XMWare

2026-05-07T14:31:00

(BPT) – It’s a fact: Not all moms are the same. Do you want to celebrate your own mom, or express your appreciation for some of the other important mother figures who are part of your life? It helps to recognize that moms (and great mom gifts) are not one-size fits all. While candy and flowers are nice, it’s likely that many moms would really appreciate a gift that more clearly reflects their lifestyle and everyday needs.

So for Mother’s Day this year, consider one of these out-of-the-chocolate-box ideas for ways you can make a positive impact on her daily life.

Give her peace of mind

Does your mom give you feelings of comfort and security? For the moms who keep everyone in the household feeling connected, comfortable and safe, consider giving her a tool that will do the same thing for her.

Jackery’s Explorer 5000 Plus solar generator is the ideal gift for a mom who runs the house and expects it to keep running, even during power outages. When she needs large appliances to stay on during severe weather events or any other circumstance, the 5000 Plus makes that possible. It provides 5040Wh of capacity, a 7200W output and 120V/240V dual-voltage so it can handle the big stuff, such as refrigerators and medical devices.

The Explorer 5000 Plus also pairs with Jackery’s Smart Transfer Switch for seamless, automatic backup. Providing your mom with energy independence and peace of mind when she’s at home, no matter what, could be the best gift you ever give her.

Offer the gift of independence

Has your mom always been your biggest cheerleader, no matter what you’re up to? Now it’s your turn to support her efforts. Many of today’s moms are out there having adventures: They’re camping, hiking and biking, gardening or doing outdoor yoga. They might even run a side hustle from their home or patio, or they may simply refuse to be tethered to a wall outlet. In other words, what a lot of moms really need is a power source that’s compact enough to throw in her car trunk or gear bag, so it can go wherever she wants to be next.

Fortunately, Jackery has the answer, with their solar-compatible Explorer 1000 v2 in Dune White power station, which is specifically built for green, off-grid living. The Explorer 1000 v2 provides a 1070Wh LiFePO4 battery, a 1500W output and a one-hour fast charge, so it’s always ready when she is.

Even better, the power station comes in a warm, neutral colorway that can fit in perfectly anywhere — whether on a kitchen counter, on a patio table or at a campsite — without looking like it just came out of a job site toolbox. In other words, this is a power station she’d actually leave out, and use daily. It helps that Jackery products are designed with everyday lifestyle in mind, not just emergencies.

Ready for Mother’s Day? You can’t go wrong if you consider what your mom really needs. No matter where she is, as long as she has power, connection, comfort and safety, she’ll feel at home.

Jackery is sold at major retailers near you, including Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target, Costco and Best Buy. Visit Jackery.com to learn about these products and more.

2026-05-07T08:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by AbbVie, the makers of REFRESH

Longer days and more time outdoors can be a welcome change, but for many people, they also bring uncomfortable eye symptoms like dryness, burning, and irritation which can arise from dry air, wind, or smoke. While these issues are often dismissed as temporary or environmental, they may actually be indicative of dry eye, one of the most common eye conditions, with symptoms affecting over 35.5 million Americans.¹

Dry eye occurs when your eyes don’t produce enough tears, when those tears aren’t sufficient to keep the surface of the eye properly lubricated, or your tears evaporate too quickly. Recognizing the symptoms is the first step toward finding lasting relief.

Know the Symptoms: What Dry Eye Really Feels Like

1. Dry, Discomforting Feeling

If your eyes feel like there’s sand or grit in them, it may be more than just low humidity, or wind. The sensation happens when the tear film isn’t able to properly lubricate and protect the eye’s surface, leading to ongoing discomfort associated with dry eyes^.2

2. Burning or Stinging Sensation

A burning or stinging feeling is another common symptom.³ Environmental factors like wind, sun exposure, and increased screen time can make this irritation more noticeable, especially throughout the day.

