Meet The First-Ever Winners of the Wellness Category in Shape’s 2023 Beauty Awards


They say that beauty is only skin-deep — and while we can’t deny the thrill of finding a hyaluronic acid that actually quenches our skin’s never-ending thirst, we have noticed blurred lines between the beauty and wellness aisles. From collagen powders to hair-care gummies to high-tech skincare, it’s safe to say that beauty products aren’t just things you apply to your face with a brush anymore.

“Beauty is more and more being looked at as a form of self-care, recognizing that it’s not just about looking good, but also about feeling good,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., FAAD. “There is also a greater appreciation for prevention, knowing that it is easier to prevent signs of skin aging than it is to treat it.” In addition to the practices suggested here, Dr. Garshick adds that a healthy lifestyle (staying hydrated, eating a well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, getting a good night’s sleep, exercising regularly, and practicing good sun-protective behaviors) will help you feel and look like the best version of yourself.

We knew the 2023 Beauty Awards needed to reflect this expansion, so we added our first-ever Wellness Beauty Products category. These seven categories represent the changing landscape of beauty.

Seed


You’d be surprised at how many health issues can be traced back to gut health — and yes, that includes your skin. As Shape previously reported, recent studies have shown that probiotics might support the health of your skin in addition to your gut (reminder: probiotics are live bacteria that help you maintain balance in your body, especially in your digestive system).

But back to Seed’s Daily Synbiotic. This powerhouse supplement supports your gastrointestinal health, yes — but it also includes strains of good bacteria that have been shown to support other systems in your body. One blend in particular directly addresses dermatological health by promoting healthy skin and reinforcing a healthy gut-skin connection. Happy gut, happy skin.

Who It’s For: Anyone who’s noticed just how often their Bad Tummy Days™ coincide with Weird Skin Days™

Price at time of publish: $50 per month

Shape / Jessica Juliao / Prop Styling by Tina DiRosa


Nutrafol


Hair thinning and hair loss can be caused by tons of contributing factors—genetics, stress, and pregnancy, to name a few. Nutrafol’s clinically proven formula targets a whopping six “root” causes (see what we did there?) with a unique blend that supports your strands during the entire hair growth cycle. The ingredients are all-natural too, if that’s important to you.

While Nutrafol Core will work for most women, there are also specific supplements for vegans, women over 45, and women in their first year postpartum. In these variations, Nutrafol has tweaked the ingredients and the blend to better suit the causes of hair thinning in that particular life stage. For example, the Women’s Balance supplement for women over 45 targets hair loss from hormones, aging, and metabolism with slightly less Vitamin E and biotin and the addition of the Synergen Complex Plus (a slightly different ingredient blend than the Synergen Complex found in the Nutrafol Core). Just remember to be patient; you can expect to see results in about 3 to 6 months.

Who It’s For: Anyone feeling self-conscious about how much of their scalp peeks through a ponytail.

Price at time of publish: $79 per month with an ongoing subscription

Amazon


We like to think of this skincare device as the little gadget that could. For something that fits so comfortably in the palm of our hands, it has a major impact on the skin — especially with continued, consistent use. The microcurrent tones your facial muscles for a subtle “lift,” while also reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in as few as five minutes a day.

While the NuFACE Trinity series is a little bigger and badder (basically, you can swap out attachments to target different areas), we’ve found that the Mini+ is versatile enough for most users. The smooth, silver spheres conduct the microcurrent over large areas of the face and the neck, and the Mini+ is petite enough to comfortably hold and stash in a cosmetics bag during a trip. If you want more targeted treatments for, say, your eyes, lips, and brows, the Trinity might be a better investment for you.

Oh, and if you’re wondering about the difference between the NuFACE Mini vs. the Mini+? The Mini+ can connect to the NuFACE app via Bluetooth for customized, guided treatments, and it comes in cuter colors.

Who It’s For: The skincare tech-curious who also want a low-key, non-invasive treatment option.

Read our full review: I’m A Beauty Editor, and I Tested The Viral NuFACE Device for 10 Months — Here Are My Before and After Pictures

Price at time of publish: $220

Shape / Jessica Juliao / Prop Styling by Tina DiRosa


Amazon


Collagen is the darling of the wellness-beauty crossover, and for good reason: collagen has been associated with health benefits such as improved skin elasticity, texture, and hydration, as Shape previously reported. Plus, it may reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Anecdotal evidence suggests collagen powder may also be linked to stronger hair and nails, but the studies on those topics have been minimal and too small to draw valid conclusions.

