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How To Deal With “Maskne”

Masks play a vital role in reducing the spread of COVID-19. However, prolonged wearing of masks can cause skin irritation and acne for individuals with sensitive skin. Maskne or Acne mechanica has never been a problem of ours with the exemption of healthcare professionals who have been wearing masks on their hospital duties. These healthcare professionals can attest to this irritating skin problem that has become more widespread among the general population.

Dr. Harry Dao, a dermatologist for Loma Linda University Health, explains what Maskne is.

“Masks impose heat, friction and occlusion on the skin and when combined with a moist environment from breathing, talking or sweating, this is a recipe for breakouts,” he says. The three main ways masks can cause breakouts are thru friction, occlusion, and irritation. Firstly, masks impose friction and chafing. The areas most at risk for breakouts are the bridge of the nose and behind the ears.

Secondly, pores get clogged and can become acne cysts or pimples. Your breath trapped beneath the mask makes the skin surface warm and moist. This environment can lead to a breakout called folliculitis, which happens when yeast or bacteria infect hair follicles.

Lastly, the material of a mask absorbs the skin’s natural oils. This leads to dryness and sensitivity for some people. When irritation becomes inflammation, you will see redness, dry patches, peeling, or dark marks. Acne is not the only skin condition reported by mask wearers. Other common skin problems include Seborrheic dermatitis, Rosacea, and Allergic contact dermatitis.

WAYS TO PREVENT SKIN PROBLEMS CAUSED BY MASK WEARING

1. Wash your face. It goes without saying that washing your face with a gentle cleanser and rinsing it with lukewarm water can help prevent dirt and oil from being trapped on the skin’s surface. Do this before and after you put your mask on.

2. Do not apply makeup. Who will see your entire face anyway? Wearing makeup under a mask causes clogged pores and breakouts. Makeup residue will also soil your mask.

3. Apply moisturizer. The moisturizer will not only act as a barrier between your face and your mask but, it will also keep your skin hydrated. This can reduce friction. Apply moisturizer onto a cleansed face before and after wearing a mask.

4. Wash your mask regularly. If you are wearing a cloth mask, ensure that you wash it after using. Otherwise, the dirt can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Choose a fragrance-free laundry soap because fragrances can irritate your skin.

5. Do not reuse surgical masks. Surgical masks are not meant to be reused. Throw it after using

6. Protect your ears. Elastic strap loops on the mask can cause friction burns on the back of your ears. If your skin is sensitive or if you will be wearing a mask for a long period of time, use ear savers. You can attach the straps on the ear savers’ buttons. You can buy yours from Lazada or Shopee.

When should you see a doctor?

If you have breakouts or skin damage that do not respond to skin care changes, you should see a dermatologist. Spreading redness or draining pus can be signs of infection too. Seek immediate medical attention, if this happens.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Sources: 1 & 2

Top tips on how to pay off credit card debt quickly

Getting your first credit card is often a liberating experience for many. The idea of having that financial freedom in your wallet and being able to buy almost anything on credit is exciting but sometimes dangerous.

Without financial discipline and careful planning, debt can rack up fast. One missed payment can turn into two, and suddenly interest pools up until you’re staring at a balance you can’t imagine paying back.

Here are some top tips on how to pay off your credit card debt quickly, if that is you.

#1: Settle smaller debts first

Having several debts to pay is a stressful encounter. We could all do with a little motivation, no?

Organising your debt priorities from the smallest to the largest can help nudge you to continue paying off your credit card debts and reap the rewards of a debt-free life in the future.

#2: Go past minimum payments

Image Credits: The New Savvy

Maybe you’ve read somewhere or heard from someone that minimum payments are sufficient to help you “get by”. But merely making minimum payments every month is a dangerous practice.

What you want to do is to go beyond minimum payments to prevent your credit card from accumulating a tremendous amount of debt over time. It will also keep your credit card debt from growing out of control.

Over time, these payments will help break down your “debt snowball” and keep things at a manageable level.

#3: Take advantage of a balance transfer

Interest rates are among the quickest ways we see credit card debt expand without our knowledge or awareness. If you have a large credit card debt you can’t anticipate paying off any time soon, but it’s gathering a lot of interest, you can apply for a balance transfer credit card.

So what’s a balance transfer? A balance transfer is similar to a short-term (up to 24 months) 0% interest loan, often via a credit card or credit line account. It will allow you to transfer your debts to an interest-free account and stop collecting high interest on your existing debts.

The main idea here is that you’re kind of taking a short-term loan with an interest-free grace period so you can avoid paying rolling interest payments on your credit card debts.

Speaking of which, you can also consider taking out a personal loan.

#4: Apply for a personal loan

Image Credits: Friday Finance

You can apply for a personal loan if you are seriously in a pinch and need to get rid of your credit card debt fast.

