Is Your Beauty Routine Ruining Your Eyesight? Spoiler: You're Not Going to Like the Answer...

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Eyes are the first thing you notice when you meet someone. So, it makes sense that we spend a considerable amount of time and money making them look their best. We invest in a good eye cream to soften fine lines or reduce the appearance of dark circles. We buy a lash-lengthening mascara and brightening concealer to look slightly more awake. But recently, I've started wondering whether we've become so preoccupied with how our eyes look that we've forgotten about how well they actually work.

It all started when I started experiencing exceptionally dry eyes after my regular Botox top-up. Having never had any eye-related issues before, I suddenly found myself constantly blinking and squinting at my laptop, rubbing my eyes and struggling to focus. The irony wasn't lost on me: I was investing in treatments designed to make my eyes look younger, yet I ended up squinting and acting like someone who desperately needed to see an optician.

But according to the experts, some of the products and treatments we're using in the pursuit of better-looking eyes could be contributing to the problem. "The makeup, skincare and treatments we're using are contributing hugely to the rise in dry eye and ocular allergies and sensitivities that we are seeing," says Nicola Alexander-Cross, optometrist and co-founder of Peep Club.

Perhaps most surprisingly, however, it's not necessarily the invasive treatments you'd expect that deserve our attention. Some of the potential offenders are the simple, everyday products sitting innocently in our bathroom cabinets—and being used every single day.

First, Let's Talk About Meibomian Glands

I'll admit, I'd never heard of a meibomian gland until I sat down with Dr Elizabeth Hawkes, Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon, but it turns out they're rather important when it comes to eye health.

Sitting within the eyelids, close to the lashes, these tiny glands secrete the oily component of our tear film. As Dr Hawkes explains, that oil acts as a protective layer over the ocular surface. If the glands become blocked or their function is disrupted, it can contribute to conditions including blepharitis (chronic inflammation of the eyelids) and dry eye.

Dr Hawkes explains that many eye makeup products, removers and surfactants can disrupt that oily tear-film layer. Even something that sounds reassuringly 'natural' isn't automatically innocuous. Coconut oil, for example, doesn't contain preservatives but any oily product could potentially block the glands.

Dry eye might not sound particularly serious, but anyone who has experienced it will know how disruptive it can be. "You can have a red eye, a gritty eye, foreign-body sensation, and it can make wearing makeup feel uncomfortable," says Dr Hawkes.

Your Eye Makeup Remover Could Matter More Than You Think

"The products that are going to do the most damage are the ones that touch your eye itself or lash line, and the ones you use most often," says Alexander-Cross.

It's why she singles out everyday habits such as wearing eyeliner and removing eye makeup. A product you use directly around your eyes once in a while is one thing; a formula containing potential irritants that you massage over them 365 nights a year is another.

Preservatives are Alexander-Cross's "number one offender" when it comes to eye health, particularly in eye makeup removers, lash-growth serums and whitening drops because of their proximity to the lids and ocular surface. Dr Hawkes agrees that preservatives are something worth paying attention to, and there's one in particular she wants people to know about: Benzalkonium chloride, commonly shortened to BAK. It helps keep certain formulations sterile and prevents them from going off. But Dr Hawkes explains that BAK can also be toxic to the cornea, which is especially alarming seeing as BAK can be found in some eye drops—the very products we might reach for when our eyes are uncomfortable.

None of this means every mascara or preserved eye product needs to go immediately in the bin. But if your eyes are persistently dry, red, itchy or uncomfortable, it's worth looking not only at what you're putting in them, but what you're putting around them every day.

When it comes to eye makeup removers, Dr Hawkes points me towards Optase, which makes a preservative-free eye makeup remover designed for sensitive eyes. She also highlights preservative-free lubricating drops, like Hycosan, for people experiencing dryness.

It Might Be Time to Re-Think Retinol Eye Creams

Retinoids are among the best-evidenced ingredients we have for tackling visible signs of skin ageing, so it makes sense that we'd want those benefits around the very area where fine lines often appear first. But both experts urge some caution around repeated application close to the eye.

Alexander-Cross says retinoids can affect the delicate meibomian glands, while Dr Hawkes tells me that for patients with a history of dry or sensitive eyes, she may favour eye products containing ingredients such as peptides or hyaluronic acid rather than retinol.

That doesn't mean retinol is inherently "bad for your eyes", nor that everyone needs to stop using a retinoid eye cream. It's more about recognising that the ocular surface and the skin surrounding it aren't entirely separate ecosystems.

It's also one of the reasons Dr Hawkes believes there's a case for using products specifically formulated for the eye area rather than automatically extending every face product right up towards your lashes.

"The cream that you need for your face compared to what you need around your eye is different," she explains. "Eyelid skin itself is different—and, importantly, it's skin with an eyeball in the middle of it."

Dr Hawkes would also like to see more eye creams ophthalmologist-tested (which isn't the same as dermatologically tested, by the way). When products undergo appropriate ophthalmic testing, she explains, the ocular surface can be examined for signs that the formula is having an adverse effect.

