Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion

The Difference Between Men and Women’s Skin

Tuesday, 2012-05-22

Men’s skin is quite different from women’s skin, and it isn’t just the amount of hair, or how smooth (or rough) it is. There are many other differences that all add up to one fact: men and women need to take care of their skin in different ways.

Men have thicker skin

Thanks to testosterone, a man’s skin is approximately 25% thicker than a woman’s skin. This means that biologically speaking, men are less vulnerable to sun damage than women. However, this doesn’t give men an excuse not to wear sunscreen.

Men are usually outdoors more than women. On average, men get roughly 12 hours more sun exposure per week than women. Most men may not particularly care about premature skin aging, but everybody should still be concerned about skin cancer. We think everybody, regardless of gender, should apply some Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, which contains an SPF 30 sunscreen, everyday.

Men have oilier skin

Thanks again to testosterone, men produce more oil than women. This makes men, despite having smaller sebaceous glands than women, more prone to acne. A good way to deal with this is to wash regularly, maybe twice a day, with a product like Diana Stalder Facial Scrub.

Men have “younger” skin

Not only do men have thicker skin than women, men also have a greater collagen density than women. These two combined make a man’s skin look younger a similarly aged woman. However, this age advantage is often negated by many environmental factors, a few of which we’ll tackle in the next point.

Men have more fragile skin

Many people will find this surprising, but men usually have more delicate skin than women. The reasons for this, however, are more environmental than biological.

One of the biggest reasons is that women tend to take better care of their skin than men do. Many men have no qualms using harsh soaps, getting burnt under the sun, and handling dirt, grime, and other skin irritants. Many men also have an aversion to using sunscreen and other skin care products.

Of course, men still take care of their skin, but even that has its own pitfalls. As we mentioned, most men will not mind using harsh soap on their skin, but another part of their skin care regimen can sometimes harm their skin too. Daily shaving can strip off the skin’s hydrolipidic film, which serves as a natural protective layer of the skin. This leaves skin more prone to drying and environmental damage. On top of this, there’s always a risk of cutting or scraping skin when shaving.

All this means that men usually have more sensitized (though not necessarily sensitive) skin than women. What does this mean for men? Put simply, most men probably have to take better care of their skin.

There is a laundry list of differences between men and women’s skin, but we’ve tackled some of the biggest here. Do you think there are other significant differences we missed here? Share them with us in the comments!

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, General ramblings, Skin Care 101 | Tagged: Diana Stalder, Diana Stalder Facial Scrub, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Feed Your Skin Right

Thursday, 2012-05-17

You are what you eat. What you put in you determines, or at least plays a large part in, how you look and feel. If you want proof, look no further, or deeper, than your skin.

Your skin’s condition is inextricably bound to your health. What you see on your skin reflects what is going on inside your body – and skin problems like psoriasis, acne, dry or oily skin, and other conditions usually point to something wrong internally. This is why eating a healthy diet full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients is an essential part of the skincare regimen.

The question you may be asking now is: what should I be feeding my skin to give it a healthy glow?

We have a few suggestions for you:

Water

Water makes up more than two thirds of our body weight. Despite this, or probably because of this, our bodies need water, and lots of it. Everything we do uses up our water supply. In fact, even as you’re sitting there in front of your computer, water is evaporating off your skin.

Experts suggest drinking around 2 liters of water everyday. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables replenishes your water supply too, and helps you stay hydrated throughout the day. It can also help if you lock in some of the moisture in your skin by applying some Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion daily.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Another great way to keep your body, and your skin, moisturized, is ensuring that you have enough EFAs in your diet. EFAs are vital to allowing nutrients into your cells, and pushing waste out. They are also important for maintaining the moisture content in your cells. This makes EFAs an indispensable element in repairing your skin and maintaining its flexibility.

Sources of EFAs include cold water fish like salmon and mackerel, walnuts, as well as flaxseed and safflower oil.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is required for cell growth and replication. Without vitamin A, your skin can’t replace dead cells with new ones, leading to dry, scaly skin.