Upon approval, you will receive a cheque that you can use to pay off all of your outstanding credit card debts. However, you will be responsible for paying back that loan, which usually relies on its own set of repayment requirements.

The advantages of getting a personal loan include a possible lower interest rate on your debt and a fixed repayment period (up to 84 months) to clear it off. With that said, usually, individuals with excellent credit scores, high salaries, or loan amounts can enjoy the lowest rates.

You can refer to more pros and cons of using a personal loan to pay off your credit card debts here before deciding if it’s suitable for you.

#5: Opt for debt settlements

If you’re sure that you won’t be able to pay back the entire balance of your credit card but want to try and eliminate them, it might be time to write an appeal letter to your creditor.

Also known as debt settlement appeal, it’s the most fuss-free form of debt settlement, and you won’t need a lawyer for it. But do prepare supporting documents like your income and CPF statements to accompany your written appeal.

Apart from debt settlement appeal, these are other debt settlement options in Singapore:

Discounted lump sum settlement

Instead of an instalment payment plan, you will negotiate with the creditor for a lower total amount that your owed sum. As the name suggests, you must pay the agreed amount in one bulk quantity.

Debt consolidation plan

By choosing this method, a single bank or financial institution will settle your outstanding debts on your behalf. In return, you will pay back the bank in fixed monthly instalments. This plan is only applicable for Singapore citizens and permanent residents with a specific income cap and assets value.

Debt management program

Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) provides this program for borrowers in severe financial hardship and cannot pay for unsecured loans due to banks and authorised moneylenders.

Debt repayment scheme / Bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is often the last resort after you’ve exhausted all your options. One may also be placed on a debt repayment scheme, a pre-bankruptcy scheme, to avoid bankruptcy.

For more details, please click here.

Final thoughts

until debt tear us apart graffiti on a brick wall

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Though a credit card can be a significant source of financial relief, the debt can build up quickly and cause enormous problems for people who don’t know how to manage it.

Tackle your credit card debt head-on and pay them off quickly using the abovementioned trustworthy techniques to minimise the odds of you reaching bankruptcy.

Natural foods that can help curb appetite (part II)

In the diverse world of foods, there are options out there that act as natural appetite suppressants. This means that the nutrients inside the foods help you stay and feel fuller, so you don’t overeat.

What’s even better is that they’re natural, so you’re eating healthy foods instead of junk. This article is the second part of our “natural foods that can help curb appetite” topic. If you missed out on the previous article, click here to read it.

Let’s roll with more natural foods that can help suppress appetite.

#1: Veggie Soup

Image Credits: Inspired Taste

Ah, who doesn’t love a comforting bowl of hot soup? Not only is veggie soup a healthy, warm meal, but it also provides you with tons of vitamins and lowers your appetite to be in line with your low-calorie diet. Consider trying out these vegetable soup recipes and get slurping.

#2: Dark Chocolate

Image Credits: USA Today

First of all, it’s chocolate! What can get better than that? Now you have the excuse to eat a lot more dark chocolate since having a piece that’s made of at least 70% cocoa helps you feel full. It contains properties that slow digestion, and you can thank the chocolate’s smooth bitter taste for decreasing your appetite.

#3: Tofu

Image Credits: Great British Chefs

Tofu is a delicious vegetable protein that’s both soft and plant-based. It’s high in an isoflavone named genistein, which curbs your appetite and the amount you eat. The next time you’re planning your meals, consider adding some tofu to the menu. It’s delicious, healthy and suitable for vegetarians.

#4: Wasabi

Image Credits: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Wasabi is not only a great addition to plates of sushi but also works well to suppress your appetite naturally. If you haven’t noticed already, spiciness is a crucial factor in increasing satiety! A bonus of wasabi is that it’s also anti-inflammatory.

#5: Green Tea

Image Credits: Thailand Medical News

Green tea is one of the healthiest drinks out there and it’s not just a great natural appetite suppressant. It can also help slow your blood sugar levels and prevent extra fat storage. All of that contributes to a lesser feeling of hunger and better metabolism, so start sipping.

#6: Oatmeal

Image Credits: Everyday Health

Remember how mums always force us to have a cup of oatmeal in the morning before heading to school? That’s because the carbs in oatmeal are slow-digesting and likely to last you till recess time. Wave goodbye to the hunger hormone ghrelin if you take oatmeals.

#7: Salmon

Image Credits: fromnorway.com

It seems like the benefits of salmon are never-ending. Thanks to its omega-3 fatty acids, the hormone leptin amount, which curbs hunger, rises. Tuna and herring are great alternatives for those who don’t fancy salmon.