Lash Serums Deserve Some Scrutiny, Too

Few products illustrate the crossover between beauty and eye health quite as neatly as lash serums. We apply them millimetres from our eyeballs, often every night for months at a time, in pursuit of longer, thicker-looking lashes.

Alexander-Cross particularly flags prostaglandin analogues, which are found in some lash-growth serums. She says they have been associated with changes including pigmentation and periorbital fat loss. But again, frequency and placement matter. Alexander-Cross's general rule is that the products most likely to affect the eyes are those used most frequently and closest to the ocular surface.

That includes the popular makeup technique 'tightlining'— applying eyeliner directly to the waterline, which places cosmetic ingredients right next to the openings of the meibomian glands.

Alexander-Cross isn't suggesting these beauty habits need to disappear altogether. Her advice is more pragmatic: lash-growth serums, tightlining and whitening eye drops may be fine occasionally, but she wouldn't recommend using them regularly.

What About Professional Tweakments?

Of course, many people have taken their eye beauty routines into the realms of clinical tweakments. "There is absolutely a spectrum when it comes to aesthetic treatments and the potential risk on eyes," says Alexander-Cross.

At the lower-risk end, she places permanent eyeliner and cosmetic tattooing, lash lifts and tints, lash extensions and some IPL and radiofrequency treatments. The main risks here include allergy, ocular-surface irritation, scratching and infection. These can still be severe, she stresses, but are generally reversible.

At the more serious end of the spectrum are Botox around the eyes, aggressive lasers such as CO2 and, in particular, tear-trough or dermal filler around the eyes. While the likelihood of a serious complication is low, if something does go wrong, the consequences can be severe and potentially irreversible.

The one procedure both experts would categorically advise against is an aesthetic intervention that surgically changes the colour of the iris. "This is simply not worth the risk," Dr Hawkes says.

For invasive procedures around the eyes, Alexander-Cross says the person performing them is one of the biggest risk factors. The anatomy surrounding the eye is extremely complex, so she advises seeking an appropriately qualified medical professional with specialist expertise in the area.

She also recommends stretching out the time between procedures as much as possible to allow the eyes to recover and taking particularly good care of the ocular surface between treatments.

But Can Any of This Actually Affect Our Eyesight?

This was the question I really wanted answered. Irritated eyes are one thing, but could something as seemingly benign as dry eye actually affect your vision?

"Yes," says Dr Hawkes.

For us to see clearly, light has to pass through the cornea, the transparent surface at the front of the eye. If that surface is disrupted, Dr Hawkes explains, vision can become blurred or misty. It's why someone with dry eye may find themselves blinking repeatedly and briefly seeing more clearly afterwards: blinking has redistributed the tear film over the corneal surface.

More surprisingly still, Dr Hawkes says significant dry eye can even affect an eye-test prescription. "If you've got really dry eye, it will affect your prescription," she says. Someone struggling to read a line on an eye chart may find it becomes clearer after using lubricating drops.

Importantly, we're not talking about your eye cream slowly making you blind. Dr Hawkes describes the visual changes caused by dry eye as typically misty or blurred rather than serious and permanent.

But there is something rather ironic about spending hundreds of pounds trying to make our eyes look better while potentially overlooking everyday habits that can affect how comfortably and clearly we see.

The Eye-Friendly Edit

Optase

Sensitive Eye Makeup Remover

Peep Club

Dark Circle Lidstick™ Correcting Balm

Clinique

High Impact High-Fi Full Volume Mascara

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My Grandmother Swore By Chicken Soup When We Were Ill—Our Experts Weigh In on Which Urban Wellness Legends Actually Work

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My grandmother swore by chicken soup whenever we were ill. At the first sign of a sniffle, Nanny would have a pan bubbling away on the hob, filled with chicken, garlic, turmeric, root vegetables and enough steaming salty broth to clear your head before you’d even picked up the spoon.

It always came with a French stick slathered in butter so thick you could leave teeth marks in it. Not, admittedly, an essential part of any flu-fighting protocol, but it did go “straight to the heart”, as she would fondly say.

Like many of the remedies passed down through families, I never really questioned whether Nanny’s chicken soup was actually doing anything. It was hot, comforting and made with love; when you’re eight years old and feeling rotten, that’s evidence enough. But now that cold and flu season is rolling around again, I wanted to know whether there was any science behind the saucepan.

A study found that soup could help ease common respiratory symptoms such as a blocked nose, sore throat and cough, along with a modest reduction in how long people felt unwell. Further research suggests chicken soup appeared to affect the movement of neutrophils - immune cells involved in reducing inflammation. Granted, none of this proves it's a cure, but it does suggest there may be more to the ritual than comfort alone.

When I asked four experts spanning nutrition, pharmacy and medicine, their verdict was surprisingly united: my grandmother wasn't exactly making medicine, but that bowl of soup was doing rather more than simply warming me up. If you're looking for more ways to stave off a cold this winter, read our expert-led guide on failsafe formulas for avoiding a cold. Plus, this read on what happened when one MC writer drank bone broth for a month before breakfast is worth bookmarking, too.

Can Chicken Soup Really Cure A Cold? I Asked The Experts

What does the body actually need nutritionally when we’re fighting a virus?

