$29.99 $32.99

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Typically, toilet paper made out of eco-friendly materials like bamboo is stiff, thin, and not comfortable to use. Betterway’s toilet paper is designed with three layers and is designed not to irritate sensitive skin. 

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Repurpose 100% Bamboo Toilet Paper (3 Ply)

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$26.99

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This toilet paper is made with FSC-certified bamboo that’s harvested responsibly, and since bamboo regrows in 3-4 months after it’s cut compared to the year plus it can take for a tree to grow, it’s much more sustainable. It also comes in waste-free packaging, making it an even more environmentally-friendly choice. 

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Cottonelle Ultra Clean Toilet Paper with Active CleaningRipples Texture, Strong Bath Tissue

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$27.59

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Avoiding PFAS doesn’t have to mean using only recycled, eco-friendly toilet paper. Mamavation also tested Cottonelle’s products alongside the brands above and did not detect concerning levels of toxic chemicals. This soft, plush option comes with 24 mega rolls per pack (the equivalent of 132 regular rolls) and is septic-safe. 

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TUSHY Classic 3.0 Bidet Toilet Seat Attachment

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Another option for avoiding PFAS in the bathroom is to cut out toilet paper entirely with a bidet. This 3.0 model from Tushy attaches directly to the toilet with no plumbing attachment required, and it has a self-cleaning nozzle that requires minimal maintenance. 

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Swapping products is a preventative step, but Houman said that any couples experiencing ongoing fertility issues should seek help from a reproductive specialist. 

Despite stiff competition in recent years, lululemon’s grip on the athleisure market is ironclad. Their April 2023 quarterly market valuation placed them at just over a record $48 billion dollars, and they remain the brand worth investing in in the eyes of this commerce editor. Extra emphasis on invest, for as much as lululemon is known for their high-performing gear, they’re also known for high price tags. Thankfully, I’ve found a perfect dupe on Amazon for 60% cheaper, and the resemblance is uncanny. 

CRZ YOGA has done what numerous cheap Amazon brands attempt to do, but fail miserably at: create lululemon alternatives that look and feel just like the real thing. Their stuff feels so similar to actual lululemon gear that I’ve mistaken it numerous times while packing and doing laundry. They even have a minimalist logo at the tailbone of the leggings and lower corner of the shorts. 

The women’s leggings, available for only $32, feel just like lululemon’s Butterluxe fabric. The men’s linerless shorts are a perfect $28 replica of lululemon’s $68 shorts. I’ve washed their gear as I would lululemon gear — cold cycle and a regular drying cycle with my other clothes (don’t come for me) — and the quality holds up. Their stuff is sweat-wicking and lightweight. It looks expensive, as far as athleisure goes, and I can’t believe more people aren’t talking about this brand. 

It’s so good it almost feels illegal. I’ve tried other, cheaper athletic wear on Amazon. It does fine for a while, but ultimately pills, rips, or becomes so rigid and itchy that the price of lululemon’s fabrics looks more justified. My CRZ YOGA gear has yet to turn that corner. 

Shop CRZ Yoga on Amazon

The problem with lululemon, for me, is that it’s always been a little too expensive and rarely goes on sale. At the end of the day, these stretchy multicolored fabrics are being used to cover me up while I sweat. They’re not shielding anyone from gunfire or warding off frostbite at sub-zero temperatures. They make movement easy and help the body regulate its temperature, and that shouldn’t require spending hundreds of dollars. 

CRZ YOGA is also just as good for men’s gear as it is for women’s, and the price for the quality you’re getting is hard to beat. Here are a few of my favorite things with a few testing notes about each one. 

CRZ YOGA Men's 7"/9" Linerless Workout Shorts

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$28.00

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These are very close to lululemon’s Pace Breaker shorts, complete with the option for a 7- or 9-inch inseam, and the ultralight fabric feels exactly like it was made by lululemon. They feel smooth, cooling to the touch, and don’t ride up unnecessarily during high-intensity movements. They’re also available in a bunch of neutral lululemon-esque colors and because the price is low you can stock up on multiple pairs without splurge-induced guilt. 