#8: Cinnamon

Image Credits: Wikipedia

Do you recall we mentioned ginger as a natural food option in our first article? It works similarly to the ground spice. It lowers your blood sugar levels which in turn helps to control your appetite. Here’s how you can add cinnamon spice to your meals.

#9: Skim Milk

Image Credits: The Daily Meal

Especially for ladies who crave unhealthy junk foods and processed carbs during that time of the month, skim milk is here to your rescue. But for anyone, skim milk can serve as a natural appetite suppressant. Let’s not forget to mention its range of benefits.

#10: Flax Seeds

Image Credits: Gene Food

Flax seeds provide you with a combination of soluble fibre and essential fatty acids. It’s easy to add it to your cup of yoghurt, a glass of smoothie, or a bowl of salad. Just remember to grind them first for better digestion. Or you can also choose to consume it in powder form.

Now you know the natural foods to take to suppress your ever-growing appetite, start introducing them into your diets from today. Oh yes, remember to get sufficient shut-eye at night too!

Present-day ways to reach out to HR managers

Let’s be honest. When you’re sending out your resume to recruiters, the odds are that your personal information itself looks similar to the countless ones that they’ve already read. They don’t care how badly you want the job or how paper-qualified you are.

Instead of merely trying to convince an HR manager why you’re perfect for the company, go above and beyond to grab their attention! You’re sure to make your job search more fulfilling and stand a higher chance to receive an invitation for an interview – both of which work in your favour.

Here are some of the best ideas you can use this year to reach out to a recruiter responsible for processing your application.

#1: Offer a useful solution

If you’re considering a specific role that you are knowledgeable about (which you should be!), you can try to add a few well-thought-through solutions to current industry problems in your application.

In this way, you show that you have done your due diligence. It’s also an opportunity to display your experience and passion for solving problems for the company and the value you can add to the team should you be presented with a job contract.

“When you help someone solve a problem, they’ll remember you positively for your effort and be more willing to help you out in the future,” says Jon Hill, CEO and chairman of an executive search firm.

#2: Gift your recruiter something appropriate

Image Credits: unsplash.com

You must be careful with this one! While sending flowers is rather strange, you can look at giving a practical gift or resource alongside your application.

For example, one can demonstrate their market research skills by sourcing a gift that resonates with the hiring manager. Just do a search on LinkedIn, and you will be able to start “stalking” on their posts, identify their likes and dislikes, and supplies you think they will find beneficial.

A little present that shows off both your skills and your gratitude at being considered can help make them remember you – which is precisely the reason why you’re reading this now.

Jeff Neal, an operations manager, shared that a candidate actually mailed his resume alongside a packet of fly-fishing lures after learning that Neal liked fly fishing. “I was very impressed and invited him in for an interview,” he commented.

#3: Create a portfolio webpage

Most people apply for jobs that they need rather than want. If you desperately want a position, you’ve got to make sure you have enough output to “brag” about.

Job seekers can consider building a portfolio webpage to store their achievements over the years. Make sure the information is up to date before you send a recruiter a link to your portfolio.

A webpage or website is better than attaching a portfolio in the email since your recruiter can easily forward the link via Slack or WhatsApp to anyone in the management team for immediate considerations.

Or one could also consider other content platforms they are comfortable using.

“We’ve received YouTube channel videos from online creators who work daily on their cars and have vast amounts of knowledge. We also receive resumes from bloggers who run their own car blogs, which shows they already understand the work we are doing here,” shared Michael Lowe, CEO of Car Passionate.

#4: Put yourself on camera

Image Credits: TechSmith

Most of us don’t like being on camera. Still, having a video to accompany your application often helps recruiters see you with more interest and match a face to your name.

It also aids them to understand just how much you want the job, too, because emotions transfer better through facial expressions and body language.

“A candidate used this tactic to approach me last year. While they didn’t end up having the right technical skill set, the video caught my attention immediately and prompted me to set up a phone interview less than 48 hours later,” shared Biron Clark, founder of Career Sidekick.

Need we say more?

#5: Type an attractive subject line

This is one you may have heard before, and with a good reason! That’s because when you use an attractive subject line, it immediately tells recruiters what they need to know, their interest will be piqued, and it serves as a “clickbait”.

Take a look at these examples:

Email subject line A – “Applying for accounting position”
Email subject line B – “CPA with 10 years’ experience in technology would love to do your taxes”

Is sample A or B more attention-grabbing? If you’ve chosen the latter, then you ought to know that a witty or well-conceived subject line is vital for an HR manager to click in right away.

Final thoughts

Image Credits: deakinco.com

Reaching out to recruiters will always feel a little stressy and nerve-racking.

But by relying on one or more of the ways shared above, you will increase your chances of getting your valuable resume read amongst the sea of job applications. And since that’s what it’s all about, aren’t these methods worth a try this year?

