Q: Leave the lid off the jar, and make sure there is no metal anywhere on the jar before putting it in the microwave.  Full-fat milk is traditional, but you can also use low-fat milk, almond milk, soy milk, or any other type of milk you like. If you don't have a suitable jar on hand, you can use a bowl or other microwave-safe container instead. Depending on your microwave, you may only have one heat setting. If the milk isn't hot when you take it out of the microwave, put it back in for 15 more seconds. Always use caution when handling hot liquids. Be careful not to spill the milk when you remove it from the microwave and use an oven mitt or towel if the container is too hot to touch.
A: Pour 1.5 cups (350 mL) of whole milk into a microwave-safe jar. Microwave the milk on high for 30 seconds, or longer if necessary.

Q: A product in your skincare routine may cause an allergic reaction, pimples, or other irritation. Think about the cosmetics, skin care products, and hair products you use. Cut back on all of them and slowly reintroduce them back into your routine one by one. This way, you can determine which might be causing your skin to break out.  If redness is associated with swelling of the face, especially lips or tongue, or trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention. In the United States, call 911. Start with the products you have added most recently, since these are the most likely to have triggered a reaction. You can schedule an appointment with an allergist or dermatologist. Either can do a patch test, during which small amounts of chemicals will be applied to the skin and the treated skin will be monitored for a reaction. You may just have sensitive skin. If so, some brands have sensitive-skin product lines; classic examples include the Aveeno Ultra-Calming and Eucerin Redness Relief lines. After you figure out which chemical is at the root of your redness, cut out any product from your routine that contains that chemical as an active or inactive ingredient. Use warm water: both hot and cold water can cause your skin to dry out. If you wash it the wrong way, you can make your skin more irritated and redder. You should wash with a sensitive cleanser, one without fragrance, and avoid any that contain alcohol or other drying agents. Try products such as Cetaphil or Purpose.  Pat dry with a soft towel when done. Do not scrub your face, which can cause your skin to become more irritated.  Try cleansers with sulfates such as Rosanil. These ingredients will help with inflammation.  If your redness involves pimples and you do not have sensitive skin, try products that have benzoyl peroxide such as Clearasil. After washing your face, immediately apply a moisturizing facial cream (or lotion) over the skin to lock in moisture.  You can also store your lotion in the refrigerator and apply it to your face when cold. Cold products cause the blood vessels in your face to constrict and redness to fade. Avoid buying products with alcohol, witch hazel, peppermint, fragrance, eucalyptus, or clove oil. These are considered skin irritants and will only make your skin more irritated. The most popular is topical cortisone, which has a steroid in the cream to help alleviate redness, soothe skin, and reduce swelling. Find a cream that contains hydrocortisone in a 0.5% or 1% solution. Use it sparingly 1-2 times a day, but only on the affected areas.  Do not use these creams for long because overexposure to them can actually cause more irritation. You can also look for more natural calming creams that have ingredients such as licorice, feverfew, tea, turmeric, magnesium, cucumber, or ginger. Aloe vera can help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. You can use the gel from an aloe vera plant or buy it over the counter. Apply the aloe gel to your face twice daily to help decrease the redness.  To extract the gel from the aloe vera plant, remove a large leaf of aloe from the bottom of the plant. Cut down the center of the plant, score the insides, and pull the gel out. Then apply that gel to your face twice a day.  You can find aloe vera gel at most supermarkets or drug stores. Coconut oil is a natural emollient, which locks in moisture. Be careful putting oils on acne-prone skin: oil can make acne worse. Coconut oil prevents your skin from losing moisture and becoming dehydrated, which is a common reason for redness. It also has lauric acid in it, which has antiviral, anti fungal, and antimicrobial properties to help revitalize your skin. Each night, rub coconut oil onto your face, paying special attention to problem spots that feel extra rough or that are extremely red.  You can also use olive oil, almond oil, or rosehip seed oil. They have similar nutrients to coconut oil and will help hydrate your skin.  Coconut oil helps alleviate redness when the redness is caused by dryness. Oatmeal is great for soothing many different causes of redness, from sunburn to eczema to simple irritation. Buy pure oats and add water to them. Let the oatmeal soak up the water then apply it as a mask. As often as once each day, leave the mask on your face for at least 30 minutes, then wash it off.  You can make it with milk for an added boost. Make sure the milk has some fat in it, such as 2% or whole milk. The fatty proteins in the milk help rejuvenate your skin.
A: Find the offender. Wash your face 1-2 times a day. Use moisturizer. Consider over-the-counter special creams. Consider using aloe vera gel. Consider dabbing on coconut oil. Consider oatmeal masks.

Q: While you may feel like flying is a special occasion, don't dress up to your international flight. Flights overseas are long, and you'll want to wear loose, comfortable clothes. If your flight is especially long, consider packing a pair of sweats for your flight in your carry-on. Change back into your original clothes for the landing. Some airports offer long-term parking rates for your car while you're away. Call or email about the long-term car storage options and the costs of each choice. If car storage isn't an affordable option for you, use a shuttle service, hire a taxi, or ask a friend/family member to drive you there. Check in for your flight as early as possible to go through security and board on time. You'll also have time to use the bathroom or grab something to eat before you depart. While you're waiting for your flight, bring something to relieve boredom: keep a book, journal, or game in your carry-on to entertain you while waiting. Dehydration is a common problem on long flights, which can lead to exhaustion or irritability. Buy a large water bottle to fill up before you board the flight so you can take it in your carry-on. Avoid drinking alcohol or caffeine before and during your flight, as both can lead to dehydration. Most nations require you to mark on an official form what goods you bring with you to their country. Which items you must declare depends on the country. You will likely receive your customs form at the airport and during the flight. Fill it out while on the plane so you are prepared for landing.  Some countries require a customs form for each person traveling while others require one per family. Check beforehand to know which forms you must fill out. Most countries require declaration of: alcoholic drinks, tobacco, animals, seeds, soils, medication, and animal products. International flights involve crossing time zones and long, uncomfortable plane rides. Both can disrupt your sleep schedule. Bring a sleeping mask and earplugs with you, and consider taking an over-the-counter sleep aid to help you adjust to the new time zone.
A:
Wear comfortable clothing to your flight. Check with your airport about car parking rules for international flights. Arrive at the airport two to three hours before your flight. Stay hydrated. Declare your items for customs. Prepare for jet lag.