Archive for 2022

Oily skin can be a bit annoying especially during hot weather when everything gets sweaty and shiny. You cannot change your skin type. However, the good news is sebum production can be controlled with proper technique and choices of skincare. This entry will show ingredients to look for and some of the skincare suggestions suitable for oily skin.

Ingredient to look for:

Salicylic acid- clear pores
Azelaic acid/ glycolic acid- balances sebum and exfoliates
Niacinamide- balances sebum and brightens skin
Vitamin A/Retinol- Reduce sebum

Cleanser: Cetaphil oily skin cleanser / cetaphil gentle cleanser

Cetaphil oily skin cleanser is clinically proven to reduce sebum in 2 weeks. However, I still love to use Cetaphil gentle skin cleansers as other skincare products I use already enough to reduce my sebum without overdrying. But if you find your face too oily you may use this Cetaphil oily cleanser.

Exfoliator: Paula's Choice BHA 2% liquid

This exfoliator contain salicylic acid. Really suited for oily skin as this product can attract all the sebum and clear clogged pores.

Toner: Pixi Glow Tonic

Pixi glow tonic contains 5% glycolic acid which is categorized as a mild exfoliator and suitable for everyday use. However please do not use it together with any acne treatment or exfoliator as it may cause overdrying.

Serum: Yuja Niacin Blemish Care Serum

Yuja niacin blemish care serum got a high percentage of niacinamide and other star ingredient such glutathione, arbutin, yuja extract which is really effective to brighten skin and fading any pigmentation.

Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel

This moisturizer is really lightweight and suitable for oily skin types as this moisturizer is a gel type and very hydrating. (Also read: Honest Review Neutrogena Hydroboost Water Gel)

Sunscreen: Biore Aqua Rich / Biore UV Perfect Milk

Biore aqua rich is a chemical sunscreen and gel type which absorb very well and doesn't leave any greasy feeling or white cast. While biore UV perfect milk sunscreen is a hybrid sunscreen that contains physical and chemical sunscreens it has powdery matte finishing and minimal white cast.

Treatment: Adapalene / Tretinon (only with dr prescription)

Oily skin is always associated with acne and clogged pores. Adapalene or tretinoin is the best to reduce the problem besides of stimulate collagen and reducing sebum production. Only a pea-size amount is needed in every application.

Do you know a workout really can affect your skin in a bad way if you don't have the right routine? (Also read: How Workout Effect Skin). This entry will give you the full guide on how to take care of your skin before and after the workout to prevent any breakout.

BEFORE WORKOUT

Light moisturizer

Please bear in mind that workouts involve very heavy sweat. A thick moisturizer will make your skin too oily and sticky which may cause bacteria development and acne. Choosing the right moisturizer such as a gel-type moisturizer which enough to give you the hydration that your skin needs. My recommended moisturizer is Hydro Boost Water Gel by Neutrogena.

Use sunscreen if you are outside

Workout outside is the best as you can enjoy the view and fresh air without feeling stuffy. However, UV light can kill all the good things in your skin. Be sure to apply and reapply your sunscreen. Even if you are working out in the evening you still need a sunscreen as the sun still gives your skin UV light. Choose a lightweight sunscreen such as powder for extra comfort.

AFTER WORKOUT

Immediately wash your face

No chatting or hanging out if you don't do this! Right after your cooling session be sure to wash your face. Your sweat contains trapped dirt, bacteria, and maybe some toxin which perfect combo that causes acne. Be sure immediately after the workout, clean your face either with plain water or a gentle cleanser.

Use a plain wipe if you can't wash your face

Always carry a baby wipe with you if there is no water available at your gym or your workout area. A baby wipe is the best option compared to makeup wipes or any other wet wipes as baby wipes are gentle to the skin and free of harsh chemicals. But be sure to immediately wash your face when you reach home.

Follow up with your skincare routine

Do not skip your skincare routine even if you are too tired after your workout session. A skincare routine is basic hygiene to prevent acne or breakout. A basic skincare routine consists of three main things which are cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Do not forget to use a spot treatment to treat existing acne. (Also read: My Favorite Skincare Routine)

EXTRA TIPS

Change your workout gear after every use

Using the same towel or cloth can be the main reason for your acne. Even if you did not sweat heavily during your workout you still need to change them because your cloth traps the unseen sweat and bacteria and can be transferred to your skin which leads to a breakout.

Drink a lot of water

Workout can remove a lot of water content in your body and cause dehydration. Dehydration can be the reason for dehydrated skin which can produce excess oil on your skin and lead to clogged pores. So be sure you drink a lot of water. 3L of water is the best for people who workout actively.

