Look Fresh for the New Year!

Thursday, 2010-12-30

Christmas is the time for series of all-night parties. While you want to enjoy and make the most out of the occasion, you also want to make sure that you look your best especially for the photo ops, and of course, the coming New Year celebrations! The series of parties may deprive you of the beauty sleep your skin needs but with the tips below, you sure will look as if you’ve slept like a baby!

Body

Nothing beats taking a cold refreshing shower. The cold temperature promotes better blood circulation which gives out a healthier skin tone. Since the skin tends to look dull because of the lack of sleep, use a soap that revitalizes such as Diana Stalder Revitalizing Beauty Bar. Hydrate the skin in and out. Make sure to drink plenty of water and complement it with a body lotion that has both brightening and softening effects, Diana Stalder Surely White Body Whitening Lotion, for example. Choose clothes that are light to the eyes such as pastel colors and chiffon or cotton materials.

Eyes

Your eyes are the most seen part of your face and are the primary basis of how you feel – whether you look sleepy and bored or energized and anxious. To get rid of puffiness, put on cold cucumber or potato slices in your eyes for at least 15 minutes. Next, coat it with a moisturizer that invigorates such as Diana Stalder Skin Revitalizer. Cover up with a concealer and tap it lightly to blend and hide dark under-eye circles. If you want to open up your eyes a bit, put on an eyeliner, curl your eyelashes and put on mascara. Eye shadows in frosted color lights up the eyes most.

Face

Due to the lack of sleep, it is possible for your face to look dry and dull. Wash your face with an exfoliant such as Diana Stalder Papaya Kojic Soap to get rid of dead cells and bring out a glowing skin. Before putting on make-up, put on a mask of moisturizer to hydrate the skin. Once the skin has absorbed this coating, apply a light foundation with a luminous texture, to give the skin a taunted finish. Before you go to bed, be sure to completely remove your make-up and wash your face with deep penetrating cleansers like Diana Stalder Licorice Beauty Bar. Putting on a nourishing crème that promotes cell renewal, Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème, for example, will give you a glowing look when you wake up.

In addition, try to accentuate other parts of your body and face. Put up your hair or give it a healthy bounce, gloss up your lips or wear an eye-catching necklace or earrings. This can draw people’s attention and can make you look even more radiant!


Bizarre Alternatives

Tuesday, 2010-12-14

Fish Pedicure

This treatment is done by soaking your feet (or any part of your body) in a tank of water with Garra Rufa. These are tiny toothless fish that nibble off dead skin to reveal a healthy and soft dermis. Garra Rufa is also known as doctor fish for it can relieve various skin conditions such as psoriasis and eczema.  The nibbling may feel a bit ticklish and may cause slight tingling. After the procedure, your feet will definitely feel softer and smoother.

Fish pedicure is assumed to be safe because the fish only eats up the dead skin cells. However, there is also an argument that the skin-eating fish can be a tool for passing on of bacteria from one client to another which may cause infection. These little skin-doctors are also kept in non-chlorinated water which could be a source of bacteria and fungi. Spa owners contest this by saying that the tank of water has an ultraviolet filter which keeps it sanitized.

In addition, some impostor salons are substituting the expensive Garra Rafu with a cheaper one with teeth called “chin chin”, which means they can cause tiny wounds. While there have been no reports of infection due to fish pedicure, people are advised to be extra meticulous if trying out this treatment. Individual tanks are of course safer than one big tank for all. Also, make sure that they thoroughly clean your feet before asking you to soak.

Leech Detox

Wonder how Demi Moore manages to look way younger than her age? She recently divulged her new cleansing beauty secret, leech detox. She talks about the procedure. First, you are prepped up by shaving your body and bathing in turpentine. Then, the highly trained medical leeches are placed on your skin so they could suck the blood. It hurts initially but after the first bite, you can relax and wait for the little creature to become full and crawl out. These invertebrates are said to detoxify by releasing an enzyme to the blood.

