The days of a simple cure are long over.
We’ve arrived in 2025 — an era where health and wellness are buzzwords, diagnosis and prognosis can take place over Zoom, and a marketplace of products to make you feel and look your best is at your beck and call.
Naturally, the internet is filled with unsolicited advice by self-taught nutritionists and influencers (who maybe tried celery juice, once), which means it can be tough to discern fact from fiction and figure out what actually works. Hence, the time has finally come to drop the hammer on last year’s wackiest health and wellness trends.
Let’s start with an overview. Of course, there was the expected progression of older health fads, like bed-rotting, hot-girl-walking, and even a somewhat warmer embrace of ‘NADing’ as some call it — a long-attempted solution to slow down cellular aging. But, we also had Gen Z slathering their faces with diaper rash cream to scorch pimples, looking for ‘Ozempic dupes’ at gas stations, dry brushing their skin to boost circulation, and chugging magnesium ‘moon water’ to put themselves to bed. There were also $10k-per-session IVs as hangover cures, frog venom ceremonies for emotional healing, a sober-curious movement, and much, much more. If your eyes are rolling, you’re not alone.
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It’s nearly impossible to keep track of all the expert claims and celebrity endorsements over the past year, but if there is one thing we’re quite certain of, it’s that some trends were trends for a reason. They’re just not built to last — whether unaffordable, unhealthy, or flat-out dangerous.
As a wellness writer who spends a bit too much time analyzing indigent lists and scrolling on TikTok, there’s hardly anything that brings me as much joy as scrutinizing 2025’s hottest wellness trends and offering up some expert-recommended alternatives.
Enter the ultimate wellness don’t do this, do that list of the year.
Skip: Weird Skincare Hacks, Try: Fixing your Gut Health
If 2024 has shown us anything, it is that Gen Z has an affinity for finding something unusual to drench their faces with and call the next big thing in ‘skincare’ — whether it be beef tallow, cow udder cream, or diaper rash ointment. In millions of ‘get ready with me’ videos, Tiktokers proudly show off their multi-step skincare routines and review products for every type of issue — acne, dark circles, fine lines, dryness, pores.
But, experts say the appearance of your skin goes deeper than surface level. Dr. Kellyann Petrucci told The Post that what you eat and the supplements you take are also a major factor in the overall health of your skin.
“There is a link between the health of your gut, especially your microbiome, and the health of your skin. So if you’re struggling with pesky skin-related issues that aren’t responding to topical solutions, looking inward is always a good idea. And healing your gut is the first step,” she explained, adding that bone broth, collagen powder, and a source of fiber are her “favorite foods” for healing the gut.
Petrucci warned the acne-prone to avoid “sugary, high-carb foods,” as they can cause a blood sugar spike. “Sugar, in turn, ramps up your production of AGEs, which stands for advanced glycation end products. These ‘stiffen’ collagen and elastin, damaging your skin and making it harder to repair,” she explained. “The result: You look years older than you are.”
Supplements like Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides, Armra Colostrum, and HUM Pro Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies have become popular choices for gut microbiome support, utilizing bioactive nutrients that have been optimized for gut and immune health. Those looking for something more budget-friendly may opt for quality Kombucha brands like Health-Ade and sodas like Olipop and POPPI, which are packed with prebiotics that support digestion and detox.
Skip: Overdoing Filler, Try: LED Light Therapy
Let’s face it, injections and plastic surgery are on the up and up, despite concerns surrounding long-term health effects. In 2022, 75% of plastic surgeons saw a surge in patients under 30 years of age, according to data from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
While it may be difficult to get the same results from a less-invasive remedy, there are still plenty of natural options available. Many come at a much lower cost, too, and lower risk — like mouth taping and gua sha sculpting. LED light therapy has also become an attractive choice for those interested in rejuvenating their skin and preserving youth. The devices stimulate the mitochondria in cells, which is supposed to bring improved cell function and collagen production.
Experts have revealed that LED devices do have an impact, albeit the effects may be less noticeable than other cosmetic options. Dr. Henry Legere, the Chief Medical Officer of Restore Hyper Wellness’, a US-based med spa specializing in red light, infrared, and cryotherapy, agreed. Legere told The Post that LED masks primarily target the skin’s outermost layer, which comes with some skin benefits.
“At-home devices can be effective,” Legere said. “They are useful for maintenance and mild to moderate skin concerns and can help reduce fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin tone and texture, reduce inflammation, and enhance wound healing.”
The market for LED light devices has been rapidly expanding, with current offers ranging from face masks to wands for visible-anti-aging, pens for targeted treatment of acne, and even helmets for hair growth. Brands like CurrentBody, Omnilux, and Solwave offer leading devices supported by clinical research.
