Skincare for Every Generation: Tailored Routines from Gen Z to Gen X
In an era where beauty is ageless and self-care is a ritual, skincare has evolved from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more personalised, generation-conscious routine. With varying skin needs, stressors, and environmental factors, Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X are all redefining what it means to care for their skin. From minimalism to ingredient-led regimens, skincare in India is becoming more intelligent, inclusive, and intentional.
Gen Z, often called the skincare-savvy generation, has taken social media by storm with their ingredient-first approach. They read labels, research actives, and aren't afraid to experiment. 'For Gen Z, it's not just about clear skin—it's about clean, conscious formulations that align with their values," says Piyush Jain, Founder & CEO of SkinInspired. 'They are drawn to niacinamide, ceramides, and vegan, cruelty-free products that promote skin health while caring for the planet."
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Mint
2 days ago
- Mint
Does a Michelada Without Beer Still Taste as Sweet?
(Bloomberg Opinion) -- I find myself unhappily on trend. Young people everywhere are increasingly 'on the wagon' — to use the American idiom for sobriety from the 1920s, when the 18th Amendment to the US Constitution banned the production and sale of alcohol. The wagon in the expression was a public- service vehicle loaded with water to tamp down dust and grime on city streets; by extension, it described the clean and sober law-abiding citizens of America. According to some estimates, 39% of Gen Z say they have foresworn alcoholic drinks; about half of them imbibe such beverages only occasionally. Many have taken to non-alcoholic alternatives. I didn't set out to join that youthful bandwagon. Nevertheless, I have been alcohol-free since Jan. 20, 2025. Those of you who recognize that date as US Inauguration Day must get the coincidence out of your head. It just happened to be when I felt I'd had too much wine over the previous three months. Alas, my doctors agreed with me — because of decades of loving wine and champagne, not just those recent three months. And so, I've spent nearly 140 days looking at how to enjoy the brave new world of NA — a market that's gotten a huge boost in sales and creativity precisely because of health-focused Gen Z, a cohort that probably makes up 25% of the world's population. I am a late Boomer, but now I'm medically required to be young at heart. The NA market can be too sprawlingly defined, including everything from bottled water and high-fructose sodas to electrolyte-infused liquids to NA wines and beer. I'm going to look at beverages that someone who likes to sip good vintages would gravitate to, intriguing in their own right or complementary, even transformative, with food. I was in Copenhagen recently where I attended Noma Chef René Redzepi's revived MAD symposium on the future of restaurants.(1) These kinds of events are usually chock-full of discriminating chefs and sommeliers intent on sampling novel or rare wines and spirits. Would I find alcohol-free stuff to quaff to help me avoid all those temptations? I will admit to staring longingly at the wonderful vintages poured out in Copenhagen. I love wine, perhaps even more so now that I can't have it. But there was no shortage of NA wine. Indeed, Denmark is home to Muri, a pioneer in the blending of different fermented juices to create an alternative to wine. Other NA wine purveyors use physical means (often with low heat) to remove alcohol. That usually results in a thin impersonation of wine, with much of the mouthfeel and vibrancy extracted along with the ethanol (which is the predominant form of alcohol produced by the yeast in winemaking). Muri's process stops short of producing alcohol and utilizes several fruits fermented separately and then blended to create distinct potables. But as tasty as Muri can be (and its beverages are delicious), let me declare now that all the non-alcoholic wines I have sampled don't come close to the vivacity of even middling good wine. There are excellent NA sparklings — L'Antidote and L'Antilope by Domaine de Grottes in France's Beaujolais region — but even these are soda pop compared to champagne or even the new generation of English bubblies. Good wine is a liquid time capsule — a memento of earth, grape, water, the seasons and human touch. It moves beyond taste. I may no longer drink a good Savagnin from the Jura, but I can still appreciate its aroma. Nevertheless, the thrill of having something that looks and — at first blush — feels like wine is enough to fool the brain into producing dopamine. A guilty elation takes over, and you think, 'They've made a mistake. They've poured me real wine.' Soon enough, you realize it's an impostor