The short answer? Yes—but it isn't fighting the virus itself. Unfortunately, there isn’t a food capable of karate-chopping a cold virus out of your system. What your body does need is enough fuel and fluid to carry on doing its natural role of fighting it off.

“When you're ill, your body is working hard, so the basics matter most,” explains Francesca Chetham, nutritionist for Doctor Seaweed. Fluid is particularly important, she says, because fever, sweating and a runny nose can all increase fluid loss. Your body also still needs energy and protein, even when your appetite has vanished.

Performance chef and nutritional specialist Dan Sargeant points out that chicken soup provides "fluids, protein and a good spread of nutrients", while Pupinder Ghatora, pharmacist and founder of Ingenious, adds that its warmth can be soothing for a sore throat or congestion.

In other words, soup isn't attacking the cold or flu virus. It's giving your body hydration, fuel and nutrients in a form you can probably stomach when a proper dinner feels impossible.

@feelingtastyy

♬ Cherry - Jordan Susanto

Which chicken soup ingredients actually help?

My Nanny’s tendency to throw half the vegetable drawer into a saucepan may have been doing more than making the kitchen smell incredible.

Chicken is high in protein and zinc, while the vegetables add their own mix of immune-supporting nutrients and plant compounds: carrots are a source of beta-carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A. Onions contain plant compounds including quercetin, and the broth itself provides fluid and salt alongside nutrients released from the ingredients while they cook.

Scientific research points to the further benefits of chicken broth, with amino acids and minerals that may help support the gut barrier, nutrient absorption and the body’s normal inflammatory response.

Then there are the flavour-makers. "Garlic, ginger, chilli and coriander all have compounds with antimicrobial, antiviral or anti-inflammatory properties," says Sargeant—although he's clear that evidence in humans isn't strong enough to treat any of them as a cure.

Garlic is a good example. It contains sulphur compounds that have attracted scientific interest, but Ghatora says there "isn't strong enough evidence to suggest that garlic can stop you getting ill".

So by all means be generous with the cloves. Just don't expect them to behave like medicine.

@emthenutritionist

♬ original sound - Emily English

Can food really support your immune system?

There’s one phrase almost every expert I spoke to wanted to clear up: “boosting” your immune system.

“You can't really ‘boost’ it,” says Sargeant. “The aim is to give the body what it needs to do the job it already does well.”

And the less exciting truth is that what you eat before you wake up bunged up probably matters more than panic-buying ginger shots afterwards.

“An orange on Monday won't give you a superhuman immune system on Tuesday,” Sargeant adds. Instead, eating a varied diet containing enough protein, fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and other nutrient-rich foods consistently helps supply the nutrients required for normal immune function.

Dr Samila Asad, GP at the Female Health Doctor clinic, also makes an important distinction: getting ill doesn't mean your immune system has failed. "You can look after yourself well and still pick up a virus," she says.

Once you're sick, she cautions against trying to compensate with handfuls of supplements. More isn't automatically better and, in some cases, excessive supplementation can be harmful. Her prescription is considerably less glamorous: rest, drink regularly and eat what you can manage.

@yevaberez

♬ original sound - Seth - Seth Summers

So, what's the verdict on chicken soup's 'flu fighting' properties?

According to the four experts I spoke to, yes - with a fairly important caveat. It won’t cure a cold or flu, nor will it magically “boost” your immune system, but it can give your body several things it genuinely needs when you’re unwell: fluid, energy, protein and useful nutrients, all in a form that’s easy to eat when your appetite has disappeared.

The warmth may help soothe congestion and a sore throat, while early research suggests there could also be mild anti-inflammatory benefits.

@ieke.booij

Healthy November — Day 26 EP. 26 — Being Cold Gives You a Cold? + Vegan “Chicken” Immune Soup 🍜 380 kcal | Immune-supportive | 40 min Welcome to Healthy November — 30 days of redefining what healthy really means. Each day explores a new topic through real food, facts, and intuitive balance. Ingredients (serves 4) 1 tbsp olive or coconut oil 2 cups carrots, diced 4 cups butternut squash, diced (200 g) 2 cups leek, diced 2 cups mushrooms (shiitake or chestnut), sliced 1 tsp fresh grated ginger 1 tsp fennel seeds 1 small sprig rosemary ½ cup red lentils (100 g) 1 cup crumbled firm tofu (150 g) ¾ cup quinoa (150 g) 2.5 L vegetable stock (low-sodium) Zest + juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp nutritional yeast 1 tbsp tahini 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped Sea salt + black pepper METHOD 1.Heat oil in a large pot. Sauté carrots, leek, and squash for 5 minutes. 2.Add mushrooms, ginger, fennel, and rosemary. Cook 3–4 minutes. 3.Add lentils, tofu, quinoa, and stock. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. 4.Stir in nutritional yeast, lemon zest, and tahini. Cook 2 minutes. 5.Turn off heat, add lemon juice and parsley. Season to taste. > Why it’s healthy (science-backed): “Being cold” doesn’t cause colds — viruses do. But cold exposure does slightly weaken your body’s defence: •Cold air reduces blood flow in your nasal passages — your first immune barrier •Stress + fatigue + low vitamin D lower immunity much more than temperature •Studies show people catch more colds in winter because viruses survive better in cold, dry air This warm, antioxidant-rich soup helps support your immune system through vitamin C, beta-carotene, plant protein, and gut-friendly herbs. > Ayurvedic Note: Cold weather increases Vata, weakens Agni (digestion), and lowers natural immunity. Warm, cooked soups like this are the fastest way to bring the body back into balance. Ginger strengthens digestion, fennel calms the gut, lemon clears ama (toxins), and beta-carotene vegetables nourish ojas — your body’s vitality and immune strength. Especially grounding for Vata and Pitta; Kapha types can add turmeric and black pepper for extra warmth.

