Table of contents for June 2020 in Shape

We’re already big fans of hyaluronic acid, a sugar molecule that your body naturally produces and that’s a common ingredient used in skin care to boost hydration. The ingredient has been lauded by scientists for its ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in moisture. But another acid is even stronger: polyglutamic, which holds up to 5,000 times its weight in moisture. It comprises amino acid chains derived from fermented soybeans and, like hyaluronic acid, is a humectant. “A humectant attracts moisture from the surrounding environment and retains it to deliver hydration,” explains dermatologist David Kim, M.D. By holding on to water, it plumps the skin to diminish fine lines and boost elasticity for a younger-looking complexion. Polyglutamic acid can also inhibit an enzyme called hyaluronidase, which breaks down the…

Every day your hair essentially goes into battle. “Hair is one of the most absorbent natural materials in the world,” says Rolanda Wilkerson, Ph.D., the principal scientist for Procter & Gamble Beauty. So it’s easy for free radicals—the destructive, unpaired electrons that come from UV rays, pollution, and the metals in shower water—to bind to it. Once those free radicals have infiltrated, they “can degrade the protein that keeps hair strong,” says Anabel Kingsley, a trichologist and the brand president of Philip Kingsley. To make matters worse, dust and pollution can build up on your scalp, exacerbating dryness and flaking. “This oxidative stress can also put your scalp’s microbiome out of balance, allowing fungus—which causes dandruff—to flourish and release an irritating by-product that induces damage in the skin,” Wilkerson…

Our emotional health and the connections to the people in our lives have never been more important. That makes the role of oxytocin, a powerful hormone that promotes feelings of love and happiness, particularly crucial. “Oxytocin keeps our bonds to other people strong,” says Rocio Salas-Whalen, M.D., the founder of New York Endocrinology and a clinical instructor at NYU Langone Health. “It affects our relationships, behav-ior, and moods, and it fosters generosity and trust.” Oxytocin is produced by the brain and released by the pituitary gland when we’re with the people we love, especially when we cuddle, hug, or kiss them, causing us to feel a surge of positive emotions. Because it’s also key to maternal bonding, women usually have higher amounts of oxytocin than men do. But our levels…

Fish is one of the tastiest, healthiest foods you can eat, yet many of us shy away from making it at home. There’s no reason to: “It’s faster and easier to cook than chicken and meat, and there’s such a wide range of flavors to explore,” says Whitney Otawka, the executive chef at the Greyfield Inn in Cumberland Island, Georgia, and the author of The Saltwater Table. Start with the best-quality fish you can find, then follow Otawka’s creative—and quick!—cooking ideas. 3 Secrets for the Best Fish COOK IT THE FOOLPROOF WAY “Roast fish in the oven at a low temperature, about 325 degrees,” Otawka says. “This gives it the best, flakiest texture. I brush it with egg first and put seasoned breadcrumbs on top for some crunch.” The cooking…

As a kid in Dallas, Priya Krishna brought dal chawal to school for lunch, which didn’t exactly help her fit in with the other students. “While I was being an angsty teen, my mom was performing culinary wizardry in our kitchen,” Krishna says. Her mother’s creations included cultural mash-ups like pizza on roti crust and saag paneer made with feta. Krishna came to appreciate these dishes as an adult, so she wrote the cookbook with her mom to commemorate them. “Indian food is delicious, and it’s easier to make than people think,” Krishna says. Here, she fills us in. Your cookbook has celebrity fans. How does that feel? One of the coolest moments was seeing Mindy Kaling and Chrissy Teigen post about it. I was sitting on the couch when…

BE WATERPROOF NEAL SCHULTZ, M.D. Dermatologist ELLEN MARMUR, M.D. Dermatologist MELISSA KANCHANAPOOMI LEVIN, M.D. Dermatologist NUNZIO SAVIANO Hairstylist GITA BASS Makeup artist MONA GOHARA, M.D. Dermatologist ELIZABETH K. HALE, M.D. Dermatologist SARAH LUCERO Makeup artist JENNY PATINKIN Makeup artist TINA TURNBOW Makeup artist DENDY E. ENGELMAN, M.D. Dermatologist KRISTAN SERAFINO Hairstylist JENN (makeup), KRISTIE (brows), and ASHLEY (hair) STREICHER Owners of Striiike beauty studio BE STRONG + WELL JEN WIDERSTROM Consulting Shape fitness director, trainer, life coach ADAM ROSANTE Strength and nutrition coach CEDRIC X. BRYANT, PH.D. Exercise physiologist MICHELLE LOVITT Celebrity trainer JORDAN METZL, M.D. Sports medicine physician MICHELE OLSON, PH.D. Clinical professor of sport science SHAUN T Celebrity trainer ALEX SILVER-FAGAN Nike Master Trainer HARLEY PASTERNAK Celebrity trainer MARTIN GIBALA, PH.D. Professor of kinesiology JAY WRIGHT Trainer,…