You can get vitamin A by including animal products like liver, milk, and eggs in your diet, but don’t limit yourself to that. Carrots, pumpkins, chili peppers, and other brightly colored produce are usually rich in vitamin A, as are spinach, kale, and other green leafy vegetables.

Vitamin A is also great when applied directly to your skin. You can get some of its benefits by using Diana Stalder Vitamin A Beauty Bar regularly.

Vitamins C & E

Vitamins C and E are powerful antioxidants that prevents damage and keeps the skin firm. Though they are both potent on their own, they become more effective when working together, protecting your skin from wrinkles and premature aging, as well as damage caused by the sun and pollution.

You can get these vitamins from apples, peaches, guava, citruses, and other fruits, as well as in bell peppers, kale, parsley, turnips, broccoli, and other vegetables.

Flavonoids

These antioxidants have similar effects as vitamins C and E, and then some. Flavonoids also help improve circulation, which helps nutrients get to where they’re needed, thereby giving your skin a rosy complexion.

Want to know where to get your flavonoid fix? Try some dark chocolate, which is rich in polyphenols, as well as some green tea. Red wine, red grapes, and cranberries are also full of flavonoids called proantocyanidins.

Selenium

Another antioxidant you want in your diet is selenium, which promotes tissue elasticity and helps prevent inflammation. This means less wrinkles and fine lines. On top of this, it plays an important role in protecting the skin from sun damage, another cause of skin aging.

Whole wheat, seafood like tuna and salmon, turkey, Brazil nuts, garlic, and eggs are all rich in this antioxidant mineral.

Zinc

This mineral is a must for healthy skin, especially if you suffer from acne. Some research has shown that acne may be a symptom of a zinc deficiency. Even if you don’t suffer from acne, zinc is important because it regulates the production of oil in the skin.

To load up on zinc, grab some fresh oysters, oats, and eggs, as well as certain kinds of nuts.

Do you know of other nutrients you need for healthy skin? Leave a comment and share them with the rest of us!

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Posted by pgesmundo

Anti-Aging Tips for Men

Tuesday, 2012-05-15

Everybody wants to look younger, and “everybody” includes men, whether they admit it or not. Let’s face it – most men probably won’t be willing to spend as much time caring for their skin as women do. There are exceptions, of course, but for the most part, men want skin care to be really simple and easy. This means no multiple-step skin care regimens and not a lot of products.

Fortunately, this doesn’t mean most men are doomed to have unhealthy skin. With a few simple, easy to follow tips, men can also have healthy skin.

Learn how to shave right

Biologically speaking, men should age later and more slowly than women. Inspite of this, men tend to age earlier than women. There are many reasons for this, one of which is frequent shaving.

Shaving frequently leaves skin prone to dryness and premature aging, but that doesn’t mean men should stop shaving. Instead, we suggest, first, washing with warm water before shaving. This prepares the skin by opening pores and preventing irritation.

Next, we recommend using shaving cream infused with moisturizers, which helps skin from getting too dry. Applying aftershave also helps by preventing infections, especially from any cuts incurred during shaving.

Our most important tip, however, is to shave with the grain, or in the direction of the hair growth. While this doesn’t provide as close a shave as going against the grain, it is less likely to irritate the skin.

Wear protection

We can’t stress enough the importance of sun protection, and this is why we very often recommend Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, which contains an SPF 30 sunscreen. We believe everybody, men included, can benefit from its moisturizing and sun protection.

For men who may still have issues with using moisturizers, we suggest wearing caps, scarves, long sleeves, and other clothing items that provide cover or protection from the sun. We also suggest staying out of the afternoon sun, and limiting sun exposure to early mornings. Sun protection doesn’t always have to come in a bottle. It could simply mean being smart about one’s exposure to the sun’s harmful ways.

Snooze some more

Sleep well. Male or female, most people need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night. Taking a nap in the afternoon can also do wonders. One good thing about sleep is that its benefits show up, not only on one’s skin, but also in one’s energy levels, mental faculties, and several other ways. If the idea of “beauty sleep” doesn’t appeal to your man, maybe the concept of a mid-day “recharge” might be more palatable.

