Comfortable on Your Skin?

“Combined with an increasing interest in and knowledge about the benefits of different products and product segments, skin care is expected to witness further premiumisation over the next five years. Furthermore, as consumers are increasingly interested in high-quality ingredients within categories such as hair care, a similar trend is expected over the course of the forecast period in skin care.” This was what the Euromonitor International report, Skin Care in United Arab Emirates, published in May 2015, said. The report also said that the UAE was conscious of the latest trends in skin care and with the rise of disposable income, people were keen to invest in skin care products. This article attempts to provide a direction to the prospective consumers – how to decide on which the best skin care products are for you.

Guide to choosing the right products

With the inflow of a diverse range of products in the skin care market, it is ever more confusing to determine which ones to use. Over experimentation could result in skin damage and underutilisation could result in improper care. Therefore, it is essential that one makes an informed choice.

• Know your skin type: You should have a session with a dermatologist even if you have no skin problems so that you can get expert assessment of your skin. Once you know your skin type, it is easier to find the products that will be best suited to you. Irrespective of your type, a regular routine of cleansing, toning and moisturizing is recommended for all.

• Know your skin problems: Most people suffer from some degree of sun damage and it is advisable that you have your skin analysed under a microscope to prevent it from getting worse. Dermatologists believe that broad spectrum sunscreen lotions that offer protection from both Ultraviolet A and B rays are some of the best skin care products available.

• Know your allergens: While choosing to use a product on your most sensitive organ – your skin, you must ascertain whether the item contains ingredients that you may develop allergic reactions to. It is a good choice to spot check first and then apply widely. Natural ingredients tend to be safer, although each product could have a different impact on unique skin types.

• Know which products are compatible: You may have checked the veracity of the products but it is also important to know whether they are compatible when applied in succession. Some products will tell you that for best results you should team them with others. Find a combination that works for you.

The skin care market is set to expand further over the next five years, which means more choice, but also more confusion in making decisions. This is why it is essential to know your skin intimately before you can decide on the best skin care products for you. Consult a professional dermatologist for an expert assessment and be sure of your nurture regimen.

Loans Backed by Collateral

Banks are tightening lending conditions, especially for small and medium sized enterprises, says an article published in Khaleej Times on April 30, 2015. The article also says that banks are demanding tougher terms such as more collateral, stricter documentation and shorter tenures. Easy flow of credit is essential for any business to function smoothly. Whether you are a start-up or a sole proprietorship, getting a small business loan from a lending company in Dubai can help you achieve your business goals faster.

Asset Based Lending and Its Advantages

Business loans may differ according to the term underlying their payment and borrowing. Banks will not be ready to give you a business loan unless they are sure of your financial credentials. But a business loan backed by collateral is easy to secure and comes with several advantages.

Business loans are procured for various reasons, such as to provide a boost to the working capital, for business expansion, inventory or equipment purchases, upgrades and more, to help your business grow and flourish. The collateral acts as a safety net and makes a business loan a secured loan. A lending company is Dubai will be more willing to provide a secured loan, as compared to an unsecured one, because it reduces the risk on part of the lender. If a borrower defaults on a payment of a secured loan, the lender sells the collateral to recover the loan amount.

Because of the less risky nature of secured loans, the interest rate tends be lower than for unsecured ones, and businesses can also procure higher loan amounts. Business houses can procure an asset based loan while keeping real property, inventory, cash deposits, gold and equipment as collateral. Apart from the traditional collateral options, the most typical asset based lending for business firms is against receivables. The lender transfers the funds to the borrower based on the value of receivables. Business financing against receivables might be easier to procure due to their high liquidity.

A loan against collateral is a great option for business houses with an existing line of credit, as compared to traditional lending options. Traditional funding options in such cases might have very high interest rates. Before taking a loan against collateral, it is wise know what you can use as collateral and the risks involved in case you default on the loan amount. Also, it is advisable to keep track of the net worth of the asset put up as collateral, since it will give you a better idea how the bank will value your property.

In addition, while procuring a loan from a lending company is Dubai, you could also try and negotiate on the lending rates to land a better deal.

Why UAE’s buying more credit cards

Credit cards are the most convenient spending option in the UAE. Know what you’re buying it for before you make the purchase.

Ask anyone who owns a credit card, and they’ll tell you that it’s the most convenient accessory to carry in one’s wallet. For one thing, a credit card eliminates the need to carry around wads of cash. For another, one can make even large purchases and repay the money on the card at a later date.

All over the UAE, more and more people are opting for credit cards offered by premier banking institutions. These are helping businesses run faster and within an environment of security. Cashing in on the trend to purchase credit cards, all major banks and financial institutions are offering credit cards at the best rates and with several benefits to customers.

The best credit card offers in UAE encompass a variety of benefits to customers, such as rewards for shopping at certain outlets and during certain times of the year (such as special occasions like Ramadan). Others offer cash back on shopping above a certain limit, while still others offer a cash back no matter how high or low the spend.

When looking for the best credit card offers in UAE, the first thing you must study is the rate of interest you are being charged by the bank, and all fees on the card (such as annual fees, late payment fees, closure fees and penalties, if any). However, steer clear of anything ‘free’ tacked on to the proffered card – nothing about a credit card is ever free. If some fees are ostensibly waived off, be assured that they will be adjusted somewhere else, so you are actually buying a card on the promise of freebies that don’t really exist.

What many credit cards offer

The best credit card offers in UAE include such rewards as free movie tickets over a certain amount of purchase, and other equally attractive rewards. Some will give increased talk time on the mobile phone tariff, others will give assured cash back with every purchase, etc.

However, apart from the rewards and minor benefits of purchasing credit cards, there are some major advantages as well. You can avail of such benefits as balance cash transfer and loans against the credit card. Additionally, your credit card can come in handy to make large purchases on an equated monthly basis.

What to watch out for

When you purchase your credit card, find out the time frame to repay every month. The credit card statement and bill is normally issued in a monthly cycle; keep these dates in mind before you make large purchases every month. Do not default on credit card repayments; this can land you in a major financial soup.

As such, it is advisable to use a credit card only when you don’t have ready cash or when all other avenues of spending have been explored. Most people fall into the ‘plastic money’ trap rather badly – they spend against their credit cards recklessly and are soon unable to make their repayments. If you are not completely in control of your spending, it is better to opt for a debit card.