Prevention Picks August 2022 - Editor-Favorite Wellness Products

2022-08-26 22:47:57 By : Mr. Frank Yin

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From better-for-you gum to luxe shampoo, these are just some of our editors’ favorite things in August.

At Prevention, we take pride in picking the best products for our readers. Our mission has always been to highlight top-rated, expert-backed selections that truly solve a problem for you, make your day easier, or bring joy to your life.

That’s why we curate Prevention Picks each month, where our editors hand-select products that have genuinely made a difference in their lives. From brand-new launches to tried-and-true favorites, we shout out beauty products worth your money, fitness gear that will elevate your workouts, convenient gadgets for your home, healthy food that stands out from the rest, and so much more.

This month you’ll find essentials that will really make a difference in your day-to-day life. From delicious and nutritious snacks (hello delectable peanut butter sandwich cookies that just so happen to be gluten free) to protein-packed granola that isn’t loaded with sugar, you’ll love what our editors are sharing. Our recommendations in the beauty space do not disappoint, either. From incredible concealer to dermatologist-recommended face cream to luxe silk hair ties, you’re sure to find something that will benefit your routine. Oh, and we’d be remiss if we didn’t shout out the luxe bath soaks we’re sharing and the beauty tool that has our Beauty Director singing its praises.

Ahead, check out our latest finds—they make for great gifts, too. And who knows, you may end up stocking up on a few for yourself!

This skincare device is a splurge, but it’s truly the first of its kind: It mixes pure ingredients on the spot so they are fresh and warm when you apply them to the skin for a relaxing, spa-like experience. There are treatment pods of anti-aging ingredients, like retinol, and ones like these with facial ingredients tailored to different skin goals, such as clarifying, exfoliating, and hydrating. Genius!

—April Franzino, Beauty Director

This scrunchie trend is here to stay—and I’m here for it. Yes, these are way more chic than the 80s version, coming in both neutrals and fun bright colors in a luxe silk fabric. But also they are super functional. Put your hair in a loose high ponytail or bun before bed and your blowout is sure to last.

—Dori Price, Freelance Beauty Editor

This backpack not only holds my laptop, charger, snacks, wallet, and keys—it’s also a lunch box. The female-founded brand creates chic ways to tote your lunch, and this backpack has become my go-to. It’s pretty light and has adjustable straps. What’s not to love?

—Emily Goldman, Senior Editor

Kerastase’s iconic Nutritive shampoo now comes in a refillable aluminum bottle, so I can take care of my hair and the earth at the same time. Though the shampoo is formulated for normal to dry hair (I have normal to oily hair), it’s truly versatile and works well for me. I’ve never had shinier, smoother (and better smelling!) hair until I started using this Kerastase line. I pair it with the conditioner for ultimate glossy hair.

—Catharine Malzahn, Beauty Assistant

I’ve tried to love concealer—I really have. Especially as someone with…less than stellar skin (hello, adult acne!). But, no matter how hard I try, foundation tends to look mask-like and unflattering on my face. That’s why I love the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. The expansive shade range makes finding your perfect match a breeze, so you can add coverage where you need it and none where you don’t. Plus, the truly radiant finish makes it undetectable on the skin.

—Shannen Zitz, Freelance Editorial Assistant

I’m not someone who has a sweet tooth or needs dessert after every meal, but when I first tried these Simple Mills Nut Butter Stuffed Sandwich Cookies I had to keep a box at my desk for a daily treat. They’re similar to your favorite childhood cookies, but come with recognizable ingredients, a nutrition label I can get behind (some protein and fiber, and low in carbs and sugar), aren’t overly sweet, and actually, leave me satisfied after two cookies. They’re the perfect midday snack to get me to dinner! Plus, they’re vegan, gluten-free, and come in cocoa cashew cream and creamy peanut butter flavors.

—Arielle Weg, Associate Editor

In 2022, watches are an underrated accessory, but I truly think they’re one of the most special. I’ve been on the hunt for some sleek options lately, and these octagonal watches from Anne Klein are well-made, affordable, and elevate any outfit (just be sure to order a band-adjustment tool along with them, since they don’t come with one!).

