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Ceramides are the skin’s unsung heroes. They are oily wax of lipid molecules that help hold skin cells together. But like all things, they deplete as you age. It is the reason why your skin looks drier and wrinklier over time.
Below, we share with you the scoop on this miracle skincare ingredient—what it is, where to find them and what products have them.

What is ceramides?
Ceramides are skin lipids found on the outermost layer of the skin. As such, they are important for maintaining and reinforcing your skin’s barrier. Remember that your skin’s moisture barrier functions as a security blanket to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, contaminants and bacteria while keeping it well moisturized.
Basically, ceramides are naturally produced by the skin to help seal moisture. Once your ceramides depletes or gets compromised, that’s when you will experience dry and flaky skin. When this happens, you will need to use something that will help replenish your skin’s ceramides to keep your skin supple.

Where to find ceramides?
Now that the rainy and cold weather has begun, you may have noticed a slight change on the condition of your skin. The cold, rainy weather, as well as longer exposure to air conditioned environment, can dry out your skin. Luckily, ceramides can be found in many skincare products. Using body lotions and face creams infused with this miracle ingredient will greatly help restore your skin to its former glory.

What products have ceramides in them?
As mentioned, many skincare products today are infused with ceramides. Moisturizing body and face creams include this in their formulation. Some of the cult favorite products rich in ceramides that skincare junkies swear by are:

• Dr Jart Ceramidin Cream – This product is, perhaps, the most talked about in this list. This cream may seem to have very thick consistency, but absorbs quickly when spread onto the skin. You will be surprised of the immediate difference after a couple of use.

• First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair – This one is a head to toe moisturizer that’s rich in ceramides, shea butter, colloidal oatmeal and antioxidants—all fantastic for maintaining a glowing and youthful skin.

• Mario Badescu AHA and Ceramides Moisturizer – The product brings twice the power with ceramids and alpha-hydroxy acids in a single skincare product. As the ceramides strengthen your skin’s moisture barrier, alpha-hydroxy acids plumps the skin, reducing visibility of fine lines and wrinkles. With its great effects, you can amp up the results by using it before bedtime.

These are just a few of the best ceramide-rich products you can use for better skin. Explore more options and don’t forget to read the label for more skin beneficial ingredients.

If you think table etiquette do not matter as much as it used to be, think again. One slurp or wrong grip of fork can turn someone off. To make sure you will not be offending anyone when dining in a quite fancy restaurant, here’s a quick refresher for table manners that still matters.

1. Chew With Your Mouth Closed
Have you been asked before why you chew with your mouth open? That’s a sign that people are quite distracted with noisy and open-mouth chewing. This is the number one table manner everyone should always keep in mind, whether dining at a fancy restaurant or in a fast food chain. Seeing the chewed up matter inside someone else’s mouth is just nasty.

2. Start Eating When Everyone’s Food is Served
The general rule is that when having a sit-down dinner with eight people or less, you can start eating when everyone’s food is served, especially the host’s. At larger guests, you can start eating when the food for people from your either side has been served.

3. Napkins Are Not Tissues
The napkin is used to dab the outsides of your mouth clean. Do not use it to remove your lipstick or (for God’s sake) to blow your nose. If you need to do either of the two, excuse yourself to the bathroom.

4. It’s Not Okay to Ask for Takeaway Box for Leftovers
During formal dinners, like wedding dinners and business lunches, you would look cheap for asking a takeaway box for the leftovers. Remember, you’re there to dine and to socialize, not for the leftovers. Doggie boxes are okay during family dinners, but inappropriate during professional dining.

5. Know How to Position Utensils Properly
Position your fork should be on the right and the knife on the left, crossing over at the center of the plate to let the waiter know you are just resting. To let the waiter know you’re finished, position your fork and knife together at the four o’clock position.

6. The Host Should be the One Paying the Bill
This is quite tricky. If you are the one who invited the other parties, you are the host of the dinner and should be the one paying, regardless of the gender. If the male guest offers to pay, the woman host have choices. You can insist since you were the one who invited him out or excuse yourself from the table and pay the bill without the guest knowing. However, if the man guest strongly insists, you wouldn’t want to fight over it, let him pay.

Keep these tips in mind and you’re all set to dine in a fancy restaurant.

