One of the main root causes of acne is issues with digestion and the gut. The reason for this is that one of the main processes in creating acne is inflammation, and 70% of the immune system resides in the gut.

It is easy to neglect our skin in the summer. The warmer, more humid weather means our skin isn’t as dry and itchy as it is in the winter; and the sun-kissed look of a tan can make us feel better when we look in the mirror. But the lazy days of summer don’t mean we should be lazy with our skin care regime; in fact, it means we should be even more diligent. Follow these six easy steps for gorgeous healthy skin.

It only makes good sense that some of the foods and spices touted as being healthy for your body are the same ones that keep our skin looking young and healthy. Science has proven that Turmeric, for instance, in your skin care products can heal and sooth your skin. 

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For years we’ve heard, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away,” so it seems, not only is the round red fruit good for a body, its great for the skin as well. According to doctors, stem cells derived from a rare Swiss apple, can preserve a person’s youthful look and skin vitality. 

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If you have acne-prone skin, you know that breakouts are the worst. You are not alone – 40 to 50 million Americans are affected by acne, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

What causes acne? It is primarily caused by the overproduction of oil and blocked hair follicles that do not allow the oils to exit the pores, leading to a clogged pore that fosters an environment for bacteria to grow inside. Although this is the basic way that acne develops, several factors and genetics can play into how your body reacts to environmental and hormonal factors, which can impact the severity of your acne. Below are some of the most surprising triggers of acne.

Using Too Much Spot Treatment

The overuse of benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid and sulfur acne treatments can cause your skin to dry out, encouraging an excessive production of oil and blemishes. These ingredients have the potential to make your blemishes look worse because the active ingredients have the ability to slightly burn the top layer of skin if used too frequently.

The Food You Eat

Spicy foods frequently contain peppers and tomatoes, each of which contains acid lycopene, which is an irritant to some people. This ingredient can trigger breakouts by throwing off pH levels of the skin of sensitive people. Other foods including dairy and bread may also play into how your skin reacts.

Scrubbing Too Hard

Many people think the solution to getting rid of their acne is to scrub their skin hard, possibly hoping to penetrate deep into the pores to rid excess oils, but the more you scrub or use rough exfoliants, the worse your problem may get. When you scrub active acne, the bacteria simply get spread across the rest of your skin, exacerbating your condition.

Your Hair Products

Your shampoo, conditioner and styling products may contain ingredients that can seep into your pores, encouraging clogging and acne along your chest and hairline. These ingredients can include sulfates (which are cleansing agents), silicones and heavy moisturizing agents.

Mr. Sunshine

Sun is not healing to acne, contrary to popular belief. Excess sun exposure can actually make it worse as it causes your skin to dry out, thus triggering extra production of oils, leading to more pimples.

Your Post-Workout Routine

A workout in itself cannot cause acne, but failing to wash your face and body after a right after a workout can allow dirt, makeup and bacteria along with oil that was already present on your skin to mix with sweat, spreading it all around and settling in new pores. This can encourage breakouts.

Pore-Clogging Ingredients

Many lotions and cosmetic products can encourage the growth of acne. Mineral oil is found in many moisturizing lotions, which is known to cause pore blockage. Cosmetics and skin care products may also contain silicones which have the same pore-clogging effect. Look for products that are labeled “non-comedogenic” instead.

Here at Estala Skin Care, we often talk about different skin types and which products are best for those skin types. There are four main skin types, and understanding (and loving) the skin you were born with is your first step towards getting beautiful, clear, supple skin.

Once you know what skin type you have, be sure to check out our complete skin care lines for anti-aging and acne-prone skin.

What Determines Skin Type?

Genetics is a huge determiner of skin type. A predisposition for skin conditions like acne, oily skin, freckles, dry skin, and even skin cancer can be passed down from generation to generation. However, just like you can dye your hair if you don’t love the dirty blonde hair you inherited from your mom, you can take steps to balance your skin with a complete skin care regimen.

Normal Skin

While we call this skin type “normal,” having another skin type doesn’t, by any means, make you abnormal. Here, normal skin simply refers to skin that isn’t too dry or too oily. Normal skin is characterized by a soft, smooth texture, fine pores, and is generally free from acne. Normal skin is also not sensitive to things like anti-aging products, which can occasionally irritate dry skin.

Oily Skin

This skin type is pretty self-explanatory. Oily skin is can feel greasy, especially by the end of the day. Those with oily skin are more likely to experience acne, as the oil is caused by an overproduction of sebum, the main culprit in acne. Oily skin typically has large, visible pores and is especially prone to hormonal acne. Oily skin is also thicker than normal or dry skin, making some believe those with oily skin age more slowly than their dry-skinned counterparts.

