Get Glowing: What You (And Your Skin) Need Now!

Flip flops, swimsuits, and sundresses have started to pour into stores, and online shops are sending us emails about them every day. Just one of the signs that summer is quickly approaching, and whether you're planning a vacation to a far-off land or exploring your local restaurants for happy hour, chances are that you'll be spending your summer out and about. After the summer that we had last year, even the biggest introverts are looking forward to getting outside. Even if it's just to lounge on a beach alone with a good book. By the way, it's me. I'm the introvert. So if anyone has any book suggestions I'm wide open.

Whatever your plans are make sure that you're ready for where the day, and the night, take you. Chances are that you've already purchased cute summer outfits, or you're ready to finally wear the ones that you bought last year during your early shelter-in-place shopping sprees. And I can't be the only one that has boxes and boxes...and boxes of unworn sandals and espadrilles. While you're preparing to debut your summer looks, have you remembered to take care of a key player: your skin?

Here are a few things to consider before you slip on that sundress and sandals.

Exfoliation

First off, let me start by saying that as with facial exfoliation, you want to be cautious not to over-exfoliate your body either. I know, it can be tempting, but the last thing that you want to do is damage your skin or make it vulnerable to sun damage. Exfoliating body washes and the like can not only be messy, but they can also scratch and tear your skin. Exfoliating body mitts are less irritating and get the job done. Some, like the one shown below which is available on Amazon, can be washed and reused making it a sustainable option, and it's a lot easier to use, with less mess. You simply wet your skin in the shower for a few minutes, then apply your nongranular body wash of choice using the mitt. Make sure not to apply too much pressure, and follow the manufacturer's directions, to prevent irritating your skin. It's also best not to use the mitt more than twice a month, once a week at most.

Specialty Pedicures

Pedicures are a great way to relax as well as prepare yourself for open-toed shoes, and specialty pedicures are an amazing way to take the experience to the next level. Chances are that a quick search on social media or Yelp will lead you to a salon near you that offers specialty pedicures. So what exactly are specialty pedicures? They're just like a regular pedicure but the salon has decided to add something that ups the wow factor. This could be something as simple as adding rose petals to the water, or something more elaborate like applying a mask to your feet.

While some add-ons are just for show and the experience, others actually have added benefits. There are treatments to help restore lost moisture, some help to soften the skin, and some help to revive the overall appearance. Even if the extras you select do none of these things mentioned, it still makes for a great Instagram post.

SPF

You've heard it a million times. Doctors and beauty advisors have said it a million times. You need SPF. Without it, your skin is a target for sun damage. Years ago I worked for a company that taught us a silly but helpful way to remember the benefits of SPF. Think of SPF as your weapon against vampires named UVA (U Vill Age) and UVB (U Vill Burn). Silly, I know, but in all of these years, I've never forgotten the effects that UVA and UVB have on my skin. When applying SPF you want to remember to reapply after exposure to water or heavy perspiration. You also want to remember to apply it frequently if you'll be outside for an extended period of time. Another thing that people tend to forget is that you want to be mindful of tattoos. Neglecting to apply SPF to tattoos can cause them to fade at a quick pace.

Let's Get Glowing

Rule number one of Summer 2021 is that we don't talk about Summer 2020. Rule number two is that we embrace this season with joy, hope, and smooth beautiful skin. So let's leave Winter skin in the dust, toss on some short shorts, and flaunt our glow.