Besides of went for a dentist visit every 6 months, you also need proper care of your oral hygiene to ensure you are in good oral condition. Good oral hygiene may prevent a lot of oral issues such as bad breath, cavities, and inflamed gums. Preventing is always better than treating. Learn how on this entry. Here are the 5 tips on how to get the perfect smile and fresh breath.

Brush your teeth twice daily

Brushing teeth is the most crucial part of oral hygiene as it can prevent gum disease. Brushing your teeth will remove plaque which may cause most gum diseases such as cavities and tartar. Make sure you brush your teeth in the correct way as shown in the picture. (Picture credit to google) Wrongly brushing your teeth may cause gum bleeding and will not remove all the plaque or food junk. This will lead to the occurrence of bacteria. Choose a small and soft bristle toothbrush for a better brushing experience.

Flossing before bed

Most people have small teeth gaps that can store small pieces of food. Sometimes brushing alone never be enough to remove plaque between your teeth. That is when flossing comes in handy. Flossing can clean each one of your teeth thoroughly. You may choose any of your favorite dental flosses such as water spray, waxed and unwaxed string, dental tape, and static thread. My favorite is always dental tape and static thread as my personal recommendation for cleaner teeth.

Use a mouth rinse after brushing

Bacteria in the mouth not only sitting in your teeth. It can be anywhere such as your gums, cheeks, or under the tongue. To ensure you have the cleanest mouth and fresh breath, use a mouth rinse. Mouth rinse with fluoride can kill germs that cause bad breath besides preventing cavities.

Use treatment cream to treat ulcer

Do not depend on "drinking water" or "supplement consuming" alone to treat ulcers. The ulcer is caused by injury or skin rash that happens in our mouth. It might cause by accidentally biting or wearing braces. An ulcer can be a sign of bacteria and infection. So be sure to use treatment creams such as oral aid or bonjela to treat.

Do not forget your tongue

The colour of your tongue can determine your oral hygiene. White means you have very poor oral hygiene that cause bacteria build-up on your tongue. It is important to include your tongue in your oral hygiene routine. Using the tongue scraper can remove harmful bacteria cause that may cause bad breath and other mouth diseases.

Workouts really give impact in our general health not only physically but also internally included our skin. Workouts do effect our skin in both way good and bad. For the good way workouts may remove toxins, reduce acne, tigthen loose skin, give you glow skin, overall skin improvement. Below is the futher explaination.

Removing toxin

Exercise is proven to eliminate toxin in our body. Toxin are release through sweat. Beside, when we are working out, we tend to drink more water than usual. Drinking plenty of water may improve the process of removing toxin (by kidney and liver) through your feces and urine.

Improve digestive system & Reduce acne
Our digestive system will improve by exercising as exercise increase blood flow to the muscle used for our digestive system. Good digesting system resulting in good eliminating of toxin as mentioned earlier. If toxin not removed properly, the toxic may be overload results in acne.

Tigthen loose skin
Loose skin usually caused by aging. Workouts may not help slow down the aging process. However, workouts may indirectly slowing down the aging process by improve sleep quality and reduce stress. Good sleep quality and low stress level will lead to healthy lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle gave you healthy skin such younger look. Extra tips, keep smiling!

Glowing looking skin

Workouts do gave you the after glow! This is caused by when you are working out, your heart will pump more blood to supply more oxygen promoting good circulation. More oxygen and good blood circulation will give the glow effect and healthier looking skin.

However, besides all those good effect of workouts toward your skin, workout might also give you the bad effect to your skin without a proper care! Here are some of the bad effect of workout to your skin and ways to treat.

Sun damage
Any exposure to sunlight may cause sun damage. Working out especially outdoor may lead to sun damage. However you may treat it with the application of the sunscreen. Make sure you use your sunscreen during daytime especially when you expose to sun. Bear in mind no matter how is the weather during daytime be sure to apply and reapply your sunscreen every two hour. (Also read: Important of Sunscreen)

Acne

As mentioned before, workout may help with acne but workout also may lead to acne. Exercise will produce a lot of sweats. Our skin especially our face may already contain oil and dirt. Sweat may trapped the oil, dirt, and also bacteria to our skin. The way to tackle this problem is to immediately shower after you done your workout. If you unable to take a bath immediately be sure to use wet wipes. You don't need any fancy make up removal wet wipes etc. Plain wet wipes will do.

