Wellness products are all the rage these days, with ads bombarding social media feeds and influencers promoting everything from face-slimming drink powders to “fauxzempic.” But it’s important to take these trends with a grain of salt. In fact, some of the most popular wellness products right now are “a complete scam,” according to pharmacist Ariana Medizade (@wellness.pharm). In a recent Instagram reel, she breaks down five of the worst offenders that not only fail to deliver results, but could be flat-out misleading.
“These are the biggest scams in the wellness community right now,” Medizade says. “Knowing about these is going to save you a lot of money.” From fake Ozempic copycats to overpriced probiotics and useless NAD+ pills, here are the five wellness products she says you’re better off skipping.
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1. GLP-1 Supplements
There’s no shortage of supplements claiming to offer the same benefits as prescription GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, but Medizade is calling them out as “scammy.” These so-called “fauxzempic” or “nature’s zempic” products often contain blood sugar–stabilizing ingredients like berberine or chromium, but that doesn’t mean they work like GLP-1 drugs, she explains.
“Prescription GLP-1s have actually gone through clinical trials. They are much more effective than these supplements. And they are actually very safe,” she says. “To claim that your supplement is safer than a GLP-1 prescription medication and is more effective is so scammy.” Yikes! Good to know.
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2. “Cortisol Face” and Its Cures
If you’ve been told by your TikTok algorithm that your puffy face is due to high cortisol, Medizade wants you to know: that’s not how it works. "'Cortisol face’ is actually just Cushing’s syndrome," she explains, "and this is a condition where you have excessive cortisol due to adrenal dysregulation, a tumor, or excessive steroid use." Most people who think their face is puffy due to cortisol have simpler issues on their hands. "You do not have cortisol face. You probably just have inflammation and excessive fluid retention," Medizade assures viewers. And there are plenty of ways to reduce inflammation without dropping money on a buzzy product.
3. Probiotic-Infused Everything
From skincare to snacks, it seems like everything these days is being infused with probiotics—but don’t be fooled. Yes, probiotics are great for you! But not all products boasting them are beneficial. "Probiotics are actually very sensitive to light, heat, and oxygen," Medizade points out. "You need to make sure that the probiotic you’re using is shelf stable or refrigerated." When in doubt, reaching for probiotic-packed whole foods is a great way to go.
4. Expensive Blue Light Glasses
We all know about the harmful effects of blue light. But does that mean you have to wear blue light glasses all day? Medizade says they’re mostly unnecessary—and overpriced. "You don’t need blue light glasses," she says. "You just need to blink more, take more breaks from your computer, and at nighttime you can switch your laptop to night mode and your iPhone to show a red tinted screen." So you don't have to drop money on fancy lenses after all.
5. NAD+ Supplements
Last but not least: NAD+ supplements, which can cost as much as hundreds of dollars per bottle, are a complete waste, according to Medizade. "NAD+ cannot be absorbed by your body," she says. "Some brands are selling it for crazy expensive. You’re better off just using nicotinamide mononucleotide or resveratrol." Noted!
Guess we'll stop believing every ad we see in our scroll sessions.
