Summer Glow!
"I don't sweat -- I glow." I heard a woman say this recently, clearly joking, but it's actually true! Some women do glow. And during the summertime, isn't that the look we're all going for? A dewy, luminous complexion from head to toe?
So what's the secret to keeping skin fresh in warm weather, rather than a sweaty, greasy mess? Here are some easy-breezy tips to get that all-over summer glow.
1. Exfoliate. During the summer, your body gets an even bigger buildup of dead skin cells, due to sweat, sand, sunscreen and of course the sun. So a scrub is a must-have for both your face and body. Fortunately, not only does using an exfoliating scrub slough off dead skin cells, but it also reduces ingrown hairs and helps with breakouts.
Do you wear sunless tanning products? “The active ingredient in self-tanners, called DHA (dihydroxyacetone), reacts with amino acids in your topmost layer of skin,” writes dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on her Web site, Skin Type Solutions. That means that if your skin is uneven and riddled with dead skin cells, your sunless tan, too, will be spotty. So exfoliating also helps self-tanner slide on smoothly on your body.
Plus, it provides long-term anti-aging benefits. When you remove dead skill cells, you're also helping to fade sunspots and freckles and stimulating your skin to produce more collagen.
To prevent and treat body acne, look for washes with salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Salicylic acid also works for the knees and elbows and other rough spots. So seek out creams with salicylic acid or lactic acid. If you’re using a self-tanner, avoid scrubs with mineral oil or petrolatum, according to Dr. Baumann, because these occlusive ingredients can interfere with DHA.
2. Hydrate regularly. While many people blame winter for drying out the skin, the summer also has its fair share of moisture-zappers, including UV rays, chlorine and salt water. That’s why it’s important to slather on your lotion. Also, remember that hydrated skin is healthy skin. Moisturizers help your skin retain moisture, and make skin look softer.
Even better, moisturizers can help stave off free radical damage. Look for moisturizers with niacinamide, ceramides and essential fatty acids. If your skin is sensitive, find formulas with anti-inflammatory ingredients like feverfew, chamomile and selenium.
3. Apply body oil. For extra softness and luminosity, apply body oil to your arms and legs. In addition to hydration, some body oils also contain nourishing ingredients that soften and soothe the skin.
4. Use bronzer. It’s the simplest - and safest - way to give your skin instant warmth and radiance. The key is to choose the right shade for your skin tone and the best formula for your skin type. Have fair or lighter skin? Pick a bronzer that’s pale beige with rose-gold undertones. For medium to darker complexions, brown with golden undertones is best.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, pick powder formulas that will reduce shine and make your complexion look smoother. If you have dry skin, go for cream or liquid bronzers, which soften the skin, giving it a supple and dewy appearance. Liquid bronzers are also great for mature skin.
5. Treat all body parts. Do you include all areas of your body in your skincare routine? For instance, many miss the décolleté area, which is actually extra sensitive to the sun and more prone to aging. Because the skin on your neck is thin and doesn’t have many oil glands, it's one of the first areas to show sun damage and begin sagging. To get glowing skin on your décolleté area, just use the same anti-aging products you use on your face, especially sunscreen! Or use products specifically formulated for these areas.
What are you doing to boost your radiance factor this summer?
So what's the secret to keeping skin fresh in warm weather, rather than a sweaty, greasy mess? Here are some easy-breezy tips to get that all-over summer glow.
1. Exfoliate. During the summer, your body gets an even bigger buildup of dead skin cells, due to sweat, sand, sunscreen and of course the sun. So a scrub is a must-have for both your face and body. Fortunately, not only does using an exfoliating scrub slough off dead skin cells, but it also reduces ingrown hairs and helps with breakouts.
Do you wear sunless tanning products? “The active ingredient in self-tanners, called DHA (dihydroxyacetone), reacts with amino acids in your topmost layer of skin,” writes dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on her Web site, Skin Type Solutions. That means that if your skin is uneven and riddled with dead skin cells, your sunless tan, too, will be spotty. So exfoliating also helps self-tanner slide on smoothly on your body.
Plus, it provides long-term anti-aging benefits. When you remove dead skill cells, you're also helping to fade sunspots and freckles and stimulating your skin to produce more collagen.
To prevent and treat body acne, look for washes with salicylic acid or glycolic acid. Salicylic acid also works for the knees and elbows and other rough spots. So seek out creams with salicylic acid or lactic acid. If you’re using a self-tanner, avoid scrubs with mineral oil or petrolatum, according to Dr. Baumann, because these occlusive ingredients can interfere with DHA.
2. Hydrate regularly. While many people blame winter for drying out the skin, the summer also has its fair share of moisture-zappers, including UV rays, chlorine and salt water. That’s why it’s important to slather on your lotion. Also, remember that hydrated skin is healthy skin. Moisturizers help your skin retain moisture, and make skin look softer.
Even better, moisturizers can help stave off free radical damage. Look for moisturizers with niacinamide, ceramides and essential fatty acids. If your skin is sensitive, find formulas with anti-inflammatory ingredients like feverfew, chamomile and selenium.
3. Apply body oil. For extra softness and luminosity, apply body oil to your arms and legs. In addition to hydration, some body oils also contain nourishing ingredients that soften and soothe the skin.
4. Use bronzer. It’s the simplest - and safest - way to give your skin instant warmth and radiance. The key is to choose the right shade for your skin tone and the best formula for your skin type. Have fair or lighter skin? Pick a bronzer that’s pale beige with rose-gold undertones. For medium to darker complexions, brown with golden undertones is best.
If you have oily or acne-prone skin, pick powder formulas that will reduce shine and make your complexion look smoother. If you have dry skin, go for cream or liquid bronzers, which soften the skin, giving it a supple and dewy appearance. Liquid bronzers are also great for mature skin.
5. Treat all body parts. Do you include all areas of your body in your skincare routine? For instance, many miss the décolleté area, which is actually extra sensitive to the sun and more prone to aging. Because the skin on your neck is thin and doesn’t have many oil glands, it's one of the first areas to show sun damage and begin sagging. To get glowing skin on your décolleté area, just use the same anti-aging products you use on your face, especially sunscreen! Or use products specifically formulated for these areas.
What are you doing to boost your radiance factor this summer?