The Basics of Skin Care

Taking care of your skin is an essential part of the body care routine, but it can be confusing. What type of skin do you have? How often should you wash your face? The answers to these questions are different for everyone based on genetics and environmental factors. In this blog post, you will get valuable tips that cover the basics about taking care of your skin in a way tailored to your needs!

Know Your Skin Type

There are three different types of skin: Dry, Oily, and Combination. The type you have will help you determine what products will work best for you.

 An excellent way to figure out your skin is through a test called the “pinch test.”  In this test, you take a piece of facial tissue or toilet paper and apply it to your cheek area after washing your face with warm water, then let go to see how much oil comes off on the tissue. If there is a lot of oil on the tissue/toilet paper, it’s oily skin. If not, then the chances are that your skin is either combination-type or dry.

People with oily skin tend to have a shiny look on their faces caused by excess sebum being excreted from the glands in the skin into pores. This causes your T-zone area of the face to get more shine than other areas.

Related: The Science of Smooth: Does No7 Serum Live Up to the Hype?

On the other hand, People who have dry skin usually notice fine lines around the eyes and mouth and lackluster-looking hair due to not having enough moisture in the body or receiving it through foods they eat or supplements they take. Some people can even experience flaky patches of dead skin cells, especially after washing their hands too much.

Hydrate

Hydration is one of the basic steps in skin care, and it’s essential to start early. Drink lots of water. Take more water than you usually do. Also, consider carrying around a bottle with you and refilling it throughout the day. Water helps flush out toxins from the body, thus creating a smoother complexion—and who doesn’t want that?

Hydrating your skin is essential during the colder months because cold weather can make dry or flaky skin areas even more dehydrated. Doing this will help keep your skin looking smooth and supple, minimizing fine lines caused by dried-out skin.

Make sure to use a water-based moisturizer, not an oil-based one, as it could clog pores or cause breakouts if you have acne-prone skin. You should also apply face lotion after washing your face for makeup to go on smoothly without causing drying later on throughout the day. It’s always better to layer with serums before using foundation to absorb into the skin and avoid a cakey or dry look.

Watch Your Nutrition

You’ve probably heard of the saying, “you are what you eat.” Well, it turns out that this is true for your skin too! Healthy food gives your body vital nutrients to help keep your skin clear and glowing, while poor nutrition can cause damage on a cellular level which manifests itself as acne or other blemishes.

Eat a healthy diet to maintain good skin health. Healthy fats and proteins keep the moisture in your skin, so it’s less likely to crack or be dry. In addition, nutrients such as omega-three fatty acids found in fish such as salmon and tuna are an excellent way to reduce inflammation that can cause damage and lead to acne breakouts.

Also, vitamin C is essential for collagen production —which is vital because humans lose up to 13% of collagen each decade after age 20! So with these nutrients combined with regular water intake, you will have great-looking skin for years.

Visit a dermatologist

Visiting a dermatologist is the best way to get informed about specific skin care for your unique condition, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Dermatologists have expertise in all types of health conditions that may affect the skin, including acne, psoriasis, eczema, and many more. Additionally, dermatologists ask questions about your medical history which will help them understand what kind of treatment options would be safe for your skin condition.

 Apart from that, dermatologists provide a list of dos and don’ts that can help in improving your condition further. These include avoiding going out during peak hours when the UV radiation is at its highest level and wearing protective clothing, including sunglasses and sunscreen lotion, before stepping outside even on cloudy days.

It is advisable not to try new products without consulting a doctor first due to side effects associated with some ingredients found in certain creams or lotions. Skin care is a lifelong journey, and once you integrate these tips, you will start seeing results within a couple of weeks, but it may take months to see the desired outcome.

Use Appropriate Products

The most important thing is to find the right products for your skin type. For example, some ingredients are better suited for normal, dry, or oily skin types. It is also helpful to know what conditions your skin has, such as acne or wrinkles, and then choose a product that is best suited to combat these problems!

 Using appropriate products will render the results you desire. Therefore it is essential to ensure the products you are going for work. This way, you don’t spend money on something that doesn’t provide any benefits. The last aspect about using proper products is choosing ones designed for sensitive skin which aren’t harsh on the face but still get rid of impurities effectively.