Let’s face it, most college students around the world survive on limited funds. Students manage on cheap but tasty meals like instant noodles and other processed meals, despite knowing it is mostly just preservatives in pretty packaging. Preparation time also takes no longer than 5 minutes which makes it a popular food choice in Singapore and a lot of other countries. However, just because you are on a thrift budget does not mean you have to sacrifice your health in return.

There are snacks accessible to you which are great if you are on-the-go or tight on spending. These healthy treats give you both the perks of health and convenience. Not only that, they are also known to stimulate brain function which makes them perfect to snack on for your next study session. Snack on these healthy alternatives now that your finals coming up to hit two birds with one stone!

1. Banana
Did you know bananas are good brain snacks? They are rich in potassium, fiber, and many other vitamins with only an average of 100 calories. Plus they are also flavorful, no doubt about that. Grab a slice before you begin reading on that world history coursework.

2. Dark Chocolate
Chocolate can be beneficial to the body if consumed in moderation. Dark chocolate, specifically, is filled with iron, fiber, and magnesium which are known nutrients that help the brain regulate blood flow. Increase in blood flow means increased function of the heart and with that, your memory can be improved. Like coffee, it is also a stimulant that keeps you awake.

3. Carrots
Ugh, veggies. Yes — but hear us out! Sliced carrot sticks are cheap and easy to make at home. It is also packed with nutrients such as fiber, protein, and potassium that is beneficial to the body. They are perfect for snacking in between classes and studying, too.

4. String Cheese
A stick of string cheese is actually a good option to snack on. It only has around 80 calories, not to mention the protein and calcium it is loaded with. This is a healthy choice if you want a snack that will stimulate your taste buds without the high costs. Yum!

5. Eggs
There are a lot of nutrients you get in a single egg. Research shows that by eating an egg on the daily, you potentially lower the chances of having a heart disease, fatigue, and even cancer. Eggs also contain minerals that help in brain development, as well as improving cognitive performance. They are easy to prepare and friendly to your wallet too!

6. Peanut Butter
Made out of peanuts, this spread is practical as it is relatively cheap and filled with protein. It offers good kinds of fat which keeps you full for longer hours compared to most snacks. If you’re craving for something sweet, don’t hesitate and indulge in a peanut butter sandwich during your next revisions.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that drinking coffee in the morning is one of the most popular ways to boost one’s energy levels. It only takes a few minutes to prepare, making it convenient for those who are on-the-go. Caffeine is known to give the body a ‘kick’, allowing the mind to be alert and nerves to be on full function mode. In Singapore, for instance, majority of the young workers rely on a quick coffee fix in between work hours in order to keep themselves awake.

However, researchers found out that drinking more than 5 cups of coffee a day can potentially bring harm to the body. There is a certain healthy level of caffeine that is good for the health, generally 1 to 2 cups a day is enough, but if one’s love for coffee overpowers moderation then it is like freely putting oneself to the many risks and dangers.

Boosting your energy levels in caffeine-free ways sounds almost impossible if you’ve grown accustomed to drinking coffee almost every other hour, but this article will provide ways to give you a midday energy push despite the absence of coffee.

1. Exercise
Sometimes, a quick work-out session is effective for you to awaken your tired bones up. Short exercises like a jog or a walk around the block during your lunch break, or even proper stretching can get rid of your drowsiness as your body will be back on an energized state. Working with an alert mind and body can contribute well to the pending workload you have to finish!

2. Eat well
Integrating a balanced proportion of complex carbohydrates, greens, and protein in your diet can make you feel good as well as look good. Get rid of the chips and chocolate bars. Snacking on a fresh fruit or nuts during your next health break will give you the boost of energy that you need without the cost of lethargy.

3. Take vitamins
There are a lot of vitamins known to get you fired up for work that are sold in the market. Taking them on the daily helps you perk yourself up and prepares yourself for the day. Tablets with Vitamin B complex and Iron, for instance, help in energy production and support healthy brain function. They are also known to boost your metabolism as well as help you shoulder hefty mental workload.

4. Get groovin’
Listening to your favorite music is one way of keeping yourself awake, especially if you have a report you have to submit at the end of your shift. It makes the work experience less dull and it fires up your hidden dance moves even if you sit on your desk the whole day long!

Asia is rich in history and culture. The entire region has so many stories to tell that it will take a lifetime to read all the existing books about Asia. This is a list, not of travel books, but of history books to start you on a journey through Asia from the Middle East to Southeast Asia.

