5 Inexpensive Acne-Busting Products

After a long social hibernation, you are going out on a blind date. You have the perfect outfit that strikes a balance between attractive and elegant. Your threaded eyebrows are on fleek! Not to mention, you bought an irresistibly red lipstick. It seems that you are all set for your date. However, a huge zit suddenly appeared the night before. What shall you do?

Acne and pimple are nightmares to flawless skin. I, for one, have to combat these nasty visitors every hormonal cycle. Throughout the years, I have experimented with products that claim to zap zits. Fortunately for you, this list rounded up some of the best Inexpensive Acne-Busting Products in Singapore.

MY TRUSTED ALLY

One of the acne products that I cannot live without is Oxy Cover. The Oxy Cover Pimple Medication contains Benzoyl Peroxide (BP), which is stronger than other acne-busting chemicals. Its main function is to kill the bacteria and unclog pores. Since it comes in varying dosages, you need to choose a product that suits your case. For instance, Oxy 5 contains 5% Benzoyl Peroxide and treats mild to moderate pimples or acne. While Oxy 10 fights stubborn pimples or acne.

Image Credits: mentholatum.com.sg

Oxy Cover claims to kill bacteria causing pimples, unclog pores, dry up excessive oil, and cover your imperfections. Oxy 5 retails for as low as S$3.50.

THE HEALING ONE

Aside from BP, your skin can highly benefit from aloe vera. This amazing plant is versatile as it can be used on the hair, face, and body. Personally, I use aloe vera gels to tame my heat rashes and to soothe my burns. Its anti-inflammatory and hydrating properties make it suitable for sensitive and acne-prone skin. Use it to help fade your acne or pimple scars.

Image Credits: Nature Republic USA

The Nature Republic Aloe Vera Gel is a popular Korean product known worldwide. Formulated with California CCOF-certified organic aloe vera, this gel can be used by all skin types including sensitive skin. It retails for about S$3.10.

NATURE’S BEST OFFER

Some of my friends prefer natural products over modified chemicals. For a more natural option, turn to tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has innate anti-microbial properties that can disinfect your pimples or acne and minimize its inflammation.

Image Credits: thebodyshop.com

Simply pour a few drops of the oil onto a cotton pad, a clean tissue, or your fingertips. Afterwards, gently dab it directly on the affected spots. The oil shall penetrate the skin to unblock the sebaceous glands, disinfect the pores, and dry out the pimples or acne. Try The Body Shop’s Tea Tree Oil, which retails for as low as S$19.90.

THE BLEMISH BUSTER

Whether you like or not, acne or pimple leaves a mark. Maintain your healthy-looking skin by treating these spots. Spot treatments are over-the-counter acne products that can help heal your existing blemishes. Spot treatments containing Salicylic Acid (SA) can resolve and prevent lesions. Unlike BP, it does not have any effect on sebum production and does not have the ability to kill bacteria. Instead, it can be used for milder pimple or acne.

Image Credits: innisfree.com/sg

Innisfree’s Bija Anti Trouble Spot Essence contains both Salicylic Acid and Torreya Seed oil. The former helps treat blemishes, while the latter aids in healing the skin. This product retails for about S$25.

HYPED UP EXFOLIATOR

The art of maintaining an impossibly perfect and luminous skin is something that many Koreans have mastered. This is why, the rest of the world have been curious about their skin can routine. What is fascinating about their comprehensive routine is that it covers different areas including acne treatment.

Image Credits: lazada.sg

Exfoliating acids are a tried-and-tested acne-busting staple that completes the K-beauty regimen. A famous exfoliator that lives up to its hype is Cosrx’s BHA Blackhead Power Liquid. It is formulated with SA and Beta Hydroxyl Acid to deeply cleanse your pores. It costs about S$23.90 in Lazada Singapore and S$28.71 in Watsons Singapore. Shop around to get the best deal!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Travel tips for first-time visitors to Mexico

How I Travel For Free By Planning My Own Finances

Mexico has beautiful Spanish colonial towns, white-sand beaches and mysterious Mayan ruins. Millions travel to Mexico each year to experience their history, culture and food. Some book a week in one of the luxurious riviera maya homes for rent while others spend their time backpacking around the country. But visiting Mexico can be a daunting experience, especially if it’s your first time. Keep reading and discover these essential travel tips to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

Staying safe in Mexico

One of the biggest concerns facing travellers to Mexico is the poor safety record in the country. Switch on any news channel and you’re bombarded with stories of gun crime and drug-related incidents. Others focus on how street crime and robberies target tourists. But this is usually blown out of proportion. Yes, Mexico does have a poor safety record. But not every town and city is the same. The vast majority of resorts such as Los Cabos and Cancun are completely safe. As are the smaller colonial towns in more rural areas. If you travel to Mexico City or areas that are notorious for drug trafficking routes, you should exercise a lot of caution. But for most tourists, vacationing in Mexico is no more dangerous than staying at home. Most of the hype you hear is just that – hype.