Such claims of the leech detox are however negated by Dr. Ed Zimney in his report 1. Dr. Zimney says that an enzyme is indeed released but only to inhibit-blood clotting so that the leech can continue to suck until it’s full. This enzyme acts only on the bite-site and is not absorbed into the bloodstream so no detoxification occurs. He also mentioned possible risks associated with this therapy such as excessive bleeding, allergic reactions and infection.

Cactus and Tequila Massage

Before you panic, you must know that the cactus paddies used in this massage, called nopal, are without thorns. Cactus is known for its healing properties because it contains anti-oxidants which is essential to delay skin aging. Antioxidants help flush out toxins and rehydrate the skin, thus giving a skin the feeling of rejuvenation after a cactus massage.

The use of cactus as a medicinal plant started way back from the Mexican Indian Tribes. Studies have revealed that cactus contains phytochemicals which is a cancer-fighting nutrient. There were also experiments which prove the healing effects of cactus. It prevented scar formation and inflammation of the wounded areas.

Together with the cactus paddies, the body is also massaged with a scrub made with tequila, salt and fresh lime juice. This combination brings healing, detoxifying, cleansing, nourishing and conditioning altogether.

Golden Facial

Historians say that Cleopatra slept in gold mask every night to keep her skin youthful looking. Today, there is a modern version of Cleopatra’s gold regimen. It is a mask of gold leaf of 24 karat gold applied on to face and massaged until the gold disappears completely. Other salons use a facial gold cream or gold gel which contains 24-karat gold, aloe vera, wheat germ oil and sandalwood.

Gold as a soft metal is easily absorbed by the skin. Once it has penetrated the skin, it rejuvenates skin by removing wrinkles, banishing blemishes and erasing age spots. It is also known to work for both dry and oily skin types. Gold facial also assists in improving blood circulation and cell renewal.

It’s both amazing and amusing to know the means people are willing to do just to keep their skin at its finest. It’s true that we cannot attest to the effectiveness of such procedures, we can only guarantee you the efficacy of our products because, once, we understand how they are made; there are studies that support the efficacy of the ingredients used and, of course, our continuously growing clientele serves as the best testimony.

1 http://www.everydayhealth.com/blog/zimney-health-and-medical-news-you-can-use/demi-moores-leech-detox-therapy-a-scambuster-report/

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Skin Care 101: The Skin and Your Surroundings

Tuesday, 2010-11-23

Apart from the food you eat, your daily activities and the beauty regimen you have, another important factor that affects the state of your skin is your surroundings. Fortunately, there are measures that can be taken to make sure the skin is protected at all times.

It has been mentioned already in several articles how the UV rays of the sun contribute to skin aging by causing it to dry, wrinkle and sag. This is because the sun breaks down collagen and elastin which are the protein building blocks of the skin. Another effect of the sun on the skin is the overstimulation of pigment cells which result to age spots.

It is recommended that you use sunscreen products with at least SPF 15, e.g. Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream. For oily skin which has to do away with cream-based products, find an especially formulated sunscreen such as the Diana Stalder Sunblock Gel. Apart from protecting yourself from sun damage, you can still save your sun-dried skin by using Vitamin A based products. For this, SouthGain offers Diana Stalder Vitamin A Beauty Bar.

The humidity and dryness of the air also affects your skin. If it’s humid, there is more moisture in the air which can be retained on the surface of your skin. If it’s dry (which is the case in air-conditioned offices), the air sips out the moisture from the skin leaving it rough and dull. Help your skin recover by using moisturizers.

Your facial moisturizer should be different from what you use for the body as your face is more exposed as compared to the body which is covered with clothes. For the face, a moisturizer with a toning effect is useful in keeping out bacteria while softening the skin. We suggest Diana Stalder Her Facial Lotion or Diana Stalder His Facial Lotion for normal to dry skin and Diana Stalder Clean & Tone Lotion for oily skin.