Into the Wild When the time is right to act on your cravings for adventure, consider this: “There are more women-led adventure-travel companies than in the past,” says Kimberly Daley, the CEO of MT Sobek adventure travel, along with a surge of what she calls casual adventurists—“people who seek experiences but also want to have creature comforts.” Shop your next such conquest at mtsobek.com, or check out the Lifted Adventure Camp led by Nike Master Trainer Holly Rilinger (holly.life) to get fit as you zip-line, rappel, and jump off waterfalls! SHOP IT! Click here to shop products on these pages. Bags With a History Pretty chic for a former piece of ocean plastic. Best known for its sustainable flats, Rothy’s first collec-tion of handbags—seven silhouettes ($65 to $350, rothys.com)…

“Heat and humidity can make your usual fragrances feel dense and overwhelming,” Givaudan perfumer Linda Song says. Which is why it’s time to switch to a lightweight body splash. These less concentrated mists are ideal for a quick refresh after a workout. “Plus, you can reapply them often or switch up your scent throughout the day based on your mood,” Song says. Citrus notes in Nest New York Grapefruit & Verbena Body Mist ($20, nestfragrances.com) smell clean and uplifting, while hints of pistachio and salted caramel in Sol de Janeiro Crush Body Fragrance Mist ($32, soldejaneiro.com) are warm and comforting but still feel summery. Or pick a floral. “Peony is trending,” Song says. Get it, plus a fresh apple essence, in Bath & Body Works Perfect Peony Fine Fragrance Mist…

YOU CONSUME A LOT MORE NUTRIENTS Embracing the exotic has immediate payoffs: Those of us who get excited about eating all kinds of foods tend to have diets that are richer in vitamins and minerals, science shows. In one study, people who were open to trying new foods consumed more protein, healthy fats, and magnesium than people who weren’t. Adventurous women also tend to eat 50 percent more vegetables, according to research from Finland. To branch out in new food directions, order the tasting menus at restaurants, or buy something new to try every time you grocery shop. YOUR WHOLE BODY IS HEALTHIER People who eat a wide variety of foods are less likely to suffer from damaging inflammation, and they also have better levels of cholesterol and omega-3s and…

Vegan Fennel Aioli Caramelized garlic, onion, and fennel take the place of eggs in this version of aioli, adding thickness, plus loads of deep, rich flavor. Heat ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 fennel bulb, cored and diced; 1 onion, diced; 3 sliced garlic cloves; and a generous pinch of kosher salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until very tender but not browned, about 15 minutes. Lower the heat if needed to prevent browning. Transfer to a food processor with 1 whole garlic clove and puree, scraping the bowl occasionally, until very smooth. If you prefer a thinner aioli, add more oil, 1 tablespoon at a time. Let dip cool to room temperature. Season to taste with salt. The aioli can be refrigerated for…

Climbing mountains. Skydiving. Surfing. These are things that might come to mind when you think of adventure. But it’s different for everyone, says Frank Farley, Ph.D., a professor at Temple University and a former president of the American Psychological Association. For some people, thrill seeking involves mental challenges, like creating art or finding innovative solutions for problems. Whether it’s physical or mental, adventurous behavior makes us feel good: It fires up the same regions of the brain that getting a reward does, according to a study in the journal Neuron. This may be why we’re motivated to try new things even when they’re intimidating, says study author Bianca Wittmann, Ph.D., of the Center for Mind, Brain, and Behavior, the University of Marburg, and Justus Liebig University Giessen in Germany.…

Air-filled Packaging In Japan, there’s a driving philosophy, called kirei, that life should be lived simply yet beautifully (the word means “clean” or “beautiful”). MyKirei by KAO is that idea turned into a beauty brand. It’s a streamlined, straightforward collection of shampoo, conditioner, and hand soap that contains Japanese wellness ingredients like moisturizing tsubaki (camellia flowers), soothing rice water, and nourishing yuzu. The innovative packaging resembles Bubble Wrap and uses 50 percent less plastic than a typical bottle, and its design ensures that you can squeeze 95 percent of the product out of it (other packaging averages 85 percent). Once you’ve used up the products, download a prepaid shipping label from the brand’s website and send the containers to TerraCycle, a company that recycles and repurposes beauty packaging. Earth-friendly Formulas…