Sweat a little

Exercising regularly is great for the heart, the body, and the skin too. Regular exercise will not only help your man feel years younger, it will help him look younger too. Keeping fit and trim shaves off a few years, but the benefits don’t stop there. Exercise reduces stress, flushes out toxins, and pumps oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. This leads to healthy skin, which also helps make your man look much younger than his age.

Do you have tips to help the men in your life fight the effects of aging? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, Skin Care 101 | Tagged: beauty regimen for men, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, shave right, Skin care for men, skin tips for men | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Warning Signs of Skin Aging

Thursday, 2012-05-10

We’ve discussed how skin ages as part of our Skin Care 101 series, but we’d like to visit the topic again. This time, we want to discuss what’s normal and what’s not.

Don’t worry, this is normal

We’ve said it before, you can’t stop the effects of aging. Some of the symptoms of skin aging are entirely normal, albeit unwelcome.

Pigmentary Changes

Melasma is a brown discoloration that starts showing up in your 30s, though it is more common among dark-skinned women. One way to treat melasma is by using skin lightening creams and soaps. Our pick suggestion, use Diana Stalder Black Soap regularly.

Wrinkles and fine lines

Like it or not, lines may start to form around your eyes in your 30s. The timing for this may be due in part to genetics, but another key factor is exposure to the sun. The best way to delay the appearance of these fine lines involves wearing protective eyewear and regular application of suncreen. We can’t help you with eyewear recommendations, but we suggest you use Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream everyday.

Wrinkles might start showing up at the corners of your mouth in your 40s, with deeper wrinkles around the face and on the neck becoming more prominent in your 50s. Regular moisturizing with a product like Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion helps, as does washing with Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar to help maintain or restore your skin’s elasticity.

Hold on, that’s not right

Sometimes, the changes you see in your skin aren’t normal signs of skin aging. Instead, environmental damage and other factors are the root cause. Here are some changes that maybe you should be concerned about.

Yellowish skin

Dry, sallow skin indicates trouble that is more than skin deep. There are many factors that can cause this, including illness, but one of the most common causes is smoking. Don’t smoke, or if you do, quit today – your complexion should get better soon.

Deep wrinkles

Wrinkles are unavoidable, but you shouldn’t have to worry about anything more significant than fine lines until you hit your 40s, and probably even later. One effect of sun damage is the early onset of wrinkles, so you want to protect yourself from the sun early on. Another cause of wrinkles, especially around the mouth, is smoking. Avoiding this vice, as well as other bad habits, should help you delay the appearance of deep wrinkles.

Pigmentary changes, but in your 20s

Overexposure to the sun can cause skin to age quickly, and one of the early signs of this is pigmentary changes in your youth. We can’t stress enough how important it is to wear sunscreen everyday.

Unusual moles and lesions

If you notice sudden changes in the size, color, or shape of any moles on your body, we suggest you visit your doctor. If you find lesions that crust or bleed, be worried too. These changes could point to skin cancer.

Of course, there is only so much we can tell you about this over the Internet. We suggest that you simply take a good look at your body regularly (we recommend doing this once a month), and meeting your dermatologist annually.

This is far from a comprehensive list of what’s normal and what’s not, but it’s a start. Can you think other skin changes we should worry about? How about changes that are perfectly normal and expected? Please tell us by leaving a comment.

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, Skin Care 101, SouthGain.com web store | Tagged: deep wrinkles, Diana Stalder Black Soap, Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream, fine lines, How Skin Ages, pigmentary changes, skin care 101, skin lesions, unusual moles, Wrinkles, yellowish skin | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Bumpy Baby’s Bottom

Saturday, 2012-05-05

Whoever coined the expression “smooth as a baby’s bottom” has probably never had kids, or at least has never encountered diaper rash. While it’s true that baby’s skin is usually soft, glowing, and blemish free, babies often encounter skin conditions that, while not exactly serious, can be quite upsetting for parents. but unfortunately there are some skin care conditions that, while minor in their severity, can still be upsetting for parents.

In this post, we discuss some common complaints about baby’s skin and share some possible solutions (and even preventions). After all, it’s never too early to start caring for your skin, right?