A good rule of thumb for those with sensitive skin is to stick with products with labels like “hypoallergenic” and “fragrance-free.” In addition, look for moisturizing body washes, soaps, and lotions that have “sensitive skin” on them. The same goes for makeup.

Avoid Using Untested Products

Today, there are more skin care products than ever before.  While some of these new brands may offer great results, they can also be untested, leading to problems down the road if you choose one that doesn’t work well on your skin type. Avoid using any product without doing research first!

One way to do this is by checking out skin care websites to find reviews from customers who have already used various lotions, serums, face cleansers, or other types of treatments within a particular brand. These reviews accurately depict how the product will work on your skin to feel confident about what you are buying.

Go for Natural Products

If you want to take good care of your skin, embracing all-natural products is the way to go. Oatmeal ranks among the best natural products that can go a long way in helping you take care of your skin. You can learn more about oatmeal and your skin, its benefits, and even how to use oatmeal on your skin for maximum skin benefits. Using natural products is preferable since most don’t have any artificial chemicals, making them safe for use by everyone (including people with sensitive skin).

Conclusion

Keeping up with your skin care routine will help keep the face looking young and healthy for many years to come. It also prevents a lot of problems that can occur to the skin. Keeping up with your regular checkups at the dermatologist will help you stay on track for healthy skin as well. These are some essential tips and tricks to keep in mind when maintaining good skin care practices. Still, it’s always best to consult a professional before making any decisions!

5 Ways To Make Life As A Landlord So Much Easier

If you’re in the property game or you’re thinking about entering, there are a few things you’re going to have to understand. While, from the outside looking in, being a landlord seems pretty straightforward, it’s actually something that requires a lot of effort and a lot of commitment. Many individuals who show off their property businesses online make out like it’s a quick job that will land you in a big pile of money – it’s a lot more than just that. If you’re willing to put the work in, then you could make a tonne of money, but it’s not as simple as doing basic chores and walking away with a passive fortune.

There are lots of different affairs that go into the life of landlords and tenants, so you have to make sure you're equipped and prepared. Here are a few things that will make your job and your business as a property owner a little smoother:  

Put In The Work Early On 

A lot of landlords take for granted what they have and become lazy. They have pretty awkward situations because their properties are in a terrible state. If they’re not in a terrible state, the quality is still lacking somewhat. Don’t be like this – do what you can to produce the best possible home. It’s not your job to maintain it while someone is living in it, but it’s not entirely away from your responsibility either. 

Look To Build A Positive Relationship From The Outset

So many people fall out with their tenants early on because of the hostile nature between the two from the outset. Do whatever you can to stop any kind of awkward altercations. If you have a good relationship with your tenant(s), then it’s going to make some of the conversations so much easier. While you’re in business, you can still treat them with the love and respect they deserve. 

Bring In Experienced, Professional Help

After some time, you’ll learn a lot and become competent in terms of this business. For now, you’ll need some help along the way. You can only learn when you’re just starting out, so it’s wise to work with the likes of HOA management companies that can take care of a few things for you. They’ll keep things in order while you handle some of the jobs you’re able to do easily. 

Make Basic Rules That Are Easy To Follow

Being a strict and tough landlord isn’t ideal for everyone. Getting into tense altercations over something so touchy shouldn’t happen and dealing with terrible tenants can be very difficult. If you have a setlist of things, it makes the whole situation a lot easier to follow. Nobody really likes being dictated to, but even a simple set of tasks can be taken on board by anyone. 

Treat This Like A Real Business – Because It Is One 

We touched on this before, but it’s not something you can just put to the side. It’s something that should be on your mind every single day. Don’t treat it like an option on the side as that will land you in hot water in plenty of different ways. 

Additionally, you can use rent reporting services for landlords to help build your credit as a business owner. This will not only benefit you in the long run but also show your tenants that you take your role and responsibilities seriously.