♬ Uluru Jazz Sagrado - Marco Antonio

Fact or Fiction? The Experts Debunk 6 Cold and Flu Old Wives' Tales

1. Chicken soup fights flu

It doesn't kill the virus or cure flu, but it can provide hydration and nutrition, soothe symptoms and may have mild anti-inflammatory effects. As Dr Asad puts it: "If it helps you eat, drink and feel a little more comfortable, that's worthwhile in itself."

“When you're ill, your body is working hard, so the basics matter most,” explains nutritionist Francesca Chetham. (Image credit: Georgia Brown)

2. "Feed a cold, starve a fever"

Your body needs fuel and fluid either way. "Don't force yourself to eat if you have no appetite, but don't deliberately restrict food either," says Ghatora. Hydration becomes particularly important with a fever.

3. Vitamin C prevents colds

Vitamin C is essential for normal immune function, but taking huge doses after symptoms begin isn't a shortcut to recovery. Regular supplementation hasn't been shown to prevent colds in most people, although evidence suggests it may modestly shorten their duration.

Georgia with her Nanny, who swore by chicken soup packed with chicken, garlic, turmeric, root vegetables and steaming, salty broth for when she was ill. (Image credit: Georgia Brown)

4. Garlic stops you getting ill

Garlic contains compounds with interesting biological properties, and some research has explored whether it could play a preventative role, but evidence remains limited.

Consider it a delicious addition to your soup rather than an invisible force field against a commuter coughing on public transport.

5. Honey and lemon kills a cough

It won't kill the virus, but it might make being ill slightly less miserable.

“Honey has some evidence for easing a cough, and the warm drink can soothe your throat,” says Dr Asad. The NHS also recommends a warm lemon-and-honey drink as one way to soothe a sore throat. However, honey should not be given to babies under one year old.

Chicken soup may not attack the cold or flu virus, but it does give your body hydration, fuel and nutrients in a form you can probably stomach when a proper dinner feels impossible. (Image credit: Georgia Brown)

6. Going out with wet hair gives you a cold

Sorry, Nanny. Colds are caused by viruses, not damp hair. They're more common during colder months, partly because we spend more time indoors and close to other people, making viruses easier to spread.

Perhaps, then, the real genius of Nanny's soup wasn't that it could magically stop a cold in its tracks. It was that one steaming bowl managed to hydrate us, feed us and make us feel looked after when we felt rubbish.

Under the weather? Shop MC-approved wellbeing essentials below

Oura Ring 5

I’ve worn an Oura Ring for years, and one of the things I find most fascinating is how often it spots that something is off before I consciously feel unwell. By tracking changes across metrics such as sleep, resting heart rate and body temperature trends, it gives me a useful nudge to slow down when my body seems to be under more strain than usual.

NodPod weighted blanket

When I’m feeling under the weather, I want rest to feel as easy as possible. Weighted blankets are designed to provide gentle, even pressure across the body, which can feel calming and comforting - making this Nodpod blanket one I’d happily curl up under on a sick day.

Live To Eat by Emily English

Obviously, when you’re feeling under the weather, cooking might be the last thing you fancy. But for the days when you are feeling well, this is the book I’d reach for for easy, balanced recipes that make eating well feel genuinely doable. Nutritionist Emily English focuses on meals packed with the protein, fibre, healthy fats and nutrients your body needs, without making healthy eating feel overly complicated.

What should you eat when you have a cold or flu?

There’s no single food that will cure a cold or flu, but the experts I spoke to agreed that hydration, energy and protein matter most when you’re unwell.

If your appetite is low, focus on foods that are easy to tolerate, such as soup, yoghurt, toast, eggs or porridge, and keep drinking regularly. “Don’t force yourself to eat if you have no appetite, but don’t deliberately restrict food either,” advises pharmacist Pupinder Ghatora.

Rather than trying to “boost” your immune system with one ingredient or supplement, aim to give your body enough fuel and nutrients to support its normal recovery.

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Alexa Chung’s Reformation Collection Is Basically a Shortcut to Her Effortlessly Cool London Style

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The terms it girl, muse and style inspiration get bandied around all too often, but when Mulberry names a bag after someone, you know for certain they're a key face in fashion. And few are quite as famous as Alexa Chung, making the model-turned-TV-presenter-turned-designer-turned muse's collaboration with Reformation all the more exciting.

Landing on the Reformation website and in select stores from 2pm on Monday 5th October, the 30-piece range is a highly anticipated edit of Chung's signature styling: vintage-feeling, full of rich textures and subtly sexy. And, of course, there are a couple of Peter Pan collars in there too, for good measure.