Natural foods that can help curb appetite (part I)

In times of stress and pure cravings, it can be so easy to overeat. Even though some food is excellent for our taste buds, it unnecessarily adds to our waistlines. However, it’s hard to control the urge to eat when it feels like we’re hungry all the time!

With the number of tempting snacks lying around at home and brands continually coming up with new ones like the recent Bubble Tea Blossom Pizza, resisting the craving can feel nearly impossible. But, have no fear because there is a solution.

Keep reading if you want to find out the natural foods that can help curb appetite.

#1: Almonds

Image Credits: WebMD

Almonds are the prime health nut. Not only do they taste great, but they also help you to feel fuller from a mere handful.

Plus, they also come packed with nutrients, such as antioxidants, vitamins, and other minerals. Research in 2015 has shown that you can last a while without feeling hungry just by eating almonds as a mid-morning snack.

Want a discount? Buy 500g worth of almonds and get 10% off, or buy 1kg and enjoy a 20% offer! Get your fill from nutsandsnacks.com.sg.

#2: Coffee

Image Credits: AsiaOne

Coffee is not only a drink that can keep you alert and awake but also boost your metabolism, which helps you digest faster.

The beans have natural caffeine and antioxidants that do wonders for your body. Just don’t go too overboard drinking too much alongside cream and artificial sweeteners.

#3: Ginger

Image Credits: Women’s Health

Ginger is a root that has been used in practice since ancient times and for a perfect reason.

Not only is it a versatile root that can be used in plenty of Asian dishes, but it also has impressive digestive and energising powers. By helping you process food faster, you will naturally feel less hungry when awake.

Please don’t take our word for it. Here’s what recent research says about ginger’s weight-loss benefits.

#4: Avocado

Image Credits: HungryGoWhere

Avocados are some of the healthiest and tastiest fruits that you can get. They’re packed full of great fibre and monounsaturated fat that is incredibly healthy for your heart.

As a bonus, they naturally help to suppress your appetite. The next time you’re at the supermarket, consider picking these green fruits up. Do eat in moderation, though!

#5: Cayenne Pepper

Image Credits: The List

If you want to add some spice to your life and your food, don’t hesitate to introduce cayenne pepper to it. An amount as small as half a teaspoon can supercharge your metabolism and burn extra calories without needing to exercise.

Stacking up those lost calories over time, you will soon be losing pounds before realising it. Load up on this pepper if you can take spicy foods.

Get your Cayenne Pepper Ground (50g) (S$3.80) from LA MEXICANA.

#6: Apples

Image Credits: BBC

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. That phrase rings true, as apples have lots of delicious nutrients and health benefits.

Some of them include fibre and pectin, which help you feel fuller. Apples can also slow down how much food you can eat due to the time needed for chewing. This prevents you from overloading on food before your stomach can tell you you’re no longer hungry.

#7: Eggs

Image Credits: tarasmulticulturaltable.com

Eggs are one of the most versatile foods out there. They make fantastic omelettes and help you feel fuller for longer after eating one or two a day. This is especially true for breakfast!

Thanks to its high protein content, your metabolism rate moves along quickly, thus keeping energy levels high and leaving you satisfied without having to reach for that mid-day bite.

Want to support local farms and get fresh eggs at the same time? Check out these 10 Singapore farms to get your produce from.

#8: Water

Image Credits: Healthline

Yes, you read that right. Drinks as simple as a glass of water or two can help to manage your appetite.

It was revealed in the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS) that people who drank at least two glasses of water before eating ate 75 to 90 fewer calories than those who didn’t drink. Bottoms up, peeps.

#9: Sweet Potatoes

Image Credits: Delish.com

Sweet potatoes are given their name not only for their delicious sweetness but also because they’re exceptional for our bodies too.

They contain a particular type of starch that can resist the digestive enzymes in our stomach. This means that they will stay in our bellies for more extended periods to keep us full. Our body will take its sweet time absorbing all the added vitamins as well.

From Japanese Sweet Potatoes (S$1.85) to Organic Purple Sweet Potatoes (S$5.30) and more, get yours from RedMart.

#10: Umeboshi Plums

Image Credits: naturallysavvy.com

This lesser-known fruit is a type of pickled plum that gives you an extra tinge of sour goodness. They’re fantastic for curbing your sugar cravings, so stock up on these plums if you want to reduce your sugar yearnings.

We found an option from FairPrice. Mitoku Organic Umeboshi Salt Pickled Plums is currently selling at S$18.91 (usual price: S$19.90). The offer ends on 1 March 2021.

We’ve yet to conclude this topic, but it’s getting a little lengthy, so we will pause right here. Look out for the second part of the article on more natural foods to help curb appetite!