Blister/fungus

Athlete's foot is a fungus skin infection due to excessive sweat at foot area especially between finger. The name of "athlete's foot" came from those infected are usually athlete that mostly have damp and sweaty foot. The symptoms is usually itchy, scally, and sometimes blisters. To prevent this from happen is make sure you change your socks everyday, wash inside your shoe or use disinfectant spray, immediately take of your shoe and rinse with clean water after workouts, and dry your feet & shoe thoroughly. If you already have athlete's foot be sure to get the treatment cream from your doctor immediately to avoid worsen the condition.

Besides eating, workouts can also help you gain weight. Many people thought workout only for people who want to lose weight. It is a myth! Workouts work for both gaining and losing weight. (Also read: 10 Tips to Gain Weight Fast) This entry will explain how workouts can help you gain weight.

First of all, you need to understand the mechanism of how a workout can increase your weight. Long story short, workouts will put stress on your muscle resulting in muscle tears. Muscle has self-healing properties, it will repair itself. In order to repair, it will produce more muscle fiber resulting in an increase in muscle mass/size.

However, this is not a one-day process. Gaining weight can be as hard as losing weight. In order to see the result, you need to be consistent and disciplined in both training and lifestyle. The shortest duration for you to measure the difference is 3 months. My tip on staying consistent is to set a realistic goal for a certain time. For example, "in 3 months I want to gain 5kg". Be sure to follow your track in order to achieve your goal.

Next is you need to set up your training program focusing on gaining weight. Because not all training can help you gain weight. The worst is you may lose weight if you use the wrong training program. Be sure to focus on the smallest detail such as the training volume, duration, intensity, and type of exercise.

Here is some of my suggestion you can include in your training program.

Less repetition, high load
If you are a beginner, I would suggest for you hire a trainer or bring a supporter to avoid any injury. Lifting a very heavyweight can put a lot of stress on your muscle, resulting in more muscle fiber being produced. But be sure you can only lift for a few repetitions (6-4reps). If you are a beginner you may increase the lighter weight with maximum repetition 8.
Do not skip rest day & don't overdo.
Rest days help your recovery process as your muscle need some time to repair and increase tolerance to your current weight. If you skip resting, your muscle may be injured and easy to shrink. Be sure to include a rest day in your training program. However, do not overdo as your muscle may lose their strength and mass after some time if you do not do any exercise.
More resistance training than cardio
Cardio may help you with stamina and endurance. However, if you wish to gain weight, do more resistance training than cardio exercise and resistance training focuses more on bulking.
Don't forget any muscle
I know some of you may focus on a certain part of your body such as more upper body training than lower body. This may cause an imbalance in your muscle growth. Be sure to include all muscle parts in your training program. No matter how hard the training is, do not skip it! You may do one set of full-body training as your warm-up and continue with lifting heavy load using the target muscle. Make sure you include all muscles as your targeted muscle in your weekly training program.
Don't measure the difference too often
Too much measuring can cause demotivation. Again, gaining weight is not a day or a week process. It took some time and need the patience to see the result. Focus on training itself than the difference. You may weigh/pinch test yourself once a month.

The aging process is normal to any living creature. The aging process begins as early as 25 years old. Some of the aging processes that happen to the skin include fine lines and wrinkles, lack of collagen production, uneven skin tone, and dullness. So how do you want to slow down the aging process? These are the top 5 lessons that you can include in your skincare routine before you hit 30.

(disclaimer: picture from google)

Wear sunscreen every day
Sun damage can only be seen after some time. Once you see sun damage on your skin it is so hard to reverse. UV light contained in the sun can make your skin worst. Some of the sun-related issue to the skin is sunspot, fine lines, and skin cancer. So be sure to wear your sunscreen every day and reapply every 2-3 hours.
Don't forget your neck
Some people in their 30 complain their neck aging faster than the rest of the skin/body. This is caused by the skin layer at the neck is thinner than most of the other parts. It results in less capability to retain moisture which leads to sagging and wrinkles. In order to tackle the problem, whatever you put on your face just don't forget the neck. Especially the sunscreen and moisturizer.
Having a strong basic skincare routine
Don't ever try to jump any of the skin treatments if you don't have a basic skincare routine. A basic skincare routine consists of a cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen. Be sure to use it for more than 3 months to consider it as strong basic skincare.
Exfoliate 1-3x a week
As mentioned above aging process begins as early as 25 years old, the collagen produced will begin to slow down and the skin renewal process is also took longer as we get older. This results in the dullness of the skin. To ensure your skin remains to glow, make sure you exfoliate 1-3 times a week. Exfoliate skin can remove your dead skin and absorb your skincare better. (Also read: Benefit of Chemical Exfoliate)
Include retinol in your routine
Retinol has been proven to reduce the sign of aging besides improving skin texture. Retinol will increase skin cell turnover and stimulate the production of collagen. This may prevent fine lines and wrinkles besides flawless skin. You can start to include retinol in your skincare routine as early as 20 years old. (Also read: tips for healthy skin)

I hope this entry help. If do, don't forget to share! Thank you for reading.