Diaper rash

This is the most common skin care complaint among babies, especially in the first few months. This isn’t too surprising, since babies’ bottoms spend most of their time wrapped tight, sometimes in close contact with wee and poo.

Dealing with diaper rash is simple – just wash baby’s bottom in warm water. If you want, you can put some oatmeal in warm water, then bathe baby like normal. You can also use Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar, which works great for various skin irritations, including diaper rash.

If you want to keep diaper rash at bay, you need to change diapers pretty often. The moist environment in a diaper and the ammonia released by baby’s pee have a tendency to irritate baby’s bottom. The downside of this, of course, is that you spend quite a bit more money (and time) changing diapers.

Cradle Cap

If you notice greasy or scaly patches on your baby’s scalp, and possibly behind baby’s ears, it’s probably cradle cap. While it looks alarming, it is quite common, and is a harmless condition. Cradle cap usually starts in the first three months, but usually doesn’t last much longer than a few months.

Many believe that cradle cap is caused by overactive sebaceous glands, likely caused by their mother’s hormones lingering in their system after birth. The extra sebum, or oil, produced causes dead skin cells to stick to baby’s scalp instead of simply falling off.

We suggest applying some olive on baby’s scalp to soften the scaly skin, then gently removing the softened scales with a fine comb or a soft cloth. While this doesn’t treat the condition, it does get rid of the unsightly scales. Simply do this regularly until the condition resolves itself.

Eczema

If you notice scaly patches in other areas of your baby, like maybe the nose, armpits, or others, you might be dealing with eczema. There many possible causes for this, but one thing they have in common is irritation. Whatever the cause, eczema usually goes away on its own, but you can reduce the symptoms of eczema by minimize possible causes of irritation.

Regular bathing with lukewarm water will definitely help. Some people recommend applying moisturizers rich in lanolin or aloe vera, but we believe that’s a personal choice. Consult with your pediatrician if you want, but the most important thing is that you’re comfortable with what you put (or don’t put) on baby’s skin.

You should also make sure to dress baby in soft, natural fabrics like cotton and wool – these are less likely than other fabrics to irritate baby’s skin. It’s also a good idea to keep baby’s hands wrapped in mittens to keep them from scratching themselves. Just make sure you take them off every so often to give baby’s hands time to breath too. Sometimes, mittens can keep sweat from drying off baby’s hands.

The most important thing to remember is that baby’s skin is thinner than your skin and very sensitive. This means that you have to be very gentle to keep baby’s skin soft and smooth. Avoid harsh soaps and cleansing products – they might do more harm than good. Relax too, most of baby’s skin conditions, no matter how alarming initially, will simply go away naturally. Of course, if you have any doubts, you can always consult with your doctor.

The skin on a baby’s bottom is soft, smooth and very sensitive. It’s also thinner than adults’ and has a higher pH level. It has to put up with difficult conditions, spending most of the day and night wrapped tightly in

Infant skin care is a very gentle procedure. Avoid harsh soaps or artificial cleansing products and most of the time the condition will simply go away naturally. However, like anything related to your baby, if you have any doubts make sure that you consult a medical specialist as soon as possible.

Of course, you should consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about these conditions, but generally they are simple to care for and can be easily addressed with some natural home care remedies. Here are the three most common skin care complaints for babies and some simple remedies for them.

“Laugh a lot, and when you’re older, all your wrinkles will be in the right places”

- Anonymous

There are few things as soft and smooth as a baby’s bottom, at least if you believe the expression. With few exceptions, a baby’s skin is soft, clear, and wrinkle-free – and it usually stays that way until early adolescence. After that, however, it usually goes downhill.

You can, however, do something about it. You can’t stop the effects of aging entirely, but there are ways to help keep your skin looking fresh, clear, and young. All it takes is a little care, and a bit of help from us.

The Teen Years and Hormones

Puberty brings a lot of hormonal changes, and along with this rush of hormones comes a lot of skin changes. Among the most common changes are increased oil production, along with its more annoying cousin: acne.

The best thing you can do for your skin at this age is protect it from the sun. This means staying in the shade as much as possible, and wearing sun protection when you have to get under the sun. Our suggestion, dab on some Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream everyday.