But while highlights include a purple strapless silk dress, a handful of stiletto mules and a sequin evening bag worth of any party, the edit cleverly toes the line between everyday and evening. A great pair of jeans, black contrasting trench coat and stripy knit marking the capsule as an all-rounder.

And as the proud owner of an Alexa Chung own-brand—hands up if you too remember that—cream silk tiered skirt and banana-printed tee, I personally couldn't be happier to see her flex her design fingers once again. Below, an edit of some standout styles.

Shop Reformation x Alexa Chung

(Image credit: Reformation)

Reformation

Radziwill Silk Dress in Purple

I needn't remind you that party season will soon be upon us and few dresses are quite as striking as this purple strapless style.

Reformation

Bondage High Heeled Mule

This simplistic snake print mule makes for the perfect evening accompaniment to jeans and dresses.

Reformation

Shimsham Bag in Green Sequin

This sequin bag is the highlight of the collection, in my opinion.

(Image credit: Reformation)

Reformation

Alexa Chung High Rise Straight Jeans

Reformation is already famous for its already great jean range, but this high-waist straight-leg pair feels especially Alexa.

Reformation

Red Carpet Scarf in Chartreuse

Few item names are as glamours as 'red carpet scarf', and this velvet accessory promises to brighten up any outfit.

Reformation

Valentine Coat in Black

Consider this black velvet coat with contrast buttons a far more interesting alternative to regular wool.

Reformation

Dude Shirt

Adding to the vintage feel is this soft floral viscose shirt, which pairs just perfectly with blue denim.

(Image credit: Reformation)

Reformation

Pepo Jacket in Floral Velvet

This floral velvet jacket pairs just as well with blue jeans as it does the matching skirt.

Reformation

Bondage Bag in Black

Toughening up the velvet, lace and florals is the eyebrow-raising bondage bag, which is also the perfect size for a laptop. You might just want to keep the name quiet in the office.

Reformation

Carolyn Skirt in Floral Velvet

Pull out the pinks, yellow, browns and whites of this floral skirt for easy outfit building.

Reformation

Bondage Kitten Mule

We're witnessing a huge kitten heel comeback, and this pared-back style will seamlessly pair with almost any outfit.

(Image credit: Reformation)

Reformation

Pepo Jacket in Nova

This rich velvet blazer is also available in an even punchier pink shade.

Reformation

Pony Slipper in Dalmatian Haircalf

I bought a similar Dalmatian print ponyskin shoe this summer and have hardly taken them off since.

Reformation

Slip Skirt

Swap your black skirt for a bright white and every outfit will feel fresh.

Reformation

Velvet Magic Bag

In need of an LBB (little black bag)? This one is a great size for toting around the essentials.

(Image credit: Reformation)

Reformation

Ghost Dress

Consider this sheer layered knee-length dress an easy go-to for both the office and events.

Reformation

Patti Leather Jacket

Everyone needs a great leather jacket in their wardrobes, and this vegetable-dyed sheep skin style is truly timeless.

Reformation

Personalist Scarf

A bold pop of red is the easiest way to liven up any look.

Reformation

Bondage High Heeled Mule

If snake print isn't quite your style, the bondage heeled mules also come in white.

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I'm a Female Health Expert With PMOS. These 8 “Boring” Habits Help Me the Most

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It’s not news that the things that have the biggest impact on our health are often the least exciting or “sexy”—and the least likely to go viral. But I believe that health is really the accumulation of what we do most of the time.

These “boring” habits work because they’re repeatable, accessible, and they compound over years. The catch is, you do have to be willing to show up and be consistent. Unfortunately, if something promises a quick fix, it’s probably too good to be true, and chances are, you’re not going to stick to it long-term.

It’s important to remember that health isn’t all or nothing, and too much of a good thing can sometimes become a bad thing. Some of the healthiest communities in the world aren’t healthy just because of what they eat or how much they exercise—they also prioritise connection, relationships and community.

So if your “healthy lifestyle” (whether that’s your exercise routine or the way you eat) is getting in the way of living a full life, spending time with family, seeing friends or going out for dinner, perhaps your relationship with being healthy has become the opposite.

While the word is overused, there needs to be balance. Yes, move your body regularly, but you don’t have to do intense exercise every single day. Yes, try to eat nutritious foods most of the time, but have the slice of birthday cake or get the pastry on the weekend. Track your sleep if you find it useful, but if checking your sleep score is making you anxious and even causing you to lose sleep, then maybe not monitoring your sleep is actually the healthier choice.

Below, I share the simple, “boring” day-to-day non-negotiables I prioritise for my PMOS, which, as one of the world’s leading female health experts, I believe you’ll benefit from, too.

8 Boring Habits That Transformed My PMOS Symptoms

1. Adding 1 tbsp of Flaxseed to your Breakfast

Why it works: I sprinkle it on oats, blend it into smoothies and add it to baking—it’s so easy to use!

Research, including these 2020, 2023, and 2025 papers, suggests it may support ovulation, insulin sensitivity and cholesterol levels, with some studies also reporting improvements in excess hair growth.