If you are what you eat, we’re adding this editor-approved collagen powder to our routine every single day. We tested the Vital Proteins Lemon Collagen Peptides in our New York Lab, and it wowed us so much, we named it the best collagen powder overall. It dissolved quickly for a smooth, non-gritty texture, and the lemony flavor was a treat in both hot and cold drinks. The aftertaste was very subtle and TBH, didn’t bother us at all, and we appreciated that each serving also has 18 grams of protein. If you’re wanting versatility, the collagen powder also comes in an unflavored version.

Who It’s For: The person who’s never without a giant Stanley Cup and who wants her hydration to multitask.

Price at time of publish: $22

FOREO


We tested 12 different light therapy masks over several weeks, and we were unanimously impressed with the FOREO UFO 3. The handheld device has full-spectrum LED to massage, hydrate, and rejuvenate skin in just a few minutes. In that short time, the UFO 3 is much more effective than your average drugstore face mask, thanks to hyper-infusiuon, which improves your skin’s absorption of powerful skincare ingredients. Another plus: This light therapy mask is a Jill of all trades, allowing you to rotate among different treatment types (like cryotherapy, heat therapy, LED therapy, and massage) with the press of a button.

We love that it’s cordless and easy to use anywhere, and you can choose from five different treatment types to target specific skincare goals. Foreo also makes dozens of curated skincare treatments that you can pair with the UFO 3, so it’s guaranteed to work for any skin type with a high level of customization available.

Who It’s For: The person who wants to invest in one fancy skin-care gadget that can do it all.

Read our full review: The 5 Best Light Therapy Masks of 2023

Price at time of publish: $359

Amazon


Whether you shave, wax, apply hair removal cream, or epilate, every type of hair removal comes with its own unique set of pros and cons (and trust us, we’ve tested them all). In our expert opinion, the Silk’n Infinity Hair Removal Device reigns supreme because of its convenience, efficiency, and professional-level results. The corded device was user-friendly and easy to manage with one hand (not to mention, way easier than commuting to a medical spa regularly for the course of a hair removal session). We loved the option to use the gliding setting for a quicker, more seamless session, and we found the minor pain to be totally manageable, even at the highest energy setting.

As for results, we saw a major reduction in hair thickness after just three weeks of use, and we’re thrilled to be able to get these spa-level results from the privacy of our own homes.

Who It’s For: The friend who’s religious about maintaining her monthly wax appointments.

Read our full review: The 9 Best At-Home Laser Hair Removal Devices of 2023, Tested & Reviewed

Price at time of publish: $429

Amazon


Listen, we’d love to have an infrared sauna in our houses, but that’s not exactly realistic. Enter: this infrared sauna blanket from HigherDose, which provides infrared heat up to 158 degrees and folds up to the size of a sleeping bag when not in use. We named it the best infrared sauna blanket out of the models we’ve tested, thanks to premium features like a double-sided zipper, eight temperature settings, and a smooth, durable exterior that’s easy to wipe down. We’ve loved using ours after intense HIIT workouts for quicker recovery, improved blood circulation, better sleep, and reduced pain. Not to mention, it feels amazing to snuggle up in when you need a little me-time.

Who It’s For: The weighted blanket lover who’s looking for more health-boosting features from her cozy rituals.

Read our full review: The 8 Best Infrared Sauna Blankets of 2023, Tested & Reviewed

Price at time of publish: $699

Why Trust Shape

As the Senior Commerce Editor at Shape, Kristen Geil tests, reviews, and analyzes all the products and gear that can help enhance your wellness journey. As a NASM-certified personal trainer, she’s particularly passionate about testing new fitness equipment and finding her next favorite pair of running shoes. Before moving to Commerce, Kristen was Shape’s Senior Fitness Editor, where she oversaw the Fitness category and covered workout trends, exercise tips, recovery, and more. For this article, she interviewed a dermatologist, reviewed dozens of test results and hundreds of individual insights, and pulled from her own experience testing microcurrent devices, collagen powers, and sauna blankets.


Credits

Associate Creative Director

David Carr

Photographer

Jessica Juliao

Stylist

Tina DiRosa


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