Of course, there’s still the problem plaguing teenagers the world over: acne. Washing your face regularly is a great way to keep your skin clean and free from oil, and a mild scrub like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar does wonders. If you need something a bit more potent to combat pimples, Diana Stalder Tea Tree Beauty Bar has antimicrobial properties that are very effective against acne and fungi.

The 20′s: First Signs of Aging

The first signs of aging usually begin in your 20′s, when the collagen and elastin that have kept your skin soft and supple start to break down. Once again, UV protection is your best bet to control any skin damage. Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion contains an SPF 30 sunscreen that protects skin against harmful sun rays, and gently moisturizes your skin, helping prevent premature aging.

The 30′s: Early Environmental Damage

Damage from sun exposure usually begins to show up in your 30′s, but the good news is that sun-induced wrinkles are still barely visible at this age. Your skin’s collagen and elastin continue to lose their spring too, making skin care more important.

On top of protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays, moisturizing skin becomes even more important. A soap like Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar helps restore your skin’s elasticity, as does Diana Stalder Skin Revitalizer.

The 40′s & 50′s: Revealing the Damage

Moisturizing comes to the forefront in your 40′s & 50′s. Dead skin cells start to stick around longer, but a mild scrub like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar can help solve that. Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème exfoliates your skin as well, and also maintain your skin’s elasticity.

If you haven’t done your diligence protecting your skin from sun damage, this is the time it starts showing up. This is also the when wrinkles, age spots, and spider veins become evident. As always, moisturizers and sunscreen should be a part of your daily skin care regimen, and a product like Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream gives you both.

The 60′s and Beyond: Protection & Pampering Paying Off

When you hit your 60′s, a lifetime of skin care starts paying off. You can’t stop the clock completely, so your skin probably shows some signs of aging already. Fortunately, if you’ve taken good care of your skin, your wrinkles, spots, and other blemishes won’t be too obvious.

This doesn’t mean you should stop caring for your skin though. A daily dose of moisturizer, a dab of SPF, and continued care should help keep your skin young and fresh. Of course, smiling a lot helps too – if you’re going to have wrinkles anyway, you can at least have your wrinkles in the right places.

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, General ramblings, Skin Care 101, SouthGain.com web store | Tagged: Baby skin problems and solutions, Diana Stalder, Diana Stalder Collagen Beauty Bar, Diana Stalder Night Gel, Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème, Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar, Diana Stalder Revitalizing Beauty Bar, Diana Stalder SBF Collagen Cream, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream, Diana Stalder Tea, Skin aging tips | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

How to Get Rid of Skin Blemishes

Thursday, 2012-03-29

Skin blemishes is a very common problem for all skin types. But as common as they are, no one wants bumps and spots marring their complexion. Don’t worry, you can successfully get rid of unwanted blemishes by making these few changes in your skin care lifestyle:

1. Follow your skin care regimen faithfully.

Even if you think you are genetically predisposed to developing skin blemishes, you shouldn’t have much problem if you faithfully adhere to your skin care regimen. You don’t need to apply many products on your skin; you only have to do the basics, which are regular cleansing, toning, moisturizing, and exfoliating.

Cleansing removes dirt from your skin, and is best done with lukewarm water and a gentle, non-soap cleanser such as the Diana Stalder Facial Wash.

Other people opt to forego toning but it is as important as cleansing as it removes the buildup of dirt, makeup, and excess oil from your pores. The Diana Stalder Surely White SW Skin Toner even helps whiten your skin.

After cleaning your skin with the first two steps, you need to moisturize using a good moisturizer like the Diana Stalder Her Facial Lotion. Moisturizing helps your skin remain supple and prevents the early development of wrinkles.

Exfoliation removes the dead skin cells, making way for newer skin cells to emerge. While the three steps mentioned above are to be done daily (even twice daily), exfoliation should only be done around two to three times a week. Over-exfoliating will only cause more damage to your skin. You should also remember to use gentle exfoliants such as the Diana Stalder Facial Scrub.