Have u ever felt yourself getting sick with the city? For me, I live in the middle of the city. Sometimes especially on my short escape, I'd love to get fresh air but not too far from the city, getting fresh and cooler air besides enjoying the scenery. So the perfect place ofc Genting Highland is my go-to short vacay.

Genting highland took place at the Pahang border. It has fresh and cleaner air compared to Kuala Lumpur. You can enjoy the view with cooler temperature besides feeling like you are going to some other 4 season country.

A lot of activities you can find at Genting Highland. It consists of an indoor (Skytropolis) and outdoor (Skyworld) theme park, cable car (Skyway), nice view hotel, Chin Swee Cave Temple, plenty of restaurants to try, and Genting Premium Outlet/GPO. (Also read: Freeport A'famosa Outlet)

You may visit Genting Highland on your one-day trip. However, If you came to Genting Highland for the theme park I would suggest staying at their hotel for you to be able to enjoy 100% of the activities provided.

For food, I would highly suggest this Chinese-Muslim restaurant called Makanan Enak. They have the best food so far yet so affordable. The portion is very big. One food can eat for 2 people. The most delicious Nasi Goreng Cina and Ayam Mangga ever!!!!!

Genting Highland can be packed sometimes, especially during the school holiday season. So to ensure you are able to enjoy the activities please buy a ticket before you took a visit. This is my plan every time I go to Genting Highland:

Booking tickets online a day before. Please click any of the activities below to purchase the ticket too. It is instant confirmation. You can set the date you want to go. They will email you the ticket in a blink of an eye.

Travel to Genting Premium Outlet early in the morning to avoid any traffic-jammed and queuing in front of the store since they limit customers in-store due to MCO.
Riding the cable car. You can go straight to the cable car entrance and scan your ticket if you have already purchased your ticket online. I would suggest you buy the two-way ticket for the smoother plan.
Check-in hotel. Below is my suggestion suitable for more than 2 people and affordable price yet nearby GPO. Please click on any of the hotel's names for the link to compare which best suits you.

Buying the best food at Makanan Enak. Again please try their Nasi Goreng Cina and Ayam Mangga.
The next morning I'll go straight went to the theme park. Riding all the activities available at the Skytropolis and Skyworld all day long without spending time queuing to purchase the ticket.
Next morning checkout.

Workout gear can be expensive sometimes. Cleaning your workout gear without the right technique can reduce the quality of your workout gear. So this entry will explain How To Proper Clean Your Workout Gear.

Yoga Mat

Do not wash your yoga mat inside the washing machine or scrub it with a brush or hard bristle. Yoga mats are usually made from rubber or foam material. I would suggest you get something like Febreeze that can disinfectant your yoga mat while maintaining the quality of the surface. The other option is you can DIY your soap with just water mix with a few drops of dish soap or laundry detergent. Do not get too much soap or else your yoga mat will get soapy. Spray the mixture to your yoga mat, let it sit for a while, wipe it off with a clean towel, air dry.

Sport shoe

Usually, sports shoes are made from fabrics and rubber (for the sole area). You can simply brush the fabrics with a soft bristle brush. For the sole part, I love to use my magic sponge (Also read: must-have cleaning product) dip in a water-detergent mixture and scrub off the dirt. Please let your shoes dry under the sun but not directly. The other option is you can throw your shoes inside your washing machine. However, only some of the washing machines are available for this feature (please read the manual before proceeding). If you just go for a light walk in the track just wipe off the sole with a wet tissue. (Also read: Tips On How To Take Care Your Shoe)

Sports Bra

Most people just threw their sports bras inside the washing machine. But do you know, without the proper step, this can damage your branded sports bra? So the right step is to take out the sponge inside, hand washes it with soapy water. The outer part you can put it inside the laundry bag before put inside the washing machine.

Gym attire

This one you can simply throw inside your washer and air dry. Avoid hot water setting and dryer. As most of the gym attire is made from stretchable material, they are easy to shrink if contact with hot water or a dryer machine. Most important is to wash your gym attire immediately after you finish your workout.