1. Orientalism by Edward Said (1978)

Said studied how the West represented a romanticized East in their depictions of its peoples and the societies. The Orientals are seen as exotics who are very different from the superior Western culture.

2. The Secret History of the Mongol Queens by Jack Weatherford (2008)

No book yet has talked about the contributions of the women behind the throne of the Mongol empire until this was published. The Mongols have influenced peoples from Europe to China. It’s time that the women’s pivotal role throughout the years are recognized.

3. Hirohito and the Making of Modern Japan by Herbert P. Brix (2000)

The award-winning book is a biography of Emperor Hirohito who was at a crossroads of traditional Japanese culture and the modern worldview.

4. The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II by Iris Chang (1997)

The Japanese invasion of China in 1937 is told from three perspectives; the Japanese soldiers, the foreigners residing the city, and the Chinese civilians.

5. The Coldest Winter: America and the Korean War by David Halberstam (2007)

It’s a comprehensive account of the Korean war told from different perspectives beginning in the entry of Chinese forces near the Yalu river to an analysis of America’s involvement in wars over the years.

6. Games Without Rules: The Often-Interrupted History of Afghanistan by Tamim Ansary (2012)

Ansary explains the struggle Afghanistan has been facing even before the Westerners brought their ideas of democracy to oppose Islamist fanaticism. The troubles are deeply rooted in the nation’s desire to create its own identity.

7. First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers by Loung Ung (2000)

The story is told from the perspective of a little girl when her family was forced evacuate Phnom Penh. It’s a vivid account of the war and violence that Khmer Rouge has brought to the country.

8. The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty: Delhi, 1857 by William Dalrymple (2006)

The last Mughal emperor, Bahadur Shah Zafar II, had no real power when the East India Company took over. In a last attempt to seize control, the emperor gave the signal that began the bloody Siege of Delhi.

9. Singapore: Biography by Mark Ravinder Frost and Yu-Mei Balasingamchow (2009)

The authors piece together the colorful history of Singapore by collecting correspondences and eyewitness accounts throughout the years from the Ming dynasty accounts to the present.

10. A History of the Arab Peoples by Albert Hourani (1991)

The book covers thirteen centuries of the Arab peoples’s history. It show how this region has contributed to the cultural, political and spiritual traditions of the world.

It’s quite easy to feel disheartened and frustrated during a job search, especially if you’ve been searching for a job for an extended period of time. But as difficult as it may seem, having a positive attitude throughout the job hunt can make a huge difference in the process. Seems a bit impossible? Then here are some easy ways on how you’ll find the bright side to what seems like a never-ending job search.

1. Set a Job Search Routine

One way of staying positive throughout your job search is treating it like a normal 9-5 job. Creating a regular job hunt routine will certainly help in keeping you motivated and focused in your job search. Also, scheduling a starting and ending time to your search will force you stop thinking about it in the evenings, and help you focus on more important aspects of your life like being with your family and friends.

2. Focus on Improving Yourself

It’s only natural to feel depressed when you’re bombarded with endless job rejections. Before long, you’ve become convinced that you’re unqualified, unskilled and worthless. Don’t beat yourself up though. Instead, focus on certain areas of the job search that you can refine. Is your LinkedIn profile outdated? Do you have an online portfolio that you’ve long neglected? If so, use your spare time to refine and ensure that these things are in great shape. Doing so won’t only remind you of your true value, it’ll also help in improving your chances of actually landing a job.

3. Explore Other Job Options

Can’t seem to get a job on a particular position you’ve been applying for months? Then it might be time to explore other career options than the one you’re continuing to apply for. Start by calling in a few people in your network to schedule informational interviews. You can also take classes at a community centre in Singapore to learn more about a certain skill you’ve been meaning to refine. Rather than seeing this period as a hindrance to your career progression, use this time to test out and learn new skills that will sooner or later help you land the job that you truly want.

4. Celebrate Your Small Victories

Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of a job search, such as a job you failed to get, consider celebrating even your smallest victories. Be proud of yourself whenever you get a phone interview, even if you won’t be called in for an in-person interview. Be happy when you make a new LinkedIn connection or when someone comments on your blog post. Appreciating and celebrating even your smallest wins will certainly help you focus on the positive side of a job hunt.

We know that staying positive during a long job hunt is easier said than done. But by putting these tips to work, you’ll surely be able to feel a little better with your job search. Just always remember that regardless of what it might feel like, your job search won’t last forever.