2. Avoid too much exposure to the sun.

Summer is here and a lot of people are looking forward to meeting the sun and having a decent tan. However, exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays is not only a culprit behind skin blemishes, but also the leading cause of skin cancer. To be safe, avoid going out during the sun’s peak hours, which is between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If you can’t avoid doing so, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to protect you from UVB rays and titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to protect you from UVA rays. A good sunscreen that provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays is the Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30 sunscreen. Remember to use sunscreen every day, even when the day doesn’t seem so sunny.

3. OTC products, natural remedies, and special medications are your friends.

The world doesn’t end when you discover a zit or a cluster of blackheads. OTC or over-the-counter products are effective in preventing blemishes from getting worse and mostly contain chemicals such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide. The Diana Stalder Surely White Acne Treatment Kit is very effective in treating acne and other blemishes.

If you are not keen on using products with hard-to-spell chemical ingredients, you can use natural or organic substances to treat your blemishes. Lemon juice is very effective in bleaching dark spots. Tea-tree oil is a natural antiseptic while witch hazel removes excess oil. A mixture of strawberries and vinegar can minimize blemishes, and even ice cubes can reduce inflammation.

Finally, if you think you need medical treatment for your skin condition, you should go to the doctor and ask for a prescription. It is always helpful to consult a doctor first if you suspect your skin blemishes are caused by a more serious health problem.

4. Live a healthier lifestyle.

This is not exactly a skin care magic tip, but having good skin is practically impossible if you keep on abusing your body. While an unhealthy lifestyle may not be the immediate cause behind your clogged pores, it is proven that lifeless, nutrient-deprived skin is more susceptible to developing skin damages and is prone to premature aging.

In order to attain healthy skin, you need to incorporate the following foods into your diet: antioxidant-rich foods such as bright fruits and tea, leafy vegetables that have a lot of fiber, lean meat that contains protein and amino acids, sea foods that contain zinc and omega-3 fatty acid, etc. You will also need to avoid caffeine, alcohol, saturated fats, too much salt, and refined sugars.

Aside from eating healthy, you will also have to drink at least 6-8 glasses of water every day to keep your skin hydrated and flush out blemish-causing toxins. You also need to maintain a regular exercise regimen to improve blood circulation and keep your skin supple. An ample amount of sleep every night is also important to keep your skin rejuvenated and refreshed.

While almost everyone has blemishes (even the celebrities we so admire), we can’t blame you if you want to be different from everyone else. After all, attaining perfect and flawless skin is not an impossible dream – it’s only a matter of proper skin care, and you don’t necessarily have to empty your wallet in order to do this.

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, Skin Care 101, SouthGain.com web store | Tagged: blemishes, Diana Stalder Facial Lotion, Diana Stalder Facial Scrub, Diana Stalder Facial Wash, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, Diana Stalder Surely White Acne Treatment Kit, Diana Stalder Surely White Skin Toner, skin blemishes | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Reversing the Effects of Sun Damage

Tuesday, 2012-02-21

You probably know already that overexposure to the sun’s rays can damage your skin and cause it to age prematurely. You also probably already know the value of wearing sunscreen daily.

Chances are, however, you didn’t worry about sun protection in your younger years, and you’ve already sustained several years worth of sun damage on your skin. You can’t change the past, but by taking steps to care for your skin, you can reverse some of the effects of sun damage. Interested? Here are a few simple tips:

Smooth it out

The buildup of dead skin cells can make your skin look blotchy and uneven. One of the simplest ways to make your skin appear smoother is by exfoliating. Regular use of an exfoliant like Diana Stalder Facial Scrub removes dead skin cells, leaving skin looking smoother.

An added benefit of exfoliating is that the treatments you apply afterwards work better. When you exfoliate, you apply lotions, creams, and other topical treatments on a fresh layer of skin, and not the layer of dead skin cells that normally stay on top.

One disadvantage of exfoliating, however, is that it makes your skin more prone to the elements. This is why our next tip is so important.

Protect your skin

We can’t stress this enough: the best thing you can do for your skin is protect it from the sun. Even (or especially) if you’ve already sustained skin damage from the sun, putting on sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 like Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream is important. Wearing sunscreen helps prevent further sun damage, and this is especially important after you exfoliate, when your skin is most prone to damage from the elements. This also gives your skin and immune system time to repair some of the damage that has already been done.