A Guide To Going Chemical-Free Around The Home

Chemical exposure has been linked to a wide range of health conditions from allergies to cancer. Women who use personal care products with chemicals have even been shown to have higher rates of miscarriage and other fertility issues. The more we expose ourselves to harmful chemicals on a regular basis, the more our immune system is weakened and our body becomes weaker over time. In some cases, it can take months or years for these ill effects to show up but they will eventually show up if we keep using harmful chemicals.

In the long-run, eco-friendly, plastic-free living, or going chemical free around the house can save you a lot of money too. But it’s not just about the environment. It’s also about your health and quality of life. So let’s take a look at why you might want to start going chemical-free around the home.

What is a Chemical-Free Home?

A chemical-free home is a home that does not contain any artificial or man-made chemicals. They generally use organic, natural and sustainable products for everything from cleaning to pest control to beauty products. The goal is to create a healthy and safe environment for you and your family. It means avoiding toxic chemicals in the products that we use in our homes every day by sourcing safer alternatives when possible.

The term "chemical-free living" is often used to describe a lifestyle that shuns products that contain chemicals, or use of chemical-containing products. This way of life is promoted by some natural health practitioners and advocates.

A chemical-free home does not have any use of chemicals in it at all. That means no pesticides, herbicides or synthetic fertilizers are used on the lawn or garden. The only substances used are natural ones like compost, mulch, etc. As an individual who wants to live a chemical-free lifestyle, you will need to make sure that your products are also free from chemicals.

How to Achieve a Chemical-Free Home

Nowadays, everyone is striving for a chemical-free lifestyle. We are becoming more aware of the harmful effects of living in a home that is full of chemicals. However, you may be wondering exactly how you can do this. And thankfully, there are ways to make our lives healthier and easier without resorting to more chemicals.

It really helps to make sure that you’re looking at your cleaning products and aiming to choose better. Do this by creating a list of your cleaning products and their ingredients. Then, make a plan for transitioning your home to a chemical-free method of cleaning. You can start by removing all the toxic products from your home and replacing them with safer alternatives.

Today many cleaning product manufacturers offer eco-friendly products that can be used instead of the regular ones. These products are safer for the environment and less detrimental to the health of your pets and household. For example, consider getting disposable sanitizing wipes that work efficiently for different purposes without endangering the environment.

You can also do this with your laundry products as well. Find natural laundry detergent that doesn't have harmful chemicals or dyes. Most laundry soaps also contain bleach which is not safe for anyone who has sensitive skin or allergies to perfume or dyes. We recommend using an all natural soap that will be perfume free.

It also helps if you can keep the home organized, clean, and tidy - as this will be better for your health.

Recommendations for Going Chemical Free at Home

Going chemical-free at home is a goal that many people aspire to. However, it can be a frustrating and difficult goal to achieve. It is important to get rid of the chemicals at home, especially for young children. There are many things that you can do to have a more natural home, some of them are by eating more organic food, using eco-friendly cleaning products, and using safer alternatives for laundry detergent. It is important to know that these changes will take some time to stick with you and your family.

Even the products that you buy count - and can be a great place to start. It’s important to shop wisely and organically. Looking at everything from non-toxic crib mattresses to organic fruits and vegetables to chemical-free deodorants to ethically sourced clothing. This will really help to improve your quality of life and have a more positive impact on the environment too.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, going chemical free is a great way to live safely and environmentally friendly. The recommendations for going chemical free at home are:
1) Avoid products with ingredients you can't pronounce or that have a long list of chemicals.
2) Use natural products that work just as well.
3) Make conscious choices when it comes to your foods, fabrics, and anything that you use around the home.

Practical Things People Forget When Starting A Family

factors before becoming parents. Physical health contributes significantly to improving both fertility and pregnancy experiences. Therefore, future parents often create a fitness plan together. 

Financial health is another crucial factor that can affect family plans. Saving ahead of a family plan will make preparations for childbirth, child nursery room, and child care more accessible. 

However, future parents can sometimes forget about more practical issues that will impact their families: Their location.

