| How to Keep Moisture in Your Skin Posted: 13 Jan 2020 04:00 PM PST Keeping your skin moist and supple throughout the day can be challenging, especially in dry winter air. The key to getting beautifully hydrated skin that lasts all day is timing and layering your moisturizer correctly. Always apply moisturizers to damp skin and layer lighter treatments like oils and serums underneath your moisturizer. Weekly treatments like exfoliation and face masks can help get rid of dead skin and give you an extra glow. [Edit]Establishing a Skincare Routine - Use lukewarm water to wash up. Using hot water to shower or wash your face might feel nice, but it can dry out your skin, too. Hot water strips away the skin's natural oils and will leave it more dry, no matter how much moisturizer you apply.[1]
- If you can't give up hot showers, try to switch to using lukewarm water for washing your face and hands.
- Look for alcohol- and soap-free cleansers. Deodorant soaps, scents, and alcohol all have drying effects on the skin. Look for ingredients like glycerine, Niacinimide, and Vitamin B3, especially if you have sensitive skin.[2]
- Foaming and scrubbing cleansers can also dry out the skin.
- Use oils, serums, or medications before applying moisturizer. In order for your moisturizer to work the best, it should be the last thing you apply to your skin. If you use any oils, serums, or medications, such as acne creams, apply them directly after cleansing your skin.[3]
- Apply products to your skin in order from the product with the lightest formula to the heaviest formula.
- Apply moisturizer while your skin is still damp. Use an oil-based ointment or cream rather than a water-based lotion. Olive oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter are all natural ingredients that soothe and moisturize dry skin. Moisturizer of any kind won't work unless your skin is already a little wet. Apply moisturizer after gently patting your body, face, or hands dry, while your skin still feels damp.[4]
- The best kind of moisturizer is a cream that contains hyaluronic acid or ceramides. The thicker and greasier the formula feels, the more effectively it will seal in moisture.
- Apply a hand cream after you wash your hands.
- Massage products gently into the skin. Rubbing your skin too hard or too much can cause irritation. Rub the tips of your fingers in small circles to gently massage any products you are using into your skin.[5]
- To minimize irritation even more, use a patting motion rather than a rubbing motion to dry your face and body.
- Exfoliate once a week to get rid of dead skin and help moisturizers penetrate. Although exfoliating doesn't actively moisturize, it can help the skin get rid of dead cells so that moisturizers work better. Exfoliate your hands, face, and all over your body, then follow the treatment immediately with a moisturizer. Use a gentle, unscented exfoliator, especially for the face.[6]
- If you have sensitive skin, a washcloth and a gentle chemical exfoliator should be enough, rather than an exfoliator with beads.
- Excessively exfoliating can leave your skin raw and won't help lock moisturizer in any better.
- Try a face mask once or twice a week. Look for a cream, gel, or sheet mask with ingredients like collagen and antioxidants. Choose a face mask created for your skin type or problem (for example, oily skin or redness). Pay attention to instructions on the packaging that will tell you how long you need to leave the face mask in place and how you should remove it. Apply a moisturizer after you take the face mask off.[7]
- Always use face masks on clean and exfoliated skin.
- You can also make a homemade face mask using 1 avocado, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of plain yogurt, 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of olive oil, and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of organic honey to the bowl. Leave the mask on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it with warm water.
[Edit]Keeping Your Skin Hydrated in Winter - Avoid taking baths or hot showers. Soaking in a hot tub can be tempting when it's cold outside, but it will certainly dry out your skin, as will a long, hot shower. Lukewarm water is best for keeping your skin as moisturized as possible.[8]
- If you love taking baths, try making them a special once a week event and limit how long you spend in the water.
- Add a layer between your skin and wool to avoid irritation. If you bundle up in wool clothes to keep warm, you might notice that your skin becomes itchy and irritated where it rubs up against the fabric. Try layering a more skin-friendly fabric, like cotton or silk, between your self and your wool sweater to keep warm without irritating your skin.[9]
- Also wash your clothes using unscented or hypoallergenic detergent to reduce irritation on your skin.