For the body, it is best to apply a moisturizing lotion right after taking a bath when the skin is still damp. Ideally, your body lotion should also have sun protection traits for a moisturizing and anti-aging effect. Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion possesses both features. Also remember to keep a moisturizing lotion handy so you can re-apply them to frequently-washed body parts such as the hands.

The pollutants and dust carried around by the wind clog pores and allows bacteria to reach your face which leads to pimples, blackheads and whiteheads. This can also result to premature enlargement of pores. The best way to deal with this is to keep the skin clean by using a facial wash that both cleans and moisturizes such as the Diana Stalder Facial Wash. Apart from a daily wash, a weekly exfoliant, such as the Diana Stalder Facial Scrub, helps get rid of bacteria and dead cell build up.

If pimples still appear, there are several anti-acne products available that target pimple-causing bacteria. However, there are those not only fight bacteria but also clears up the skin such as the Diana Stalder Clear Crème.

Now that you know how your surroundings affect your skin, equip yourself with the protection and treatment that will keep it healthy. More importantly, this should also be an eye-opener for us to take care of the environment. The depletion of the ozone layer and worsening of the pollution, among others, contribute to the nature’s disruption which significantly increases the negative impacts on our skin and overall health.


Skin Care 101: Stretch Marks

Friday, 2010-11-12

Diana Stalder products are focused on addressing skin darkening, aging and blemishing concerns. However, here at SouthGain, we also recognize the fact that those who are very conscious about their skin tone and texture are also bothered by a common skin flaw—the stretch marks.

Contrary to popular belief that stretch marks are caused by abrupt weight gain or loss or the skin being over-stretched during pregnancy, stretch marks are actually caused by hormonal changes that impact the elastin and collagen protein which accounts for the skin’s elasticity. These hormonal changes usually occur during pregnancy, weight loss or gain or puberty.

If you try to look up treatments for stretch marks, most are either surgical, chemical or laser based—which are mostly expensive and skin abrasive. As always, prevention is better than cure. Sufficient water, protein and Vitamins A, C, E and zinc intake will promote proper tissue growth and collagen production. Exercise will also firm up your muscles which will also inhibit stretch marks. Another way to maintain skin’s elasticity is to keep it moisturized, just like how Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar and Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème work.

From the outside, massaging the body with olive oil, aloe vera, shea butter, vitamin E, cocoa butter or elastin cream will help avoid stretch marks. Olive oil has antioxidants and linoleic acid that help neutralize the causes of skin cancer and aging and retain skin moisture at the same time. Another moisturizing regimen that contains anti-oxidants is the Diana Stalder Surely White Body Whitening Lotion.

Do you have any stretch marks prevention tip? Go ahead and share this to us.


Skin Care 101: Caring for Your Skin at your 30s

Friday, 2010-10-29

If you think that taking care of your skin when you were younger is just the same when you reach your 30s, you are both right and wrong. Right because it will still include the basic cleansing, moisturizing and sun protection routine. Wrong because the ability of your skin to retain moisture and be elastic is no longer as reliable as before, hence, stronger measures must be taken to avoid dryness and aging.

Now that your epidermis is getting drier and thicker, your cleansing regimen must be modified. You can probably omit the use of toners and opt for milder cleansers. Better  yet, choose those that can cleanse, moisturize and rejuvenate the skin at the same time like the Diana Stalder Vitamin A Beauty Bar and Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar.

From the inside, hydrate the skin by drinking at least 3 liters or 10 to 12 cups of water each day. Choose moisturizers with anti-oxidants, specifically Vitamins C and E. These vitamins are essential not only to keep skin moisturized but also to promote collagen production which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin.

Wrinkling is primarily caused by the harmful UV rays. At your 30s and the most common manifestation would be eye crows and lines around the mouth. As much as possible, avoid exposure to the sun by wearing clothes that cover your skin or by staying indoors. If really necessary to be outdoors, apply sunscreen with higher SPFs. Wear shades to avoid eye squinting and if smoking, it’s never too late to quit.

