Fitness
16 Best Natural Shampoos for Men in 2022
Published
3 years agoon
By
Terry Power
This article was published in partnership with Blu Atlas.
Over the past several years, the idea of a detox has grown increasingly popular. The word implies ditching unhealthy habits and behaviors in favor of sustainable ones. Diet-related, technological and even emotional detoxes have helped individuals improve their health and regain control over their lives. So, why not a hair detox?
After a lifetime of using hair products filled with harmful chemicals – sulfates, parabens and artificial fragrances – this might be the perfect moment to switch to an all-natural shampoo. All-natural shampoos are composed of essential oils and plant-based extracts rather than synthetic additives. As a result, they nourish and strengthen hair without stripping it of the natural oils it needs to thrive.
In spite of these obvious benefits, many users wonder if an all-natural shampoo is really as effective as a traditional one. But whether you need a volumizing formula, a rich moisturizer or a gentle cleanser, it is simply a matter of choosing the right product.
To help you on your shampoo-buying journey, we created this list of the 16 best natural shampoos for men right now. Read on to discover our top picks.
Looking for even more tips on improving your hair-care ritual? Read on for some of our most frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proper way to use shampoo?
Although shampooing your hair may seem pretty self-explanatory, there are some ways to get the most out of your hair-washing experience.
To begin with, it is important to wet your hair completely before applying any product. Again, this may seem like an obvious suggestion, but not wetting your hair thoroughly often leads to a frustrating shampoo experience. It may be difficult to work up a proper lather on semi-dry hair, and you may end up using more product than you need. This is particularly true for men with dense or thick hair; it may take up to three minutes of steady water pressure until your hair is ready for shampoo. Before applying any product, run your fingers through your hair to make sure that all sections are equally soaked.
Most of us are using too much shampoo. In reality, you only need about a coin-sized amount for a thorough wash. The secret lies in working up a good lather, rather than dousing your hair with product. Besides, too much shampoo can strip hair of its natural oils and lead you to unnecessarily spend money on replacements. As a rule of thumb, use a nickel-sized amount for short hair, a quarter-sized amount for medium, and a half-dollar-sized amount for long hair. To ensure an even application, you can use a styling brush to disperse the product.
When you are applying shampoo, it is best to focus on the scalp first and the ends later. The scalp is usually the first place where buildup, dirt and oils start to gather. Giving the scalp a thorough scrub helps you target the areas where problems usually occur. For best results, concentrate on your scalp for the first few minutes and then run the product through the ends for the final 30 seconds. However, if you plan to apply conditioner, it is best to thoroughly condition the ends before reaching the crown of the head.
Finally, it is important to give your hair a good rinse after a shampoo. Experts note that shampoo residue is likely to cause buildup, making rinsing a top priority for a healthy head of hair. Before you leave the shower, run your fingers through your hair several times to check for any leftover product.
How often is it necessary to shampoo?
By now, most of us have probably heard the warnings against shampooing hair too often. Using shampoo too frequently tends to dry out the hair and strip it of its natural barriers. But how often you shampoo also depends on hair type, environmental factors and daily activities. Experts suggest that men with fine hair, men living in hot climates or men who perform intense physical activities should consider washing daily for optimal hair health. On the flip side, men with thick or texturized hair can get away with shampooing much less frequently. For the average person, shampooing once every two to three days should be enough to keep the hair in good condition. Just make sure that you shampoo before attempting to use any styling tools.
Is an all-natural product truly worth it? Will it make a difference?
Although a natural product is frequently more expensive than a chemically formulated one, its benefits are well worth the additional investment. The scalp is a porous and highly absorbent part of our skins, and the chemicals in hair products are quickly and easily absorbed into our bloodstreams. Many of the common ingredients found in shampoos and conditioners, including parabens, sulfates, phthalates and artificial fragrances, have been linked to cancer and reproductive problems.
In terms of your hair health, chemical products tend to strip away the hair’s ability to heal itself and protect its surface against the elements. At first, it may seem as though these chemical products are more effective. But with time, we find that we need more frequent washes and a greater volume of product to achieve the same results. Instead of cutting down on chemicals, we end up adding more and more of these items to our drugstore shopping list. Not only does this become expensive, but it takes away the hair’s natural properties, such as regulating oil production. Hair becomes thinner, more brittle and less shiny.
Another factor to consider is the environmental one. All-natural products do not contain ingredients that damage the planet. They are frequently packaged in more eco-friendly containers, such as those made with recycled plastic. Companies producing natural shampoos usually commit to a more sustainable business practice. Furthermore, natural products are less likely to be tested on animals than their chemical counterparts. These are all important factors to consider when purchasing something as simple as your daily hair wash.
All in all, people may have varying reasons for choosing an all-natural product. But even with the added expense, the health and environmental benefits make it worth your while to attempt a switch.