Dry Skin

The opposite of oily skin, dry skin experiences a lower than normal sebum production. This makes it hard for the skin to retain moisture and protect itself from elements like wind, heat, and cold. Dry skin can feel tight and itchy and can look flaky and blotchy.

Combination Skin

One of the more common skin types, combination skin is characterized by oily and dry places. In general, the T-zone (an area that includes across your forehead and down the bridge of your nose, making a ‘T’ shape) is the oiliest, and cheeks are typically drier. Combination skin gets all of the best and worst features of oily and dry skin and it can be hard for those with combination skin to find a skincare line that works for them.

Show Some Love To The Skin You’re In

Regardless of skin type, everyone can benefit their skin by doing things like wearing sunscreen, staying hydrated, limiting alcohol, and finding a complete skin care regimen that works for them. At Estala, our skin care products are mixed fresh when you order them, setting our acne and anti-aging facial products apart from the competition. In order to meet the needs of all of our customers, we offer some of the best acne products for oily skin and dry skin, as well as anti-aging products for multiple skin types. Check out our complete skin care routine for acne and our collection of anti-aging facial products to start your journey towards clear, beautiful, and bright skin.

For as long as humans have walked the earth, men and women have been trying to find ways to keep their skin looking and feeling great, sometimes going to extreme lengths to do so. At Estala, you could even say that our skin care regimen is a little peculiar. In order to give you the best anti aging facial products, we don’t give you something that’s been sitting on a shelf for months. We make your product when you order it, giving you fresh, professional skin care products that work.

If you want to save yourself from cringing at some of these truly bizarre facial beauty treatments, just head straight to our anti-aging skin regimen!

Six Bizarre Beauty Treatments

Bee Venom Facial: Rumor has it that Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is a fan of bee venom facials, which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles, heal acne, and works as an alternative to Botox. The bee venom, mixed into a cream, tricks the skin into believing it has been stung. The body reacts by sending blood to the affected area and stimulating collagen production. Other than the hefty price tag per treatment, there’s another downside: Just like you can have an allergic reaction to a bee sting, you can have a similar reaction to a bee venom facial.

Placenta Face Mask: If the bee venom facial didn’t send you running to stock up on Estala’s anti-aging facial products, maybe this will. Placenta face masks use both human and animal placentas to moisturize, soothe, and make your skin, erm... baby soft? Before you get too grossed out, the placentas are freeze-dried, sterilized and ground into a powder before you use them, but the practice still seems iffy. Although, Jennifer Lopez swears by this treatment and she is as beautiful as ever, so maybe there’s something to it.

Lead Makeup: We know that many common products used to contain lead before we really knew about the harm it could do. However, one practice took the use of lead to an extreme: lead makeup. During the Elizabethan Era, the paler your skin, the more beautiful you were considered. Women would cover their face with a foundation made of white lead and vinegar. Even though writings from the time suggest it made your skin grey and shriveled, it was still considered a beauty essential for any well-respecting woman.

Vampire Facial: Thanks to Kim Kardashian, the vampire facial has received a lot of press and many women are curious about this slightly gruesome beauty treatment. For this anti-aging beauty treatment, blood is taken from the arm and spun in a centrifuge to separate plasma from red blood cells. Then your plasma is injected into your face, supposedly stimulating collagen growth. While the experts debate on whether or not this procedure actually works, the treatments run upwards of $800, and we can think of a few better ways to spend our money.

Hemorrhoid Cream To Depuff Eyes: Yet another celebrity endorsement, Sandra Bullock claims to use hemorrhoid cream under her eyes to reduce puffiness. Of all of the treatments we’ve talked about today, we’ll admit this one sounds the most legit - and there is some proof in this pudding. Apparently, Preparation H used to contain hydrocortisone and yeast that did help reduce inflammation and puffiness, but these ingredients have since been nixed from the recipe. We’d suggest playing it safe and using a cream for bags under eyes that is actually designed to go there. (Hint: We’ve got a great anti-aging eye cream!)

Milk Spray: These days, many beauty lines offer some sort of mist to spritz on your face, from rose water to makeup-setting spray. However, one of the oldest anti-aging tricks in the book - that, you know, doesn’t involve lead poisoning - is spritzing your face with a mixture of milk and water. While some experts say this might help to add moisture thanks to milk’s fatty acids, we don’t think it’s truly worth the sour smell that is bound to appear after about an hour.

Anti-Aging Facial Products Don’t Have To Be Weird To Work

If you’ve been cringing at the thought of injecting your own blood into your face or covering your sensitive skin with bee venom, don’t worry. These celebrity treatments may be absurd, but it doesn’t mean it’s the only way to get smooth, younger-looking skin. Estala made-fresh anti-aging facial products are full of ingredients proven to reduce wrinkles, tighten skin, even tone, and give you a glowing, youthful appearance. Get our anti-aging skin care line today!

