While it would be nice to simply head to the beach and bare it all, the reality is that your skin needs a little prep to ensure that your body looks its best. Use these tips to get smooth and glowing skin that you can show off all summer long.
Exfoliate: The key to smooth skin always begins with exfoliation. Slough off dead skin cells two to three times a week throughout summer to keep dry skin buildup at bay. Look for something that provides gentle yet effective exfoliation. You don't want anything super harsh and abrasive; rather a gentler formula that focusing on resurfacing.
Treat: Once skin has been exfoliated, it's ready to absorb whatever product you put on top of it next. Before you focus on moisture, concentrate on any skin concerns, like tightening crepey skin on the chest or arms or improving skin texture. Look for body oils and creams containing avocado oil and jojoba oil to help nourish skin, while power ingredients vitamins A and E help smooth dimpled skin.
Hydrate: As the temperatures rise, it's easy to become dehydrated as your body sweats to keep itself cool. Keeping those bodily fluids replenished improves skin elasticity, but it also gives you a healthy glow. Make sure to drink at least eight glasses of water each day and carry a bottle of water with you so you remember to sip even on the go.
Moisturize: You might think that you've already slathered on enough, but no! Applying moisturizer keeps the outer layer of the skin protected from aging pollutants and chemicals, as well as prevents further dryness. In summer, ditch the heavy crèmes and opt for a lightweight lotion instead.
Protect: The last thing you want is for all of your hard work to go to waste — which is exactly what will happen if you don't protect your skin with SPF daily! Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen to protect against UVA rays (think antiaging) as well as UVB rays (to avoid sunburns and cancer-causing radiation) with a minimum of SPF 30. Apply to hands, face, chest and neck as part of your daily routine. And before sun exposure, apply liberally to your entire body 20 minutes before going outside, rain or shine, and don't forget to reapply every two hours especially after swimming or sweating.