@drhazelwallace

♬ original sound - Dr Hazel Wallace

2. A 10-Minute Walk After Lunch

Why it works: After a meal, your blood sugar naturally rises. A short walk helps your muscles use some of that glucose for energy, leading to a smaller and more gradual rise in blood sugar, as this study highlights.

As an added bonus, it gets me away from my desk for ten to 15 minutes.

3. Swapping Afternoon Coffee for Spearmint Tea

Why it works: I used to have coffee at 3 pm—not great, I know—but I swapped that for spearmint tea. Not only was this better for my sleep, but according to some research—including these 2007, 2010 and 2020 studies—two cups a day may also help improve symptoms such as excess hair growth and acne in women with PMOS.

@workinghardpodcast

♬ original sound - Working Hard Podcast

4. I Got Myself a PT So I Made It to the Gym

Why it works : I love running, but strength training is one of the most beneficial forms of exercise for PMOS.

Studies—including these 2020 and 2022 papers—show that it can improve insulin sensitivity, body composition and hormone levels. I aim to do it twice a week—and I actually enjoy it.

5. Investing in a Pill Box So That I Take My Supplements

Why it works: I’m not great at remembering my supplements, so this has helped so much with consistency—which is key if you actually want them to do their job.

Of course, the “right” supplements will vary depending on your symptoms, diet and medical history.

@drhazelwallace

♬ original sound - Dr Hazel Wallace

6. Meal Planning on a Sunday so I Hit my Oily Fish Intake

Why it works: Oily fish is rich in omega-3 fats, which may help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation and support heart health in women with PMOS, according to these 2017, 2018, and 2022 studies.

I plan ahead to make sure I eat two portions per week—otherwise I can forget.

7. Sticking to a Simple Skincare Routine

Why it works: I have acne-prone skin because of my PMOS, and constantly swapping products was not helping.

I’ve stripped things back and now stick to a few simple products that work for me and help prevent flare-ups.

@drhazelwallace

PCOS has officially been renamed to Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) and as a doctor living with it, here’s how I feel about the change 👀 For years, the term PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) has caused confusion because not everyone with PCOS have “cysts” and having polycystic ovaries doesn’t necessarily mean you have PCOS. The old name also doesn’t fully capture the hormonal, metabolic, and whole-body nature of the condition, including insulin resistance and the long-term health implications that can come with it 🫀 So in many ways, PMOS is a more accurate and inclusive reflection of what this condition actually is and as someone living with PCOS, I feel grateful (& relieved) to see it finally recognised as a whole-body condition, rather than being reduced to just the ovaries or fertility. Hopefully this shift helps improve understanding, research and the care women receive. At the same time, it’s taken years to build awareness around the term PCOS, so some confusion is inevitable initially, especially for people newly diagnosed or searching for information and support. For those of us who have lived with the term PCOS for years, it also might feel a little strange and unfamiliar to let the name go What does this mean for you right now?🫶 Not much will change overnight. Your symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options remain the same, and there will be a transition period where both names are used alongside each other while healthcare systems, guidelines and education catch up. Overall I think this is a positive step in the right direction but I would love to know how you feel about the name change? 💬

♬ What Was I Made For? (Epilogue) [Instrumental Version] - Mark Ronson & Andrew Wyatt

8. Investing in a Good Eye Mask

Why it works: Sleep disturbances and fatigue are more common in women with PMOS, so protecting my sleep has become a priority.

Wearing an eye mask is such a simple habit, but it helps me fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and wake up feeling more rested.

There are a lot of popular wellness habits or trends RN that distract us from the basics that actually matter—vibration plates, big supplement stacks, red light therapy, continuous glucose monitors, saunas, cycle syncing workouts, and so on.

Don’t get me wrong, some of these things do have a place, and I’m not saying they’re all pointless. But if you’re not doing the 95% of things that actually matter, i.e. getting 7-8 hours of sleep, eating well, moving your body, managing stress and maintaining relationships, then obsessing over that extra 5% probably isn’t going to move the needle very much.

I’d much rather someone focus on small things they can do consistently than going all-in for a few days and then giving up.

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Fashion is Fuel—Keely Hodgkinson is Winning Proof That Wearing Confidence-Boosting Outfits Changes the Way We Move

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By now, you'll all have seen the viral images of Keeley Hodgkinson at last month's ATHLOS event.

The British middle distance runner, who set the world indoor 800m record with a time of 1:54.87 in February, rocked up the first-of-its-kind women-only athletics event in a one-of-one, full-body Nike speed suit, designed specifically to help the athlete improve aerodynamics and reduce drag (and, fun fact: the suit had actually been developed over more than a year, including body scanning and testing across different environments).

But, beyond that, is was designed to capture attention, to pay homage to some of the athletic greats of the past, and to show women everywhere that wearing a badass outfit for big moments is part of the performance. It was a statement as much as a stylistic choice, encouraging women everywhere to be unapologetically bold, both on the track and beyond.

As the co-founder of a brand built around making women feel their best, I loved it. If we haven’t met before, I’m Megan Davies, co-founder of aesene—a women's athletic brand and community that’s been shaking up the space since we launched last year.

