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!


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

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.


Get Great Skin for the Holidays

Thursday, 2011-12-15

Shopping. Cooking. Cleaning. Celebrating. The holidays is simply the busiest time of the year. While you would want to get all glammed-up in time for the merry making, it seems like the frantic preparation schedule gets in the way of your beauty routines.

Prepare for your great skin this holiday season by following these simple tips to make sure that you look your best. After all, this is the time where photos are constantly taken and family reunions are unavoidable.

Prepare Your Skin

If you want to have a better complexion, or get rid of those appalling skin pigmentations before the festivities, you should start your daily beauty regimen with Diana Stalder Papaya Kojic Soap that is effective for skin whitening and moisturizing.  It contains a special blend of extracts that nourish the skin naturally while also producing a micro-exfoliation effect.

Worried about those dark spots, acne scars, hyper – pigmentation, and other forms of melasma? Diana Stalder Glutathione Soap can sort that problem out. It will nurture and make your skin look great as it helps in the exfoliation process.  It also helps remove the appearance of pimples and leaves your skin with a beautiful, radiant, younger-looking glow.

Of course, don’t forget to exfoliate using Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème. It helps in exfoliating dead skin cells, stimulating epidermal turn-over and increasing the rate of desquamation.  It revitalizes skin and maintains its elasticity.
Moisturizing your skin is also a-must to make sure that you maintain that glowing skin over the holidays. Diana Stalder Surely White SW White Body Lotion gently moisturizes the skin.

Start Exercising

This season may be the busiest time of the year, but you shouldn’t forget to do your share of exercises to make sure that you stay fit and healthy. Plus doing a couple of exercises daily helps relieve stress and increase the oxygen flow to your skin, promoting younger looking skin.

Should you choose to do some jogging, walking, cycling, or any outdoor exercises, make sure that you have Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream to protect your skin from harmful UV rays, prevents sun damage and premature aging of the skin.  It is best for normal to dry skin.  The SPF rating for this product is 15.

Wear A Smile

Nothing’s more beautiful than seeing a person flashing his or her biggest smile during this season. It’s also the best way to keep a happy, younger looking skin.

Decide today how you are going to look tomorrow. You only have a few days left, start your beauty routines now.


Skin Care for Twenty-Somethings

Wednesday, 2011-11-16

To be considered beautiful, one should have a blemish-free skin. But for twenty-somethings whose lifestyle are always on-the-go, skin care might not be exactly a part of their top priorities.

However, you need to keep in mind that the skin of your twenty-something self won’t last that long. If you don’t take care of your skin today, you might experience premature aging along with other skin problems.

At a young age, your oil glands will be working at full speed which gives your skin a supple and naturally well-moisturized look. But with the type of food you’re eating today, and the unhealthy lifestyle you practice because you’re having “the time of your life,” you’re abusing your body and your skin. In the end, you might look 35, instead of 25.

So what should you do to take care of your skin?

First, you need to clean your face with a mild cleanser to remove make-up, oil, and dirt without stripping your skin. One good pick you could use is Diana Stalder Licorice Beauty Bar because it has gentle ingredients that can be used to deeply cleanse and soften the skin while moisturizing it.  It also lightens skin tone, and has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties which can alleviate the appearance of mild rashes.

Another product you can also use is Diana Stalder Lemon Soap, which is formulated with an acne-fighting ingredient (salicylic acid) that is not harsh to the skin.  It is particularly good for oily skin and helps prevent the formation of pimples.
Don’t forget to use an oil-free moisturizer that has SPF during the day. Pick a product that has anti-oxidants like Vitamin C or E, or a combination of both. A must-use would be Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion as it gently moisturizes the skin.  It also contains an SPF 30 sunscreen that protects skin against harmful sun rays, preventing the appearance of premature aging.

Another top-choice is Diana Stalder Clean and Tone Lotion. It  is formulated specifically for cleansing oily skin; and, it prevents the formation of comedone, keeping the skin clear.

These products have free-radical fighters that help prevent and repair sun and environmental damage.
Prevent blemishes and pimples from happening by exfoliating one to two times a week. Apply Diana Stalder Nourishing Crème (f.k.a. Night Repair Crème) exfoliates dead skin cells, stimulating epidermal turn-over and increasing the rate of desquamation.  It revitalizes skin and maintains its elasticity. It’s best to use at night time.

 “Anyway,” according to Nigella Lawson, a famous food writer, and journalist, “What makes people look youthful is the quality of their skin and I don’t think you can change that.”

Taking care of your skin at a young age will save you a whole lot of stress in the future. It may seem like a lot of investment, but we assure you it’s all worth it.