3. Eye Discomfort In Day-to-Day Life
Dry eye symptoms can show up during everyday activities — like reading, using digital devices or spending time outdoors — making your eyes less comfortable^.4 This type of ongoing eye discomfort is a common way dry eye may show up in day-to-day life.

4. A Feeling of Irritated Eyes
Eyes may feel irritated, especially after long periods of screen use or time spent in dry or windy environments.⁵ These sensations can be linked to factors that contribute to dry eye symptoms.

Finding Relief That Works for You

The good news: Dry eye is manageable with the right approach. For many, over-the-counter eye drops are a simple and effective first step.

One option is REFRESH OPTIVE MEGA-3^® Multi-Dose Preservative Free, part of the trusted REFRESH portfolio and #1 doctor-recommended brand of artificial tears⁶. Designed for dry, burning, and irritated eyes, this preservative-free formula helps maintain hydration and works to prevent tears from evaporating.

Its triple-action formulation combines three lubricating ingredients with CMC, Glycerin, and Polysorbate 80 to help lock in moisture and provide long-lasting comfort, with relief that can last 10+ hours.^7,* The multidose bottle is also designed for ease of use, delivering a consistent drop while keeping the formula sterile without preservatives, an important consideration for people with sensitive dry eyes.

In addition to using artificial tears to relieve dry eye symptoms, the American Academy of Ophthalmology also recommends lifestyle adjustments like limiting exposure to wind and dry air and taking breaks from screens.

A More Comfortable Way Forward

Dry eye discomfort doesn’t have to be something you simply put up with. By recognizing the symptoms of dry eye, you can take simple steps toward lasting relief.

If your symptoms are ongoing or worsening, it’s important to consult an eye care professional. Dry eye can vary in severity, and personalized treatment can make a meaningful difference.

REFRESH OPTIVE MEGA-3^®can be found at major retailers nationwide and in select retail locations where over-the-counter eye drops are sold.

To learn more, visit RefreshEyeDrops.com and purchase REFRESH OPTIVE MEGA-3^® directly here.

*Results may vary.

1. Data on file; US-MULT-240462 2024 Update: Dry Eye Disease State Summary PPT deck; AbbVie; 05/22/2024
2. Dry Eye, National Eye Institute. Published 2025, Accessed March 25, 2026. https://www.nei.nih.gov/eye-health-information/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye
3. Dry Eyes, Cleveland Clinic, Published 2025, Accessed March 25, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24479-dry-eye
4. Staff. “Dry Eyes.” Mayo Clinic, 23 Sept. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-eyes/symptoms-causes/syc-20371863.
5. Staff. “Causes of Dry Eye.” National Eye Institute, 6, Dec. 2024, https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/dry-eye/causes-dry-eye
6. Data on file, AbbVie, Inc. REF-113774
7. Data on file, AbbVie, Inc. REF-136415

2026-05-06T16:19:00

(BPT) – By KM Ahn, head of the Design Laboratory, LG Media Entertainment Solution Company at LG Electronics

When LG Electronics (LG) debuted the Wallpaper TV in 2017, it posed a simple question: How quietly can a TV exist in a living space? Ultra-thin and mounted flush to the wall, the Wallpaper TV challenged long-held perceptions of what a TV needs to be — shifting attention away from the object itself and toward the space around it.

For 2026, that question returns in a more demanding form. With the LG OLED evo W6, or Wallpaper TV, thinness is no longer just a design target but a constraint that reshapes every decision — pushing restraint to its absolute limit without compromising the experience people expect from a premium TV.

The Wallpaper TV is not about making a visual statement. It is about discipline — being clear about what should remain, so the picture and the space could come forward naturally.

Eliminating Distractions to Reveal the Essence

At nine-millimeter-class thickness¹, design choices become inseparable from engineering decisions. With extremely limited internal space, every system must coexist within the same few millimeters.

When you push thinness to its limits, nothing can be treated independently anymore. Structure, power, heat and sound become so intertwined that a single decision in one area can put everything off-balance.