It is also necessary to look for collagen boost ingredients in your daily regimen. With Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream, collagen enhancement is still possible even when putting make-up on. After removing make-up, put on Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème as your nightly regimen to stimulate epidermal turnover even as you sleep.

It is also at your 30s that you become more susceptible to age spots. Even out skin tone by exfoliating once or twice a week. To do this, you can incorporate into your regimen botanicals like kojic acid and licorice which is the case in products such as Diana Stalder Papaya Kojic Soap and Diana Stalder Licorice Beauty Bar. Coupled with Diana Stalder Surely White Lightening Lotion, you sure are to reveal a fairer and even toned skin with no trace of age spots.


Skin Care 101: POREly Flawed Skin

Wednesday, 2010-09-29

Enlarged pores are one of the most common skin dilemmas. Among the reasons why pores dilate are: clogging caused by excessive oil, bacteria and dead skin cells; sun damage which leads to decreased skin elasticity; over-cleaning the skin which encourages even more oil production due to dehydration; and the occurrence of acne and blackheads among others.

Avoiding and treating these causes can help minimize the appearance of pores. Among, and perhaps the easiest of them all, is cleansing with face wash at least twice a day. Look for retinol or vitamin C content which could help add collagen and elastin to the skin while getting rid of dirt and oil.

Reduce facial grease by using toners (Diana Stalder Clean & Tone Lotion) every day. This prevents the formation of comedone leaving the skin clean and oil free. Using exfoliants (Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème) is another solution for it removes dead skin cells that would otherwise collect around the pores. Regular skin exfoliation is essential in order to stimulate the skin to produce new, healthier cells.

Take necessary precautions in treating acnes and blackheads. Wrong beauty regimens such as squeezing may do more harm than good. In easing out bacteria and curing pimples, choose a remedy (Diana Stalder Surely White Acne Treatment Kit) that is suited for oily and acne-prone skin. To keep a balance between maintaining a clear skin and making sure that it is hydrated, moisturize. In addition, protect your skin from the sun by using sunscreen (Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream).


Cold and Mean to the Skin

Saturday, 2010-07-24

While it is very important to protect the skin from the sun, it is even more crucial to do so during the cold season. Here’s a list of common skin blunders during the cold weather that you should be mindful of.

Dehydration. When the weather is cold, you rarely feel the need to drink water, hence, causing you to be dehydrated. Lack of water in the body causes skin to lose its moisture which results to dryness and premature wrinkles. Even while feeling cold, try placing a glass of water beside you and sip as frequent as you can. Instead of hot coffee and soup, munch fruits and vegetables to keep the skin nourished. In addition, keep moisturizers like Diana Stalder Her Facial Lotion handy.

Warm bath. Taking warm baths is so much more enjoyable during the cold weather that you often lose sense of time when washing your body. With this, the natural oil of your skin which traps the moisture within is rinsed away, leaving a dull dry skin. Try to shorten your bath time and use moisturizing soaps likes Diana Stalder Licorice Beauty Bars. Don’t forget to rinse with cold water to close down your pores.

Rubbing and Scrubbing. The friction gives you a warm comfort that there’s a tendency to frequently rub your skin. The skin gets dry during the cold season and scrubbing may lead to itchiness and flaking. Remove coarse beauty regimens like pumice stones and facial wash with beads.  After taking a bath, pat yourself with a towel to dry, instead of rasping your body and don’t forget to put on a moisturizing lotion, such as the Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion.

Deoxygenation. Oxygen is essential both for the body and the skin for this stimulate the proper function of all the organs including the brain. When it is cold, people are too lazy to move, exercise and sweat. This slows down the circulation of the blood which carries the oxygen around the body. Instead of curling into a ball, try to do some stretching and get moving. This will keep your body filled with oxygen and will also make you feel warm. Try applying Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème before your slumber to help revitalize your skin.
Is it usually cold and wet from where you live? Share to us your “cold and mean” booboos with pointers on how you made it up to your skin.


