34 "Internet Famous" Amazon Products For Your Thirties
Laneige's Neo Blurring Powder to absorb oil and blur pores so effectively that you'll be like, "Oh ... witchcraft??" Might be the only explanation for how this can matte-ify your complexion while still keeping it radiant and glowy ✨. Psst — one reviewer compares this to the coveted $59 Givenchy version before they changed the formula!
A delightfully affordable instant foot peeling spray for anyone ready to go full YEEHAW!! on that at-home pedicure. This not only helps gently remove dead skin, but moisturizes dry and cracked heels, so you'll really get some refreshing bang for your buck.
A reviewer-beloved basic crewneck tee that plays nice with ALL your jeans and skirts, since it's just the right amount of compressive and easily slides under waistbands. Also, at that price point, and in THIS MANY colors??? Seems like it's Restock Your Wardrobe O'Clock.
Color Wow's "Raise The Root" thickening and lifting spray to give your hair some instant ~~VAVOOM~~, no teasing or heat styling gymnastics required.
Olay Super Serum Body Wash that will make anyone with dry or dull skin REJOICE — this is packed with niacinamide, shea butter, and collagen peptides for 24-hour hydration that will make you feel as ~luminous~ as the spring sunshine. (Psst — this is the body wash version of their TikTok-famous, super effective facial Super Serum, so you KNOW they mean business.)
A three-pack of retro-style sunglasses so you can shove an emergency pair in your tote bag, glove compartment, and/or stroller so the glare of the sun can never take you by surprise. 👀
E.l.f's Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, a GODSEND for anyone with thin or fragile lashes. This uses lightweight ~tubing~ technology to wrap around lashes and give them a natural-looking, smudge-proof extension so good it almost looks fake. The real boon, though, is how easily the "tubes" slide off in clean, easy swipes at the end of the day when you're washing your face — absolutely no smudging, over-scrubbing, or special eye makeup removal products required.
Plus E.l.f.'s iconic eyelash curler that'll blow all the expensive versions out of the water — this gives your lashes such an instant, gentle lift that you'll be like, "Oh, cool, there's dark magic in here somewhere." If you want to take your bare lashes or mascara to the next level, this little gizmo will do it in a few seconds flat, without the $22 price tag of the Shu Uemura version that reviewers compare it with.
A Lego mini orchid building set for the ultimate in sophisticated, whimiscal decor that will make all your guests go "Ooooh" when they see it perched on your bookshelf or on the table by the front door. Reviewers also mentioned how soothing and relaxing the build process felt!
Jergens Natural Glow Firming Self Tanner Body Lotion to give you a gradually building, vacation-worthy ~sunkissed glow~ over the course of just a few days. Not only is this easy peasy to apply compared to other finickier, streaking lotions, but it's formulated with collagen and elastin to help your skin appear firmer *and* glowier.
Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener, which will be your holy grail for concealing and brightening dark circles under your eyes when schedule is throwing you for a loop. This lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed for truly ~invisible~ coverage that makes a drastic difference — one that a lot of reviewers compare to the $33 Becca version.
Plus Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel, a cult-fave product for your beauty arsenal that will quickly help minimize eye puffiness and swelling thanks to its winning combo of caffeine and hyaluronic acid. It's basically an alarm clock for your eyeballs, because boy howdy are they awake now!!
A truly gargantuan but lightweight striped beach bag that holds so many of your shenanigans that you'll feel like you opened a hole in the time-space-tote-bag continuum. Truly a lot of audacity for it to be so boho chic and affordable on TOP of all that!!
Dae's Hair Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream & Taming Wand, which is basically the brand's "holy grail," TikTok-famous styling cream in the form of a mascara wand. This versatile lil' tool helps you carefully target flyaways, style edges, and smooth frizz.
Mixsoon Bean SPF 50 Sunscreen with an ~airy~ texture, making this K-beauty staple perfect for anyone who loves a good SPF but hates the icky sticky feeling of it. This feather-light, hydrating sunscreen plays so well with makeup that it's about to become the primer of your ✨dreams✨.
