The wellness girlies finally got me

I also found a pet-friendly home scent

I’ve been giving my newsletter a little makeover, let me know what you think. :~)

I don’t have too much to say today, aside from this week has been absurdly stressful, so this newsletter has been a welcome distraction from all of the spookiness.

Today I have for you:

• A ZIIP Dot acne device review

• A way to make your home smell great without hurting your pet’s lungs

• Miffy pimple patches

• How the wellness girlies finally got my ass

& more. Enjoy!

I first used a ZIIP back in 2019, back when at-home micro and nano-current devices were the most coveted skincare gadgets around. But unlike a lot of the other buzzy skincare devices that fade into obscurity or turn out to be gimmicks with time, these devices—namely the ZIIP and the NuFace—have been proven to really work. I’ve used the NuFace before, and I like it, but today I want to focus on the curious benefits I discovered with the ZIIP.

The ZIIP has mostly been marketed as an “anti-aging tool” that helps you lift, chisel, and sculpt your skin—kind of a lite version of what you would expect when you get a microcurrent facial. The ZIIP connects to an iPhone app that has a catalogue of different facial options, from cheekbone sculpting to an instant-lift treatment, to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for. Amid all the contouring and tightening treatments, I came across an acne-fighting option on the ZIIP menu, which I found curious because the device’s acne-fighting capabilities were barely ever mentioned in the marketing of the product. But after trying it on some of my larger, under-the-skin pimples, I was surprised to find that it actually really helped reduce swelling and sped up the healing process. And I wasn’t alone: beauty writer and esthetician Ali Oshinsky wrote a piece for Into The Gloss a few years ago detailing how she had also had lots of luck with the zit-busting properties of the ZIIP treatment, despite not really understanding the science behind why. Also, when I posted about all of this on my Instagram story a few days ago, tons of people reached out saying that ZIIP’s acne treatment was also their cystic acne holy grail.

Fast forward to a few weeks back, when I learned that ZIIP was launching an acne-focused device. Knowing how much luck I had with its OG nano-current, I was really excited to try it. ZIIP’s Dot is shaped like a donut, and you’re meant to put your pimple in the center and rock the device back and forth so that the nano-current can hit the zit from all angles. First and foremost, you must apply a good amount of conductive gel—I didn’t, and it actually really hurt, and I ended up getting this sort of blister spot. Not necessarily the fault of the brand, more mine for not reading instructions properly, but just a word of warning.

I had a big, hormonal pimple sprout up before this wedding—the first bad pimple I’ve had in a while, actually—and this device really helped reduce it in size, redness, and just general angriness in about three or four days. This device is also a fraction of the price of the OG ZIIP, so it’s a great option for people who want to try it just for the acne-fighting capabilities.

• ZIIP Dot Acne Treatment Device

• ZIIP Halo Device (the OG)

I’m only human, which means I too am occasionally influenced by the wellness girlies of the internet. There are very few I’m into (especially these days, because some make my RFK senses tingle), but a creator I really adore is Alissa’s Magic. She’s mostly a chef who makes really delicious recipes (her Japanese sweet potato and ground beef one changed me), but she occasionally throws in some lifestyle favorites, which is where I learned about these electrolyte supplements from Malibu-based brand Sunlife Organics. They’re packed with vitamin C, mineral salt, niacinamide, and magnesium. I love drinking them to replenish electrolytes after a workout or hike, plus they’re super tasty.

As of lately, I’ve become a really occasional drinker—especially since I moved back to Los Angeles. But one of my goals for 2025 is to stop altogether. I’ve mentioned this before, but I get the most violent, volatile hangovers even after just two glasses of wine. It sucks because I’d like to be the kind of person who can just have a beer or a glass of wine like a normal person, but my body seems to reject it. However, when I was drinking, these were a lifesaver—I would take one of these electrolyte-packed sachets and mix it in with some sparkling water or coconut water before I went out, and it would take the edge off of my painful hangovers. They also work fairly well if you drink the concoction the day of the hangover.

• Sunlife Organics Hydration + Beauty Supplements