How does one switch to an all-natural shampoo?
Believe it or not, transitioning to an all-natural shampoo can be a rather lengthy process. While many people may try an all-natural shampoo and immediately decide that it does not work, your hair needs a four- to six-week transition period to make the switch.
Once you start using an all-natural shampoo, it is important to remain patient while your body grapples with the adjustment. In the first few weeks, you may notice that your scalp seems excessively oily, and that your hair feels heavier than normal. Your hair may even feel more brittle and more tangled. This is nothing to worry about! Your hair is most likely detoxing from chemical products and needs two to three weeks to find its new balance. Once you do make the switch, you will find yourself using less product, and will feel clean for longer periods of time.
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There’s no doubt when the weather turns colder as we settle into winter, stouts take center stage. And while we enjoy all its iterations: standard stout, imperial stout, and robust barrel-aged stouts, we think this malty, chocolate-filled beer’s close cousin deserves a little respect as well. Of course, we’re talking about the oft-overlooked porter. And the best porters, oh buddy, they’ll have you rethinking your seasonal bevvie of choice.
For those uninitiated, the porter style had its genesis in England like many other iconic beer styles. It first appeared in the 1700s and is (you guessed it) named after porters—individuals tasked with transporting luggage.
A confusing origin story
“Stout is the direct descendant of porter. In the 1700s, it was common to use the word ‘stout’ to refer to a bolder, higher-alcohol version of any beer style, much in the same way we use the word ‘imperial’ today,” says Zach Fowle, advanced cicerone and head of marketing for Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. in Phoenix, AZ. “Porter was the most popular beer of the day, and over time, “stout porter” became a popular variant. But by the late 1800s, demand for regular porters evaporated, and stout porter shortened simply to stout.”
But more has changed between the 1800s and today than just our penchant for wearing top hats. “Today, most brewers seem to market beers as either stout or porter based on vibes, rather than on any notable stylistic differences,” he says.
Specifically, porters are known for their dark, almost pitch-black color and rich, sweet flavor profile. If you were to drink a porter and a stout side by side, you might even have difficulty discerning the differences between the two.
Stout versus porter is an enduring topic of discussion in the brewing industry. “While there’s no debating the porter came first—and stout used to be called stout porter, so it was a stronger version of a porter—the lines have become very blurred over the years,” says Rob Lightner, co-founder of East Brother Brewing in Richmond, CA.
“I would venture that even among professionals, a blind taste test would often yield inconclusive results,” says Lightner.
The difference between porters and stouts
Porters tend to be on the milder, more chocolatey end of the spectrum, Lightner says, whereas stouts are typically a little stronger and more roasty. Of course, this isn’t a hard and fast rule
Fowle agrees, “Porters tend to be fruitier, sweeter, and less bitter than stouts, with cocoa and caramel flavors in balance with dark malt bitterness. And stouts are usually hoppier, drier, maltier, and more coffee-forward—and may even have a touch of acidity.”
Whether or not they fit neatly into boxes, one thing’s for sure: both make for incredible cold-weather brews.
“As the nights grow longer, drinking a light, summery beer just doesn’t seem right,” says Fowle. “Porter is the perfect style for the transition to winter: warming and toasty yet not too heavy, with flavors of coffee, chocolate, and pie crust that correspond with autumn weather and holidays.”
It’s the perfect time to broaden your repretoire. Sweet, robust, warming, and well-suited to the season, here are the best porters to drink now.
1. Deschutes Black Butte Porter
There are few porters more well-respected than Deschutes’ iconic Black Butte Porter. It’s brewed with Cascade and Tettnang hops as well as 2-row, Chocolate, Crystal, and Carapils malts as well as wheat. This 5.5% ABV year-round offering is great for cold-weather drinking because of its mix of roasted malts, coffee, and chocolate. It’s a robust, subtly sweet beer perfect for imbibing on a crisp fall night.
[$10.99 for a six-pack; deschutesbrewery.com]
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Fitness
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
The key to 360-degree muscle: 90-degree eccentric isometrics. It might seem like we’re throwing a lot of geometry at you, but the concept behind time under tension (TUT) is simple, says Joel Seedman, PhD, owner of Advanced Human Performance: “Perform the lowering phase of a movement in a slow, controlled fashion, usually 3 to 5 seconds; pause in the stretched position, typically around 90 degrees; then perform the lifting phase in a powerful yet controlled fashion.” Believe us, a time-under-tension workout can humble even seasoned lifters…Eccentric isometrics are like the pressure cooker of training.
“Rather than mindlessly performing slow-tempo reps, you’re using the increased time under tension as a means to fine-tune your body mechanics and alignment, which requires more mental engagement and focus,” Seedman adds.
If you want to forge functional muscle mass and strength while simultaneously bulletproofing the joints and connective tissue, give this 10-move, full-body eccentric isometrics workout a go.