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CRZ YOGA Men's 2-in-1 Running Shorts With Liner

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$32.00

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Skimping on running shorts is a bad idea, especially for long-distance races where cheap material will fail you fast. These don’t perform at the level their price tag may imply. The liner inside stays in place, the outer layer performs much like the linerless shorts and the pockets inside feel dependable. Their design inspiration appears to be the Fast and Free Lined Shorts from lululemon, without the extra $56.

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CRZ YOGA Men's Stretch Golf Work Pants

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$45.00

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lululemon’s ABC Pants revolutionized men’s work pants by making them flexible and comfortable without looking shlubby. These take that a step further by dropping the price by more than $80.00, so you can be a budget-friendly former shlub. They’re marketed towards golfers but are one of the closest dupes to lululemon’s office-appropriate pants I’ve seen to date. 

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CRZ YOGA Men's 4-Way Stretch Golf Joggers

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$42.00

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These jogger pants are another rip off of lululemon’s ABC joggers, a sleek pant for lounging and brunch stops where sweatpants aren’t appropriate. They have zippers along the ankles for extra breathing room on warmer days, exactly like lululemon, and are made of stretchy fabric for easy movement. Most importantly, they’re less than half the price and certainly don’t look like it. 

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Cheap dupes normally reveal themselves to be shortcuts by sharply losing quality and not holding up long-term. CRZ YOGA doesn’t do that, which is astonishing given how intense of a beating athleticwear takes both while being born and washed. 

Dupe culture has been rightfully criticized for its environmental impacts akin to fast fashion, since it’s much cheaper to produce a ripoff than a real pair of Bottega Veneta earrings. Dupes steal and devalue artistic work while bolstering the value of authenticity. Dupes make pretty things more accessible. There is truth to both sides of the argument. 

I also think there’s room for both the real deal and the knockoff in someone’s wardrobe — so long as the dupe is good enough that it doesn’t crap out and end up in the trash after three wears. There are times when splurging on the real thing is more than warranted. With CRZ YOGA, though, you revel in Luxstreme softness without paying a premium. 

The smartphone’s role in a healthy, fulfilling relationship doesn’t stop with dating apps. Relationship apps, or apps designed to stoke the flames of existing partnerships, can provide everything from provocative conversation starters to gentle reminders to show care in a certain love language, and according to licensed marriage and family therapist Dr. Shane Birkel, they might be especially useful for men. 

“Men tend to be more analytical — they tend to like using tools — so I could see how apps would really resonate with men looking to do something special in their relationship and connect with their partner,” said Birkel. “Game-ifying some of these things could be cool. Almost like ‘Look! We scored 10 points on our relationship this week!’ It shows them that they’re working on their relationship and making progress.” 

Assigning points to bond-building might sound odd, but relationships, like people, are complicated, and it’s best to have a variety of tools in one’s arsenal.

Paired, one of the most popular relationships apps, was founded in 2019 as a way to provide couples with a convenient, digital framework for bonding and deepening their connection. The company consulted with relationship experts and built out discussion frameworks around notoriously contentious discussion topics for couples, like domestic chores and shared finances. There are also weekly quizzes for tracking progress over time. 

It might sound analytical, systematic, and the opposite of romantic — but that thinking can get couples into trouble, said Dr. Joe Kort, a licensed master social worker who specializes in couples counseling. 

“I like the idea of relationship apps because couples are private [about their] issues, which gives the impression that every couple is doing just fine,” said Kort. “People feel like whatever is going on in their relationship isn’t normal. Every relationship takes work, and tools, like apps, can be helpful with that work.”

Birkel explained that everyone comes to a relationship with different expectations about what a healthy one looks like. “If I grew up in my family and think that something is normal but have a partner who grew up in an entirely different family who thinks [something else is] normal, oftentimes that creates communication problems or relationship problems,” he said. 

