FOREVER YOUNG

The no-sweat remedy stars swear by to look 15 pounds thinner in a flash? Mini massage with healing oils!

We’ve been battling water retention for years, but the problem always inflates come July. “The magnesium loss from sweating, salty poolside snacks and bubbly beverages leads to a season of bloat,” says Ann Louise Gittleman, Ph.D., author of The Fat Flush Plan. “Even worse, our bodies are more likely to hold on to fluids as we age.” The easy fix: targeted massages using healing oils!

PUFFY FACE?

Heat causes blood vessels and soft tissues in the face to expand, making room for fluids to gather. What can help: Follow Cate Blanchett’s lead and try a facial massage. “The pressure of massage on the face guides fluids out through lymph nodes in the neck,” explains Gittleman. And pairing the rub with chamomile oil maximizes results since the oil’s azulene constricts blood vessels so fluids don’t pool.

To do: Mix 4 drops of chamomile oil with 1 Tbs. of jojoba oil. Rub mix onto hands, then move thumbs along the underside of the jaw, starting at the chin and pushing out toward the ears. Next, sweep palms down the sides of the neck. Repeat five times.

SWOLLEN FEET & ANKLES?

To flush fluids that get trapped in the feet and ankles, Gittleman advises massaging the area with lavender oil. The rubbing helps redistribute fluids while the anti-inflammatory oil reduces swelling.

To do: Mix 6 drops of lavender oil with 1 Tbs. of coconut oil. Rub onto feet, then place hands on each side of one ankle and massage up to the knee using long strokes. Next, rub from the heel up the calf to the back of your knee. Repeat 10 times, then repeat on the other leg.

BLOATED BELLY?

The lymph system gets sluggish on hot days, leading to water retention around the middle. But researchers in Sweden found that daily abdominal massage can significantly reduce belly bloat within a week. That’s because massage helps activate the lymph system to move stagnant fluids out of the body. Try it with cardamom essential oil to speed results: The oil’s warming properties trigger sweating to help rid the body of “false fat.”

To do: Mix 8 drops of cardamom oil with 2 Tbs. of olive oil. While sitting upright, use fingertips to gently massage the mix in a circular motion, starting at the lower-right side of the stomach and moving counterclockwise around the belly button. Repeat 10 times, inching in toward the belly button as you go.

“I’ll always ask [my massage therapist] to massage my face. Anything that increases the blood circulation.” Cate Blanchett, 49