My sister Lucy and I have long been passionate about designing workout clothes that look good and, in turn, make you feel good—we're firm believers that wearing clothes that boost confidence changes the way you move and exercise.

It’s not that a good outfit is suddenly going to make you fitter or stronger, but if you feel comfortable, supported and confident, you’re able to focus on the actual session rather than being distracted by what you’re wearing.

What You Wear Can Change How You Train

I really believe what you wear can change how you show up to train.

For me, when something fits properly and I feel good in it, I move more freely. I’m not pulling at a waistband, adjusting a bra or thinking about how my body looks from a certain angle. All of that mental noise disappears, and you can get on with training.

There's a psychological connection between feeling confident in your workout clothes and feeling more motivated to move your body. If putting on your kit makes you feel good, capable and ready to move, it removes one of the barriers between thinking about exercising and actually doing it.

Confidence also affects the type of movement you’re willing to do. You might be more comfortable walking into a gym, trying a new class, running somewhere busy or lifting weights in front of other people if you aren’t already worrying about your appearance.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Putting Your Attention on Your Performance

I've personally noticed a difference in the way I train and carry myself when I feel genuinely good in what I’m wearing.

I’ve worn functional kit before that technically did everything it needed to do, but I didn’t feel good in it. Suddenly I was thinking about parts of my body I would never normally worry about and becoming really self-conscious.

That is the last thing you want before an important session or race. You already have enough going through your head without worrying about how you look.

When I genuinely love what I’m wearing, I feel more confident, and I carry myself differently. I’m able to put my attention where it should be, on my performance and what my body is capable of doing.

It's massively important that activewear works with the body rather than making you feel like you have to change your body to fit the clothes, and it’s something we think about constantly with aesene.

Performance and aesthetics shouldn’t have to compete with one another

Megan Davies, co-founder of aesene

The clothes should adapt to your body, not the other way around. You shouldn't feel that you need a different stomach, smaller hips or a particular body type to look right in performance kit.

We design for movement first, but we also care about how a garment makes someone feel when they put it on.

Performance and aesthetics shouldn’t have to compete with one another. Women are allowed to want technically excellent products and still feel really good in them.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Performance, Identity and Confidence Coming Together

A 2025 study of 279 women looking at their experiences in gym environments found recurring themes around feeling judged, feeling “on display”, self-criticism and clothing challenges. The same study also found that gym spaces could be empowering when women felt more comfortable within them.

Keely’s Nike kit for Athlos became part of the conversation around how athletes present themselves and perform. I loved that moment because it showed that performance and personal expression don’t need to be separate.

At that level, competition kit obviously has a physical job to do. It needs to work aerodynamically, regulate temperature, move properly and never become a distraction.

But psychologically, I think there’s another layer. When an athlete walks onto a track feeling powerful, distinctive and completely themselves, that can contribute to how they carry themselves.

Keely herself described the suit as “pretty sick”, and she went on to win the 800m at ATHLOS in 1:56.40.

You can’t say the outfit caused the performance, but it created a moment where performance, identity and confidence all came together.

Keely’s ATHLOS suit showed that performance and personal expression don’t need to be separate

Megan Davies, co-founder of aesene

The best visual moments in sport aren’t memorable because they feel like publicity stunts. They last because there’s authenticity behind them.

Keely’s outfit worked because it still felt like an athlete making a performance decision, just with much more personality and creative direction than we’re used to seeing.

It also referenced iconic sporting imagery, including Cathy Freeman’s Sydney 2000 suit, while still feeling completely contemporary.

Sport creates some of the most memorable fashion imagery because there’s something real happening underneath it. The athlete isn’t just posing in the clothes; they’re actually performing in them.

That combination of function, character and a genuinely significant sporting moment is what gives an image longevity.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The Link Between Body Confidence and Physical Confidence

Body confidence and physical confidence are much more connected than we sometimes admit.

When we started aesene, one of the things we felt was missing was performance clothing that didn’t force women to choose between feeling athletic and feeling like themselves.

We’ve learned through fittings, feedback and our community that tiny design decisions can have a huge impact on confidence. Where a waistband sits, how a short cuts across the leg, where seams fall, how secure a bra feels, and whether a fabric clings when you sweat might sound purely aesthetic, but they affect whether someone is thinking about their body or their training.

The goal for us has always been that once you put the clothes on, you stop thinking about them.

If we started viewing workout clothes as tools that help us move better, it would make exercise feel much more inclusive

If we stopped thinking about workout clothes as something we wear to "look the part" and instead saw them as tools that help us move better, it would make exercise feel much more inclusive.

Instead of thinking “do I look like someone who belongs in this gym?” or “do I have the right body to wear this?”, the question becomes “does this help me move, does it make me comfortable, and does it make me want to be active?”

We don't need to dismiss aesthetics to get there. Feeling good in something can be part of its function.

The best performance clothing should support your body physically, remove distractions mentally and give you the confidence to focus on what your body can actually do.

That shift from appearance to capability is something that could make movement feel much more positive for a lot of women.