“The apps can be really helpful if they’re educational,” he added. “‘[If they] let people know what a healthy relationship should look like.” A few of these apps do just that. 

Paired contains exercises written by relationship therapists and scientists that help foster healthy communication. 

“I might be bringing my assumptions and my partner is bringing their assumptions, but it’s nice to have a framework or a structure — rules around how we’re communicating that we both look at and agree on,” said Berkel. 

Particularly for those who have a more difficult time expressing themselves, having an external moderator for sensitive conversations can help them find the words. 

Relationship Apps and Men

But what makes these apps just so helpful for men?

“In relationships, when their partner is trying to express strong emotions, oftentimes men have a very hard time accepting that or being vulnerable,” said Berkel. “[They can also] have a hard time expressing their own emotions or asking for help.”

Birkel said that while he doesn’t have intimate knowledge of relationship apps and their unique functions, he believes certain features of the apps would be helpful for conflict patterns he observes in couples. 

“I can see how it would be really helpful, particularly for men, to have more assistance with the emotional language that they might want to use,” he said. “To be able to have a guide for saying things in a way that might feel more vulnerable or feel relationally healthy — I definitely think that could be good.”

Data regarding relationship app usage by men is very limited. Still, a small randomized trial from Adelaide, Australia found that men are more likely than women to be motivated by specific goals and tracking offered within so-called “well-being apps.” (In contrast, women focus more on the overall purpose.) 

Brian, a man in his 20’s from Brooklyn who agreed to speak with SPY anonymously on the subject, has used Paired in his relationship with his girlfriend. He said his experience with the app has been a “great one.” 

“It allows my partner and I to continue having productive, thoughtful conversations that push our relationship forward,” he said. “Given that we’re a semi-longer distance couple, it keeps important topics top of mind while also throwing in the cheesy fun topics.”

“For someone who tends to feel a sense of anxiety around ‘deeper’ relationship-minded questions, it’s a good way to break the barrier of having them more regularly, which takes away the stress of such topics,” he added. 

Best Relationship Apps of 2023

BEST OVERALL

Paired

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$12.99/mo.

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Paired combines convenient, expert-designed communication prompts with features like couples quizzes and games for bonding and tracking progress over time. The questions in their quizzes, which are meant to bring couples closer together, are backed by research. In fact, 85% of individuals polled in a study conducted by the brand in March 2021 said they saw improved communication with their partner when they used the app every day.

Paired also has a team of therapists, psychologists, and relationship experts who craft their content. The app’s question packs vary in terms of topics, including trust, financial goals, compatibility, and tools for being apart. 

Paired offers a 7-day free trial for couples and costs $12.99/month after that.

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RUNNER UP

Gottman Card Decks

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The Gottman Institute is one of the leading research institutes for couples and relationships, and they’ve created a card deck app based on their award-winning The Art of Science and Love weekend workshops. This is a free app. 

Who It’s For: This tool is for folks who like to see the data. Their materials come backed by a 40-year study of over 3,000 couples — the longest ever done on marital longevity — and each card includes an exercise of some kind for improving partnership. 

What It Is: The app includes different decks of virtual cards that range in topic from sex questions to date night ideas, and you can save a collection of favorite cards to return to afterward. 

There’s More: Gottman also offers a relationship advisor tool that’s a more comprehensive, in-depth analysis of a relationship’s strengths and weaknesses. It also comes with the option to create a personalized, digital plan for improvement and generate an overall relationship satisfaction score.

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BEST FOR LOVE LANGUAGES

Love Nudge

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app store

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Love Nudge is an app founded by the same creators as the “Five Love Languages,” a philosophy that each person gives and receives love in one or a combination of five ways — physical touch, receiving gifts, words of affirmation, quality time, and acts of service. It’s a free app with optional in-app purchases. 

Who It’s For: Folks who know the difference between “physical touch” and “acts of service” love languages, or want to. 

What It Is: The app includes a quiz for discovering your love languages, a goal-setting feature for speaking your partner’s love language, and progress tracking as well. 

