A beautiful appearance begins with beautiful skin.  And an important part of having beautiful skin is maintaining the proper balance of natural oils.

When the body produces too little oil, the skin can become hard and cracked – too much, and the skin gets oily, pores begin to clog, and acne starts to make its appearance.

Within your skin are tiny glands called the sebaceous glands. Theey secrete a special type of oily matter to lubricate the skin and hair.  (The word sebaceous comes from the Latin meaning “lubricating oily matter”.) 

However, in some cases, these glands get carried away, producing more oil than is needed.  When this happens, it becomes essential to have a skin care routine that incorporates reducing oily skin and maintaining the proper moisture balance.

A proper skin care and acne regimen can do wonders to reduce or even eliminate problems caused by oily skin.

Special Acne-Fighting Facial Cleanser

Regular use of the proper facial cleanser can go a long way toward reducing excess oil and eliminating stubborn acne. Washing your face helps to remove makeup, dirt, and oil that has built up throughout the day. An acne face wash also gently removes excess oil and leaves your face feeling clean and refreshed.

A proper acne-fighting facial cleanser will:

• Reduce excess oil and inflammation
• Breakdown whiteheads and blackheads
• Benzoyl peroxide fights acne-causing bacteria
• Salicylic acid helps to exfoliate skin

 

Acne Gel

An acne treatment routine should include a method of directly addressing the problem, offering your skin what it needs to fight back.

Estala Skin Care offers an acne-fighting gel to help against even the most stubborn acne. 

The acne gel was created to give you smooth, even, and clear skin.

• Great for balancing oily skin
• Reduces discoloration and swelling
• Unclogs and shrinks pores
• Reduces inflammation and excess oil

The keys to this product are the three main active ingredients: niacinamide, salicylic acid, and lipoic acid. Each plays its own role in your complete acne-fighting routine.

• Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, helps to shrink pores and even out skin tone.
• Salicylic acid helps to exfoliate the surface of the skin and get rid of dead skin cells,
• Lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant that fights harmful free radicals, reduces redness, and increases blood flow for glowing skin.

Acne-Stop Cream

Next in the program is a good acne-stopping cream. Here, you will also be looking for a product that contains the strongest ingredients to:

• Absorb excess oils
• Reduce inflammation and redness
• Fight acne-causing bacteria
• Exfoliate the skin

This product helps to break down whiteheads and unclog pores, while also helping to stop oily skin problems by absorbing excess oil.

Acne-Stopping Facial Mask

No skin care routine is complete without a facial mask.  A great acne-fighting mask will leave your face feeling and looking smooth, hydrated, and radiant – while at the same time fighting stubborn acne.

What makes an acne-stopping mask special is a healing clay mineral, such as bentonite. Bentonite helps to absorb oil, draw out toxins, and unclog and shrink pores instantly, helping to prevent stubborn acne breakouts. Mixed in with the bentonite is benzoyl peroxide which kills acne-causing bacteria. Together they leave the skin cleaner and healthier than before.

For more glow and less shine, try Estala Skin Care’s Acne Regimen.

 I'm sure you've heard many, many times about how important it is to get plenty of healthy exercise.   It's great for your muscle tone, your heart, your lungs, your emotional health, and your attitude toward life.

But did you know, fresh air and exercise both promote healthy, younger-looking skin. It's true.   You can see it in the fresh faces of people as they come off a long hike, or a brisk walk on a breezy afternoon.

While most of the medical community, naturally enough, focuses on all the many other physical and mental benefits of physical activity, dermatologists and other skin care professionals will tell us that anything that promoted healthy circulation and filling our cells with fresh oxygen, also promotes healthy and vibrant skin.

Here's how it works:

Blood, moving through your body, carries nutrients and oxygen to all your cells, including those in your skin. Exercise increases the blood flow, which nourishes the skin cells, keeping them vital and alive. In addition to the nourishment and oxygen the blood brings to your cells, the blood flow also helps flush out cellular debris by carrying away waste products, including free radicals. It's been said that exercise is a way of cleaning your skin from the inside.

If you have a dermatological condition such as rosacea, psoriasis, or acne, you may need to take special care, but don't let that stop you from getting exercise. The benefits of exercise always outweigh any temporary problems it might cause.

Stay active - your body, from heart and lungs to skin will thank you every day of your life.