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Hard Water Made My Hair and Skin Chronically Dehydrated—This Shower Filter Changed That Almost Overnight

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As soon as I step out of the shower, my skin feels instantly devoid of all moisture. Washing in London’s hard water for 27 years has done me no favours in that department, and my bleached hair has long been feeling the impact too. In an attempt to remedy the after-effects of high levels of calcium and magnesium in my water, I finally installed a Water2skin filtered shower head—and saw the benefits almost immediately.

Even though friends and colleagues had long raved about the best filtered shower heads, I truthfully could never be bothered to get one myself. I believed that they would be time-consuming and fiddly to install, and it was something that went to the back of my mind as soon as my skincare routine had soothed my dryness. But I’ve now accepted that my dehydration isn’t something that the best shower oils alone can fix when the root cause persists.

Designed to help reduce chlorine and heavy metals in your water, the Water2skin filtered shower head vows to improve both skin and hair whilst being easy to install yourself. After a month of testing, this is everything I’ve noticed.

Water2Skin

Handheld in Satin Gold

How We Test

The Marie Claire UK team takes product testing seriously, with a commitment to delivering accurate, honest and genuinely helpful reviews for our readers. For this review, I tested the Water2skin filtered shower head for a month. As well as looking at ease of installation and use, I assessed how my skin and hair changed throughout this time and whether I believe it’s worth the investment.

(Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

First Impressions

The first thing to know about Water2skin is that you can decide between a handheld filter head, a rainfall filter head, or a bundle of both. I opted for the handheld as it’s the shower head I use the most for washing my hair, and I thought it might be easier to install than a rainfall for my first go. You can also choose gold, silver, or black, so you can find a shade that fits the rest of your bathroom.

I was expecting the shower head to arrive in a bulky box with a lot of instructions and hardware, but it was actually surprisingly minimal—just the product and a QR code for the instructions. I’d seen that the Water2 shower filter was advertised as easy to install, but I was shocked by how simple it really was. So simple, in fact, that I didn’t even end up needing the instructions. I just unscrewed my current shower head and screwed the new one straight on, no tools or equipment necessary.

Compared to some other shower filters on the market, I love how sleek and elevated the Water2 looks. It doesn’t have an industrial or technical appearance, so it doesn’t look out of place in the shower. In fact, it’s far more stylish than my default shower head. And although it looks bigger and more cumbersome, it isn’t any heavier. It’s impressively lightweight and easy to lift when washing my hair, as well as easy to grip and hold onto.

My original shower head (L) vs Water2skin (R). (Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

How It Works

Water2skin uses dual filtration technology which combines KDF-55 and Calcium Sulfite to help reduce chlorine and heavy metals in your water. Unfiltered hard water can cause a range of issues, including: skin irritation, dryness, and redness; accelerated hair colour fade; weakened proteins in the hair structure (making hair more prone to breakage); damage to the hair cuticle that can cause frizz, tangles, and split ends; and disruption to your hair and skin’s moisture balance, leading to dull hair and dry skin.

By installing a filter like Water2skin, your shower water will be free of harsh chemicals and gentler on your hair and skin.

How To Use

Once the Water2skin shower head is screwed on, you’re ready to go. However, run the shower for two minutes before hopping in to ensure the water is flowing properly through the filter.

The beauty of a shower filter like this is that it requires no effort or thought once it’s installed; you just shower as usual. For me, the best investments slot into your routine seamlessly without forward planning, and the Water2skin is exactly that.

Do note that it’s recommended you change the filter every 90 days to maintain best possible results, and replacement filters cost £40.

The Verdict

The first thing I noticed about the Water2skin head was how good the water pressure was, and how gentle it felt on my skin. I’ve always had decent pressure in my flat, but the square design with multiple nozzles made it feel even better dispersed so it isn’t constantly hitting just one area—a blessing for my long and thick hair that needs a lot of saturation.

After spending my entire life showering in hard, unfiltered water, I wasn’t expecting an overnight fix. As with any good beauty and wellness investment, I thought it would take time to see results. However, even after my first shower, I noticed how much more comfortable my skin felt with no tightness like I’m used to. But by far the biggest difference was how soft my hair felt.

My hair air-dried before (L) vs after (R) using the Water2skin shower filter. (Image credit: Amelia Yeomans)

I typically have to follow an extensive wavy hair routine packed with anti-frizz products to avoid excessive flyaways and dryness, but even after one shower with Water2skin I was able to leave my hair to air dry without any additional products. It’s noticeably smoother and shinier, and it feels the healthiest it ever has.

Over my next few hair washes, I also noticed that my hair was shedding far less and getting less tangled day-to-day. Combined with my skin feeling less dehydrated and more comfortable post-shower, I’m totally sold on the shower filter’s benefits.

It’s by far the easiest daily routine change I’ve ever implemented, and it’s easily worth the current £75 cost. I’d spend more on a purely decorative shower head upgrade, and with Water2skin you get a stylish bathroom addition with the countless beauty benefits too.

Shop more hard water antidotes

Hello Klean Full Length Anti-Breakage Hard Water Shampoo

L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Nourishing Hair Mask

Hello Klean Press Reset Anti-Dryness Body Wash

Color Wow Dream Filter Treatment

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