There’s More: You can link your app to your partner’s so you can share insights with one another and track goals together. 

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BEST FOR SEX

Lover

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Lover was founded by a clinical psychologist at Stanford who saw a dire gap in knowledge among both men and women about sex, intimacy, and sexual health. Lover is free with the option to purchase additional features within it. 

What It Is: Lover is a digital therapy app for sex and improving sex lives, for singles and couples. The app has ideas for unique sex positions, answers to common sex questions, and the ability to privately treat sexual issues like low libido and erectile dysfunction. 

Who It’s For: Lover is for couples looking to improve and enhance their sex life. It’s not just for couples actively experiencing problems, but can also be a fun addition for couples who want to spice things up.

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BEST FOR ANNIVERSARY REMINDERS

My Love

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My Love is a simple app. It doesn’t have a ton of different functions but it does fulfill one crucial need for some men — it sends automatic reminders about relationship anniversaries so you never forget. This is a free app. 

What It Is: My Love counts the number of days a couple has been together and automates reminders about important anniversaries 

Who It’s For: Guys who have trouble remembering relationship anniversaries. 

There’s More: Birkel was not talking about this app in particular but did mention that an app of this sort could be helpful for certain people. 

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There’s a lot of buzz online about quitting, or limiting, caffeine, a puzzling revelation for a society obsessed with coffee. Two billion cups of coffee power minds and bodies worldwide every day, and 62% of Americans consume just over three cups to get through the workday. Most of the available correlative research points to coffee not only not being bad for you, but perhaps being beneficial. 

And yet, thousands of outspoken health nuts are ditching the beans to see how it affects everything from their sleep to energy levels throughout the day— and they’re urging others to do the same. There’s a desire for a more “natural” approach, which means that coffee is no longer the only game in town. 

In his international bestseller Why We Sleep, Dr. Matthew Walker, a professor of neuroscience and psychology at UC Berkeley, describes caffeine as a “significant” disruptor of sleep and the body’s 24-hour circadian rhythm. A cursory search on TikTok for a “caffeine-free” lifestyle churns out hundreds of videos of folks touting the benefits of skipping the morning brew. Does that mean you should quit? 

Not exactly. At least for coffee, the data skews the opposite direction. It’s worth mentioning that almost all of the research done on caffeine and its effects focuses on coffee rather than other caffeine sources, and not only have certain negative health effects of coffee been disproven in recent years, but a laundry list of benefits has been attributed to daily java consumption. 

Pro-Java

According to Dr. Brad Analwalt, an endocrinologist and men’s health specialist at the University of Washington Medical School, coffee drinkers are more likely to be rich, grow thick hair longer, be more active, and may even live longer than coffee teetotalers. 

“[Coffee] is associated with lower risks of a variety of cancers including colorectal cancer and skin cancers,” said Anawalt. 

Plenty of studies purport to show that coffee boosts cognitive and athletic performance, may stave off severe disease, and even prevents androgenetic alopecia, the most common type of hair loss in men. 

Anawalt also mentioned that the long-held belief within the medical community (and elsewhere) that coffee increases your risk of high blood pressure and arrhythmias is false. In fact, coffee drinkers had lower rates of rapid heart rates. 

However, coffee is everywhere and it’s drunk by many people every day. This makes it hard to attribute the results of these studies to coffee, precisely, since it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint it as the sole variable. Anawalt also poked confirmation bias within the chronically sleep-deprived medical community. 

“The people who do the studies are PhDs, MDs, and so forth. They’re really likely to drink coffee. You always wonder whether there are biases that factor into this,” said Anawalt, chuckling. 

Since all of the data on caffeine centers on coffee, there’s very little clinical guidance on tea, energy drinks, or caffeinated sports drinks. 

How Much Coffee Is Healthy?

According to the FDA, otherwise healthy adults can consume up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, without experiencing adverse health effects. That’s about four cups of coffee or a little over a single can of an energy drink. 