A property you can trust

First of all, it makes sense for couples to consider condos and townhouses that offer plenty of room for their growing family. Failing to plan accordingly could expose couples to high stress. Welcoming a baby in a one-bedroom property will affect life quality for the family. Indeed, essential baby gear can accumulate rapidly in a small space, causing overwhelming stress. Additionally, parents are likely to struggle with increased fatigue levels, making it more difficult to improve their income and afford a larger property in a safe community. The bottom line? Don't wait until it's too late to find your dream family home. 

Smart furniture that takes the stress away

Making room for a family is expensive when you consider the cost of square footage. While space is non-negotiable with children, families can still make it work on a small budget. Focusing on multi-purpose furniture that adjusts to different needs and situations can bring comfort to small homes. For instance, Ori Cloud Beds are designed to act as a bed, a sofa, or a table at the touch of a button or using voice commands. Keep reading to learn more what is a cloud bed. Stackable furniture, such as dining sets that can be stored easily, can also help manage family meals with limited square footage. 

Friendly neighbors who create a community feeling

There is no community without reliable and friendly neighbors. Getting to know your neighbors can transform your appreciation of the local community. Indeed, friendly neighbors bring people together, supporting not only our social-economic health but also building bonds and support for families. Knowing that a neighbor is ready to look out for the kids when you are stuck in the office, for instance, can ease stress and family conflicts. Neighbors can be an essential figure for children, encouraging them to socialize, build an understanding of healthy people interactions, and learn new skills. Unfriendly neighborhoods can lead to a decrease in social skills and a rise in anxiety in children. 

A location with easy access to amenities

Parents need a location that is near essential services, from the school to their place of work. Maintaining a close connection to schools, shops, medical practices, and businesses helps build a stress-free lifestyle where the commute is manageable. Long-distance commute forces parents and children to spend more time outside their homes, reducing togetherness and household comfort. Additionally, diseases, educational challenges, and low incomes tend to be more prominent in areas that are poorly served by infrastructures and amenities. Indeed, difficult access to essential services increases stress levels, fatigue, and health issues, leading to socio-economic disparities that grow on the basis of damaging geography. 

Location might seem like a practical element that's not related to family plans. But in reality, it is at the core of healthy and caring family life. Future parents need to consider their location choice with the same attention as their physical and financial health.

The Do's and Don'ts of Diesel Engine Maintenance

Many car and vehicle owners believe that old diesel engines have the capability to drive a million miles. Of course, that’s a bit of an exaggeration. Additionally, not everyone will get the mileage they think they will from their diesel engine, and this is often due to neglect. Here are the dos and don'ts of diesel engine maintenance.

Don’t Ignore Oil Maintenance

One of the biggest problems that are associated with diesel engines that lead to failure is when drivers and vehicle owners forget or don’t remember to check and change their oil regularly. It is in general, good practice to change the oil in your car often, but it is much more important to do so with diesel engines. Diesel engines will leak oil more often so it is key to check. If you don't check your oil, you can’t expect your car to run smoothly for long. There are also issues that translate to significant oil loss that include not replacing the o-ring when needed, or not securing the cap with the bolts properly. 

Start Your Car Right After An Oil Change

One of the most important things that you need to remember is to always remember to start the car after you do an oil change. This is fairly common sense for those that work on their own cars, but even if you have your maintenance done at a mechanic, you want to pull the car off to the side and start it, as allowing it to run for a couple of minutes will allow you to check if oil drips from under the car. If there is any dripping, there may be something wrong with the oil filter housing.

You can find various automotive service careers that offer a course on oil changes and other maintenance procedures for diesel engines. This is helpful as if you’re doing the work yourself and you have a good understanding of what needs to be done, then you may save some money in the long run.

Don’t Forget To Maintain Coolant Levels

If you lose or leak coolant, or are running low, and you forget to maintain your coolant levels, and you don’t shut your engine down soon enough, you will overheat it. Checking your coolant levels periodically is essential for maintaining your diesel engine. This is especially dangerous when traveling on the highway at high speeds. One important aspect to check to prevent overheating of your engine is to inspect the belts and hoses that drive the water pump and move the coolant around inside the engine. These ensure that your coolant is traveling through your vehicle properly. With old vehicles that have diesel engines, you don’t necessarily have the electronic indicators on your car that warn you of any potential dangers. If you neglect these signs or indicators or ignore your temperature gauges, you will be susceptible to overheating and engine failure. 

