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Benzoyl peroxide is found in many acne-fighting skincare products, but many of us aren’t sure how to use it properly. Here, two board-certified dermatologists share everything you need to know about benzoyl peroxide, including its benefits, side effects, and ways to incorporate it into your skincare routine. What is benzoyl peroxide? Benzoyl peroxide is an antiseptic, an ingredient that kills bacteria, and an FDA-approved acne medication. “It’s most typically used to treat and prevent acne and is quite effective at killing the p....

As a beauty writer, I’ve had the privilege of being able to try many customized beauty products, from fragrances mixed specifically to my tastes to moisturizers that were formulated to address both my eczema and my skin’s other sensitivities. Though there are a handful of store-bought products that I still swear by, the customized ones always make a deep, lasting impression. My favorite nude lipstick I’ve ever worn—and the only one that has properly emphasized both the yellow and olive undertones in my tan Filipino skin—is the one I custom-made at Bite Beauty’s Lip Lab in L....

Pricing, shipping, and variety are some of the factors that set plant subscription services apart from one another, and it’s important to note these differences so you can evaluate which plant box suits your lifestyle and level of expertise best. To help make your plant subscription search a little easier, we analyzed subscription tiers, cancellation policies, pricing, sustainability, and more to find the best plant subscriptions out there. Wherever you are on your green thumb journey, discover your new favorite piece of fauna when you sign up for one of these exciting plant subscriptions....

I’ve been there—it’s time-consuming and frustrating. If you don’t want to have to call a search party every time you reach for your wallet or keys, lose the items listed below to declutter your purse quickly. Before long, your favorite handbag will look beautiful, inside and out. If you can’t find a trash can, Sharon Lowenheim from Organizing Goddess recommends reserving an outside pocket of your purse to stash wrappers and other refuse....

Paint Painting is one of the easiest—and least expensive—ways to transform your rooms. “A fresh coat can instantly update a space,” says interior designer Adam Hunter. Don’t have enough time to paint the whole room? “Just repainting the trim can make a big impact,” says interior designer Karen Vidal. Check Out Local Art Programs Okay, so you can’t afford an original Picasso, but you can invest in some up-and-coming talent. “Try contacting your local college art program to see if there are any upcoming student art shows where you can purchase pieces inexpensively,” says interior designer James Wheeler....

There are Keurig accessories that can help lessen your environmental impact and time spent cleaning all at once—and they’re surprisingly affordable. To start, reusable K-cups cut down on single-use plastic and give you more flexibility in the flavors you sip. Simply fill it with your favorite coffee grounds and follow the same Keurig steps as usual. Some of the best-selling versions even come with petite scoopers that precisely fill the K-cups with the proper amount of coffee grounds and prevent countertop spills....

Equal parts cozy, energizing, and nutrient-rich, a matcha latte is precisely what you need on a chilly morning or after a not-so-restful night of sleep. Known to be rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant, and l-theanine, an amino acid, matcha has disease-fighting, anti-inflammatory, and anti-stress properties. TL;DR: It’s a great alternative to coffee. If you’re already a matcha convert (and don’t need convincing), you’ll still want to keep reading....

Causes of Hair Loss in Women “Hair loss and hair changes over your lifetime are complex, and more so in women than in men,” explains Dominic Burg, the chief scientist and trichologist for Évolis Professional. A variety of potential causes and factors come into play, including, but not limited to, hormonal changes, diet, genetics, stress, age, illness, and styling damage. Hair challenges, including hair loss and shedding, should really be viewed as a reflection of a combination of these factors, Burg adds....

In May, Lidl (pronounced leedle), announced that the first U.S. stores will open on Thursday, June 15. This week, Lidl specified where the first nine grocery stores will be located: Virginia (Hampton and Virginia Beach), North Carolina (Kinston, Greenville, Sanford, Rocky Mount, and Winston-Salem), and South Carolina (Spartanburg and Greenville). A total of 20 stores will open throughout the summer, and the company hopes to open at least 100 stores across the East Coast by summer 2018....

Last week, Justin Chapple, friend of the Live, stopped by to talk omelets with us. Well, he was here to teach us how to make cauliflower rice. But, as often happens when we invite friends into the kitchen, he dropped some useful and unexpected knowledge. We’ve already covered his ginger peeling tip and food processor vs. blender theories, and now we’re proud to serve up his super smart and easy technique for making a fluffy omelet with ease—and without all the stress....