While the majority of Americans fall beneath that threshold, Dr. Justin Houman, a men’s health specialist in Los Angeles shared that a significant number of his patients say that they drink more than that. 

A 2019 study of nearly 2,000 college-aged freshmen showed that men metabolize caffeine at a faster pace than women, and therefore may experience fewer uncomfortable physical effects. 

According to Anawalt, though, the long-term health effects can still occur even if someone doesn’t get a racing heart rate after a venti cold brew. 

“If you’re always drinking five or more cups per day the current evidence suggests that that’s probably not good for your health and more substantively, if there is any benefit to caffeinated beverages, you’re losing it when you go five or more per day,” said Anawalt. 

Coffee vs. Energy Drinks

It’s worth remembering, though, that data around coffee does not extrapolate to all caffeinated consumables. Energy drinks are classified as either “conventional beverages” or “liquid supplements” by the FDA. This means the FDA equates them with sports drinks and does not regulate the amount of caffeine. It’s up to manufacturers to maintain consistent levels across cases. 

One can of Bang Energy, RedBull for millennials who miss Hot Topic’s heyday, contains 350 milligrams of caffeine per can. 5-Hour Energy contains 200 milligrams. But these labels may not be trustworthy. 

“[Energy drink brands] are often either not reporting or they’re inaccurately reporting the amount of caffeine in them,” said Anawalt. 

A 2023 study of 16 energy drink brands found that only 10 of them were within 20% of the caffeine dosage noted on the label. Five of them were beyond 20% of the amount on the label, and one clocked in at 70% below the marked amount. 

So, is it actually better to live life without caffeine? No, there’s no conclusive data to support that claim. Coffee in low-moderate amounts hasn’t proven disastrous healthwise, and there’s some anecdotal evidence that it’s beneficial. Energy drinks, however, have not been studied to nearly the same caliber, and exist in a gray area.  

That laundry list of health benefits from caffeine comes from coffee, and it’s not a 1-1 equivalent with energy drinks or sugary sodas. 

Anawalt cautioned anyone who’s pushing their daily caffeine limit with an energy drink, or chugging something before a late-night workout. 

“Sports drinks, they’re trying to create a physical response in you to make you think you’re getting something, and they will over-spike their drinks with caffeine.” 

Bowflex’s SelectTech adjustable dumbbells are currently available for over 20% off their regular sticker price. After testing 10 pairs of adjustable dumbbells, SPY editors chose this pair as their favorite for its space-saving and efficient design. Bowflex’s 552s replace 15 different sets of dumbbells between 5-52.5 pounds, and their retail price of $550 has been slashed to $429.00.

SPY-EDITOR FAVORITE

Bowflex SelectTech 552 Adjustable Dumbbells (Pair)

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Bowflex’s SelectTech adjustable dumbbells have a weight range between 5-52.5 pounds and can be adjusted in 2.5- and 5-pound increments. They have dials on either end that make it easy to change the weight mid-workout and have a 5-star rating on Amazon after over 20,000 reviews.

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Deals on Adjustable Dumbbells

Mangko 25-pound Adjustable Dumbbells

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Mangko’s adjustable dumbbells are 50% off and down to just 100 pounds for five pairs of weights in one pair. Unlike Bowflex and NordicTrack models, these dumbbells only take a twist of the wrist to change weight and have a safety locking mechanism so they stay in place between uses.

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Dashlane — SPY’s favorite password protection tool — is aiming to rid the digital world of passwords. They’re not trying to run themselves out of business, but rather stay ahead of the competition and embrace the newest and most secure form of online authentication: passkeys.

Dashlane was the first password manager tool to roll out passkey support in the fall of 2022, and as more websites and servers adopt them over passwords, Dashlane’s service will only become more useful.

Passkeys are pairs of related cryptographic keys generated by an authenticator app on a cellphone or a password manager like Dashlane. One key is public, essentially a username that lives in a server and is largely useless for hackers, and one is private. The private one lives on your device, within an authenticator, and is safe from prying eyes.