And a splurge-worthy bottle of EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen reviewers attest is worth every damn penny — this sensitive skin-friendly formula is lightweight, nongreasy, and doesn't leave a white cast. And because it is determined to be the Ultimate Sunscreen Of All Time, it's also made to help protect and calm rosacea, hyperpigmentation, and acne-prone skin. 🙌
Lumify Eye Drops, a product so beloved by TikTok that despite being more $$ than other brands, it's the number one selling brand on Amazon right now. Reviewers swear by this for instant reduction in redness in their eyes, with visible differences within a minute of use.
A set of reviewer-beloved, super comfortable ribbed silicone oven mitts so you can feel chic and put together even as you pull things out of the oven that have names like "piecaken" and "everything but the kitchen sink cake." (I don't know if that exists, but if you buy these oven mitts, I trust you to make it so.)
Eos' Shea Butter Vanilla Cashmere body lotion, which TikTok is going *feral* over both because of the lightweight, long-lasting moisture, and the soothing, delicious smell that reviewers compare to more expensive brands like Philosophy and Bath & Body Works.
Skala's Mais Cacho Hair 2-in-1 Conditioning Treatment, the holy grail of curly hair products — you can either use it as a conditioning treatment, or wear it all day in your curls both to style and condition for all-day hair repair. Reviewers swear by it for healthier, bouncier, more well-defined curls, and love how gently it helps detangle, too.
A dainty pair of lace detail sneakers for anyone who loves a dash of whimsy but simply has to keep it practical when they're on the move. These are from the beloved Amazon brand Cushionaire, which is WELL known for making comfortable styles of trending shoes (these compare to far more expensive $190 version from Anthro and the $160 version from Viviaia!).
The Ordinary's Multi-Depth Hydration Serum to achieve that "glassy," plumped effect *without* breaking the whole bank. This delightfully affordable, super effective serum helps hydrate and protect your skin barrier so you wake up with firm, refreshed skin.
A pair of reliable everyday high-waisted leggings built for workouts and lounging that are so BUTTERY SOFT that when you see the price, you'll think your eyeballs are playing tricks on you. This is the ultimate choice for stockpiling a few go-to pairs without breaking the bank!
And a pair of wide-leg high-waisted yoga pants for the *ultimate* in lightweight comfort — particularly since these are basically work pants in camouflage. Are they for yoga class or corporate nonsense?? That's nobody's business but yours and your booty's. 🥰
Truly "Glazed Donut" After Shave Oil made with vanilla, niacinamide, passionfruit, and hyaluronic acid for a luxuriously hydrated, deliciously-scented post-shave feel. A lot of reviewers with sensitive skin swear by this moisturizing serum to help with post-shave irritation, especially in tender areas.
Medicube Deep Vitamin C Golden Capsule Face Moisturizer for a K-beauty staple that's almost a little *too* fun to use — it comes with liposome capsules you can pop on your skin, helping oxidize, brighten, and smooth your complexion with the added burst of concentrated vitamin C and niacinamide. This is designed to have both instant *and* lasting results, with many reviewers noting an immediate difference in skin's radiance after the first use!
Laura Geller's Balance-n-Brighten Color Correcting Powder Foundation so you can easily achieve that "no makeup makeup" look with some subtle, glowy coverage that is easily buildable on days you need a little extra ~oomph~. This stuff is so blendable and natural looking that it's a good reminder to us all not to sleep on good old-fashioned powder foundations!!
A set of ridiculously realistic-looking faux fern plants for some instant serotonin in your backyard or living space. Plant parenthood is nice, but faux plant parenthood is every bit as chic and a whoooole lot less of a time commitment 💅 .
A set of golden bracelets with so much variety that you'll be set for all moods and occasions, whether it's a low-key weekday that calls for one dainty bracelet or a sparkly Friday night that calls for the whole bracelet brigade.
Nyx's Lip IV Hydrating Gloss Serum for anyone who's ever been like, "It's too bad lip gloss, lip stain, and lip balm can't have a glamorous, long-lasting, moisturizing baby." Turns out they DID! And it comes with 12 hours of hydration to boot!