- Other fabrics that can irritate your skin include bamboo, acrylic, polyester, rayon, acetate, and nylon.[10]
- Keep yourself hydrated. It's important to keep hydrated year-round, but it can be harder in the winter. Adults need around 11.5 cups (2.7 liters)-15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of water every day. As a rule of thumb, if you feel thirsty, you are probably dehydrated. If you're having trouble drinking enough water to stay hydrated, try eating foods that have a high water content such as cucumbers, tomatoes, zucchini, carrots, and kiwi.[11]
- A lot of these foods also contain vitamin C, which can help your skin produce elastin and collagen.
- Wear sunscreen, even on the darkest, cloudiest days. Even if it seems like the sun is a distant memory, it's important to wear sunscreen every day. Low levels of sun exposure can contribute to skin damage over time, leading to wrinkles, spots, or even skin cancer.[12]
- If you live in a place with high winds or extremely cold temperatures, also take care to protect your face from the elements by layering up with scarves, hats, and gloves.
- Use a humidifier in your room during winter. Winter brings dry air, both indoors and outdoors, which can dry out your skin. Keep the humidity in your room at around 60% to keep your skin hydrated at night.[13]
- Your skin repairs itself a lot while you are sleeping, so your bedroom is the best place for a humidifier.
[Edit]Warnings - See a dermatologist if you have consistently dry, irritated skin that doesn't get better.
- Don't scratch your skin. If you have an itch, try applying moisturizer or putting a barrier between your skin and an irritant.
- Always test new skincare products on a small swatch of skin first to check for an allergic reaction.[14]
- To hydrate your lips, look for a balm with paraffin ceramides rather than beeswax. Ingredients like lanolin and vitamin E can also revive and hydrate lips.[15]
[Edit]References |
| How to Make People Feel Good Posted: 13 Jan 2020 08:00 AM PST The ability to make other people happy is a great skill. You'll seem more charismatic and more people will gravitate towards you. Keep the people around you happy by showing them that you care about them. Make friendly conversation by listening more than you talk and ask questions about people. Praise their accomplishments and remember details about their lives to make them feel important. In general, maintain a positive attitude and good sense of humor. These feelings are contagious to the people around you. [Edit]Having Friendly Conversations - Listen more than you speak. Try not to dominate conversations. If you do all the talking in a conversation, people will feel like you're talking at them. Instead, let other people talk and only provide input when they're finished. This makes you look like a polite, attentive person who cares what other people have to say.[1]
- Don't interrupt a person while they're speaking. People don't like being cut off. Always let them finish what they're saying.
- Of course, still answer questions if the person asks them. But don't just look for the next time you can start talking about yourself again. Allow other people to talk.
- Ask questions about the person. Keep conversations going by asking the other person about themselves. Give people the opportunity to open up and talk about themselves. They will appreciate talking to someone who listens to them. Even a simple, "How are you doing today?" makes people feel like you care about them.[2]
- Don't just ask superficial questions. Demonstrate that you were listening by asking questions based on what they person was saying.
- For example, if someone is telling you about their vacation and mention they got a flat tire, say, "Wow, how did you fix the tire?" This shows that you're not only interested, but were paying attention to the story.
- Look away from your phone or computer when speaking with people. Don't look distracted while conversing with people. Checking your phone or computer constantly makes you look rude and uninterested. Put your phone down and look away from the computer. Make eye contact with the person so they know you're paying attention.[3]
- If you do have to check your phone, excuse yourself and say, "Sorry, I have to check this for one second."
- If you are actually busy and don't have time to talk, be polite about it. Say, "I'd love to talk some more but I have a work call to make. I'll see you later."
- Be enthusiastic about what they say. Get excited when someone tells you something. If they share a piece of good news or an accomplishment, congratulate them. A simple, "That's great!" will make them feel like they really did accomplish something and that you care about it.[4]
- People sometimes get shy when you compliment them. If they say something like, "Oh, it's no big deal," you can follow up with, "Well just know I'm happy for you." This maintains the personal connection with the other person without making them uncomfortable.
- Return compliments if the other person gives them. It's possible someone will congratulate or compliment you in a conversation. Thank them sincerely for the compliment, and then return a compliment. This makes you look both gracious and generous at the same time.[5]
- A coworker might say that you offered a great idea in the meeting today. You could respond, "Thanks, I'm glad you liked it. With your skills I'm sure you can pull it off."
