We're *Obsessed* With This Time-Saving New Fitness Trend

A recent study conducted by Harvard University and Mass General Brigham found that people who consumed more butter had a 15% higher risk of early death compared to those who used it in moderation. On the flip side, people who preferred plant oils had a 16% lower risk of mortality.

The results shed light on the ongoing question of whether butter or plant-based oils are the better choice for your health. Sadly for butter lovers, the findings suggest that replacing even two teaspoons of butter with the same amount of plant oil could lower the risk of early death by approximately 17%.

For the study, the research team examined dietary data from three major studies: the Nurses' Health Study, Nurses' Health Study II, and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. They tracked over 220,000 Americans' butter consumption, including for both cooking and spreading, as well as their intake of various plant oils, like olive, soybean, canola, corn, and safflower oils.

Over the course of 33 years, the researchers gathered this information via food surveys every four years. Then, they used the data to calculate averages and gain a clearer picture of eating habits.

A total of 50,932 deaths occurred throughout the study, with 12,241 from cancer and 11,240 from heart disease. The team adjusted for variables such as age, physical activity, weight, alcohol consumption, and smoking, which revealed a distinct trend.

Higher butter intake was associated with increased death rates; meanwhile, higher consumption of plant oils was tied to lower death rates. However, not all plant oils had the same effect, as corn and safflower oils showed no significant benefits.

Still, increasing plant oil intake by roughly two tablespoons a day was linked to an 11% reduction in cancer death risk and a 6% decrease in the risk of dying from heart disease.

"Replacing three small pats of butter (approximately 15 grams) with one tablespoon of plant-based oil (approximately 15 grams) in the daily diet could contribute to lowering the risk of premature mortality," the team wrote.

Now, this doesn't mean you need to cut out butter entirely. In fact, the study actually found that butter used for baking or frying wasn't strongly linked to mortality risk. This may be because it's used in smaller quantities or less often.

Butter being spread directly on foods, like bread, showed the strongest connection. So, the researchers suggest making small switches, like swapping out butter for olive oil or canola oil, to maintain taste and enhance your health.

"Even cutting back butter a little and incorporating more plant-based oils into your daily diet can have meaningful long-term health benefits," concluded Dr. Daniel Wang of Harvard's Department of Nutrition.

What's the biggest myth about hormonal acne?

I love relying on TikTok to find cute matcha drink recipes to remake, but I know some of the skincare advice shared on the app shouldn't be followed. But there's one thing in particular Gronich isn't a fan of.

"The biggest myth about hormonal acne is that you have to be on birth control in order to solve it. This myth is all over social media, but I believe it comes from the medical world not really understanding hormones and having to rely on prescriptions to override them."

Would you believe me if I told you she's not wrong? I've been on birth control off and on since I was teenager, but I've yet to see it get to the root of my acne problem!

What are different types of hormonal acne?

Did you know not all hormonal acne stems directly from your period? According to Gronich, "there are many different triggers" for it with "the most common ones being stress and high sugar or processed foods" because they "impact our hormones." However, that's not all!

"Also extremely common is PCOS, estrogen dominance, progestin-related acne from certain birth control controls like the hormonal IUD, and then there is another type of hormonal acne caused by the vitamins and supplements we take," she adds. Going a step further, Gronich says "certain vitamins and supplements can spike testosterone or interfere with other enzyme processes that throw off our hormones."

I guess this is why my doctor always recommends I consult with her before taking random tablets so I'm not disrupting anything in my body!

Why do I see breakouts on my forehead, cheeks, or chin sometimes?

Remember the face mapping tool we were introduced to years ago? There's truth to them which is why Gronich created a Pore-Clogging Ingredient Checker for you to get more insight about what you're putting on your skin. But back to what your breakouts are trying to tell you!

Given Gronich's experience, she knows "different areas of the face can represent different parts of the body." She sees "hormonal acne most on the chin and jawline" because "we have the deepest hair follicles there." Want to know what this means for our body's reaction to certain foods and products?

"Dairy has insulin-like growth factor hormone so many people who consume dairy regularly get hormonal acne right on their chin. Some people are taking too much vitamin B 12 which throws off their hormones and you see it on the jawline," she says.

Then there's our relationship with using a ton of beauty products. Gronich is firm about telling "people to remove pore-ingredients from their skin care ad makeup" because "acne that's all over your face" is the direct result of "something that's being put all over your face." Not being aware of what we're using "will flare with our PMS cycle, so we accidentally think it's hormonal," accodring to her. But nope!