Brush up on your Spanish

If you’re planning to explore Mexico outside of the resorts, having a basic knowledge of Spanish is a must. While most people in and around the tourist areas can speak some English, it’s unlikely they will be able to in the local areas. Learning a few phrases can go a long way. And many Mexicans will appreciate that you’re making an effort to learn their language. Apart from putting a smile on the shopkeepers face, a bit of Spanish can unlock doors and allow you to experience the real Mexico. Knowing how to bargain in their lingo also reduces the chance that you’ll pay the tourist price. You don’t need to be fluent. Instead, grab a guidebook or watch a few videos on YouTube to learn a handful of basic phrases.

Make the most out of Mexico’s ruins

Egypt has the pyramids and Mexico has Mayan ruins. The ancient civilisation reigned in Central America for centuries leaving vast temples and cities behind. The most famous is Chichen Itza on the Yucatan Peninsula. But most towns and cities have ruins of varying sizes within a short drive of the centre. Tour companies offer an excursion to the nearby ruins. Or you can rent a car and visit them independently. If this is your first time, it’s a good idea to learn more about this ancient culture. Having the chance to visit the ruins and experiencing the best of Mayan traditions is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It’s strongly recommended to research which ones you want to visit. Don’t fall into the trap that other tourists do and see it as ‘just another ruin’. Instead, embrace the vast and diverse shapes and styles of the ancient Mayans in Mexico.

Always research tour companies

Signing up for a tour is one of the best ways to see Mexico. Most towns and cities, especially those near touristy areas, take visitors out to the sea, inland or to Mayan ruins. But because of the surge of visitors and an endless supply of customers, the quality of some have dropped dramatically over the last few years. The best policy is to shop around and don’t sign up for a tour just because it’s the cheapest. Research the company and read reviews on TripAdvisor. Some of the less professional agencies don’t meet the safety requirements, overcrowd buses and lack the knowledge to explain the attractions in depth. It might be better to splash out a bit more on a more reputable company. But the only way to make sure is to do a bit of research before arranging an excursion.

Want a bargain? Don’t forget to haggle

Because a large part of Mexico’s coastal regions rely on tourism, some of the more unscrupulous locals see international visitors as cash machines. When you ask for the price, they will often quote up to two or three times higher. This includes buying souvenirs, street food and pretty much anything outside of a shopping mall. The key is to haggle. Speak to somebody who you trust beforehand to get an idea of what the going rates should be. Prepare to pay slightly more, but be persistent to stop them from completely ripping you off!

Embrace the Mexican hospitality

Whenever you meet a Mexican, they will almost always greet you with a smile. Family life is the centrepiece of Mexican life and this transfers onto how they treat their guests. Striking up a conversation with a local is easy – especially if you know a little bit of Spanish. Most people that you meet will always be happy to practice their English on a tourist. And occasionally, this leads to an invite back to their house for a beer or shot of tequila. Travel around the country and you’ll be welcomed and receive excellent hospitality. Embrace it and show your warmth back to them in return.

Preparing for your trip to Mexico

Learn a few phrases of Spanish and be ready to barter for bargains. Always research tour companies and find recent travellers’ experiences before booking anything up. Take the chance to learn about their Mayan heritage and embrace the Mexican hospitality. And finally, Mexico is a lot safer to visit than most people think!

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How To Get The Most Out Of Your Pricey Laptop

The average lifespan of a laptop is between two to four years. Due to the many mishaps that can happen throughout the course of time, it is not uncommon for a machine to last for less than a year.

If you are not on-board with the idea of shelling out thousands to replace your laptop then, you must take certain precautions to maximize its lifespan. May the following tips help your circumstance.

LET ME FREEZE YOU

Unbeknownst to many, overheating is among the top reasons why laptops fail. Snuggling up in your bed with your trusty laptop as you watch your favorite movies sounds divine! However, your lap is not the best place to use this machine. Any soft or uneven surfaces can block the vents and restrict the airflow. It is recommended to work on a hard and smooth surface or to use a laptop support.

ADD MORE RAM

Random-access memory or RAM stores data and machine code that is currently being used. It works like your short-term or working memory. You can rely more on the system that pulls the data afresh from the hard drive once you upgrade your RAM. You see, reducing your hard drive activity reduces the power consumption. Other performance benefits will be quickly seen upon adding more RAM.

KEEP IT CLEAN

It comes as no surprise that a clean laptop will last longer than a filthy one. Unless you are working in a highly sanitized room, every laptop can come in contact with dust and dirt on a daily basis. Left to linger long enough, these unfriendly substances can suffocate the hardware of your laptop. Doing so will reduce its performance or contribute to a component’s premature demise.

UPGRADE TO SSD

Bid farewell to moving parts by switching to an SSD and using flash data memory to store your data. If possible, this upgrade will immediately make your laptop more energy efficient. Aside from its benefits surrounding your laptop’s battery life, an SSD can deliver a faster performance. Furthermore, it removes problems associated with fragmentation.

UPDATE YOUR SYSTEM REGULARLY

Whether you are a computer geek or not, it takes a few clicks of the mouse to update your operating software. Do not hesitate to update your current system once a notification comes up! Remember that no operating system or program is perfect. Hence, every upgrade includes new features and solutions to previous issues.