- Avoid criticizing their opinions. Inevitably, you'll disagree with people on some of their beliefs or opinions. Keep the conversation friendly and don't criticize them. Allow them to voice their opinions. That way, they'll continue feeling safe and happy talking to you.[6]
- You can still voice your disagreement without being hostile. Just simply saying, "That's not the way I see it, but I get your point," shows that you disagree but also gives the other person credit.
- If you want to avoid confrontation altogether, you can just ignore their opinion and try to steer the conversation elsewhere.
[Edit]Making People Feel Important - Remember details about people's lives. This is a great practice for connecting with people and showing them you really care about what they're saying. If you always forget things they've told you, it will seem like you aren't listening to them. Make an effort to remember the details they've told you to increase your connection with the person.[7]
- Ask about these details too. Someone might tell you on Friday that they're going to a concert over the weekend. If you see them on Monday, ask how the concert was. This shows you were listening and that you care about them.
- If you have trouble remembering things, try doing some exercises to improve your memory.
- Show your interest with nonverbal cues. Certain mannerisms and body language show a person you're paying attention. Nodding, making eye contact, and changing your facial expression according to what they say all shows the person that you're invested in what they say. Don't remain firm or unresponsive. This shows that you don't care about the conversation.[8]
- If someone tells you a story about something unexpected happening, widen your eyes and make a shocked face. They'll feel like you're completely invested in the story.
- You can also do this when you aren't directly having a conversation with someone. If a coworker is giving a presentation in a conference room, look at them while they speak. Nod along when they make a good point, and take notes. These all make the person speaking feel important and they will appreciate it.
- Offer praise in moderation. Compliments and praise are great ways to make someone feel important. Give compliments to other people, but don't overdo it. If you constantly compliment everyone, your praise won't look genuine. Be sincere when you compliment people, and then move on.[9]
- Don't continue complimenting the person after they've already acknowledged your compliment. If they say thank you, don't say, "No but really, you did a great job." This could come off as fake.
- Bring attention to their accomplishments. Compliments don't only have to be private matters. If someone you know accomplished something, let other people know about it. The person will be happy to see that other people take their accomplishments seriously.[10]
- This doesn't have to be a grand gesture. You might be giving a presentation and say, "I'd like to thank John for doing a great job on these figures here." This quick statement gives John credit without dwelling on the matter.
- However, if someone asks you to keep something quiet, respect their wishes. They may want to be the one to tell a certain person or might just be shy about it.
- Write thank-you notes if a person does something for you. Making people feel appreciated is another great way to show them that they're important. If someone helps you out, take some time to write them a genuine thank-you note or email. Explain how they helped you and let them know you appreciate it.[11]
- Personal thank-you's work as well. Try to find the person and thank them. Saying, "I just wanted to drop by and say thanks for that favor you did," shows that you went out of your
- If you can't find the person, a phone call is great too.
[Edit]Spreading Positive Energy - Avoid gossiping and talking about other people negatively. Spreading gossip about people creates a more hostile and less friendly environment. If you get a reputation for doing this, less people will want to interact with you. Stay away from gossiping and make yourself someone that people feel comfortable talking to. They'll be much happier around you.[12]
- This is a good situation where thinking about the Golden Rule helps. Would you like someone spreading rumors about you? Probably not. So don't spread rumors about others.
- Treat people the way you'd like to be treated. This is often called the "Golden Rule" for a reason. If you want to make people happy, just think about what makes you happy. Then treat people accordingly. Live by this code and you'll be a much friendlier person.[13]
- Think about if you were talking to someone and you made fun of them for liking a certain band. Would you be happy if someone did that to you? Probably not. Reconsider your actions and apologize.
- Smile as much as possible. Smiling helps you feel positive and also spreads positivity to the people around you. Make a conscious effort to smile often. You'll look like a much friendlier person and people are more likely to come talk to you.[14]
- Whenever you greet people, smile as you say hello. This is an easy way to spread more positive feelings.
- Don't try to make your smile as wide as you can. This will look fake. Just slightly turning the corners of your lips up makes you look bright naturally.
- Have a good sense of humor. Having a sense of humor helps reduce your stress and keep a positive attitude. More importantly, people will gravitate towards you if you're a fun person. Laugh often and try to brighten other people's moods. This will spread positive energy all around you and people will appreciate it.[15]
- Remember that having a sense of humor isn't just about telling jokes. It's more about keeping a lighthearted mood about things. If something negative happens, try to find a bright side in it. Be the person that stays optimistic when other people are feeling down.