When it comes to skincare, there is a lot of information out there. Today, Estala Skin Care is taking some time to bust the biggest skin care rumors and fit you with a dose of reality. Behind every rumor there is a bit of truth, so let’s uncover the truth so you can be on your way to the best skin of your life. Be sure to follow a complete skin care regimen that is made especially to suit your needs. Whether you need the best acne products for oily skin,  facial cleansers for acne when you have dry skin, or the best anti-aging facial products to keep your skin looking youthful, Estala has it!

Rumor: Not Washing Your Face Causes Acne

Reality: While not washing your face or sleeping in your makeup can be a contributing factor to acne, it is not the sole cause. Acne is caused by a combination of elements including genetics, a build-up of dead skin cells, bacteria, sweat, and mainly, overproduction of sebum (the waxy, oily substance that causes blocked pores). Be sure to fight all the causes of acne with a complete skin care regimen for acne-prone skin.

Rumor: Scrubbing And Exfoliating Will Give Me Soft, Clear Skin

Reality: We get it, when your skin is dry or broken out, all signs point to a good hard scrub to get rid of all of the stuff on the surface. In reality, scrubbing or exfoliating your skin frequently (or using a daily facial scrub) can actually cause more issues. When you use an abrasive face scrub, you are actually causing micro-tears on your skin that are open invitations for bacteria, clogged pores, and infections. The best option is to let your face products do the work for you. Use a complete skin care regimen for acne or anti-aging with products that include salicylic acid, a natural exfoliator that will promote cell-turnover.

Rumor: Popping Pimples Helps Them Go Away Faster

Reality: We’ve all experienced that irresistible urge to pop a big whitehead, and we’ve all cringed at how the pimple seems to get worse after doing so. The truth is that popping a pimple will often times make the pus sink deeper into the skin. This can cause it to spread and cause scarring, as well as hyperpigmentation, redness, and swelling. If you really cannot resist, be sure to only pop pimples that look like they are “ready,” as in, don’t force something to come out. And for best results, invest in a set of pimple-popping tools rather than using your fingers. And, for the love of good skin, please do not pick at your zits! Instead, use acne-prone skin care products that include benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient that fights acne-causing bacteria.

Rumor: You Don’t Need Sunscreen During The Winter/On Cloudy Days

Reality: We all know that sun damage is not a good thing. It can lead to different types of skin cancer and premature aging. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, nearly 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds - this is why many people experience sunburns after spending time outdoors on a foggy day. So be sure to use a quality, non-comedogenic sunscreen under your makeup every day. Be sure to also follow an anti-aging skin care regimen to combat sun damage.

Rumor: The Higher The SPF, The Better Protection

Reality: To put this in perspective, an SPF 15 sunscreen will block about 93 percent of the sun’s UV rays. Doubling that to SPF 30 will block around 97 percent of the sun’s UV rays. After that, you’re not making much of a difference, since SPF 50 will only up the protection to block 98 percent of the sun’s rays, and no sunscreen will block 100 percent of UV rays. So for everyday protection, opt for a sunscreen between SPF 15 and 30, and for times you’ll be outdoors, choose a higher protection of SPF 30-50. And don’t forget to reapply!

Rumor: Hot Water Opens Your Pores And Allows For A Better Clean.

Reality: Hot water can actually strip your skin of its protective barrier and natural oils, causing it to be dry and irritated. It is best to use lukewarm water to wash your face. If you feel like you need to “open up your pores,” you can use steam from the shower or place a hot towel over your face for a few minutes. This brings up another rumor we’d like to clear up: Splashing your face with cold water might feel refreshing, but it will not cause your pores to magically slam shut.

Discover The Secret To Complete Skin Care With Estala

Estala Skin Care offers complete skin care lines for acne and anti-aging. Our products have been developed by pharmacists and dermatologists to promote real, lasting results. Shop our collection of Acne-Stop Face Care Products and Anti-Aging Face Products today!

Every woman, and man - though they might not admit it - have asked themselves, “How do I keep my skin looking young?” While we would love to tell you we’ve discovered the Fountain of Youth is actually the coffee pot at work and you’re doing everything right, unfortunately, it’s not that simple.

Stay Hydrated

While hanging around the coffee pot at work might not be the Fountain of Youth, the water cooler is (sort of). Staying hydrated and drinking plenty of water will not only help you feel great, but will help you look great too. Hydrated skin is firmer and more supple, whereas dehydrated skin can be full of fine lines and flakes. Water also helps to flush toxins from your body, so refilling that water bottle a few times every day will also help to keep skin clear from adult acne.