A holy grail–worthy adjustable sports bra made with buttery soft fabric and designed with a four-way stretch and a *chef's kiss* perfect amount of comfy compression, meaning for once you might actually — gasp — enjoy putting on your workout gear.
La Roche-Posay Toleriane Purifying Foaming Facial Cleanser you may just give "holy grail" status if you've got sensitive skin — this gentle but effective blend of niacinamide, ceramides, and prebiotic thermal water is designed to remove excess oil and cleanse pores while still preventing dryness and protecting your skin barrier.
A luxe, super soft two-piece pajama set with some real "vacation mode" energy, so even if your summer travel plans are "backyard" and "someone else's backyard," you can still feel like you're on a tropical getaway. Psst — reviewers compare these to the $128 Roller Rabbit version! 👀
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13 minutes ago
- Buzz Feed
Are These 43 Personal Care Products Magical? Reviewers Certainly Think They Are...
A Derma E scar gel reviewers love for its ability to sink into skin quickly *and* even how well it sits under makeup. And it can make a difference on both new and old scars. How does this work, you ask? The key ingredients are panthenol (which can help promote new skin cell production) and allantoin (which helps attract moisture to skin and can make wound-healing faster). A lightweight Cosrx SPF 50+ sunscreen (the same brand as the TikTok-viral snail mucin!) for anyone who isn't always the best at applying sunscreen (every! day!). This sebum-balancing formula has a moisturizer-like texture, contains skincare ingredients like cacao and vitamin E, feels breathable on the skin, leaves a semi-matte finish, and (reviewers agree!) it doesn't have a white cast, so applying it will feel like less of a chore. Vanicream, a sensitive skin-friendly moisturizer free of common irritants (and fragrance free!) reviewers love to use on their face *and* body. The included pump dispenser is great for easy application, and avoiding contamination the jar. Plus it has the seal of acceptance from the National Eczema Association! A butt acne-clearing lotion formulated with tea tree oil to fight pimple-causing bacteria, helping clear existing acne and helping to prevent it from coming back in the long run. Reviewers use it on their thighs and back too, and say this lotion helps their skin feel suuuper soft! Briotech spray with the same magical ingredient as the very beloved Tower 28 SOS Daily Rescue Spray: hypochlorous acid (something our body produces naturally as part of our immune system!). Just spritz it on whenever your skin needs a little de-stressing (like on a hot, sweaty day, while traveling, or after the gym), and it'll help soothe inflammation, tone down redness, and strengthen your skin's barrier. A bottle of Nizoral anti-dandruff shampoo formulated with 1% ketoconazole that doesn't just banish annoying flakes, but actually works to kill the fungus that causes dandruff. You can use it just twice a week, too. A bottle of professional-grade callus-removing gel that can dissolve that pesky, hard dead skin in just a few minutes — for real, don't leave it on for more than that. Then just rinse, sand with a pumice stone or rasp, and enjoy those silky-smooth feet! If you love Baby Foot but hate waiting, this is a great option. Medix retinol body lotion — if you've looked at your expensive facial retinol and thought "this is too expensive to slather on my I want to" this is for you! Just like any retinol product, this is designed to help promote skin cell turnover, which can help visibly smooth crepe-iness, fine lines, rough and bumpy skin (like KP), and stretch marks, if that's something you're looking to do. A piercing treatment to help tackle the bumps that are getting in the way of you showing off your excellent taste in jewelry! It takes time, but reviewers see a big difference when it comes to fading bumps and scars and helping fresh piercings heal properly. Mielle's (TikTok-famous) Rosemary Mint strengthening oil reviewers swear by to nourish their scalps, strengthening and promoting hair growth at the root. It's formulated with biotin, moisturizing oils like jojoba, plus rosemary and mint oils, which can help stimulate the scalp. AquaGuard, a pre-swim hair cream designed to protect your tresses from damaging chlorine (aka less dryness, fewer tangles, no turning green, and no icky chlorine smell!) — just dampen your hair, apply the cream, and dive in! Now you can play "mermaids" all you want without sacrificing your hair health. An exfoliating mitten so you can scrub off dead skin cells and reveal softer, smoother skin during your Everything Showers. Just lather