Rather than finalizing the exterior design and layering technology behind it, we began by clearly defining constraints and questioning anything that introduces unnecessary visual elements — protrusions, visible connections or structural complexity. A clean design was not just an aesthetic goal but a governing rule for every decision.

This approach challenged our designers, engineers and product planners from the very beginning as we rigorously questioned every element to prove whether their place was justified in such a limited space.

Engineering Every Millimeter

Once the ultra-thin form factor was set, conventional internal layouts were no longer sufficient.

Our only option was to redesign multiple systems as one.

We began with the power board — traditionally one of the most space-intensive components. Instead of relying on separate heat sinks, we integrated a patterned thermal structure directly into the board itself. This preserved power capacity and improved heat management without adding additional thickness.

Audio followed the same logic. Delivering convincing sound from such a thin enclosure required re-engineering internal components. By reducing speaker size and reconfiguring magnetic circuits, the Wallpaper TV delivers 4.2-channel, 60-watt audio.

For enhanced structural rigidity without adding bulk, we bonded layered aluminum sheets within the frame. This design distributes stress efficiently, supporting a sturdy and lightweight form.

These weren’t isolated optimizations. They were system decisions. Thinness, stability and performance had to advance together.

That same millimeter-by-millimeter discipline extended to the TV’s most visible detail. When the screen goes dark, a TV becomes a silent presence. Inspired by crafted objects such as fluted watch bezels, the Wallpaper TV’s linear edge was formed from folded corrugated aluminum — reinforcing the structure while remaining refined, present without demanding attention.

Designed to Sit Flush, Tuned for Expansive Sound

As the panel became thinner, another question surfaced: how the TV physically meets the wall.

Flush mounting is central to the Wallpaper TV experience. Even the slightest misalignment can create visual distraction. A Wallpaper TV isn’t truly a Wallpaper TV unless it sits perfectly flush. Alignment became an obsession.

To achieve this, we developed an integrated folding bracket through extensive tolerance and fit simulations. The structure guides the panel into position with precision while keeping installation intuitive, allowing the TV to settle cleanly against the wall without drawing attention to the rear mechanism.

Sound demanded a similar attention to detail. When a TV sits so close to the wall, rear-firing sound paths are cut off. To resolve this, we re-angled and widened internal sound ports to project clear sound across the entire room.

Wall integration is more than a mechanical solution. It reinforces the same discipline applied throughout the design: removing unnecessary visual elements without diminishing the core viewing and listening experience.

Removing the Final Visual Distraction: True Wireless Connectivity

After pushing thinness and flush-to-wall integration to their limits, one distraction remained difficult to overlook: cables.

Once the panel itself reached this level of visual simplicity, any visible wiring became immediately disruptive.

That requirement is fulfilled by the Zero Connect Box, which enables True Wireless² transmission of lossless 4K video and audio at up to 165Hz between external devices and the Wallpaper TV. The box itself is now around 35% smaller, designed to be placed discreetly away from the screen.

Within this same pursuit of visual restraint, the Wallpaper TV, along with other LG wireless TVs, has received TÜV Rheinland’s True Wireless Lossless Vision certification³, recognizing picture quality that remains uncompromised over wireless transmission.

Together, the Wallpaper TV’s razor-thin profile and True Wireless architecture make it the world’s thinnest True Wireless OLED TV, with all core systems fully integrated into the panel.

Picture Quality is Always King

As physical distance and visible elements disappeared, one assumption had to be confronted: that such restraint would come at the expense of picture quality.

Rather than simply preserving picture performance, we enhanced it. Hyper Radiant Color Technology amplifies color, contrast and brightness. The screen is up to 3.9 times⁴ brighter than conventional OLED models, while Reflection Free Premium⁵ technology helps deliver enhanced color expression and the perfect black OLED is renowned for, even in bright lighting.