Bleach a little

If you’re worried about blotchy skin, dark spots, and other discoloration caused by sun damage, we recommend the Diana Stalder Surely White Body Bleaching Kit. The kit not only includes Papaya Kojic Soap and Surely White SW Body Lotion to treat the blemishes on your skin, but also includes the Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, which works as both a moisturizer and a sunscreen.

Nourish your skin

Vitamin A great for rejuvenating sun-damaged skin. We recommend using Diana Stalder Vitamin A Beauty Bar regularly to help nurse your skin back to health. As a side benefit, Vitamin A also helps treat acne.

Nourishment, however, shouldn’t just be (pardon the pun) skin deep. What you eat affects your skin’s health, so it’s important to watch your diet too. You want food rich in Vitamins A, C, and E to fight skin damage. Recent research has also shown that lycopene, which is found in tomatoes and other food, does wonders for your skin’s natural UV protection.

Of course, hydration is also important. Your skin needs water to look healthy, and dehydrating yourself doesn’t help repair your skin. Make sure you drink enough water during the day, and keep a bottle (or a glass) of water by your bedside too.

Do you have any tips or tricks to repair the effects of sun damage? Please share them with us too!

1 Comment | Diana Stalder products, General ramblings, SouthGain.com web store | Tagged: Diana Stalder, Diana Stalder Facial Scrub, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream, Diana Stalder Surely White Body Bleaching Kit, Diana Stalder Vitamin A Beauty Bar, Papaya Kojic Soap, Reversing the Effects of Sun Damage, skin care, skin lightening, southgain-skin-care.com, Surely White SW Body Lotion | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Skin Care 101: Five Tips on How to Simplify your Skin Care Routine

Friday, 2012-02-17

Many of us are guilty of collecting as many beauty products as we can. They do look good on our bedrooms and boudoirs, don’t they? Some of us have our own prized possessions: that limited edition perfume or that certain hand cream which reminds us of our grandmother’s scent.

What we may not realize, though, is that using a lot of beauty products may take a toll on our skin. In fact, this may be the reason behind your acne or your sensitized skin. The rule is simple – the fewer chemicals we have on our skin, the better – and there’s no other way to do this than simplifying our skin care routine.

1. Organize and keep clean
Allot some time to take inventory of every beauty product you own. How often do you use each one of them? Retain the products which you use on a regular basis, especially those that have really worked well with your skin. Throw out the following: those that are nearing or have already gone beyond their expiration dates, those that cause you to break out, those that simply have no effect on your skin, those which you keep only because of their pretty packaging, and those which you keep because of their sentimental value.

2. Look for the multifunctional
What better way to simplify your skin care routine than using multipurpose products? You don’t need to spend more money on these products; you only need to hone your label-studying skills. For example, instead of applying moisturizer and sunscreen separately, why not buy moisturizer with a good SPF, such as the Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion with SPF 30? Or, to raise your simplifying act one notch higher, how about buying a tinted moisturizer with SPF? That way, you can ditch your moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation for just one product, like the Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream.

3. More is not always better
We already know how damaging it is if we try to exfoliate our skin daily. We only need to do so once or twice a week to avoid irritations. Aside from that, we can also lessen the frequency of our other beauty rituals. If you wash your face twice a day, you can reduce it to just once a day by using cleanser only at night before going to bed. You should use a good cleanser, such as the Diana Stalder Facial Wash. In the morning, just wash with water, as over-cleansing can cause your skin to dry.

4. Invest on the essentials
Don’t try too hard and get real. Do you really need to apply three or more products on your skin every single day? Unless you have some major skin problems to take care of, all you need to apply daily are a good cleanser and a moisturizer (possibly with SPF). If you don’t have really oily skin, skip the toner as the cleanser is good enough in removing excess oils and dirt. You will also need to keep an exfoliator (a bottle of Diana Stalder Facial Scrub perhaps) on retainer, but remember that this is not meant for daily use.