Skip: Daily Cardio Sessions, Try: Cycle Syncing
HITT training has exploded over the past few years, with gyms across America offering sweaty, cardio routines aimed at raising aerobic and anaerobic stamina while burning fat. These programs, often packed into 20 or 30 minutes, can easily be done at home with the right set of dumbells, resistance bands, and a yoga mat. While there are many benefits of HITT training, this type of workout may not always be effective.
Enter, cycle syncing — a term coined by millions of women on TikTok, who have unveiled the importance of aligning your diet and workout routine with your menstrual cycle. Women experience menstrual cycles within four phases: menstruation, follicular, ovulation, and the luteal phase. During the month, women can experience unbalanced hormone levels, fatigue, bloating, and cramps.
Experts have gotten behind the concept of syncing, too. A London-based health coach told the New York Post that women should change workout routines during their menstrual cycle to reduce period cramps and other symptoms. According to the experts, gentler workouts allow the body to adjust to the elevated hormone levels the body is experiencing.
“Incorporating low-impact activities like Pilates, yoga, or walking can alleviate period pain and promote overall well-being,” London-based health coach Jodi Montlake told the Daily Mail. “Starting these routines before or after menstruation helps the body acclimate, making exercise more enjoyable and effective when menstruation does occur.”
Fortunately, many workout plans offer lower-impact workouts, such as yoga, Pilates, and functional fitness — including the Jennifer Aniston-approved Pvolve method and an Alo Moves membership, which offers classes focused on mindfulness, yoga, and even a specific cycle syncing category
Skip: Short-term Fad Diets, Do: Focus on Longevity
We’re leaving lifespan in 2024, the new question is how long your ‘healthspan’ could be. The healthspan measures the years a person spends free from chronic disease or disabilities. In other words, the goal is not just to live long, but also to remain in great health. It’s a buzzword that has picked up alongside a greater interest in longevity, which may seem antithetical considering the dropping US life expectancy.
Longevity enthusiasts may consider testing their biological age and then making long-term changes, like swapping fad diets for lifestyle choices that are easy to integrate and not overly restrictive. That could look like reducing your alcohol intake by replacing some alcoholic beverages with adaptogen mocktails (a favorite of the growing sober-curious crowd). Or, perhaps, supplement your diet with a balanced greens powder and a multivitamin.
For some who take the trend more seriously, it may mean implementing occasional meal programs to rest your system. Prolon’s 5-Day cleanse is a generally well-regarded option, backed by research that shows how a fasting-mimicking diet causes blood marker changes that can promote cellular rejuvenation and reduce biological age and disease risk.
The NAD craze has also arisen as another alluring trend in the wellness world. Several studies have indicated that the NAD coenzyme, which stands for Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide, could reverse some of the effects of aging, protect against age-related diseases, and boost cognitive functions.
“NAD coenzymes are the central catalysts of all living things,” biochemist Charles Brenner told Business Insider. “They underlie the conversion of protein, fat, and carbohydrate into energy. They underlie the conversion of everything that we eat into everything that we do and everything that we are. They are required for our cells to generate energy.”
As soon as the secret of NAD+ supplements left Hollywood, it seemed like they began popping up everywhere — from Amazon storefronts to TikTok feeds. While they are not regulated or FDA-approved, reputable brands like Elysium and Tru Niagen are top choices for individuals closely watching their biological clocks.
Skip: Fixating on Pre-Workout Energy, Do: Prioritize Recovery
Gym rats have made it clear that they rarely leave the house without a protein-packed smoothie and a pre-workout in stow. Search just about anything GymTok, and you’ll find hoards of influencers shaking up their favorite whey or plant-based recipes. While many of these supplements can boost energy and support muscle growth, they’re only a part of the equation.
With so much emphasis on preparing for workouts, it seems that post-workout recovery assumes a lower priority. A study of 2,000 Americans found that nearly half of the respondents skip recovery steps altogether and 29% have missed work due to post-workout soreness or ‘workout hangovers’. The study also uncovered that 65% of respondents have sustained injuries from their workouts — approximately three each year on average.
“Proper workout and exercise techniques go hand in hand with post-workout recovery. By helping to improve the speed and efficiency of recovery, one can directly help optimize their overall fitness in a whole new way by increasing strength, endurance… you name it,” said Dr. Aaron Hinde, co-founder of LIFEAID Bev Co.
“Physical and mental fatigue from working out, particularly with today’s more intense exercise routines, is manageable and avoidable with the right nutritional education and recovery products, including specially formulated drinks and supplements,” explained Hinde.
Of course, interval training and getting more sleep may improve the quality of the workout and recovery. However, experts also have recommended a world of tools available to aid in recovery — from sauna blankets for pain and inflammation to foam rollers for stretching muscles, ice baths for circulation, and drinks and supplements that are packed with amino acids and electrolytes, like Amino Lean, PWR Lift, Liquid I.V, and Animal Recovery Chews.