up and (gently!) massage your skin — reviewers say this is great for preventing ingrown hairs, helping reduce KP, and using before applying fake tan! Or an exfoliating First Aid Beauty Bump eraser body scrub reviewers with KP (aka keratosis pilaris) swear by to get rid of those tiny red bumps, without slathering on any additional creams or products — just use in the shower instead of your regular soap. Gold Bond Friction Defense, an easy-to-apply stick (just like deodorant!) to reduce friction and moisturize skin wherever you deal with painful chafing when your skin rubs together, especially when the mercury rises. It's unscented and invisible too! L'Occitane's fast-absorbing shea butter hand cream, because if you have dry, cracked hands or just hate the feeling of papery hands post-washing when you're on the go, you need this lil' guy in your bag. And there's no overly greasy feeling after, either! A saline nasal mist that can help moisturize dry nasal passages and irrigate to wash away mucus and allergens, which can in turn help relieve symptoms from colds and allergies. A roll-on sunscreen sponge to help you do what you need to do this summer: reapply your sunscreen every two hours. But with this handy lil guy, you can just sponge it right on, and it'll keep your hands mess-free! Idk about you, but I hate that greasy, sunscreen-y feeling on my hands when I'm at the beach. And if you don't get those, or reapply as often as they suggest, a Burt's Bees sunburn soother so you have it on hand before you get sunburned. Even when we do our best, sometimes it happens! SweatBlock antiperspirant wipes, which are designed to reduce excess sweating for *up to seven days*(!!). Just swipe on before bed, and kiss those pit stains that ruin your favorite shirts goodbye. They're designed to be used for under the arms, but reviewers use them elsewhere too! A manual "flossing" toothbrush with extra soft bristles in two layers that are super thin at the tip (as thin as human hair) and designed to reach places other toothbrushes might not. Especially when paired with actual flossing, reviewers say they're left with a "fresh from the dentist" clean! O'Keeffe's Lip Repair, a lip sleeping mask from the brand behind the cult-favorite Working Hand and Healthy Feet creams — and just like those borderline miraculous products, reviewers say this balm will heal and repair dry, cracking, chapped lips like no other product has. Gold Bond's firming neck and chest cream — it's not only your face that deserves a skincare routine! This is formulated with salicylic acid for chemically exfoliating that delicate skin (without harsh scrubbing) plus glycerine and aloe for plenty of hydration. Reviewers are surprised at the results they get but note that it does take time. So don't forget to take a before photo, and get to slathering! Compound W One Step Pads designed to break down common and plantar warts with minimal effort, so you can enjoy the same gloriously dramatic results as the reviewers below. Just apply and replace the medicated, salicylic acid-infused bandages every 48 hours for best results. Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask you can wear overnight for a serious boost of hydration, firming, and brightening — even reducing the appearance of pores and fine lines. Reviewers say they noticed a difference in just one use *and* that people stopped to compliment their skin! Btw, once you wake up and see where the mask has become transparent, you'll know the serum is absorbed — how cool is that? CeraVe Retinol Serum that lives up to the CeraVe name and uses *encapsulated* retinol to reduce the appearance of scars and pores without flaking or redness. If you haven't gotten into retinoids yet or are worried about irritating your skin, this gentle but effective serum is a great option — and reviewers say they like it better than other more expensive options (like Murad's Retinol Serum, which retails for $92). Or prescription-strength (but not prescription-priced) Differin Retinoid gel, because it's a true classic for a reason. It is designed to promote and "normalize" skin cell turnover, which can help clear existing breakouts, combat inflammation, and prevent the actual production of acne in the future. And since retinol increases collagen, it can help with fine lines and wrinkles as well! Cosrx's snail mucin repairing essence that may seem like it would give you the ick, but is totally worth adding to your routine. No snail-like results here: Just pat it in the evening, and you'll be appreciating the moisture boost right away. Reviewers say it helps with acne, inflammation, peeling, fine lines, and even eczema! Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, a cult-favorite body cream you're going to want to slather all over your body, thanks to the deep hydration (cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and açai oil!) and temporary skin-tightening (caffeine!) it provides, plus a fragrance with notes of salted caramel and vanilla that reviewers L O V E. My all-time desert island holy grail, CeraVe's Skin Renewing night cream, which delivers on hydration and softness and protects your skin's natural barrier — I won't use an expensive night cream again. There's a reason people can't stop talking about CeraVe on TikTok! Mighty Patch Pimple Patches, which absorb pus and oil from *inside* the zit, protecting skin from further damage and reinfection so you're not tempted to hot compress, pop, ooze, scar, and repeat. They also come in an ~invisible~ version that (as someone who has used them) is indeed surprisingly hard to see. And hydrocolloid nose patches (from the same brand) that target your whole nose all at once, absorbing gunk and oil from multiple pimples and pores all at once and trapping it so you can toss it right in the trash. Say goodbye to those damaging adhesive nose strips once and for all! Veet's sensitive hair removal gel cream, a great option if you prefer to say "so long" to body don't love other methods like shaving or waxing. If you're easily irritated or are prone to ingrowns, this might be the perfect option for you! Several reviewers tout the "dolphin-smooth" results. ::cue echolocation noises of glee:: An ergonomically designed detangling brush with cone-shaped bristles that separate tangles by pulling them apart sideways, not tugging them down. Reviewers say it's a miracle worker for everything from thick, coily hair to the finest strands! A satin pillowcase to help maintain hair and skin health even as you sleep, reducing pesky frizz and breakage when compared with regular cotton or other fiber pillowcases — that means longer-lasting blowouts and less damage in the long run. Why spend the money on pricey brands like Slip and Blissy? A nongreasy eye cream designed to help deflate your under eye bags, hydrate your delicate skin, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten your under eyes, thanks to a blend of aloe, rosehip seed oil, and vitamins C & E. A bottle of Elizavecca Hair Treatment for an intense at-home mask that'll help your strands look and feel less damaged in just five minutes. It's basically a time machine for your hair, is what I'm saying. Some reviewers say it's even BETTER than Olaplex, which is over three times the price! TruSkin vitamin C serum formulated with hyaluronic acid (to provide a boost of hydration), soothing aloe vera, and vitamin E (in addition to the namesake vitamin C) — a combo designed to brighten and smooth your skin for your glowiest glow yet. And money-saving alert: reviewers say it's comparable to the SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic serum (which costs $182 for the full-size btw!). Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil, a K-beauty cult-fave you can use as step one of your double cleanse. Just apply to dry skin and gently massage, then emulsify with water to dissolve makeup and sunscreen and remove sebum and the day's grime, leaving your skin refreshed but not stripped. Reviewers *swear* by it for helping reduce blackheads and sebaceous filaments, too! Or! For a balm option, Juno & Co.'s Clean 10 cleansing balm formulated with Japanese pearl barley to help brighten skin as it cleanses. Just scoop out a pea-sized amount (it comes with a lil' spatula!) and massage into your skin — it'll become a luxurious oil and gently dissolve allllll the makeup, SPF, dirt, oil, and more, leaving no residue behind *and* not overly stripping skin of moisture. A bottle of CND SolarOil, a nail and cuticle oil to help your nails grow and grow (no peeling!), and keep your cuticles nourished and soft, no matter how much hand sanitizer you're using. Just massage in the jojoba oil and vitamin E infused formula daily. Radha rosehip oil to not only soften skin and lock in moisture (just like other oils), but also help reduce redness and breakouts, thanks to the rich blend of vitamins A, C, and E, fatty acids and anti-inflammatory antioxidants. SoCozy curl conditioning spray, which was designed with kiddos' curls in mind, but works for reviewers of all ages! This leave-in conditioner moisturizes and helps improve curl definition and elasticity with just a few quick spritzes, which is great for impatient kids *and* grownups with limited time. A bottle of Tend Skin Solution to stop ingrown hairs and skin irritation in their tracks, making it the perfect post-shaving product with a cult following for a reason.