Every time you try to log in a server will prompt the authenticator for your private key, and you don’t need to worry about remembering or keeping passwords hidden. All you need to do is open the authenticator app on your phone to access your account.

Apple and Google have been using passkeys for data protection for years now, and Apple’s new iOS in the fall will support third-party passkey support. Enter Dashlane, one of the first password management tools that will be offering passkey support for both iOS and Android. This means Dashlane will act as the authenticator, storing passkeys for whenever you need them to access an account.

When you do try and access an account, Dashlane will know which unique passkey to suggest and you can use your device PIN, face scan, or fingerprint to securely verify it’s you and complete the login quickly.

No Memorization Aside, What Makes Passkeys Superior to Passwords?

Unlikely as it may seem, passwords can be guessed by interlopers. Especially if it’s your birthday, your wife’s middle name, or something otherwise publicly accessible. And if you’re like most people, you tend to reuse your passwords, maybe even several times across your websites and databases. So one lucky guess by a cybercriminal can leave your accounts and data exposed.

A passkey cannot be guessed — it’s a FIDO (Fast Identity Online)-standard-based cryptographical combination. And each one is unique to the website it is used for, which means phishing attempts using lookalike or spoofed websites or password requests cannot work. Just hacking into your device will not open the keychain, since Face or Touch ID is required, and they’re only stored there so there are very limited points of access. Even if someone hacked into your device, passkeys stored in Dashlane are protected by your PIN, fingerprint, Face ID, and Master Password.

Nothing is 100% foolproof, but this is about as close as you can get.

You may think your password is a secret, even a well-kept secret, but it’s one that’s shared between at least two places: you and the server you’re accessing. Unlike a password, passkeys don’t share any secret or valuable information with the server. The server only receives the public key and only you open the authenticator with the private key on your device.

So Why Aren’t Passwords Going Away Altogether?

Give it time. Before long, passwords are likely to join the 8-track, the Betamax, and the floppy disk on the ash heap of tech history. There’s no better time to be an early adopter of passkeys and cutting-edge improvements. Imagine living fully password-free, never worrying about needing to reset your account, or getting that dreaded email that there’s been a “suspicious login attempt.”

But change can be slow. Right now, there are only a few websites that support passkeys. Microsoft, eBay, Best Buy, and PayPal are among the early adopters. As data breaches become increasingly common, the evolution of data security is pointed toward a full transition away from passwords and toward passkey technology, and you’ll want to have Dashlane on your side.

Dashlane is prepared to support passkeys as more and more websites begin to use them, and they’ll continue to give the best-in-class service you’re used to getting with their password protection.

Why Dashlane?

Dashlane has been offering in-browser passkey support since September 2022, and they’re one of the very first companies to offer passkey support for both iOS and Android.

Needless to say, Dashlane is fully prepared for the passkey revolution. In the meantime, it is still the best password protection service on the market. Dashlane protects all its users’ personal data, not just passwords, with AES-256 encryption, the first publicly accessible and open cipher approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) to protect Top Secret government data.

Dashlane also uses ARGON2, the most powerful and up-to-date cryptography advancements and automatically updates its users’ vaults with constant improvements. Dashlane is also constantly seeking out and repairing vulnerabilities.

And Dashlane never sees your data. Its zero-knowledge architecture means users’ Master Passwords are never stored on Dashlane’s servers or transmitted over the internet. So even if Dashlane itself were breached, your Master Password would be safe. And in its 14 years of business, Dashlane has never been breached. Whether you’re dealing in passwords or passkeys, you want a data protection solution you can trust.

Dashlane is free for basic password management on one device, including unlimited storage and sharing. They also offer these affordable upgraded plans:

Online security is all about staying ahead of the pack, whether you’re talking about hackers or competitors. Dashlane has stayed far ahead of the hackers for 14 breach-free years now, and it’s head and shoulders above the competition in preparing for the advent of passkey technology. Sign up now for deals for new customers and upgrades for Free plan users.