Aside from patching up some issues, keeping your software updated reduces the chances of security exploits. Maximize your security by regularly running anti-virus and anti-malware scanners. Less malware and junk supports a smooth running system.

SHIELD THE OUTSIDE

Modern technology has led to the introduction of smaller, thinner, and lighter laptops. This means that these machines are more susceptible to damage from spills and drops. Extend the life of your device by providing laptop covers and screen protectors. A tumble off your desk or a scratch against the wall can be shielded thru a powerful hard-shell or soft-shell case. Just ensure that your protection does not obstruct the laptop’s cooling system.

SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE

Multitasking is a necessity in today’s revolving world. It may sounds nice, but running several programs at once puts a significant load on the processor. This further creates more power consumption. So, stretch your battery’s life and take care of your laptop by simplifying your activities.

As much as possible, stick to one application at a time. Close any additional programs when typing a document. For instance, I only use Notepad when writing a draft for my articles. How about for listening to music? Instead of streaming some tunes, you can use the locally stored songs. Streaming media over Wi-Fi uses the laptop’s wireless radio and other components. Less is more.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Changi Recommends: Book with ChangiHotels and Enjoy Great Savings Like Free ChangiWiFi Rentals*!

Imagine this.

You are booked on a dream vacation to Bali, the beach vacation you have been looking forward to for the entire year. You can’t wait to see the blue skies, the sand, and the sea. You have your itinerary all planned out, from breakfast by the beach, to a candlelight dinner with your other half. All you have left is the hotel reservation. After surfing the net for an entire day, you found a beautiful romantic accommodation with the perfect view of the sea, just within your budget. You decided on it, and you are at the checkout page but, to your horror, the price was much more than what was stated at the selection page. You are back to the drawing board, this time, frustrated with the hassle of hotel bookings and hidden charges.

But fret not. You will not face that situation because you are here. Reading this.

The headache of hotel bookings can now be taken away by Changi Recommends new travel service – ChangiHotels. A new line-up to Changi Recommends already successful travel essentials, ChangiHotels boasts over 170,000 properties for over 5,000 destinations worldwide. The best part? No hidden prices. This means all-inclusive tax, upfront prices, and all these at unbeatable deals. *Screams*

Finding an ideal hotel for your vacation has never been easier. Besides transparent pricings for its consumers, ChangiHotels also offers competitive rates. Find yourself searching for your dream hotel on ChangiHotels with prices lower than its competitors as ChangiHotels also offers great savings on your hotel bookings with up to 50% off, all destinations worldwide.

The ChangiHotels website boasts an easy to navigate, no frills system from the get go, with the aim of offering transparent pricing to its consumers. Filter from price, star ratings, to even hotel promos with last minute discounts for your impromptu trip. Can I just repeat again that what you see is what you pay? Yes, the price for the hotel you are looking at for your upcoming trip before you even click to book IS the total rates for your stay, inclusive of tax.

But, we have not reached the best part, yet. To celebrate the launch of ChangiHotels, Changi Recommends have bundled in a ChangiWiFi x ChangiHotels promotion where you get free day-to-day ChangiWiFi rental for each hotel booking made with ChangiHotels! That is killing two birds with one stone, settling both data and accommodation for your trip in one booking!

To book, visit www.changihotels.com for your upfront price quote at an unbeatable deal, for your dream hotel.

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Golden Rules Of Gift-Giving

One of the most pleasurable pursuits associated with any special occasion is the act of gift-giving. While some gifts can evoke positive emotions, others can come across as inappropriate. The following etiquette rules will help you avoid the common gift-giving mistakes.

RULE #1: RECOGNIZE YOUR HOST

When you get invited to someone’s home, it is a delightful gesture to bring a token of appreciation in exchange of the invite. Recognize the efforts that your host has poured to this special day. This token should not be extravagant! Simply bring a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, or a box of doughnuts. Any gifts that are appropriate to the holiday’s theme will suffice too.

RULE #2: TAP INTO YOUR CULTURE

Singapore prides itself as a country practicing racial harmony. Hence, you may be invited to selected holidays that you do not usually celebrate. Keep in mind that not all cultures celebrate a particular occasion in the same way. So, do your homework before purchasing a gift. What is appropriate to give in a Traditional Chinese wedding may not be necessary in a Malay wedding.

RULE #3: EXTEND YOUR SINCERE GRATITUDE

Image Credits: pixabay.com

What should you do when someone gives you a present and you do not have anything in return? For starters, you shall not dwell on the fact that you do not have a gift for him or her. Instead, focus on showing the person that you appreciate this gesture. Extend your sincere gratitude by sending a thank you note or by sending a gift at a later date.

RULE #4: NO NEED TO RECIPROCATE

Most of us are compelled to provide someone with gift of equal value. This can be a trap since value is not easy to assess! When giving presents, you should ideally spend what you feel comfortable with.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Remember that the thought that goes into a gift is the most important thing. A Do-It-Yourself gift can be a great option that not only provides a cheaper alternative, but also speaks volume about your love.

Sources: 1 & 2

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