Check Your Hoses

One of the reasons that can lead to engine failure, especially due to loss of engine oil comes from your hoses. This is a problem due to the large volume of oil that travels through the hoses, that if there are any cracks present, loose fittings, or breaks in the line, and a disconnect or problem along the line will result in significant loss of oil. This will translate to quick engine problems. Check for moisture around the hoses as a sign of a leak, and replace hoses roughly every 150,000 miles. Additionally, if you replace any hoses, keep in mind not to purchase aftermarket ones and look for quality ones at Tdot Performance.

Regularly Inspect Your Timing Belt

If your timing belt or chain breaks while your engine is running, particularly at high speeds, you will have multiple risks for failure in your engine. You will risk having pistons impact valves, deterioration, or breaking of your camshaft, leading to vehicle shutdown. Your chain or belt will typically last 150,000 miles, which should be a good time to inspect and change them. You will notice your belt deteriorating by the changes in power and performance from your engine, as it changes the internal timing of the engine itself. If you let it get to the point where it breaks, you will likely need to get a new engine. It may be repaired, but there will be shock associated with the chain failure.

For any vehicle owner, it is important to practice regular maintenance. When it comes to diesel engines, there are some particularly unique practices that you can use to maintain their performance. Keeping these in mind will allow you to provide the solutions to various issues and troubles related to your diesel engine accordingly, and ensure that your car runs smoothly for years.

Top 5 Investments To Consider Today

The job of finance professionals has changed in the past few decades. It is no longer about moving money around and making a little bit of it; instead, we must make sure that investments are made today to support our children's future tomorrow. But where do we start? Which investments should we prioritize? Who can I trust for advice? How much will my investment be worth when I need it again (yes, that means you WILL get old!)?

Thankfully there is help; here are five of them:

1) Government Bond Funds

Government bond funds offer many advantages over direct government bonds: They allow investors to earn higher rates than they would get on plain vanilla government bonds, but without locking their capital up for long periods of time. And if rates rise after you've purchased the bond, you can sell your fund at a nice profit - this is impossible with plain vanilla government bonds! These funds are great investments even if you're nearly retired; interest rates are not expected to rise above 1-2% (which is what many of these funds yield) in the foreseeable future.

2) Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)           

An ETF is basically a share of stock that tracks an index like SPY or QQQ instead of owning shares in individual companies like VOO does. This type of investment is very useful because it offers investors broad exposure to large companies, asset classes, or indexes without exposing them to any form of specific liability or industry. And although the price of an ETF doesn't move exactly in tandem with its benchmark, it is very close.

3) Private Equity Funds (PEGs)      

One way to invest today while saving for the future is to make a downpayment on your house and then rent it back from your tenant(s). The rent you receive will cover most - if not all - of the monthly mortgage payment, after which any excess can go into an account dedicated to long-term savings. Although this method might seem counterintuitive at first glance, remember that by making a downpayment, you are effectively saving money since you are no longer required to pay PMI! Furthermore, once you have paid off your mortgage entirely each month, the equivalent of your old mortgage payment will go into your long-term savings account.

4) Real Estate      

Real estate is the only investment that actually gives you something tangible in return. It's great because it allows you to keep your money liquid, yet at the same time have a long-term plan to work with. Also, real estate is an inflation-proof investment, so it will probably retain its value even if prices continue to rise over the years. Visit Search Party Property to grow your portfolio.

5) Gold Bullion      

Gold Bullion is a long-term investment that has become increasingly popular over the last few years. Although it might seem counterintuitive, purchasing gold will help you hedge against inflation in much the same way as buying real estate. However, even though gold prices are currently high, this trend is expected to continue for many years to come, so there's no need to rush.

Finally, choosing where to invest your money is one thing; being disciplined enough actually to do so is another. It's very easy for investors to get distracted by shiny new toys (think penny stocks) that might promise fortunes within days but almost always come with large price tags. Resist the urge to try trading or day-trading because success is almost never guaranteed. If you stick to low-cost index funds and let your money grow for decades, it will pay off in the end.