Gym Equipment

Do you know you need to clean your gym equipment too such as dumbbells and barbells? Our hands have the most bacteria compared with other body parts. Just imagine you use it like 5x a week without cleaning. You can simply wipe everything with disinfectant wipes or spray with disinfectant solution and wipe with a clean cloth. This can kill all the bacteria and germs that have been sitting there. Extra tips: you can put some oil (any oil will do) to any gym equipment that uses a pulley.

Earbud / Fitness Watch

Even though this is not included in workout gear but this day so many gym users use earbuds to listen to music and fitness watch while working out. Do not dip your earbuds and watch into an alcohol solution or put them in the sterilized machine. Some sterilizing machines allow electronic / gadgets to sanitize, but some don't (please double-check before use). The easiest method is you can simply wipe your earbuds or watch with a thin alcohol pad and use a toothpick to remove any ear wax at the speaker.

Do you love a clean house and smell nice? Here is some of the must-have home cleaning product. Not all cleaning products in the market work best. So after years of try and error and more findings, here is some cleaning product that works the best!

Magiclean

Magiclean is the best cleaning agent available in Malaysia. Magiclean comes in various options such as multipurpose spray, spray for steel, kitchen spray, and also bathroom spray. So far after using Magiclean for my kitchen and bathroom I never intend to change to the other brand. It is clean in one swipe away while maintaining the surface actual look! Click HERE to buy.

Cosway tissue towel

This Cosway tissue towel is reusable. U don't need a kitchen towel anymore. Use it until u want and throw it away when it has torn. It is the best for me as I think it hygiene than a usual kitchen towel as it can throw away after some use. I have tried other brands that are similar to Cosway kitchen towels but it not absorbable as Cosway! Click HERE to buy.

ECO brush

Eco brush comes with a handle also very cheap price yet worth the quality. Suitable who have hand eczema or those who want to take care of their hand as brush without a handle can let the cleaning agent get to your hand. I use this eco brush for my bathroom. This brush has a stiff bristle that makes all the dirt go away effortlessly. Click HERE to buy.

Spray mop

I would recommend this to all moms that always want their floor clean and frequently mop. This spray mop is great for everyday light use. As in this pandemic season, I'm a little bit paranoid and I want my floor always free from germs. I use it together with disinfectant to clean my floor. It is really convenient to use as it just needs to fill in the water or your chosen cleaning agent and just spray plus mop to clean. Simple yet convenient. Click HERE to buy.

ECO Scented plastic bag

Who loves the smell of trash right? So This ECO scented plastic bag keeps away the smell while maintaining the function of the plastic bag. My favorite is the lavender and lemon scent. The other option is a Lotus scented plastic bag (thicker but pricier than the ECO brand). Click HERE to buy.

Cotton-lining glove

Do you know contact with any cleaning agent (inc the dishwasher soap) can damage your skin barrier? Even prolonged contact with water can dry your skin. (Also read: Use of cotton-lining glove). So to prevent or to treat you need a waterproof glove. However, latex is not allergens-free and might trigger for some people. That is when you need a cotton-lining glove. ECO has the cheapest price with the best quality! But somehow they are limited stock available. Click HERE to buy similar.

Isopropyl Alcohol

This is the best glass cleaning hack ever. Instead of using "glass cleaner" or just plain water, use Isopropyl alcohol to clean your glass or mirror. It will be sparkly clean and good as new. Click HERE to buy. Or you may use the disinfectant which works the same as glass cleaning as most of the disinfectant solution contains a high alcohol percentage. Click HERE to purchase.

Baking soda

Baking soda can be multipurpose use. Not only in baking. Baking soda can also deodorize things such as fabrics. It also can be used to absorb the extra moisture that you don't need such as in a shoe rack or in your wardrobe. A high humidity area can damage your item. Now say no more with baking soda. You can simply mix your plain baking soda with a few drops of your favorite essential oil just to be extra. Sprinkle all over your fabrics, let them sit for a while, and vacuum the area. Or you can put it into the tea bag and hang it in your wardrobe or shoe rack. Click HERE to buy.

Magic sponge

I think those with small and creative kids should have this one at home. The magic sponge can erase all the marks on the wall, table, etc. You can also use it to clean your shoe or your office table. Click HERE to buy.

Antiseptic Germicide

In the pandemic era, I would suggest everyone have this antiseptic germicide at least one at home. This one is very potent and needs to dilute with water before use. This one is really a multi-purpose as you can also use it for wounds. I use it for cleaning purposes, to wipe all the surfaces with this antiseptic germicide. It works wonders as this can kill all the germs and viruses too. Click HERE to buy.

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