Buzz Feed
6 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
15 Shower Products To Add To Your Cart
An EcoTools dry brush for some pre-shower physical exfoliation. Brushing your skin might sound uncomfy, but it actually feels super soothing — it's like the relief you get from gently scratching an itch, but *all over* your body. And if you're the kind of person who needs to see a product working to believe it, you're going to love this thing. First-time dry brushers, prepare to see *clouds* of dead skin dust in the air. Some kojic acid and turmeric soap that you've definitely seen on your FYP if you've been on TikTok in the last year. The stars of the show, kojic acid and turmeric, can help even out skin tone and treat hyperpigmentation like dark underarms and elbows — and it's packed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, shea butter, and vitamin E. Using this soap is basically like serving your skin its very own Michelin star dish. Some Tree Hut sugar scrub to turn your "everything shower" into a full-on spa day. If you want to step out of the shower feeling like a baby dolphin who asked a witch to become human for just one day (yep, you'll be that smooth)...start lathering this on right now. Plus, reviewers who use sunless tanning products are saying that this scrub is great for both pre-tan prep and post-tan removal. An African exfoliating net that I'm kind of starstruck over seeing as it's literally *the biggest* celebrity on TikTok right now. African net sponges completely dry out, so they don't hold onto bacteria the same way that a loofah would. Plus, these expand so you can actually scrub your entire back on your own. Some Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream with a quick-absorbing blend of oils and caffeinated guarana extract that'll lock in all that moisture from your two-hour bath-time extravaganza. smells SO good. Like, so good you might find yourself in the mirror repeating affirmations like "I will not eat the Bum Bum Cream." A First Aid Beauty KP Bump Eraser scrub that'll soften the look and feel of rough, bumpy patches with glycolic and lactic acids. Also, let's all exhale a big sigh of relief, because the "grit" in this scrub is from pumice buffing beads — not microplastics. An 18-in-1 liquid castile soap by Dr. Bronner's, and no, you didn't misread that — I actually said 18-in-1. Its famous text-packed bottle will tell you *everything* you can use this magic soap for, but I'll give you a shower-centric rundown right now: body wash, shaving, face wash, hand wash, makeup remover, bubble bath, they even claim you can brush your teeth with it. But your mouth will taste like soap, and it doesn't have any I'd probably just do it once to say I did, and then I'd stick with my regular dental care routine. Some influencer-endorsed Eos cashmere shave oil that our readers are loving. Its velvet-like texture is so moisturizing that it makes shaving your pits feel more like a relaxing ride down a lazy river and less like you're navigating wild grasslands with sticky brakes. A Billie starter shave kit, which includes their famous (and, like, really pretty) reusable ergonomic handle, two five-blade refills, and one magnetic holder that you can stick to the shower wall — away from running water and splashes — and never worry about your razor rusting again. Oh, and the "moonbeam" color glows in the dark. So. A pack of Korean exfoliating cloths that'll have you standing in a puddle of wet dead skin flakes upon first use. These 100% rayon scrubbers have been around forever (see this TikToker's skit about explaining these mitts to their confused American friend), but have gained Western popularity over the last few years thanks to the internet. A Korean cleansing balm made with soothing black rice extract that'll remove your makeup gently but effectively, *and* it's sensitive-skin friendly. And while all of that is amazing, it's this product's unique packaging that makes it so cool — you *twist* the container to get the product out, so you never have to dip your fingers into the pot. Yay, less opportunity for bacteria growth! 🤩 A Vaniderm gentle facial cleanser that's great for all skin types, but the *best* for sensitive skin. But y'all, we have to be secretive about this... 🤫 It's only $9, and I've been instructed by many an influencer to keep it quiet so it doesn't sell out. And once you see for yourself how good this is at removing oils without overly drying your skin, you'll understand why everyone is so nervous about it selling out. Some L'Oreal 8 Second Wonder Water to detangle your hair and leave it feeling smooth and silkyyyy. Just apply to your lengths after shampooing, massage it into your strands for eight seconds, and rinse it out! If you really want to enhance your results, L'Oreal recommends blow-drying your hair, too. A Pantene bond repair hair mask that TikToker and trichologist (aka scalp and hair expert) Abbey Yung made me buy, and now I will never be without it. This mask has these really unique melting pearls that, when warmed up in your palm, release a huge dose of hair ✨ magic ✨ (aka vitamins and bond-building lipids). And a bottle of glycolic acid toner from The Ordinary to do way more than just brighten and smooth also kills the bacteria on your skin that makes your B.O. smell like, well, B.O. It's basically a magical stench-slaying goddess, and it'll make an amazing addition to your post-shower routine. Oh, and it's under $15. She's a modest goddess, too.