in your glass. You aren't going to be fooled by the second — if you decide to have it. The NA beers I tasted in Copenhagen were more 'hoppy' or overly flavored with things like elderflower to disguise the absence of malted barley. That said, many non-alcoholic brews I've tried here in London are more successful in impersonating their originals. Guinness 0.0% is 99.9% identical in taste to its model (it has a flatter affect as it approaches room temperature). And Estrella Damm has tweaked the vacuum distillation method — the same one many NA winemakers use to remove alcohol — to reintroduce lost flavors. Its FreeDamm is remarkably good lager. Yet, the second-glass — or in this case, second pint — syndrome persists for both the lager and the stout. The buzz you thought you had turns out to be fantasy. Of course, the quest for buzz — that convivial lightheadedness — is the existential issue in the first place for many drinkers. The road to intoxication is broad. So how do you get the consumer to focus on flavor instead of inebriation? It may be cocktails or 'mocktails' — a terribly awkward word. But restaurants can customize drinks for their characteristic cuisine. I had a miraculous NA michelada at Sanchez, chef Rosio Sanchez's wonderful Mexican restaurant in the Vesterbro district of Copenhagen. The super piquant concoction is usually made with beer, but that's been substituted by a NA pilsner from Rothaus, a German brewer. It went perfectly with the food, flowing and metamorphosing with the ingredients and heat. Micheladas — hellishly spicy — aren't for everyone and don't go with everything. But there are other choices. I had a range of kombuchas in Copenhagen (teas fermented with a variety of ingredients, including roses, magnolias and fig leaves) that were startlingly seductive. Those in the know will say that kombuchas contain some alcohol. That is an important concern for those with substance abuse issues. But the alcohol content is often less than a very ripe banana's (0.2% to 0.5% alcohol-by-volume in the fruit, compared with the 12% to 15% with wine).(2) The probiotics of kombucha may be beneficial too. NA alternatives are as costly as regular offerings — or more. Muri has about six different blends available on its websites, each around £25 ($33.75) a bottle. Guinness 0.0% is more expensive than regular Guinness. That's because — while the market is potentially enormous — the new technologies and processes for making the beverages can't scale up yet. The customer base has to grow to make everything more affordable. As for mocktails, restaurants have to find and pay bartenders skilled in fermentation to come up with those kombuchas, which take time to cultivate. If such things concern you, my friend Jenny Sharaf, an artist based in Los Angeles and Copenhagen, has an alternative to consider: the Wa-tini. You can style it like a Martini — dirty with olive juice, or with a twist or an indulgent kiss of NA vermouth — all poured into the classic glass. But one ingredient is key: bitingly cold, clean water. Shaken or stirred? It's all in your head. More From Bloomberg Opinion: (1) The previous MAD symposium was held in 2018. Funding and, eventually, the pandemic put a halt to what had been an annual get-together of the restaurant and food world. The name derives from a play on Danish and English. Mad means 'food' in Danish (pronounced like 'mal' and a close cognate of the word 'meal'). The insanity stems from the free-flowing proceedings at the symposium, which are conducted under a distinctive, four-peaked magenta circus tent. (2) A graver concern with NA beverages is sugar content and how it might affect diabetics or pre-diabetics who usually face much less risk with wine. This column reflects the personal views of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board or Bloomberg LP and its owners. Howard Chua-Eoan is a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion covering culture and business. He previously served as Bloomberg Opinion's international editor and is a former news director at Time magazine. More stories like this are available on
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Ube, taro, matcha: Milk gets a colourful boost