- Always know the limits for your humor, however. Don't tell inappropriate jokes. If people don't seem amused by your antics, tone it down.
- Remember that every situation is different. If something tragic happens, it might not be the best time to show your sense of humor. Judge each situation and act accordingly.
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Boil Beets Posted: 13 Jan 2020 12:00 AM PST Beets are beloved by many—they contain lots of beneficial vitamins and minerals, work well in a plethora of recipes, and, when cooked properly, boast a rich, earthy flavor. There are many ways to prepare beets, but one of the best methods is boiling, which softens up the tough root vegetable without robbing it of its natural juices. Just throw your beets in a deep pot, cover them with water, add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice, and simmer them until they're tender, about 30-45 minutes. [Edit]Cleaning and Trimming Your Beets - Choose beets that are roughly the same size to ensure that they cook evenly. Pick out a few beets that are a suitable size for the dish you'll be using them in. Bigger beets typically take longer to cook than smaller ones. Using different-sized specimens will therefore make it harder to achieve a consistent texture.[1]
- You can boil beets of any size. However, medium-sized beets tend to work best, as they offer the best balance between heartiness and cook time.[2]
- Pass up beets with noticeable bruises or blemishes or dry, wrinkly-looking skin. These are usually indications that they're past their prime.
- Cut the leafy stalks off of the top of your beets. Lay your beets out on a cutting board one at a time and use a sharp knife to slice off the lush greens growing out of the upper end. Leave about of the stalk intact to avoid cutting into the beetroot itself.[3]
- Raw beets can be tough, which means you may need to apply quite a bit of pressure to get your knife all the way through. Be sure to watch your fingers!
- If you like, you can save your beet greens and use them in other dishes. Beet greens can be prepared much like spinach, kale, collards, and other greens.[4]
- Slice off the roots protruding from the bottom of the beets. Once you've removed the stalks, turn your beets around and do the same for the long, tendril-like feeler root on the lower portion of the vegetable. Make your cut right around the point where the bulbs taper so as not to waste any of the juicy, nutritious meat.[5]
- You can skip this step if your beets came pre-trimmed.
- This part of the beet is technically edible, though it isn't very good on its own due to its tough, stringy texture. However, it could make a flavorful addition to a homemade vegetable stock.[6]
- Scrub your beets with a vegetable brush to remove excess dirt and debris. Run the head of the brush lightly over the outer surface of each beet using short, sweeping motions. Focus on spots that are heavily caked with dirt or sediment. Place the clean beets in a bowl, or set them on a layer of folded paper towels or another sanitary surface.[7]
- Try not to scrub your beets too hard. Damaging the skin could cause some of their color, flavor, and nutrient contents to leach out into the boiling water.
- Beets grow in the ground, so it's important to make sure that they're nice and clean before cooking with them.
- Rinse your beets thoroughly with cool, clean water. Turn on the faucet and run each beet under the stream, using the pads of your fingers to loosen any lingering dirt. When working with large batches, place your beets in a colander or wire strainer so that you can rinse them all at once.[8]
- If you're a stickler for cleanliness, you can also soak your beets in a bowl full of water for around 5 minutes. Add of vinegar or lemon juice to help kill bacteria.[9]
[Edit]Cooking Your Beets - Place your beets at the bottom of a pot or saucepan. A standard saucepan should be big enough to cook 1-4 individual servings at one time. For larger batches, you'll need to upsize to a medium-sized pot, stockpot, or Dutch oven to make sure there's enough room for all of the beets you're preparing.[10]
- Whatever piece of cookware you use should be big enough to hold all of the beets you plan on boiling, plus an equal volume of water.[11]
- Spreading out your beets a bit will allow the heat of your boiling water to better circulate between them.
- Fill the pot with enough water to completely cover the beets. There's no need to measure out a precise amount of liquid. Just turn on the faucet and let it run into your pot until the water sits above the top of your beets.[12]
- Don't overfill your pot. Doing so will cause all that water to take much longer to heat up. You'll also burn a lot of unnecessary energy trying to maintain the optimal cooking temperature.