CNBC
9 hours ago
- CNBC
The Japanese art of 'forest bathing' can improve focus, lower stress: What it is and how to get the most benefit
Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku in its original Japanese, is a mindfulness practice that involves immersing oneself in nature. The decades-old practice pulls from research that shows that spending time in nature can help lower stress levels and improve focus. Recently, forest bathing is growing in popularity, thanks in part to social media where people are sharing their experiences exploring forests and other green spaces and taking in all that they have to offer. Over 45,000 videos have been shared on TikTok with the tag #forestbathing. Users says they've seen an improvement to their mental health. "It's slowing down. It's connecting to nature with all your senses. It's just being in a natural setting and being present," says Mark Ellison, a certified forest therapy guide and trail consultant, and founder of Pinnacle Forest Therapy. "The key things are to find a place where you can spend some time uninterrupted, and then notice the things that are around you." Forest bathing can be done solo, or with a guide like Ellison. He helped found the first certified forest therapy trail in North Carolina at Pinnacle Park. There, Ellison guides people along the trail and encourages them to notice what they hear, see, smell and feel along the journey. The experiences Ellison leads usually last about an hour and a half, and involve minimal talking to prioritize periods of reflection and meditation. It can sometimes be an emotional experience, he says, with some people crying during the walks. "It's really a contrast to how we typically spend our days, which are usually distracting and usually in stressful environments," Ellison tells CNBC Make It. "Some people seek that out as a way to deal with grief. I've guided a number of individuals and families who specifically came to go on the forest bathing experience, to remember someone who passed who was very connected to nature." When people spend more time in nature, it can have great benefits on how they feel, Ellison says. "One of the key things about forest bathing and how it supports our mental health is that through using our senses, it helps us to really calm down," he says. "We're always in a hurry, and we're always connected to technology in our homes, and so [it's] disconnecting from that." Ellison encourages people who forest bathe to turn their phones off or put them on silent if they feel comfortable doing so. Avoid "the temptation to take pictures and check social media and those sorts of things. Be fully engaged with what nature offers," he says. When you forest bathe, it can also enhance your attention span, he explains. This aligns with "attention restoration theory," which was introduced by Stephen and Rachel Kaplan at the University of Michigan. The theory suggests that "spending time in nature helps our attention capacities that we use on a daily basis, relax," Ellison says. "It keeps us engaged enough to be interested and not bored. But it lets our primary attention capacities rest. And so they're like a muscle. When they get fatigued, they're not as effective." To reap the benefits of forest bathing, you don't have to head to a trail if you aren't comfortable. Ellison emphasizes that it can even be done in your backyard or a local garden, and bringing a pal along could make the experience less scary. The practice also doesn't have to be 90 minutes to be beneficial, he adds. "You could just go out in your backyard and just sit by a tree and just do 15 minutes. And then if you feel comfortable with that, continue on with longer periods of time out in nature," Ellison says. "Start in small doses and maybe keep a journal and just write down some of the things that you experience and notice while you're out there." If you don't have easy access to green spaces, Ellison recommends surrounding yourself with nature by getting plants for your space, hanging photos of beautiful landscapes on your walls or using them as screensavers and listening to nature-inspired sounds like ocean waves.