Skin Care 101: Dry Skin No More

Saturday, 2011-09-17

Dry skin can be caused by several factors such as lack of water intake or extremely cold surroundings. It is characterized by red, scaly and itchy skin and the most common areas affected are the face, hands, arms and legs.

The most common cause of skin drying is long hours in the shower and also using soaps that are harsh to the skin. Unfortunately, there are many people with this habit and are not even aware about the drying effect it does to the skin.

Try cutting down shower time so that you don’t strip off skin’s natural oils. In addition, use moisturizing bath soaps such as Diana Stalder Glycerine Beauty Bar which is made of mild, hypoallergenic, natural ingredients that effectively moisturize the skin. In addition, when drying the skin after bath, just dab the towel, don’t rub. Follow-up with body moisturizers such as Diana Stalder Surely White Lightening Lotion while skin is still damp.

For the face, it is recommended to use moisturizing cleansers, such as Diana Stalder Facial Wash, especially for the face. This helps strike a balance between cleansing and protecting the skin from dryness at the same time.

As people age, there is a natural tendency for skin to become dry which can also cause skin wrinkling. This is because as a person grows older, there is also a decrease in sebaceous glands that give out essential oils for skin moisture. The skin’s ability to hold water decreases too due to the diminishing fat presence in the epidermis.

Therefore, moisturizing must be doubled inside and out. Drink plenty of water while nourishing and protecting the skin with moisturizers and sunblock. A very good product that gives both benefits would be Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream which nourishes and moisturizes the skin, helping maintain elasticity and preventing dryness.

Moisturizing and hydrating are essential in keeping skin smooth, soft and never every dry.


Dark Knees and Elbows

Friday, 2011-05-27

Some people may have the fairest skin all over their body yet they still avoid wearing skirts and sleeveless tops because of scene-stealer dark knees and elbows. If you are suffering from this dilemma or you have family and friends with the same problem, read along to understand.

 

The Causes

Dark skin in the knees and elbows is primarily caused by three things – constant rubbing just like when leaning with your elbows at your desk or wearing rough denims that cause pressure on the knees, hyper-pigmentation due to sun exposure and because of the stretch-contract activity of the skin in these areas, and dryness due to lack of moisture and essential oils.

Reforming Habits

Now that you already understand what causes darkness in these areas, you should be more conscious about preventing the causes. If you have habits of leaning on your elbows, try to straighten your arms so that in contact is your upper arms and not the elbows. For your knees, switch to pants that are not so tight or are a bit loose. Try to free your elbows and knees from friction as much as possible.

Sun Protection and Lightening

If you would notice, if you stretch your arms, the elbow skin stretches. If you pull your arms toward you, the elbow skin contracts. This means more skin bunches up and more skin means more pigments. That is why the skin in the elbows and knees are very much prone to hyper-pigmentation especially when exposed to the sun. Protect it from the sun by applying a sunblock with at least SPF 15 just like Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream.

Exfoliating and Moisturizing

Still associated with friction, skin in the elbows and knees tend to be dry. In addition, since there are skin folds in these areas as a result of contraction, dead skin cells can get trapped. The key is to both exfoliate and moisturize to help get rid of dull surface and also keep the skin soft and smooth. While you can use separate products for these functions, there are single skin products that give both benefits such as Diana Stalder Glutathione Soap.

Don’t let any minor flaws in some areas of your body ruin your entire skin beauty. Say goodbye to dark elbows and knees and hello to a white fair you from top to toe!


Chemical Peel

Wednesday, 2011-03-16

In the pursuit of keeping skin young looking and free from blemishes, chemical peel has become one of the most popular treatments in the skin industry.  For those who have no idea about chemical peel, the most common misconception is that the “application of chemicals” to the skin will cause more harm than good. Let’s find out if this is true.

Chemical Peel Defined

Chemical Peel obviously has two components; first, is the use of chemical; second, is the peeling effect to the skin. The purpose of peeling is to remove the dull, old, rough, wrinkled, pimpled, scarred and uneven toned outer layer of skin, hence, encouraging the skin to renew. The gravity of the chemical peel’s effect on skin is based on the ingredient used for the procedure.

Light: AHA Peel

The gentlest type of chemical peel uses Alphahydroxy acids or AHAs. If you’re using Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion, you would find in the label that it contains lactic acid which is an example of AHA. Another AHA example would be the fruit acids found in Diana Stalder His Facial Lotion and Diana Stalder Her Facial Lotion. This type of chemical peel is ideal for subtle wrinkling and pimple marks, skin dryness and slight skin tone unevenness. Mild chemical peel requires only a few days to produce a smoother and fairer skin.