Why This Is the Best Time for Tipping “Tipping etiquette, during the holiday season, is providing something (usually cash) to those who provide you with services year-round,” says Julie Ramhold, consumer analyst with DealNews. Ramhold says that while cash might not be acceptable in every situation, gift cards or baked goods are great alternatives, especially if you don’t have the budget for giving a ton of cash tips. “Remember that holiday tipping is all about saying thank you to those whose services you use all year, as well as even public servants you see on a regular basis (such as your mailperson),” says Ramhold....

When it comes to basic nightly rates, rentals are typically less expensive—but there are exceptions and a lot of caveats. Once you factor in hidden fees, amenities, local taxes, and hotel loyalty programs, the financial scales can really tip in any direction. While the “best” accommodations really vary on a case-by-case basis (Jack might value extra space, while Jill values free amenities), here are some deciding factors to keep in mind when researching your next trip....

Soon after I graduated from college, I moved cross-country to Los Angeles. Although I was earning an entry-level teacher’s salary, which wasn’t much, I set myself up in a beachside bungalow. I reasoned that there was no point of moving to a place with 300 days of sunshine if I didn’t have a beach as my backyard. I bought a car (because how else would I get around?) and went out often (as a new transplant, I needed to socialize and make friends, I rationalized)....

A Mom Who Became a Minimalist Christine Platt is a literacy advocate, author of The Afrominimalist’s Guide to Living with Less, and a mom of one. When she left her job as a lawyer to pursue writing full-time in 2015, she started working from home. “For the first time, I was there not to just eat and sleep,” she says. Being at home prompted an awakening: “I always knew I had too much stuff, but I had everything relatively organized,” she says....

Whether you’re planning on hosting immediate family or just a few friends—and taking the party outdoors or hosting a digital Thanksgiving dinner—you may want to consider springing for a smaller turkey. Here’s what you should know about picking out and preparing a delicious little bird. Where to Buy a Small Turkey Since most supermarkets only carry standard 20-pound turkeys, it’s a good idea to call your supermarket ahead of time (several weeks is ideal) to ensure they have what you want....

Many rice recipes make cooking this ingredient look so simple (see over a dozen of our favorite rice recipes for reference), but everyone I know has burned rice at least once (or, in my mom’s case, every time). So to master the cooking feat once and for all and make sure your water-to-rice ratio is always on point, follow our step-by-step guide to making rice on the stove. We promise this is the only rice cooking method you’ll ever need—and once you nail it, you’ll never wonder how to cook rice properly again....

But whether you’re a novice cook or a professional chef, knives can be intimidating. They require your full attention; make one simple mistake and you could end up with a lot worse than an unevenly cut clove of garlic. In an effort to make your chopping easier and safer, we consulted Chef Ann Kim—the 2019 “Best Chef Midwest” James Beard Award winner, owner of Pizzeria Lola, Hello Pizza, and Young Joni in Minneapolis—to get her expert intel on the best way to hold a knife....

In fact, medical professionals (and many others) have dealt with inconvenient, face-mask-induced spectacle condensation on the job for far longer than the rest of us have since trying to quell this pandemic. Sure, getting foggy glasses from your DIY bandana mask might make for a funny selfie, but imagine trying to navigate a hospital with vapor-obstructed glasses—as if life isn’t crazy enough for healthcare workers already. (By the way, here’s how to support frontline workers without leaving your home....

But here’s the thing—in reality, I’m a maximalist. And as much as I would like to live a simple, minimalistic lifestyle, my hoarding tendencies, lack of self-control when impulse shopping, and love for all things fashion doesn’t let me live the bare-minimum lifestyle that the organized side of me would prefer. All this got me thinking: Is there a way to do clutter correctly? Being strict about clothes just doesn’t work for some people, and valuing a roomy closet over precious clothing just seems to incite a lot of regret down the line, especially if you’ve poured a lot of time and effort into building a wardrobe....

What You’ll Need: ScrewdriverCleaning clothSandpaper (120 grit)Tack cloth (available at hardware stores)Drop cloth Painter’s tape Primer Exterior paint 2.5- or 3-inch angled paintbrush 4-inch high-density paint roller What Kind of Paint to Use Because your door is exposed to the elements, it’s important to choose a high-quality exterior paint that can withstand moisture and fluctuating temperatures. Interior paint will chip and crack if painted on an exterior door. “You want to use a high-quality exterior paint in a satin finish....