"...it can also just be caused by those hidden pore-clogging ingredients," she states.

Okay, how do I treat what feels like hormonal acne?

No matter your skin type, there's a few ingredients you can use to treat hormonal acne over time. "People can treat their hormonal acne with mandelic acid, and spot treatments like sulfur," Gronich shares. She also says, "Benzoyl peroxide can be a useful tool as well but must be used carefully so as not to over strip the skin. Don't take this advice lightly because I accidentally created more issues when I used this haphazardly.

If you don't want to use Benzoyl peroxide, she says you try "ice rolling." The amount of times you can use this tool depends on your skin type. "...if you are oily, you can use these treatments every day."

How do I treat dark spots left over from hormonal acne

Gronich's tips for treating dark spots are making me rethink my shower habits because I've been doing the opposite of what's considered helpful for my skin. She says, "Avoid using hot water in the shower as it continually inflames the skin and further damages the delicate scar tissue!" Furthermore, you can "use anti-inflammatory products," according to her.

"Serums that contain hyaluronic acid can be very helpful, as well as gentle massaging to activate circulation which stimulates our wound healing response in the skin. Red light therapy can also be fantastic for scarring, along with professional micro needling treatments," she remarks.

1. Flower Crowns

Rainbow Flower Crown

When millennials wanted to look 'boho chic,' they immediately busted out the flower crowns. This accessory infiltrated practically every occasion, from high school dances and music festivals like Coachella – or even (sigh) regular trips to the mall.

While the trend might've felt fun and carefree at the time, flower crowns are super cliché today and just remind me of Tumblr's heyday (IYKYK).

2. "Geek" Glasses

Black Nerd Glasses

It's funny to think about how popular wearing fake "geek" glasses was, particularly since so many teen movies of the time, like Mean Girls, sensationalized being "cool" and "popular."

Nonetheless, plenty of millennials set out to appear quirky by topping off their outfits with thick, oversized hipster frames, even if they didn't actually need glasses. Some people even used their leftover 3D glasses from movie theaters and simply popped the lenses out – guilty!

3. Hair Feathers

Feather Hair Extension Clip

Similar to flower crowns, hair feathers emerged as a bohemian-inspired way to add a pop of color and texture to your locks. Some people opted for thinner solid or multicolored strands; meanwhile, others went full-throttle with larger feather shapes or even bead attachments.

This is another "hipster" trend that, while maybe still appropriate for some music festivals, should stay in the past when it comes to everyday wear.

4. Jeggings

Halara Flex High Waisted Stretchy Leggings

Jeggings were supposed to be the perfect blend of comfort and style... or so we thought. The idea seemed genius at the time, but in retrospect, they were just a fashion mistake.

This pant style attempted to blend two completely different types of garments and created a result that's now considered a fashion faux pas. Jeggings are just too tight to ever be flattering and don't deliver that same classic denim look.

5. Converse Sneakers With Anything

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Canvas Sneakers

Skinny jeans, skirts, maxi dresses, and mini dresses. Today, you'd probably pick different shoe choices for all of these outfits, but millennials undoubtedly had a go-to: Converse.

These sneakers were the perfect footwear for practically any look, but the trend quickly became overused. Even celebrities were showing up in low-cut Converse to walk the red carpet, a statement that would leave younger generations scratching their heads today.

6. Belts Over Shirts

Grommet Leather Belt

Along with the excessive layering of tank tops and t-shirts came the addition of belts on top. While this might've been an attempt to add some structure or flair, many belts in the 2000s were more clunky than chic.

This trend is making a comeback, particularly with oversized outerwear. But, again, younger generations today are making more pattern- and color-conscious decisions (and not just cinching their waists while wearing Hollister v-necks, LOL).

7. Ombré Hair

Ombré hair is often associated with balayage, a hair-painting technique that remains insanely popular in 2025. However, many millennials didn't hit the salon to achieve their ombré – and took matters into their own hands at home.

Regardless of whether they tried to darken or lighten, it typically resulted in a not-very-well-blended horizontal line of color across their hair.

8. Fedoras

Finally, I believe that you should be entitled to compensation if you've been personally victimized by a fedora. Everyone from Justin Timberlake to Paris Hilton wore these hats, making millennials think they were cool. In hindsight, perhaps everyone (including the A-listers) blundered with this fad.