Movement Snacks, Psychodermatology, And 5 Other Wellness Trends To Watch This Year

2023 is here. And despite what you see on social media, your vibe doesn’t have to be ‘new year, new me.’ But if you’re looking for some new self-care habits to try out, we’ve got you covered. We combed the internet for some of the biggest 2023 trends you can expect to hear about when it comes to wellness — from skincare and haircare, to nutrition and movement. And if what we found on the web is true, here's what you can expect to see coming soon to a TikTok near you. 

Anti-pollution skincare

Not a hot take: Pollution is a problem. But it can also affect your skin. The common culprits: UV light, blue light (think: screens), ozone, and particulate matter (read: tiny pollution particles in the air that can be harmful to skin). Which may increase your risk of skin cancer, hives, acne, and eczema. That’s where anti-pollution skincare aims to come in. Some beauty brands claim their products help fight skin damage caused by environmental factors. 

The reality is, not all experts agree that you need specific anti-pollution products to protect your skin. And the term isn’t regulated. But experts do agree there are a few ingredients you can look out for to protect your skin (even if the product doesn’t specifically call itself “anti-pollution”). Antioxidants like vitamins C and E may help protect your skin from pollution. Moisturizers and serums with ceramides can also help create a barrier in your skin against tiny pollution particles. And the skincare practices you might already do — like washing your face at night — can help clear away pollutants before you go to sleep. 

Four-day work weeks

Jumping on this trend will largely depend on the company you work for. But in this day and age, it's not impossible. A four-day work week is already a thing in some other countries. (We see you, Belgium, Spain, Japan, and Iceland.) And it’s become a bigger conversation in the US, partly because the pandemic made many people seek out more flexible work arrangements like shorter weeks and a permanent WFH life. And in 2022, 33 companies in the US participated in a four-day work week trial program. The results? The majority say they'll never go back to the five-day grind, according to CNBC. Relatable.  

There's been a lot of research around the benefits of four-day work weeks. And most experts have found that it makes employees more productive and gives them a better quality of life. But the con to this is, some people just need that extra day to get their work done.

Skinification of hair for a healthy scalp 

Raise your hand if you've got a 10-step skincare routine for your face...but a zero-step routine for your scalp. Enter: The skinification of hair. Including scalp exfoliation and scalp moisturizers. Because your scalp is skin too. (Bet you never learned that in Bio 101.) And it might be worth paying attention to it. Because according to Byrdie, a neglected scalp can lead to dry, dull hair, greasy roots, or damaged curls. Not all that familiar with the state of your scalp? Pro tip: A healthy scalp is free of redness, visible product build-up, and skin flakes. 

Psychodermatology

Skincare isn’t just about what you put on your face. It’s also about what you eat and how you feel. Meet psychodermatology. Which combines the treatment of your skin and your mental health, and focuses on how they’re related. Because stress can trigger or exacerbate skin issues like acne, eczema, or psoriasis. A psychodermatologist can help you manage skin symptoms (like itching caused by eczema) and tackle the stress, anxiety, or other emotions that may impact your skin, according to EveryDayHealth.com.

Psychodermatology is still a relatively niche practice in the US. But as one The Cut writer pointed out from her experience with a psychodermatologist, whether you end up with glowing skin or not, it’s always helpful to work on your mental health. 

Movement snacks

Want to incorporate more movement into your day? Try movement snacks or exercise snacks. And no, sadly, it’s not a literal snack. It’s a short burst of exercise that lasts one to two minutes. That might not sound like much, but studies have shown that it may actually help improve your health and fitness over time. Not sure where to start? Try incorporating a few squats, jumping jacks, or run up and down a flight of stairs a couple of times during your work day.

Sea-based superfoods

Sea-based superfoods are flooding social media in 2023. Some sea-based foods, like seaweed snacks or fish, aren’t exactly new. And some can give you a boost in some vitamins and minerals. But other trending sea-based foods have less evidence behind them. Think: Spirulina (aka blue-green algae, a type of seaweed), and chlorophyll water. Some of the claims are that they can load you up on vitamins, cure bad breath, and reduce stomach bloating. But there hasn’t been enough research to show that these actually deliver. 

theSkimm

You may be seeing a lot of hype around wellness trends in 2023. But it never hurts to do a little extra research before rushing Amazon to stock up on new products. Moral of the story: Don't believe everything you see on social media. But also, don't be afraid to try something new if you think it'll spark joy in your life.