If you have oily skin, summer can be the worst time to try to keep breakouts at bay, as sweating aggravates acne and leads to pimples on the body and face, says dermatologist Heidi Waldorf. She recommends treating mild to moderate facial acne with retinoids and benzoyl peroxide, which you can get from your doctor or in some drugstore brands. Other ingredients to look for: zinc sulfate, tea tree, caffeine, and niacinamide, which will all work to slow oil production. See the highest-rated acne fighters here.
With your body on full display, you're going to want to have smooth, hydrated skin, which means taking care of any dry, cracked or rough patches with a little TLC. This means paying extra attention to your knees, elbows, heels and hands.
Start this process in the shower by applying a super moisturizing body wash like Dove VisibleCare Creme Body Wash with NutriumMoisture, $7.99. Lather it over your body with a loofah to gently exfoliate and hydrate skin at the same time. Once you're out of the shower, rub a lotion all over and add a couple of drops of body oil like L'Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil, $34, which works to repair the hydrolipidic barrier of the skin and really sink into those rough patches (knees, elbows, etc.) So you get glowing -- fast.
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Get waxed
Body hair is the last thing you want to worry about this summer and "waxing is a great alternative to shaving if you have hair you're uncomfortable with," says Susmta Patel, a waxer who has worked at the acclaimed Completely Bare Salon in Manhattan. "Waxing is better [than shaving] because it removes hair from the root," says Patel. She adds that when you shave "you just cut the hair, so two hours later, you can see the hair there or a blue shadow, which is the hair follicle below the skin." Waxing, on the other hand, not only lasts up to a month, but it's also more permanent -- over time, it thins the hair so less grows back, says Patel. Bonus: It exfoliates the skin as well, leaving you feeling silky smooth (and leaving you with one less skin care to-do).
If you opt for waxing, Patel warns not to use any scrubs for the next 48 hours and not to expose the area to direct sun for at least 24 hours. Also, to treat any resulting redness or swelling, apply a small amount of cortisone cream from the drugstore, says Patel.
If you choose to stick to the good ol' razor, make sure to shave after you take a shower or bath, so your hair is softer and easier to remove. And always lather up with a moisturizing shave cream (try Aubrey Organics Creme de la Shave, $4.33) and use a brand new razor to minimize irritation.
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Get glowing
Of course, you know you'll look healthier and thinner with a tan. But you also know that the only safe way to achieve aforementioned tan is with self-tanner. The good news is a realistic faux-glow is super easy to achieve, especially if you follow these tips from Natalie Cupid, head technician at Sundara Airbrush Tanning in New York City.
She says to start by exfoliating to get rid of that top layer of dead skin cells and shave or wax the usual areas. Skip the moisturizer on the day you plan to apply self-tanner, as it can act as barrier between the tanning ingredients and your skin. For the most natural looking tan, you are going to want to choose a product that's only one or two shades darker than your natural skin hue. She recommends a buildable tan like Jergen's Natural Glow Express, $8.99, for faux-tanning newbies.
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Spray and glow
For those of you not new to the faux-glow rodeo, try an at-home spray tan like the TEMPTU AIR Pod Summer Skin Kit, $75, which you literally airbrush on. If you're feeling fancy, you can even try defining muscles with it -- here's how.
So the jig's up and most of us have finally realized, and begrudgingly accepted, that we will not be frolicking on the beach in a thong bikini this summer.
Sad? Eh, maybe if you (and your metabolism) are stuck in the '80s. Otherwise, you should know that you don't need a starvation plan -- or a sarong wrapped over your butt -- to feel confident in your body and sexy in a swimsuit this season.
That's right, you heard us. It's time to retire the Montego Bay seahorse sarong. Sorry, but come on -- it's really only hiding your self-esteem. You won't need that cover-up anyway, because with insider secrets from David Kirsch (celebrity trainer to the fittest and most fabulous stars) on how to quickly de-bloat and shed a few pounds, coupled with the best summer skin tips for glowing, bronzed skin, you're going to want to flaunt every inch of your body.