I’ve taken three baths in the last two weeks,” Camila Mendes says from her home in Vancouver, British Columbia, during the coronavirus pandemic. Normally, while shooting the hit TV series Riverdale, her days are grueling. “But now I have a chance to figure out how I like to live and what I need to feel good,” she says. “I’m organizing and taking care of my adopted dog, Truffle, and I’ve made a bubble bath playlist that’s filled with songs by Kelsey Lu and Frank Ocean.” Mendes, 25, has also used her downtime to focus on her skin. “Working long hours and wearing a lot of makeup on set has not done my skin well,” she says. Her days start with a face massage. “I use a refrigerated rose quartz roller…

Exercise does more than simply fend off the blues. It actually turns up your happy. Even small doses—whether you’re hitting the beach or the gym—do the trick: A review of research at the University of Michigan found that people who work out regularly for as little as 10 minutes feel more upbeat. “Consistent evidence suggests aerobic exercise is efficacious in eliciting a happy mood,” study coauthor Zhanjia Zhang says. (There’s not enough data on resistance training.) “Based on our findings, all intensities of exercise lead to increased happiness.” We’ve got a new 10-minute Shape Studio workout to bring you the feel-good effect, plus tips to maximize the workout high as you go. Sweat-proof Music to Your Ears These Bluetooth headphones are built to stay put and withstand whatever drenching workout…

Quantifying the impact of one’s happiness may seem like fuzzy math, but the research measuring a mom’s well-being and that of her children is pretty clear, says sociologist Christine Carter, Ph.D., the author of The New Adolescence. “One landmark study looked at certain parenting practices that affect child outcomes, specifically the kids’ emotional well-being and school success,” Carter says. Among the top practices that most moved the needle was parents managing their own stress. “That means kids witnessing their parent practicing relaxation techniques,” she says. Bring on the calm and contentment for everyone with these tips below. WIN THE MORNING Trying to get ready while directing everyone else in the family can ratchet up your stress, says Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project. Try to divide and conquer:…

The bacteria in your vagina play an important role in your health, just as your gut bacteria do. “A normal vagina has a pH of 3.5 to 4.5 with a healthy microbiome that contains the right amount of good bacteria, called lactobacilli, which help prevent irritation, abnormal discharge, and infection,” says Lauren Streicher, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University. For the most part, your pH level stays balanced naturally. But certain factors can alter it, including your period. Here’s what you need to know—and do. Watch for Patterns Some women are more prone to pH-related problems, though doctors aren’t certain why. Sex can play a role: Semen has a pH of 7.4, so an unpleasant, fishy odor after intercourse might mean that it’s throwing off…

It’s prime salad season. And yours is about to get a huge upgrade. The secret: a dressing that’s packed with fresh flavor, says Gaby Dalkin, the creator of What’s Gaby Cooking and the author of the new book Eat What You Want. “Dressing is the star of the meal—it makes any salad sing,” she says. “Go spicy, creamy, tangy—the sky is the limit. You can experiment with all kinds of ingredients and have some fun with the flavor profile.” Here’s how to mix up the perfect blend. YOUR GO-TO TOOL: A WHISK “Once you’ve placed all your dressing ingredients in a bowl, use a whisk to really combine them,” Dalkin says. “It emulsifies everything perfectly.” BEST DRESSED “Start with a basic dressing formula, then customize,” Dalkin says. ⅓ to…

Brussels sprouts team up with bacon in this crispy quinoa pizza. Create Your Own Pie! Make your favorite crust, then experiment with different sauces, toppings, and fresh finishes. SAUCES • Combine some harissa with tomato puree• Spread your pie with gochujang (chile bean paste)• Add a spoon of barbecue sauce• For an Asian twist, try peanut sauce• Dollop your pizza with hummus, salsa, or guacamole (add after baking)• Drizzle with honey, and sprinkle with chile flakes TOPPINGS • Get creative with veggies: Try fennel; broccoli; thinly sliced butternut squash or zucchini or other summer squash; asparagus; corn; sliced potatoes• Go for greens: Use Swiss or rainbow chard, cabbage, collards, kale• Mix it up with mushrooms: Instead of button, opt for hen of the woods, chanterelle, or cremini• Swap out pepperoni…