Summer is right around the corner which means you will be wearing less and showing way more skin than usual. And walking around with dry, flaky, skin is never okay so I am giving out 5 simple and easy tips to keep your skin Summer Ready:
1) 10 minute warm (not hot) showers: Limiting the amount of time you spend in the shower is not only great for the environment, but also does wonders for your skin. During the Spring/Summer months the weather is very drying to your skin and when you shower under very hot water for a long period of time it can have the same drying effects. Instead shower in warm water for 10 minutes (add 5 minutes for shaving or hair washing if needed), and it can be done because I do it everyday!
2) Body Scrub: Using a body scrub is essential in keeping your skin soft, and touchable. You should be using a body scrub at least once a week, and there is a difference between a salt scrub and a sugar scrub. A salt scrub has larger grains and should be used on very dry or rough skin. A sugar scrub is softer as it uses smaller grains and can be used more often then once a week. Scrub your skin and feet at the end of your shower to lock in moisture.
Tip: homemade sugar scrub recipe-mix, 1 & 1/2 cup of white sugar and 1/4 cup of almond, or sunflower oil…keep in a jar with the lid on!
3) Moisturize: During the Summer your skin is constantly exposed to the sun and the elements. If you have severely dry skin adding olive oil or almond oil to a nourishing lotion you already use amps up the moisturization your skin needs.
I have added olive oil to my store bought lotion for years, and it does wonders! Olive oil is very nutritious to your hair and skin. It can be used as a conditioning treatment for your scalp by applying it before you shower and wearing a shower cap on your head. This keeps your scalp and ends very supple and moisturized as the Summer sun, and beach water also dry out your hair.
4) Protection: I know it has been said a million times over but sunscreen is your best friend. And no it does not matter what skin type you have i.e. African American, Hispanic, Asian or Caucasian, we all must wear sunscreen.
Apply it 30 minutes before you leave your home and re-apply every hour especially if at the beach or spending a full day in the sun. Also make sure you wear sunglasses, and a Summer hat preferably with a wide brim to further protect your skin and scalp.
5) Food and Water: I am constantly surprised when I hear someone say ‘I don’t like water’. Are you serious?!! There are literally hundreds of water options out there for you to drink, so stop making excuses and put down the soda already! Soda offers no hydration to your skin whatsoever, and actually makes you more thirsty as it is filled with sugar, which makes you more thirsty, and makes you drink even more soda! It’s a vicious cycle!
I stopped drinking soda when I was 18 years old and outside of tonic water to aide a sore stomach I do not drink it. Water is vital to your body and hair as it keeps you constantly hydrated.
Also add more fruit and vegetables to your diet as they are hydrating and contain vitamins that are essential to your health including your skin tone, acne resistance, and dryness. Avocado, lettuce, sweet potato, all fruits and veggies are great choices! With these 5 tips your skin will be soft, shiny, and touchable not just during the Summer months but year round!
Twitter: @AwkwardGirlLA
Twitter: @AwkwardGirlLA