- Add of vinegar or lemon juice to prevent bleeding. Use a measuring cup or spoon to portion out your acid of choice, then dump it into the pot with your boiling water. It will help lock in the beets' natural juices as they cook. As a result, they'll come out perfectly soft, tender, and flavorful.[13]
- Double the amount of acid you add for every additional of water in your pot.
- Bring the water in your pot to a boil. Set the pot on one of the eyes of your stove and switch on the cooktop to medium-high or high heat. Allow the water to heat up until it reaches a full, rolling boil. This should take around 8-10 minutes, depending on the total volume of your pot.
- Putting a lid on the pot will prevent excess heat from escaping, which in turn will help the water boil faster.
- Reduce the heat and simmer the beets for 30-45 minutes. As soon as your water begins boiling, turn the temperature down to low-medium heat. Let the beets simmer at this decreased heat setting for around half an hour, or until they reach the desired doneness. Come back and give your beets a stir periodically to keep the heat evenly distributed throughout your pot.[14]
- Be sure to leave the lid on the pot the whole time it's on the stove. Otherwise, the temperature of the water will drop and your cook time will increase.
- Especially large beets or those that have been in cold storage may need closer to an hour to cook all the way through.[15]
- Use a knife to check whether your beets are done. Remove the lid from the pot, reach in carefully, and jab one of the boiled beets with the tip of your knife. If it pierces easily, it's time for them to come off of the stove. If it still feels tough, leave them on the stove for another 10-15 minutes to soften them up.[16]
- Choose a knife with a long blade to avoid burning your hand. It may also be a good idea to slip on an oven mitt if there's a lot of steam escaping from the pot.
[Edit]Peeling Boiled Beets - Fill a large bowl with ice water. Run cold water into the bowl, then add a couple handfuls of ice cubes. Place the bowl on the countertop next to your stove. You'll be using it as an ice bath to quickly cool the boiled beets.[17]
- A spacious serving or mixing bowl will work well for this purpose, but you could also fill up the sink itself if you're working with a large quantity of beets or don't have a suitable container handy.
- Transfer the beets to the ice bath using a slotted spoon or pair of tongs. Once your beets are fully cooked, switch off the cooktop and remove the pot from the hot eye. Scoop the beets out of the hot cooking liquid with your spoon or tongs one-by-one and deposit them in the bowl of ice water.[18]
- Alternatively, you can dump the entire contents of the pot into a colander or wire strainer before transferring the drained beets to the ice bath.
- You also have the option of simply emptying the boiling pot and rising your beets with cold water if you'd rather not go to the trouble of chilling them.[19]
- Let the beets cool in the ice bath for 2-3 minutes. Plunging your freshly-boiled beets into ice water will instantly kill their residual heat and stop them from cooking them any further. The drastic change in temperature will also loosen up the connection between the skin and the meat, making them a breeze to peel.[20]
- You may need to chill your beets in batches, depending on the quantity you've cooked. Be sure to refill your bowl with fresh water and ice after each batch.
- Peel the loose skin off of your beets by hand. At this point, the tough skin will have softened enough to allow you to simply pull it away in large sections. Use the pad of your thumb or thumbnail to scrape away any stubborn clinging spots you happen to encounter.[21]
- It might be a good idea to pull on a pair of latex gloves before you begin peeling your beets to make sure that the flowing juice doesn't stain your fingers.
- Discard the skins immediately to avoid discoloring your clothes, countertops, floors, or other surrounding surfaces.[22]
- Serve your boiled beets as-is with a sprinkle of salt, a drizzle of olive oil, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley. You can also pickle them, use them to top a salad, add them to a gratin or casserole, or mash them with butter, milk, and salt the way you would potatoes.
[Edit]Warnings - Beet juice stains fabrics and other materials very easily. Consider wearing an apron anytime you're working with fresh beets.
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Cleaning and Trimming Your Beets - Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Vegetable brush
- Plate or paper towels
[Edit]Cooking Your Beets - Pot or saucepan
- Water
- Measuring cup or spoon
- Wooden or metal spoon
- Knife
[Edit]Peeling Boiled Beets - Large bowl
- Water
- Ice
- Slotted spoon
- Tongs (optional)
- Colander or wire strainer (optional)
- Latex gloves (optional)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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