Kelevi

Looking back at my teens and early twenties, I realise now that I too had fallen prey to skincare myths and fads. I thought I knew what I was doing until I suffered a phase of hormonal acne. Fast forward to dermatologist visits, I made a drastic change — unlearnt a few things about skincare and practised the needful. Experience and maturity made me rethink my skincare practices and what I should have been doing since my teens.  Here are the skincare basics I wish I had taken seriously earlier. 1. Cleansing Gently Switching to soap-free gentle cleansers not only hydrated my skin but balanced the oil regulation which reduced inflammation and break-outs. Gentle formulations are free of harsh alcohols and sulphates with zero to little fragrance. Further, applying toothpaste to treat and cleanse pimples is a bad idea.   Read the article on gentle cleansers here. 2. Staying Away from Face Scrubs a.k.a. Physical Exfoliation Abrasive cleansers with scrubbing beads not only inflam...

Diving into the taxing world of research without taking advice and precaution might seem like folly. But no matter the pep talks and practical tips, you are bound to face unanticipated hurdles. Those are the times when no amount of counsel, except your course of action, saves the day. And then, there are certain assumptions about wearing the hat of a scholar that intimidates non-scholars. If you are a scholar reading this article, your struggles are empathised with. And if you're an aspiring scholar, may you find something worth noting. On that note, this article features factual aspects of scholarly life. Toiling 24/7 is a myth The unrealistic assumption that once you secure a PhD seat, you will slog every single day without proper sleep for the next three to five years is a myth. Of course, there are periods that demand intense work and dedication. However, there is significant room for other interests and secondary goals given that your priorities are well-sorted. More important...