Fail-Proof Beauty Tips for every Skin Type

Tuesday, 2010-04-20

A tight budget during these hard economic times doesn’t mean having to sacrifice beauty and good skin care. There are many ways that you can treat yourself to a professional skin care pampering right at the comfort of your own home. The secret is knowing what your skin type is and finding out the right skin care regimen. Here we add some Skin Care Regimens to satisfy every skin type as well as some extra do-it-yourself beauty boosters that will be sure to make your skin look younger and more refreshed.

NORMAL SKIN. If your skin is neither too dry or too oily, or if you rarely experience any break-outs or have any bouts of redness due to tiny pores, then you most likely have normal skin. The best way to cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin is to stick to basic, gentle products that may have added benefits such as antioxidants, or better yet try Diana Stalder Skin Revitalizer which help fight free-radical damage and also help prevent skin’s premature aging. To aid boosting collagen production, to promote healthy, young-looking skin, consider adding retinoids or skin care products infused with Vitamin C into your skin care routine at least once a week to refresh your skin. To keep your skin supple and firm, don’t forget to moisturize with a facial cream with SPF during the day, and a richer, reparative cream without SPF during night.

DRY SKIN. Moments of dryness, flakiness and bouts of redness and itchiness may be a sign that you have dry skin. This is due to the inability of your skin’s barrier layer to retain your skin’s natural oils or water as well as it should. To keep your parched skin refreshed and healthy, use cleansers and creams that have emollient ingredients such as hyaluronic acid or ceramides. You should also avoid using harsh foaming facial washes and skin care lines with retinoids and alpha-hydroxy acids that strip away lipids and can cause your skin to flake or peel even more. Always remember to keep your skin hydrated and protected from harsh elements like the sun by using skin care products such as Diana Stalder Sun Block Cream. An extra tip to boost your skin’s radiance is to rub a freshly cut lemon half over your complexion to let its natural acids remove flakes and smoothen-out the skin. Next, steam your skin over a pot of warm water. After your pores have opened up, slather your  face and neck with a dense emollient like Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème to rejuvenate and refresh your skin as you sleep.

OILY SKIN. People with oily skin usually have periods of mild to serious break-outs and blackheads due to their medium to large-sized pores. They also usually have shiny skin after having washed it. To keep pores unclogged, slough away dead skin cells daily with skin care products that contain alpha hydroxyl acids or salicylic acids.  And contrary to popular belief, people with oily skin still do need to moisturize. The logic here is that if the skin’s surface becomes dehydrated, the skin’s sebaceous glands that produce oil, will be the one to kick into action, causing even more breakouts! It would be best to use oil-free lotions and sunscreens that won’t exacerbate clogged pores, such as the Diana Stalder Sunblock Gel.

SENSITIVE SKIN. Fragrance-laden products, or skin care lines that have preservatives usually cause people with sensitive skin to get itchy, red, or worse, experience a stinging sensation. The gentlest products is the best way to promote healthy skin for extra-sensitive people and the best way to do that is to stay away from products that have added scents. Itchiness and redness can be significantly lessened with products that contain anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as green tea and licorice-root extract. Consider washing your face with Diana Stalder’s Tea Tree Beauty Bar or Diana Stalder Licorice Beauty Bar.  Also, sun protection is key, so try to protect your sensitive skin by using
Remember that good skin is the foundation to good looks, and practicing a sound skin-care routine makes perfect. It’s honest to goodness proof that you don’t have to spend a fortune to get the radiant glowing skin you want and deserve.


Stress and How it Affects Your Skin

Wednesday, 2010-03-31

Although it’s still a longstanding debate among dermatologists whether stress actually causes skin disorders, they seem to agree that it definitely can trigger some of the most common skin conditions. Including in the list of conditions that can sometimes be attributed to a stressful lifestyle are, acne, eczema, psoriasis, hives, cold sores, and warts.

Stress is inescapable. Everyone experience stress in some way. Sometimes driving through rush-hour traffic on the way to the office is enough to stress you out. To better manage stress, here are the things you need to consider:

1. A healthy diet.

A balanced diet is important in maintaining your overall well being. If your body and mind are in perfect condition, your system will be able to fight-off stress. With properly nourished body, your skin will have a better chance in avoiding the negative effects of day-to-day stress.