5. Be a critical shopper
Only buy products that are skin-friendly and effective. Know your skin thoroughly. What irritates your skin? Be vigilant in studying the product’s components. If it contains even one irritant, don’t buy it. What’s your skin type? Buy products that target your skin problems and, as much as possible, avoid those that are made for all skin types. Do not be dependent on hearsays or other people’s reviews when buying a product – a product that is effective for others may not necessarily be effective on your skin.

These are only five tips you can follow to get you started with your simplified skin care routine. However, we still have one bonus tip: prevention is better than cure. To maintain healthy and young-looking skin, it is important to always stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet. It is also equally important to remain active and stop unhealthy vices such as drinking and smoking.

Remember that what goes inside your body reflects on the outside. Sometimes, they even affect our skin more than the products we apply. We may have already simplified and perfected our skin care routines, but ultimately, it is our overall health that we need to look out for.

Leave a Comment » | Diana Stalder products, General ramblings, Skin Care 101, SouthGain.com web store | Tagged: Diana Stalder, Diana Stalder Facial Scrub, Diana Stalder SBF Collagen Cream, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, skin care, Skin Care Routine, southgain-skin-care.com | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

5 Skin Care Facts You Need to Know

Wednesday, 2012-02-01

If you’re serious about keeping your skin smooth, hydrated, and healthy, you probably know the basics of skin care already. We won’t cover that here. Instead, we’re sharing some not-commonly-known facts that will help give your skin a healthy glow.

Moisturizers Need Water

We all know that water is vital for healthy skin, but did you know that it’s also the most important ingredient in your moisturizer? Most moisturizers work by helping your skin retain moisture, and a good sign you’re using an effective moisturizer is that the first ingredient listed on its label is water. One such moisturizer is Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, which gives you the added benefit of an SPF 30 sunscreen.

Moisturizers also work better right after bathing. Just pat your skin until it’s just barely dry, then apply moisturizer immediately. This helps trap water your skin was able to soak up in the shower.

Exfoliants & Moisturizers Go Hand in Hand

While we’re on the topic of bathing, let’s talk about exfoliating. Exfoliants and facial scrubs remove dead skin and and reveal the fresh layer of skin underneath. When you apply moisturizer without exfoliatig, a lot of it is wasted on the dead skin cells on the surface. If you exfoliate first, you get right to the fresh layer of skin underneath, and this is what you want to moisturize.
Squeaky Clean is Bad

Exfoliating is good, but it’s also way too easy to overdo it. If your skin feels tight, that might mean you’ve stripped it of important natural oils, leaving it more prone to drying. The next time you wash, resist the urge to scrub your skin clean – your skin will thank you later. Our recommendation: go for a gentle exfoliant like Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar or Diana Stalder Facial Scrub, which is great for gently scrubbing away dead skin cells, washing away excess oil, and of course, cleaning your skin.

Diet Helps Too

You can also find skin-care essentials in your kitchen cupboard, and we’re not talking about home-brewed creams either. A healthy diet with balanced mix of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients will do wonders for your skin. Food rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, like salmon, are great for keeping your skin soft and supple. Vitamin A does wonders to repair damaged skin, while Vitamins C and E are antioxidants that help protect your skin from damaging free radicals.

There are, on the other hand, food products you want to avoid. Overly processed food items don’t usually give your skin a healthy glow, and neither do sugary food and dairy products. Basically, you want to avoid a lot of the stuff you find on supermarket aisles – the fresh produce on the edges of the store will be better for your skin.

Sweating Isn’t Always Bad

Working up a sweat regularly is great for your skin – just make sure you shower regularly too. Exercise helps flush out toxins in your skin and pumps oxygen and nutrients through your blood. On top of this, exercise is a great way to combat stress that can wreak havoc on your skin.

Do you have any of your own tips to share? Leave a comment below and let us know!

1 Comment | Diana Stalder products, General ramblings, Skin Care 101, SouthGain.com web store | Tagged: Diana Stalder Facial Scrub, Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar, Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, Exfoliants, Moisturizers, Skin Care Facts | Permalink
Posted by pgesmundo

Skin Care 101: How Skin Ages

Monday, 2012-01-30

“Laugh a lot, and when you’re older, all your wrinkles will be in the right places”
− Anonymous