Milk, the quintessential household staple, has been transformed into a colourful and aesthetic beverage with a range of flavours added to it. While milk retains its fundamental relevance, it's the flavour innovations that are truly capturing attention. A recent report highlights this shift, noting that Gen Z often perceives traditional, plain milk as a 'Boomer beverage'. This demographic's influence has ushered in an era where milk is not just about nutrition, but also about personalised experiences and visual appeal. ' Flavoured milk can be a nutrient-dense beverage option' Flavoured milk drinks often evoke a strong sense of nostalgia, transporting many back to childhood. However, in today's health-conscious landscape, this emotional resonance is overshadowed by the functional benefits sought by consumers. 'With better formulations, including options with lower sugar, functional nutrients and cleaner labels, flavoured milk has become a part of a healthy diet. It is a convenient source of quality protein and carbohydrates for someone with a high energy need. It can be a nutrient-dense beverage option that contributes to recovery and energy without being 'indulgent',' says Dr Simrat Kathuria, a celebrity dietician and wellness coach. Gen Z is highly trend-aware, often discovering global influences online and expecting local offerings to meet the same standards. They demand authenticity and want to see real ingredients to know what they are consuming YuSung Eo, co-founder of a tea brand 'It has the perfect carb to protein ratio for post-workout recovery' While taste remains important, factors like nutritional benefits, ingredients, etc, are also vital. 'Flavoured milk has the perfect 4:1 carb-to-protein ratio for post-exercise muscle recovery. Using low-sugar flavoured milks can provide hydration, satiety, and recovery – all in one beverage,' explains Dr Kathuria. Maryam, a marketing professional, avoids anything too sugary, 'Sugar spikes my energy level. So, I check the protein to carb ratio, and sugar content. I like to know whatever I am consuming is doing something positive for my body,' she says. 'Flavoured milk can be customised for dietary needs' Today, customisation is a lifestyle for consumers. 'Milk is already an integral part of Indian consumption habits. Flavoured milk resonates with people because it builds on something deeply familiar. What makes it exciting is the ability to customise and express individuality through flavour, texture and presentation,' says YuSung Eo, co-founder of a tea brand. Meera, a student in Kolkata, who recently started working out at the gym, has never enjoyed the taste of a protein shake. 'Flavoured milk is not heavy, and tastes far better than a protein shake in plain milk. It is like a little post-workout sweet treat for me,' she shares. 'I prefer to have oat-based flavoured milk because I am lactose intolerant. It not only tastes amazing, but doesn't upset my stomach either. Choosing dairy flavours that help my dietary needs is a blessing in today's time,' says Meher, a chartered accountant in Pune. Popular types of flavoured milks Taro milk, Matcha milk, Protein chocolate milk, Pumpkin spice milk, Ube milk, Banana milk, & Rose milk Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Eid wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
5 days ago
- Time of India
No time for tales: Gen Z parents find reading 'boring,' worsening US literacy crisis
Reading, once a favourite pastime for children, a cornerstone of growing up, is now meeting its end in the United States, a nation that champions academic excellence. The era when children ostentatiously boasted about the books read has faded into memory. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While screens take over the bookshelf, the conventional practise waits for its obituary in dismal. For Generation Z parents, the bedtime story is no longer a shared ritual, but a chore often dismissed as 'boring,' inconvenient, or simply unnecessary. And this quiet abandonment is a prelude to a literacy crisis that already prevails in the Silicon Valley, whose roots not only lie in classrooms, but living rooms. If the seeds of literacy are no longer sown at home, can the education system alone shoulder the weight of an eroding reading culture? A generation raised by screens, now raising with them Unlike previous generations, Generation Z is a generation who have grown up in a world dominated by devices. Now, as young parents, they are dealing with the challenges of raising children under the constant glow of screens. Bedtime stories have become obsolete. There was a time when reading captivated the maximum time of children, currently substituted by the hum of devices. Children can sit entranced for hours by YouTube or 'Bluey,' but flinch at the stillness of a printed page. A recent HarperCollins UK survey unearthed that fewer than half of Gen Z parents described reading to their children as 'fun,' while nearly one in three saw it as merely academic, a task rather than a pleasure. It is in a glaring contrast to what was observed in Gen X parents, who were more likely to label reading as a significant activity, pivotal for their children's growth. The impact does not speak in whispers, but screams in the next generation. The report highlights that only one-third of children aged five to ten now read for fun, compared to over half in 2012. That decline aligns with another worrying statistic: just 41% of parents today report regularly reading to their children before age five, a sharp fall from 64% little more than a decade ago. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As the habit meets its last line, it simultaneously weakens the foundation of literacy itself. The situation reeks of a glaring paradox. According to experts, screen time is rapidly replacing crucial parent-child relationships. Worse, it is impairing early cognitive, emotional, and linguistic expertise. Pediatricians recommend no more than an hour of non-educational screen time per weekday for toddlers. In reality, screens fill the silence where once stories lived. The home is the first classroom The ramifications are stark. Children not read to at home arrive at school already disadvantaged. Their vocabulary is smaller. Their attention span is shorter. Their engagement with language is often shallow. Only 41% of parents today regularly read to their children under five, down from 64% in 2012. The ripple effects are evident: fewer children now read for fun, and a growing number struggle with reading even in high school and beyond. The repercussions are stark. Children not read to at home arrive at school are already disadvantaged. Their lexicon is restricted. The attention span is shorter. Their engagement with language is often shallow and superficial. The HarperCollins UK survey revealed that only 41% of parents today regularly read to their children under five, down from 64% in 2012. How the decline in parental reading deepens America's literacy crisis The nation synonymous with growth is grappling with a literacy crisis. A scenario that echoes a brimming paradox. Data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) revealed that 21% of adults in the U.S. are functionally illiterate, with over half reading below a sixth-grade level. From 2017 to 2023, adult low-literacy rates surged by 9%, underscoring systemic cracks. The economic toll is staggering, estimated at $2.2 trillion annually. Here's how not reading to children can further fan the flames of the crisis: Overreliance on passive content consumption: With storytime replaced by passive screen exposure, children are deprived of interactive language development. Unlike reading, which invites questioning and imagination, screen content is typically one-directional, limiting cognitive engagement. Devaluation of storytelling traditions: The decline in reading aloud erodes oral storytelling culture within families, weakening a child's connection to language, cultural narratives, and the art of expression. Delayed print literacy fluency: Without routine exposure to books and printed text, children may struggle to recognize sentence structure, punctuation, and grammar patterns—skills essential for fluent reading and writing later in life. Growing emotional disengagement from literature: Reading aloud often fosters emotional bonding through shared narratives. When this is absent, children may grow up viewing books as emotionally sterile or disconnected from real life. Reduced attention span training: Regular reading helps stretch a child's attention span and develop patience. In its absence, children are more likely to seek instant gratification, which can hinder long-form reading and comprehension later. Weakened parent-child communication pathways: Storytime often opens up moments for discussion and empathy. Without it, parent-child interactions may become more transactional, limiting opportunities for language-rich dialogue. Failure to instill narrative logic: Stories help children understand cause and effect, sequencing, and character development. These are not just literary tools but critical thinking frameworks that aid academic learning across subjects. A future written in silence The long-term repercussions can be startling. The land of opportunity has not yet recovered from the pandemic-era learning less, and then comes the apathy of Generation Z parents. College students now enter the doors without being able or unwilling to read full books. Teachers, alarmed, are turning to social media to urge parents to return to basics. This is not restricted to bedtime stories. It is about who gets to thrive in the decades to come. Literacy is not a school subject; it is the very foundation through which young people decode the world, address problems, and engage with others. When children are not read to, they do not learn to read, and their potential for empathy, critical thinking, and imagination slowly withers. While it is agreeable that Gen Z parents are stretched thin between economic demands and other overwhelming pressures. However, not neglecting storytime means overlooking someone far greater: The chance to mould a generation that listens, questions, dreams, and understands. Because in a world full of noise, the quiet act of reading may be the most radical, and most necessary, thing a parent can do.