All of this is powered by the α (Alpha) 11 AI Processor Gen 3 with Dual AI Engine. Supported by an NPU 5.6 times⁶ more powerful than its predecessor, this processor upgrades color processing from 10-bit to 12-bit to deliver smoother gradients and more precise tonal control without over-processing textures.

Recognized by Design: Presence Without Demand

The Wallpaper TV’s design philosophy has earned recognition beyond LG. The product received both the 2026 iF Design Award and the 2026 Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best distinction for its design and engineering.

Reflecting on the recognition, we aim to keep leading with customer-centered design that becomes a benchmark for innovation.

No longer just a design concept to be admired from a distance, the new Wallpaper TV rethinks structure, refines heat and sound pathways and removes visible cables. What began as an ambitious experiment has evolved into a TV designed for real living spaces.

What remains is not an object competing for attention, but a screen that blends naturally into the wall, existing quietly yet beautifully in the home.

Every decision served a purpose: presence without demand.

¹ The actual measurement is 9.95 millimeters and may vary slightly depending on the measuring conditions.

² Wireless OLED TV refers to connectivity between Zero Connect box and screen. Visually lossless, based on internal test results with ISO/IEC 29170-2 and measurement results may vary depending on connection status.

³ Visually lossless based on TÜV Rheinland certification test conditions conducted in accordance with ISO/IEC 29170-2. Measurement and performance results may vary depending on connection status and environment.

⁴ Brightness may vary based on model, screen size and market region. Peak brightness is 3.9 times brighter than conventional OLED @3% window by Internal measurements.

⁵ Reflectance is measured as the Specular Component Included (SCI) value at 550 nanometers, independently tested by Intertek. LG OLED Display is measured to be under 0.5 percent reflection using IDMS 11.2.2 sampling-sphere method. Actual results may vary by conditions.

⁶ Compared with previous year of OLED evo models (α9 AI Processor Gen8).

2026-05-06T09:01:00

(BPT) – May includes National Nurses Week, a time to celebrate the vital role nurses play in supporting health and well-being and to think about areas where more training could make a difference. Cleft lip and/or palate affects about 1 in 700 babies born worldwide, yet many nurses don’t get much guidance on how to support cleft-affected children and families. That gap can leave parents feeling unprepared when navigating surgeries, feeding challenges and ongoing care.

A nurse’s personal insight

“After 20 years in nursing, I had a wide range of clinical experience, but my exposure to cleft care was limited in my training,” said Carrie Alajoki, family nurse practitioner and nursing professor.

“Through my advocacy and involvement with Smile Train, including initiatives like Team Empower and the Cleft Community Advisory Council, I have been proud to support the organization’s efforts to raise awareness and address gaps in cleft education, including having the opportunity to bring a group of my nursing students to experience the organization’s programs firsthand in the Philippines.”

How Smile Train is bridging the gap

Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization, is committed to continuously advancing and improving cleft care around the world. By partnering with local hospitals and medical professionals, the organization supports patients to receive free cleft surgeries in their own communities. Through training and funding support, Smile Train also empowers local medical professionals to deliver comprehensive cleft care services, including feeding and nutrition care, speech therapy and psychosocial support. These programs help to educate and equip parents with the tools they need to ensure their child’s success and well-being.

“We know that empowering nurses and healthcare professionals with knowledge and hands-on experience transforms care for children with clefts,” said Sara Horne, Smile Train’s Director of Education and Training. “By investing in education and training, we ensure that cleft-affected families worldwide receive compassionate, informed support prenatally through adulthood.”

What families and communities can do

• Learn about cleft care resources and advocate for proper support from healthcare providers.
• Share information to raise awareness about clefts and the challenges families face.
• Support organizations like Smile Train to expand access to cleft care and education worldwide.

By addressing the gaps in cleft education, healthcare providers and communities can make a meaningful difference in the lives of children born with clefts and their families. Every informed caregiver and supportive community brings everyone closer to a world where every child can thrive.