Medium: TCA Peel

Compared to AHA peeling, TCA (Trichloroacetic acid) is a bit stronger as it is intended for medium-depth skin problems such as average wrinkling, visible blemishes and uneven skin pigmentation.  Recovering from TCA peeling may take a few weeks but, to protect the newly formed layers, sun avoidance is strongly advised even months after the treatment. Due to the stronger properties, TCA may bring about side effects such as mild scabbing, crusting and some swelling.(1)

Deep: Phenol Peel

For patients whose skin problems are deep-seated; i.e. coarse skin, map-like skin pigmentation, severe wrinkling and even pre-cancerous indications, Phenol peeling is employed. This is the strongest ingredient used in chemical peel and therefore requires a longer healing period, perhaps even days of rest. The immediate effect is swelling which is expected to normalize as the skin heals. Further, the skin loses its tanning ability which makes sun protection and avoidance a must.(2)

Needless to say, trying out chemical peel should always be under the guidance of a dermatologist. This way, the procedure matches your skin type and, as a patient, you will be able to understand and anticipate the possible side effects.


[1] http://www.the-cosmetic-surgery-directory.com/chemicalpeel.html

[2] http://www.plasticsurgery.org/Patients_and_Consumers/Procedures/Cosmetic_Procedures/Chemical_Peel.html


Skin Care 101: For the Sporty Chic

Tuesday, 2011-03-01

Sport is a very good form of exercise; it tones the muscles, gives a youthful look and keeps the body full of vigor. However, some forms of sport causes damage to the skin which varies from corns, calluses, wounds and scratches to dryness, pimples and wrinkling. Is there a way to strike a balance between living an active lifestyle and having a fine skin?

Corns and Calluses

Among the body parts, the feet and the hands are the most prone to corns and calluses. This is the case with sports that require running such as marathons; and also those that require hand equipment such as golf and tennis. For the feet, one way to avoid corns and calluses is to use shoes with at least half of an inch allowance. The space gives a provision to wear thick socks and also avoids feet-shoes contact. For the hands, use of sports tape and gloves will lessen the friction with the skin. To help remove corns and calluses, wash your feet thoroughly with soap that has anti-microbial properties just like Diana Stalder Tea Tree Beauty Bar. Moisturize your hands and feet with lotion that both smoothens and exfoliates such as Diana Stalder Surely White Body Whitening Lotion.

Wounds and Scratches

These two are also inevitable especially on rough sports with frequent player contact, i.e. football and frisbee. When younger, wounds heal easily and scars fade away quickly. However, as one ages, the recuperating capacity of skin dwindles. Help wounds heal fast by washing with germicidal soaps and treating with anti-bacterial ointments. When almost healed, use a soap that cleanses, softens and also lightens such as the Diana Stalder Licorice Beauty Bar. This will help even out the skin and avoid scar formation. Once completely healed, put on a lotion that removes scars such as Diana Stalder Surely White Lightening Lotion.

Dryness

Water sports cause severe skin dryness due to excessive skin wetness that strips out skin’s natural moisture. Sports played around cold areas such as hockey and skiing also leaves the skin chapped. Frequent intake of fruits, vegetables and water will rehydrate both the body and the skin. Soaps can dry up skin further but this can be avoided by using those that help restore skin moisture such as Diana Stalder Revitalizing Beauty Bar. To help skin recover from dryness, put on a lotion that moisturizes and protects just like Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion.

Pimples

Another worse nightmare to those engaged into sports is the frequent recurrence of pimples and acne. This can be caused by bacteria build up in sports materials, i.e. mattes in the case of gymnastics and masks in fencing. Further, the lack of time and exhaustion caused by playing leaves a person taking one’s skin for granted. No matter how worn out, never sleep without washing the face. For those with dry skin, use a cleanser that both smoothens and cleans such as Diana Stalder Facial Wash. For oily skin, Diana Stalder Lemon Soap is more appropriate with its deep cleaning and exfoliating effects. For severe acne, go for a total anti-acne regimen. See Diana Stalder Surely White Acne Treatment Kit as an example.

Wrinkles

We all know that sun is the major cause of skin ageing but exposure to it is inevitable when playing outdoor sports. Minutes before playing on field, put on a thick coating of sun block with at least SPF 30 just like Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream. During breaks and time-outs, it is a must to reapply because the initial coating can be washed out easily by too much perspiration. If allowed, try to use visor caps and long sleeves for cover up. Help the skin recover from sunburn by using soaps that alleviate skin irritation and rejuvenates sun-dried skin. Diana Stalder Oatmeal Beauty Bar and Diana Stalder Vitamin A Beauty Bar are perfect examples. To help lighten skin pigmentations and even out skin tone, use a face cream that gives these results, Diana Stalder Surely White Whitening Cream, for example.

Whoever said that beautiful skin is not possible with an active lifestyle? With discipline and the right products, skin is sure at its best even for those into sports.


I Heart my Skin!