—Allie Early, Digital Director

Speaking as someone who has always struggled with sensitive skin, I have tried too many moisturizers to count. If you want to avoid any fragrance or added chemicals, this product from CeraVe is the best there is. This smooth, no-sting, lotion leaves your skin hydrated all day—and a little goes a long way. Plus, feel free to use it anywhere, I love to use it on my face but it works as a great body lotion as well. Try it out for yourself and your sensitive skin will thank you for it!

—Madeleine Haase, Editorial Assistant

Maybe it’s my abysmal seated posture. Maybe it’s that it’s squat month on my personal training app. Or maybe it's just that it turns out I get older every. Single. Year. But I’ve been achy, especially in my hips and butt and lower back, and baths have really helped. The game-changer, though, has been Village Naturals Chronic Pain and Fatigue Body Soak. Basically, they’re bath salts, but whatever it is in the mix of arnica, ginger, and D-ribose (which is marketed to athletes for cramps and the like) that’s also included, I feel SO much better afterward. Plus it’s a pretty color and smells nice and makes bubbles and is affordable—all good things. It’s the perfect little treat, especially if (like me) you've started making those “old man noises” when you get up off the couch.

—Stephanie Dolgoff, Deputy Director, Hearst Health Newsroom

I’ve always thought that tuna makes a nice lunch (high protein, low fat, very delish, and versatile). One tuna company that I like because of its sustainable fishing practices is Wild Planet—in fact, it’s on Seafood Watch’s thumb’s up list—and it has a new “make lunch EASY” product: ready-to-eat salad bowls. My fave is tuna, bean, and corn salad; there’s another with pasta, red peppers, and green olives. Clean ingredient list, and 16 g of protein.

—Lisa Bain, Executive Director, Health Newsroom

I love doing my own manicures, but as someone who’s also a perfectionist, what should be relaxing can instantly descend into complete madness when one nail gets messed up, and then you can’t remove the polish on that nail without messing up other nails, and before you know it you have to start over entirely. Thankfully this nail polish remover pot came to my rescue. Not only is the remover formulated without acetone to be more gentle on your nails, but it’s also super easy to use by just dipping one finger at a time into the foam center and twisting it to remove polish. Plus, you can also dip a brush into it and use it for touch-ups. Needless to say, I’m obsessed.

—Jenn Gonick, Editorial Intern

I had mentioned to a nutritionist that my go-to ‘food’ item when I was feeling anxious was chewing gum. She was appalled when I told her that because she brought to my attention that the ingredient list on the package I was indulging in was full of not-so-great chemicals/artificial ingredients. Who would ever think to read an ingredient label on a package of gum? So now I have switched up to Simply Gum. It comes in such an amazing variety of flavors (unlike ‘junk’ gum)—so you are sure to find one, or several, to your liking—Happy (+ Healthy!) Chewing!

—Sue Kakstys, Production Coordinator

I’m forever on the hunt for granola that tastes great and fuels my body but isn’t overloaded with sugar. Enter: Blue Stripes Urban Cacao Whole Cacao Granola. It has just 4-5g of added sugar, and each bag is filled with wholesome goodness like rolled oats, nuts and seeds, cacao, dried fruit, and no ingredients that you can’t pronounce. What’s super cool is that the company prides itself on using the entire cacao fruit, which means the shell is turned into flour, the flesh is dried to become sweet and tangy fruit strips, and of course, there are cacao nibs in the mix. Choose from maple pecan (pro tip: It’s fabulous on salads!), dark chocolate, and my personal favorite, peanut butter banana. Trust me, you’ll want to try them all!

—Alyssa Jung, Senior Editor

My sister-in-law accidentally drove over her garden hose, and it was never the same again. So for her birthday, her brother (my husband) did what only a great sibling will do for you: Researched and then bought her a terrific new hose that will not get ruined if she happens to make the same mistake twice. She is thrilled: This hose is super-long, flexible (no breaking), and overall extremely well made. If you’re in the market, you can’t go wrong with this.

Need a probiotic boost? Give kefir a try. I like to use it as the liquid in my smoothies because it gives them a nice thick texture and a refreshingly tangy taste. Plus, one cup of kefir is only 110 calories, but it has 12 live and active cultures and 30% of your daily calcium needs.

—Kaitlyn Pirie, Senior Editor, Health Newsroom