2026-05-06T08:01:00

(BPT) – Key Takeaways

• A win-win for health & planet: A plant-powered diet supports your personal health with essential nutrients while also helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve natural resources.
• Embrace smart protein: Prioritize complete plant-based proteins, like soy, which have all nine essential amino acids in the right amounts, and combine other sources (beans, nuts, grains) for a well-rounded intake.
• Focus on fiber: Aim for a variety of plants to get the key types of fiber — insoluble and soluble — which help support regularity, heart health and gut health.
• Flexitarianism is key: Adopting a flexible approach that prioritizes plant-based foods without complete restriction makes sustainable eating more realistic and achievable in the long term.

Ever wonder about the power of the food on your plate? Enjoying a variety of plant-based foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes has been linked to a wide range of health benefits, from boosting the nutrient density of your diet to supporting heart health, metabolic health, gut health and more. Packed with fiber, protein, vitamins and healthy fats essential for overall wellness, plants are nutrient powerhouses — and their benefits don’t stop there!

Choosing a plant-forward diet is also one of the most positive actions we can take for the environment as it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve natural resources.

So how do you get the most out of a plant-powered diet? Registered dietitian Kristie Leigh, Director of Nutrition & Scientific Affairs at Danone U.S, shares her top three strategies:

1. Diversify your protein sources

Protein is a power player when it comes to your health, needed for everything from muscle and immune health to hormone production and more. But not all protein sources are created equal. Many plant-based protein sources are considered incomplete because, unlike animal sources, they don’t have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids (aka protein building blocks) that our bodies need but can’t make on their own.

There are some exceptions though, one of which is soy. Soy-based foods like soymilk, tofu, edamame and tempeh are excellent, sustainable sources of complete plant-based protein for a more plant-forward diet. Other plant-based protein sources, like beans, nuts, seeds and whole grains, can be great, too, and can be mixed and matched to get all the amino acids your body needs.

2. Get fiber from a variety of different plant foods

Ninety-five percent of U.S. adults don’t get enough fiber, and eating more plant-based foods is a great way to help close that gap. To maximize fiber’s benefits, aim to get fiber from a variety of different sources to help ensure you’re getting different types. Insoluble fiber has been shown to promote regularity when consumed in adequate amounts, while soluble fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol and help promote more stabilized blood sugar levels. There are even fibers that act as food for the good bacteria in your gut called prebiotic fibers.

Lots of plants contain more than one type of fiber, but some especially good sources of insoluble fiber are whole grains, nuts, cauliflower and green beans and some especially good sources of soluble fiber are oats, beans, avocados, apples and bananas. The most common food sources of prebiotic fiber are foods like garlic, onions, berries and oats. You can also find foods fortified with prebiotic fiber, like certain yogurts and protein shakes.

One rule of thumb that can help ensure you get all of these is the “rule of 30.” Research from the American Gut Project found people who eat 30 different types of plants a week have greater gut bacteria alpha diversity, a potential indicator of good gut health, compared to those who consume 10 or fewer.

3. Mind the potential nutrient gaps

A plant-based diet can add lots of essential nutrients to your diet, but it can also make it more challenging to get nutrients more commonly found in animal foods, like vitamin B12 and iodine. That’s why it’s important to build variety into your day, emphasizing a variety of nutrient-rich foods for a well-rounded intake of vitamins and minerals.

Fortified plant-based foods also play a valuable and sustainable role in a modern diet. Many options — such as Silk Protein, which offers 13g of complete plant protein per serving — are thoughtfully fortified with key nutrients like vitamin B12, iodine, calcium, vitamin D and potassium to help fill these gaps.

Make sustainable eating a sustainable habit

“One way to bring these strategies together is to follow a flexitarian eating pattern,” said Leigh. “This style of eating prioritizes plant-based foods without completely eliminating nutrient-rich animal foods like yogurt, cheese, eggs, lean meats and seafood — all of which can be easy sources of high-quality protein and other nutrients you need. For many, this flexible style can be more realistic and sustainable than completely plant-based diets, making it easier to reap the rewards of plant-forward eating in the long-term without rigid rules or feeling restricted.”