Tips for Protecting Your Skin During Exercise

 * The main risk when exercising outside is exposure to the rays of the sun. Too much sunlight can increase the risk of skin cancer and more rapidly age the skin. This risk is easily avoided by not exercising outdoors during peak sunlight hours – between 10AM and 4PM. You can also cover your skin in light clothing and wear a hat. Using a strong sun screen on exposed parts of the body, such as the face all also help protect you from the sun.       (Estala Skin Care Products work great for protecting your skin.)

* Increased body temperatures and skin flushing from exercise can cause a flare-ups in rosacea sufferers. For these individuals, dermatologists recommend exercising in a cool environment. Swimming is highly recommended, since the rise in body temperature from the exercise in counter-acted by the coolness of the pool. (Make sure you shower after your swim and use a high quality moisturizing cream – the chlorine used in most swimming pools tends to dry out the skin.)

* If you are prone to chafing, acne, or rashes, the increased perspiration caused by tight-fitting workout clothes may lead to increased irritation. In this case, you should purchase and wear moisture-wicking exercise clothes. (These clothes are made to draw moisture away from the body and to the surface of the garment, and to dry easily.) You should also make sure your skin and pores are clean before you exercise and shower immediately after.

 Whether or not you have a dermatological condition, anyone should apply a soothing skin moisturizer after showering to help prevent skin irritation or accidental sun exposure.

 Leading an active lifestyle and using great skin care products to protect the skin will keep you looking young and vibrant.

Your makeup application is only as good as the brushes you use to apply it. Whether you are going for that “no makeup” look or nighttime glittery glam, the proper brush is your secret weapon when it comes to perfect application. 

Here are a few tips to help you select the right brush for your lifestyle: 

Vegan and Cruelty-Free Makeup Brush 

If you are concerned about animal cruelty or you are simply looking for the best makeup brush available, a vegan, cruelty-free brush might be just right for you. 

In the past, one might have had to sacrifice one’s values in order to purchase a quality makeup brush. Luckily, you no longer need to choose between flawless looking makeup and a brush that suits your beliefs and ideals. 

Here are just some of the benefits of choosing a vegan, cruelty-free makeup brush: 

* Synthetic Brush Fibers are Stronger 

The strands that go into synthetic brushes are made out of are much tougher than animal hair and can take much more use without facing damage. 

* Synthetic, Animal-friendly brushes are easier to clean 

Synthetic brushes absorb less of the makeup pigment and are therefore easier to clean and need not be washed as frequently. 

* Synthetic brushes are better for sensitive skin 

Many people with sensitive skin find that they are allergic to the animal hair that many brushes are made of, so synthetic brushes provide a hypoallergenic alternative for them. 

* Synthetic brushes create a soft and beautiful look 

* Vegan brushes are kinder to animals. 

Perhaps most obvious, when you choose to use vegan makeup brushes, it is kinder to animals. If you are concerned about using animal products, opting for synthetic brushes is the way to go. 

Makeup brush fiber technology has come a long way in recent years and these cruelty-free brushes are easily as soft and easy to use as their animal-hair counterparts. 

Quality brushes 

High-quality brushes are worth the price you pay for them.   Not only do they do the best job, they also last for years, and make applying your makeup a real pleasure.   This doesn’t mean you have to pay a small fortune for a set of makeup brushes if you keep a few things in mind: 

The makeup brushes you buy: 

* Should not fall apart, leaving bristles in your makeup and becoming useless 

* Should not smell of glue 

* Should not irritate the skin 

* Should offer even, smooth application 

* Should not have rough bristles 

* Should be enjoyable to use 

Remember… you can find quality, synthetic brushes without spending a lot.

Buy Inexpensive… not cheap 

Buying all the brushes you need 

As any makeup artist will tell you, having a full set of brushes makes all the difference in getting that perfect result. 

A complete set up makeup brushes will include: 

Powder Brush - Flat Kabuki Brush

Foundation Brush - Angle Brush

Round Concealer Brush - Concealer Brush  

Eyeshadow Brush - Flat Brow Brush  

Smudge Brush - Coverage Concealer Brush

Brow Comb & Eyelash Brush - Lip Brush 

For a cruelty-free option in makeup brushes the latest in synthetic fibers in the answer. The key is finding a set of makeup brushes that is high-quality and offered at a good price. Read the description and reviews before buying.

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. 

Read more

According to doctors, stem cells derived from a rare Swiss apple, can preserve a person’s youthful look and skin vitality. 

Read more

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!