Directions
Perform the following moves as 90-degree eccentric isometrics following the above protocol. Use heavy weight, but not at the detriment of proper form. Rest 60 to 90 seconds between sets and 2 minutes between circuits. Perform once every 2 to 4 days for optimal results.
Best Time-Under-Tension Workout for Total-Body Strength
Circuit 1
A. Barbell Back Squat
Set a squat rack up with heavy weight, then grasp bar and step under it. Squeeze shoulder blades together, then stand to unrack bar and step back with feet shoulder-width apart. Inhale, hinge at hips and slowly bend knees to 90 degrees. Pause, keeping natural arch in low back, then extend through hips to powerfully stand. 3 x 4-6 reps
B. Renegade Row
Start in the top position of a pushup with hands shoulder-width apart on moderate-to-heavy dumbbells (shown). Explosively drive right elbow back to row dumbbell toward ribs while balancing on opposite hand and feet. Pause, then slowly lower weight, stopping a few inches above floor. Switch sides after all reps are done. 3 x 5 reps each side
Circuit 2
A. Dumbbell Bentover Row
Stand with feet hip-width apart, holding two moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in front of thighs, palms facing you. Push hips back and hinge torso forward so it’s nearly parallel to floor, soft bend in knees. Dumbbells should be near shins. Drive elbows back to row weights toward ribs. Pause, then slowly lower down for 3 to 5 seconds. 3 x 4-5 reps
B. Incline Dumbbell Chest Press with Legs Raised
Set an adjustable bench to a 30- to 45-degree angle and lie back with dumbbells in either hand. Engage core and lift legs off floor, flexing feet. Press weights overhead, palms in. Slowly lower to 90 degrees, staying tight and compact. Pause, then drive weights up directly over chest. 3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 3
A. Dumbbell Bulgarian Squat
Stand lunge-length in front of a flat bench, holding heavy dumbbells in each hand by your sides, palms facing in. Rest the ball on top (shoe’s laces) of your right foot behind you on the bench. Slowly lower your body until your front thigh is parallel to the floor. Pause, then drive through your heel to stand. Switch sides after all reps are complete. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
B. Single-leg Romanian Deadlift
Stand with feet hip-width apart holding dumbbells or kettlebells. Drive right leg up, foot flexed, knee aligned with hip, making a 90-degree angle. Hinge at hips as you slowly lever your torso toward floor, lowering weights and driving right leg back for counterbalance. Hold, then squeeze glutes to reverse. 2 x 3-4 reps each side
Circuit 4
A. Pullup
Hang from a pullup bar using an overhand grip with legs extended and feet flexed. Engage lats and draw shoulders down your back, then pull yourself up until chin is higher than hands. Pause at the top, then slowly lower. Pause at bottom, then reset before your next rep. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
B. Kneeling Overhead Barbell Press
Hold a bar with moderate-to-heavy load at shoulder level with forearms perpendicular to floor. Kneel at end of bench with feet flexed to grip edge for support. Inhale, engage your core and glutes, then press the bar overhead, pushing your head forward so it passes your face, exhaling at the top.
Slowly lower until elbows are at 90 degrees, then hold to maintain tension. Begin your next rep from here. 2-3 x 4-5 reps
Circuit 5
A. Dumbbell Pushup
Place hands on dumbbells (this provides greater range of motion) at shoulder width and feet wider than shoulder width with just toes touching the ground. Keep head neutral and hips high to increase tension on core, chest and tris and reduce stress on spine. Slowly lower to the floor. Stop
once elbows hit 90 degrees, pause, then push up to start. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
B. Biceps Curl
Stand with feet hip-width apart with moderate-to-heavy dumbbells in each hand hanging by sides. Engage biceps to curl the weights up, keeping upper arms still. Pause at the top, then lower slowly. Don’t let arms drop all the way down to keep greater time under tension on biceps. 1-2 x 6-8 reps
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Fitness
The Best Jump Ropes for a Killer Cardio Workout
Published
2 years agoon
9 November 2022By
Terry Power
If you haven’t picked up a jump rope since elementary school, you’re missing out on a fantastic cardio workout. Not only will you burn a ton of calories in a short amount of time—200 to 300 calories in 15 minutes—but jump ropes can also improve your coordination and agility. Better yet, jumping rope doesn’t require much space, so it’s easy to do at home, and it’s often more mentally stimulating than jogging or swimming.
Choosing a Jump Rope
When deciding which jump rope is best for you, it’s important to determine what your goals are. While lightweight speed ropes are popular for cardio-focused training, weighted or drag ropes will be best for those focused on strength training.
No matter what your training goals are, we’ve got you covered with this roundup of 10 jump ropes from top brands including Crossrope, TRX, Rogue, and more.
The Best Jump Ropes of 2022
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