The best way to start adopting a more plant-forward diet is with some easy swaps. Give your next taco night a twist by replacing half of the ground meat with beans, make a tofu and veggie scramble instead of scrambled eggs, or use soymilk as your base in smoothies. The more you experiment and find what you like, the more natural it will become!

2026-05-04T15:03:00

(BPT) – The sun is rising over a mist-covered lake. You’re enjoying the view from your camp chair while sipping a freshly brewed latte that tastes as if it were crafted by a barista.

You didn’t have to leave your base camp to get your usual order. You were able to make it yourself using your portable coffee maker and cream from your mini fridge.

This isn’t a dream. Modern off-grid camping doesn’t require you to rough it. In fact, you can bring all your comforts and create a base camp that’s your home away from home, whether you’re in a tent, van or RV.

Jackery — a global leader of home backup, innovative solar generators and green off-grid energy solutions — offers this handy guide on what you need to bring to blend the wildness of the outdoors with modern amenities.

Portable power

The first thing you should consider is personal, portable and reliable power that you can take anywhere. And forget worrying about dragging around and operating a noisy gas generator. You can easily power and recharge all your electronics and appliances with a portable solar generator from Jackery.

Portable solar generators come in different sizes and capacities. Which generator you’ll need to elevate your outdoor experience will depend on what kind of camping you’re planning to undertake and what sort of electronics you’re looking to super charge your trip with.

Day trippers and backpackers with base camp setups and campers who want to keep phones charged, run a light and power a small cooler without the bulk should opt for an entry-level solar generator like the Jackery Explorer 1000 v2. This compact, highly portable power station is the ideal choice for those who want “pack and go” power.

For weekend warriors, overlanders and van-lifers who need plenty of power without sacrificing mobility, take a look at the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2. This solar generator has the power to run a full campsite — including a mini-fridge, lights and fans — while still being light enough to move around the campsite to wherever you need power.

Finally, serious campers with a base camp setup and RV adventurers need a power hub that can do it all, like the Jackery HomePower 3600 Plus. This single unit can power a refrigerator, an electric grill, lights, laptops, cameras, fans and more simultaneously. The power station can even provide supplemental power to an RV. And if you need more power, you can expand the unit’s capacity with add-on batteries.

You won’t have to worry about charging your power stations during your off-grid adventures. When paired with SolarSaga panels, you can capture and store solar energy, so you’ll virtually never run out of power during your outdoor adventures. These quiet, emission-free, clean-energy portable power stations make creating a beautiful, functional off-grid campsite a breeze.

To elevate your next camping trip with the help of a portable power station from Jackery, consider some of these additions.

Electric grill

Roasting marshmallows over the campfire is delicious, but cooking every meal over a fire can take a long time — time that you could have spent hiking the trails or fishing for trout.

Instead of starting a fire and waiting for the embers to cool enough to cook, break out your electric grill. In minutes, you’ll have delicious scrambled eggs, evenly toasted bread and sizzling bacon before your camping buddies wake up.

Mini fridge

Keeping perishables refrigerated can be a bit tricky with a typical camping cooler. Egg cartons get soggy and bacon freezes into a block you have to thaw. You can avoid all of this by using a mini fridge that keeps your eggs, bacon and more at the perfect temperature so you can grab, cook and eat without issues.

Lights

The glow of the campfire is cozy, but it doesn’t provide enough light at night to move around your campsite with ease. Instead of stumbling around in the darkness, bring string lights to hang around the campsite for soft, ambient lighting. Rechargeable lanterns and headlamps are also practical.

Fan

If you want peak sunshine and long days, camping during the summer is the perfect time to get some sun and stay up late. However, beating the heat is easier said than done.