Fruits, vegetables, high-protein grains, lentils, dairy and olive oil are rich in antioxidants and can eliminate the free radicals caused by stress.

Too much caffeine can over stimulate your system’s production of adrenaline, and this can easily cause the skin pores to clog up.

2. A good night’s rest.

As we’ve mentioned in our previous blog, Sleep is the Secret to Healthy Skin.

Enough sleep is vital in preserving and mending our body and mind. While sleeping our brains use neuronal connections that would otherwise deteriorate from lack of activity. During deep sleep, cell growth and cell repair takes place to fight the effects of stress and even sun exposure.

3. Don’t forget to exercise.

Exercise is not only vital in maintaining good health. It is also a great way to relieve stress. To relieve stress, you can do physical, mental, or spiritual exercises – or a combination of all three.

Physical exercise is one of the most effective ways of relieving stress. When we do physical exercises, our body releases a chemical substance called endorphins. Endorphins can help elevate our moods and make us feel better.

4. Have your own de-stress routine.

Since stress is inevitable, just like a morning ritual you should also have a de-stress routine. Any activity that’s both healthy and will keep you relaxed is a great de-stress routine.

Some use relaxation techniques to release stress, like meditation, body massage, listening to soft music, or taking a stroll. Some prefers to enjoy the company of friends. Some even find washing the dishes therapeutic.

Aromatherapy, or a long relaxing bath is also a wonderful de-stress routine.

If you’re having problems with acne caused by stress, you can try the Diana Stalder Surely White Acne Treatment Kit. Being exposed to stress and other harmful elements on a daily basis can be harmful to the skin, to keep your skin nourished try the Diana Stalder Nourishing Cream .

Visit the SouthGain Webstore for more skin care products that will help you maintain a healthy skin.


Skin Care 101: Three Popular Home Remedies Exposed

Friday, 2010-03-05

Have a pimple? Want to give your skin a more youthful glow?

Then, why not use cooking oil!

…Wait! Not so fast, before you employ any random home remedy or old wives tale to address your skin care matters, placing the wrong ingredients on your skin may have disastrous effect.

If you’re still looking to figure out what’s hot and what’s not for your skin, this article will guide you through three popular “old wives tales”:

1. Lemon as a skin whitener

Although lemon is rich in Vitamin C and is wonderful disinfectant, it’s bleaching effect – though effective – is not noticeable, especially on the skin. Not only will it take too much time to produce any noticeable results, but lemon’s acidic properties when used in extreme amounts may dry out skin. Rather than go through the long ardous process of using lemon as a skin whitening agent, why not use a gentle yet fast and effective product such as the Diana Stalder Surely White Body Whitening Lotion, Diana Stalder Surely White Whitening Cream (for the face)  or invest in the complete Diana Stalder Surely White Whitening Regimen Kit.

2. Vegetable Cooking Oil as a moisturizer

Although some oils, such as virgin olive oil and coconut oil, when used in moderation, are beneficial and helpful for dry skin, other cooking products such as canola or vegetable oil often causes irritation and breakouts. Rather than experiment on your skin (which is the last place you should experiment with questionable ingredients on), use the safe and effective Diana Stalder Nourishing Creme or the Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion instead.

3. Petroleum Jelly to reduce wrinkles

Petroleum Jelly contains butylene glycol, propylene, petrolateum and mineral oil that can be toxic. Though Petroleum Jelly is well-known for temporarily soothing dry, there is no evidence that it reduces wrinkles or even, aids dry skin in the long-run. Rather than locking in the moisture, Petroleum Jelly merely coats the outer layer of the skin. Don’t coat yourself in grease! Use the Diana Stalder SBF Collagen Cream or better yet, the Diana Stalder Surely White Anti-Wrinkle Kit for a clean, healthy youthful glow.


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