Wednesday, 2011-01-26

The holiday season has passed and now everybody’s busy preparing for another favorite occasion, Valentine’s Day! With or without a date, make sure that you spread the love. Start with your skin!

Be Sun-Proof
January to February are the coldest months in most countries. But none of these gives you a license to go out without putting on your sunscreen. The clouds may seem to hide the sun but the UV rays can still penetrate your skin. In fact, the snow ice even reflects these UV rays from the ground which doubles your exposure. Make sure that you are sun-protected by putting on a sunscreen with at least SPF 15. For the face, we have Diana Stalder Sunblock Gel and for the body, there is Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion.

Move your Body
Since it is cold, you tend to move less and this is bad for the proper circulation of your blood. The result is you look pale and dull and you don’t want that on the red hearts’ day! Try to stick to your daily exercise program. Other alternatives would be to go shopping for gifts! Now who would not want to do that? For lovers, well, we’re quite sure that you know the best and timely exercise for this romantic occasion. Complement this with a rejuvenating therapy, such as Diana Stalder Skin Revitalizer, so keep your skin looking healthy and fit.

Watch your Diet
This is probably the hardest thing to do especially when sweets (a.k.a. cakes and chocolates) are everywhere! It is okay to give in to a few treats and add a few pounds. However, anything excessive will not only make you look bigger but can also affect your skin. Too much oil can cause acne flares while too much sweets can damage skin cells and result to premature ageing. Eat healthy for your skin’s sake. Go for more fruits and vegetables. Feed your skin with healthy treats as well by using products with fruit extracts such as Diana Stalder Her Facial Lotion.

Let’s drink to love!
Red wine is rich in antioxidants that can help fight certain diseases and is also beneficial when it comes to delaying the skin ageing process. Fresh fruit juices too are rich in Vitamin C, just like Diana Stalder Surely White Body Whitening Lotion, that is essential for cell renewal. Most important is water that flushes out all toxins and keeps your skin looking moisturized and glowing.

This Valentine’s, be beautiful and in love…with your skin! Happy Hearts’ Day!


Skin Care 101: Foundation and Skin Types

Wednesday, 2011-01-05

Make-up foundation, apart from evening out your skin to create a smooth palette for make-up, should give a finish that makes your skin look supple and glowing. In choosing your make-up foundation, it is important to consider three things, your skin type, which will help you determine the amount of coverage that you need, and your skin color.

LIQUID FOUNDATION

Liquid foundations offer light to medium coverage. These are often packed in bottles for easier application to achieve a smooth light sheen. These normally come in two forms: oil-based for a matte finish that is ideal for dry skin or water-based for satin finish that is good for oily skin. For application, you can use either a damp make-up sponge or a small lip brush for more control.

TINTED MOISTURISER

You may mistake this as liquid foundations because of the similarities in the packaging but these two are very different. Tints provide minimal to no coverage which is almost like a bronzer. This is ideal for clear and blemish free skin since no heavy coverage is required.  Tints even out skin tone and relieve dry skin to give that fresh look.

CREAM FOUNDATION

This one offers light to medium coverage which is slightly heavier that the liquid form. Cream form is great for dry skin because of the moisturizing properties of the oil and cream. It is easy to apply and blend and gives a glossy powder finish that lasts all day. Cream foundations are usually packaged in tubes or in compacts just like Diana Stalder SBF-Collagen Cream.

MOUSSE FOUNDATION

Mousse foundations can be mistaken as creams. The difference is mousse type has a whipped consistency and offers a lighter coverage. Since mousse does not settle in skin creases, it is ideal for older skin. This comes in aerosol-type cans or compacts.

STICK FOUNDATION

This type is more solid and is more suitable for oily skin because of its drying effect. Because of its heavy coverage, stick foundations are ideal for scars and blemishes. Since it is very effective in making flaws disappear, this is commonly used for photographic and stage appearance purposes rather than everyday use. However, the modern gel and powder finish sticks are not as heavy and greasy as the old versions.

POWDER FOUNDATION

This type gives a sheer to medium coverage. The powder ingredient has shine-control properties which is helpful for oily skin. It leaves a light feeling when applied, making it practical for summer days. Much more, most powder foundations come in waterproof formulas with natural SPF so you get to protect your skin at the same time.

SPRAY FOUNDATION

This form comes also in aerosol bottles and can be sprayed on sponge or directly to the skin. Spray foundations are mostly medicated that’s why it is preferred for skin with pimples. It lasts for long hours so less touch up is needed.

An additional reminder, coat your skin with a moisturizer such as Diana Stalder Skin Moisturizing Lotion before putting on your foundation, at least 15 minutes before to let the skin absorb. If you immediately follow the moisturizer with a foundation, the later will wear off easily.


Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.