Find Healthy Ways To Handle Stress

A few years ago, a story circulated about a woman who hadn’t smiled in over 40 years in an attempt to avoid wrinkles. Without getting overly scientific, any repeated use of facial muscles forms grooves in the cells underneath your facial skin, causing those areas to lose elasticity, and that includes both smiling and frowning. However, we really like when people smile, and we’ve all heard the sentiment, “It takes more muscles to frown than to smile.” So find ways to get rid of that stress that is causing you to frown (try meditation, going for walks, or treating yourself to a weekly massage). Want some anecdotal proof that stress causes aging? Check out these photos of presidents at the start and end of their presidency - and invest in an anti-aging skin care regimen.

Limit Your Time In The Sun

Ultraviolet rays from the sun or tanning beds cause the collagen that keeps your skin supple to break down. You can fight this by wearing an SPF facial moisturizer every day and wearing a hat if you’re going to be out in the blazing sun for long periods of time.

Fill Your Body With Skin-Healthy Foods

Fueling your body with healthy food, especially those high in vitamin C, can help your skin stay young. Vitamin C helps to promote the development of collagen, so loading up on oranges, red peppers, tomatoes, and leafy greens can all help your skin.

Follow An Anti-Aging Skin Care Routine

Estala offers a complete skin care line of all the anti-aging products you’ll need. From skin-firming CoQ10 cream to a gentle toning cleanser to a cell repair serum that will help to replenish skin and retain moisture, and much more. Shop Estala’s anti-aging skin care products today for younger-looking skin.

Picture this: you’ve started an acne-prone skin care regimen, you cut out sugar from your diet, you drink plenty of water, you go to sleep on a clean pillowcase every night, and you’re living a stress-free life… so why are you still experiencing acne breakouts? Before you search the depths of the internet for how to get rid of acne, check out these three unassuming things that may be the root of your skin woes.

Three Secret Acne Causes

Makeup: While you may look over makeup as a cause of acne if you go to sleep with a clean face every night, think again. Not all makeup is created equal. Look for a foundation that is labeled “non-comedogenic.” This means it won’t block pores, is oil free, and won’t take away valuable nutrients from the skin.

Speaking of makeup, it’s not just what is in the bottle that can cause acne. Your makeup brushes and sponges can collect bacteria, skin cells, and even yeast which can transfer to your face and cause acne breakouts. Be sure to clean your brush at least once a week. While you don’t need expensive brush cleaners, sometimes face wash or shampoo will work better to get all of the grime out of your brush than regular soap.

Athletic gear: Everything from your yoga mat to your football helmet can cause serious acne breakouts. Your own personal yoga mat probably has some bacteria on it, but the shared mats at your yoga class are most likely crawling with dirt, bacteria, sweat, and oils. Try to avoid putting your face on your mat, and be sure to wash your face with Acne-Stop facial cleanser right after a yoga class.

Football helmets and other sports helmets with chin straps also wreak havoc on the face. Every time you put on that helmet, it’s rubbing up against your forehead, cheeks, and chin - and it’s also full of sweat, grease, dirt, and grime that can clog pores and cause breakouts. Be sure to go into your helmet with a clean face, and wipe down the inside of your helmet with antibacterial wipes after each use.

City Life and Traveling: Living in a big city is fun and exciting, but it is also a hotbed for pollution. Polluted air full of toxins can come in direct contact with your skin, and can also enter your body through your bloodstream when you breathe in a big gulp of New York City air. Your body tries to get rid of these toxins through your skin, which can end up clogging your pores. Using a grime-busting acne face cleanser with bacteria-fighting benzoyl peroxide, as well as salicylic acid to promote exfoliation, can help prevent breakouts. (Try out our Acne-Stop facial cleanser!)

If you travel a lot, you might come home with a breakout. Sure, it could be the fact that you fell asleep on the plane with your face squished against the window, but more likely it is due to the change in environment. New places bring different humidity levels, different weather, and even different minerals in the water. Your skin is not used to this, and sometimes reacts with a fresh breakout. Our Acne-Stop gentle gel from Estala’s acne regimen is a good option for those who experience breakouts after traveling.

Still Fighting Stubborn Acne?

Estala Skin Care offers total acne regimens designed to help treat and prevent breakouts. Our high-quality acne-fighting products were designed by doctors and pharmacists to create real results - especially when other products have not worked. Check out our acne regimen for oily skin and normal skin here. Want to keep an eye on your breakouts on the go? Be sure to get our LED iPhone mirror case while it’s still on sale!