You can tell if your Aloe vera plant needs to be watered by pressing your index finger a few inches down into the soil. If the soil is dry, your plant needs water. Aloe vera plants are succulents and do not need to be watered often. Overwatering can kill your plant!   If you keep your plant outside, watering every two weeks should be sufficient. If you keep your plant inside, water it every three to four weeks. Aloe vera plants need more water in the warmer months, but less in the cooler months. Water less often in Fall and Winter, especially if your plant lives in a cool space. As a succulent, Aloe vera plants store water in their leaves. If you notice the leaves are dropping or are becoming almost transparent, your plant likely needs water. However, the same qualities can be a sign of root rot, caused by overwatering. Ask yourself when you watered your plant last. If you watered it recently, you should remove the plant from the pot and check for root rot. Water should never sit on top of the surface of the soil, so water with a light hand. Continue to check your plant weekly or bi-weekly by testing the soil to see if it needs to be watered.

Summary: Check the soil. Modify watering according to the season. Examine the leaves. Water until the soil is just moist.


In the French language, the “e” sound is more open with the tongue low. To produce a convincing French accent, stretch your "e" sound to make it as long as possible. For example, "recorder" can sound completely transformed as "rgreh-caw-der". ” When you say a short "i" sound, you turn it into something more like an "ee". For example, "fish" will sound more like "feesh," but do not make it any longer than you would "fish.” Typically, the “i” is shorter in length than it is in English. Keep your production of this vowel short and precise. A helpful hint is to remember to smile when you produce “i” in words. This helps you to pull your lips apart to say the long “ee” sound. To make your French accent more convincing, say the “u” sound with the lips out and rounded. Your lips should be a lot tighter than a normal English production of “u.” You’ll want to practice by puckering your lips and keeping them rounded while you product the “ee” sound. This is the French “u.”  For example, the word “you” with a French accent might sound slightly more like “yee.” But don’t exaggerate that “ee” sound too much, because your lips should still be rounded. When you are pronouncing words with “u,” make sure it is very short. The French “u” is not a long vowel sound. In French, vowels are typically pure and short. This means that French speakers do not need to move their tongue around when talking as much as English speakers do. When you’re pronouncing vowels, keep your tongue down near the bottom front teeth. Let your lips, jaw, and nose do most of the work.

Summary: Produce “e” sounds with the tongue lower in the mouth. Pronounce “i” like the “ee” in “see. Say “u” with your lips puckered tightly. Reduce tongue movement and focus more on lip placement.


Benzoyl peroxide is a popular product in acne products. It kills the acne-causing bacteria and helps to open up your pores, so applying it around your nose will help get rid of the acne. Look for products that contain benzoyl peroxide, which can be in concentrations of 2.5% to 10%. Products include cleansers or spot treatments. Benzoyl peroxide may dry out your skin or cause stinging, burning, and redness at the site of application. Use it only as directed on the package. Salicylic acid is another acne medication. You can find salicylic acid in over-the-counter cleansers and spot treatments to use for your nose acne. Available products contain between 0.5% to 5% concentration of salicylic acid. Salicylic acid can include skin irritation and stinging. Use only as directed. Differin gel (adapalene) is a retinoid gel that is available without a prescription. It is especially good at opening pores and treating and preventing blackheads, which are common in nose acne. Note that retinoids can be irritating and dry out your skin, especially when you first begin treatment. Make sure you follow the instructions on the packaging and use as directed. To help prevent acne on your nose and the rest of your face, wash your face daily, twice a day if you can. You should also wash after any sweaty activity. A lot of sweat can increase acne. Wash your face gently with light circular motions. Don't wash your face too much. More than twice a day is not recommended. You can apply a pore strip to your nose after washing your face, then allow the strip to dry and harden. As the strip dries, the comedonal plugs (dirt in your pores) are attracted to the adhesive on the strip. When you remove the strip, you will see small pieces of dirt stuck to the strip that have come out of your pores.  You have to apply the strip to wet, clean skin or it will not work properly. Make sure that you wait until the strip is completely dry to remove it. Then pull it off slowly. Some cosmetics can irritate your skin and cause acne. If you have trouble with acne on your nose, consider going without makeup or use as little makeup as possible. When choosing foundations, go for oil-free and noncomedogenic makeups that won't clog your pores.  The chemicals and oils in makeup, even hypoallergenic makeup, can be clog your pores and cause breakouts. Always remove all makeup before going to sleep. This helps reduce clogged pores. You should make sure to protect your face, especially your nose, from the sun. Too much sun exposure and tanning beds can damage your skin, and damaged skin is at a high risk for acne. If you are going to be out in the sun, wear sunblock. You can choose to wear a separate sunscreen or buy a daily moisturizer with sunblock in it. Some acne medications make your skin extremely sensitive to UV rays. Take caution in the sun if you are using these medications, which list sensitivity to the sun on the labels. Try these at home methods for at least three to four weeks. If the acne on your nose is showing no improvement, make an appointment to see a dermatologist. If you have moderate to severe acne, see a dermatologist before you try any of these methods to get a professional recommendation.  Without that professional advice, you could cause more problems than you solve/  Your dermatologist may recommend other approaches to blackheads, whiteheads, or pimples on your nose. Nothing can replace having a trained physician physically examine and look at your unique skin. A dermatologist may recommend prescription medications, or alternative treatments such as microdermabrasion, chemical peels, or light or laser treatments. They may also help immediately remove blackheads with a special tool called a comedone extractor.
Summary: Try a benzoyl peroxide cream or cleanser. Use an acne product with salicylic acid. Try an over-the-counter retinoid product. Wash your face daily. Try pore strips. Use makeup that won't cause acne. Wear sunblock on your face. See a doctor.