As you pack for your trip, make room for a standing fan, a box fan or a handheld fan. They’re perfect for keeping a van or RV cool, bringing a breeze to your campsite or cooling you off during a hike.

Inflatable mattress

Even with a proper camping pad and cot, sleeping in a tent can be less than restful. Take your sleep setup to the next level by packing an inflatable mattress. Once you outfit it with sheets and pillows, you’ll have a functioning bedroom in the middle of the forest.

Pro tip: Use an electric air pump instead of a battery-powered one. Battery-powered pumps may be handy, but you’ll likely run out of juice before your mattress is completely inflated.

Movie projector and inflatable movie screen

Want to have a movie night under the stars? You can set up your own outdoor theater with a movie projector, inflatable screen and a laptop. Pick a spot far enough away from your seating, inflate and anchor your movie screen, and wait until the sun sets for optimal viewing.

Get ready for a luxurious wilderness experience

Building an off-grid base camp that marries the beauty of the great outdoors with modern amenities is within reach. To learn more about how to set up and power a modern base camp, visit Jackery.com.

2026-05-04T07:01:00

(BPT) – Key Takeaways

• Spring offers a natural opportunity to refresh daily routines, starting with informed choices in personal care.
• Simplify your routine by taking stock of your current products and prioritizing fewer, more intentional and transparent options.
• Understanding certifications like B Corp empowers smart shopping.
• Navigating “free from” claims empowers consumers to make choices aligned with their health and values.

As the days grow longer and nature awakens, spring offers the perfect opportunity to refresh. We clear out closets and swap heavy layers for lighter ones, but forget that the bathroom shelf is just as worthy of a second look. Personal care is one of those categories where options can feel endless but knowing what to look for can help you feel more confident about what you’re choosing.

Start with what you already have

Before diving in, it’s worth doing a quick check of what you already have. Check expiration dates. Toothpaste, deodorant and other daily staples may lose effectiveness over time.

And in many cases, the most intentional choice is simply using up what you already own before reaching for something new.

Take stock of your routine

Once you’ve checked expiration dates and confirmed everything is still good to use, take a closer look at what you have. Which of them are part of your daily routine? Which ones have been sitting untouched and taking up space? What ingredients are used in them? And are they free from the ingredients that are important for you to avoid?

This quick look can help you identify what’s working, what’s not and where it might be time to make a change, without overhauling everything at once.

Check the product — and the brand behind it

Once you know what you actually need, the next step is reviewing your options. As you evaluate a new product, consider not just what’s in it, but the brand behind it — whether they are transparent about how they operate and the impact they have.

One of the clearest indicators of a brand’s accountability is B Corp Certification, overseen by the nonprofit B Lab, which evaluates a company across governance, workers, customers, community and environment — and audits it every three years. This matters because it shows that a brand holds itself to a social and environmental standard, not just a product one.

Tom’s of Maine is a certified B Corp and it’s a distinction the brand takes seriously.

“Tom’s of Maine’s B Corp certification is a reflection of 50 years of deliberate choices,” said Michelle Waring, Steward for Sustainability and Everyday Good at Tom’s of Maine. “From sourcing naturally derived ingredients to dedicating 10% of our annual profits to protecting nature, we hold ourselves to the high standards B Lab sets because we believe business should be a genuine force for good.”

Navigating the meaning of “free from” claims

From there, labels can help you refine your decision even further. “Free from” claims communicate that a product has been intentionally formulated without specific ingredients. Think of them as cues to understand what a brand chooses to prioritize and how a product was made.

Brands like Tom’s of Maine take a consistent approach, putting their ingredient philosophy into practice across everything they make — every product is free from artificial flavors, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners and preservatives.

Ultimately, the goal is to know your own needs and preferences and choose based on what matters to you.

To learn more about Tom’s of Maine’s ingredient sourcing, safety standards and sustainability commitments, visit www.tomsofmaine.com and www.tomsofmaine.com/pages/our-mission.