THE BIG REVEAL
Summer skin solutions
It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter, and we’ve been hibernating in lockdown. But now the sky is blue, the sun is shining, and it’s time to get back out there and soak up some vitamin D. Here’s how to get your body outdoor-ready… no need to frighten the horses! Follow these seven simple steps to get your summer glow on.
Drink and eat more
Water and healthy fats, that is! Your skin will be dry and dull from being covered up all winter (specially underneath your face mask – more on that on page 110): you need to rehydrate, and the best way to do that is from the inside out. Opt for healthy oils and fats found in avocados and fatty fish (salmon, mackerel and sardines): not only are they stuffed with omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation, they also contain vitamin E (a great antioxidant) and zinc, which reduces inflammation and assists in the production of new skin cells. Other foods that will benefit your skin are sweet potatoes (they contain beta carotene, which helps prevent wrinkles and dry skin – and is also thought to protect to some extent from sun damage) and dark chocolate, which helps protect against UV radiation as well as improving wrinkles and fine lines. And it makes you happy, and nothing looks as good as that.
Start exercising
Time to get out there and get your heart rate up! Not only is exercise good for your mood, it also increases your heart rate and sends blood rushing to the surface of your skin. That delivers oxygen to your cells, which helps deliver nutrients that encourage collagen production and assist in maintenance and repair. It’s also thought to help strengthen your skin barrier. Another plus? You’ll look flushed and glowing (an effect that lasts for about an hour after exercise). Sweating also opens your pores, and flushes dirt and pollutants out. It’s also well documented that exercise reduces stress and anxiety, both of which have a bad effect not only on your skin, but also on your weight – and your frown lines. Just make sure to rinse your face after exercise so you don’t run the risk of reabsorbing the dirt and sweat as you cool down.
De-fuzz
If you’re anything like us, you’ve let everything do its thing over winter. And why not? We’re all entitled to a break! But before you hit the beach, you might want to address that. Now’s the time to get rid of unwanted hair, however you choose to do it – shaving, waxing or laser – because you’ll have a chance to see if you react adversely to the method you use before you actually put your spotty legs out there.
Exfoliate
Never exfoliate immediately after de-fuzzing: your skin will be traumatised. Exfoliation is all about removing the top layer of dead skin cells, which not only brightens dull, flaky skin, it also allows new cells to absorb topical skin products more easily. There are two ways to exfoliate: physically, with some kind of tool, or chemically, with a carefully chosen product. Body scrubs, muslin cloths, exfoliating mitts and loofahs are all effective, with the added advantage that you can use them at home (avoid products that contain microbeads – they don’t dissolve, so ultimately contaminate our seas!). Microneedling, dermaplaning or microdermabrasion are best done in consultation with a qualified beauty therapist in a salon. Chemical exfoliants generally use some kind of acid (either water- or oil-soluble) to strip dead cells from your skin. The most common are retinoids (from vitamin A), alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs). Most OTC products have concentrations low enough to make them safe for home use, but do a patch test to ensure you don’t react.
Moisturise
Time to get rid of your winter snake skin! Moisturising your entire body daily is essential: when your skin is moist it repairs itself more easily; you’re less likely to nick or scratch it, which protects the integrity of your skin barrier; and it looks better – that healthy sheen can literally make you glow. The outer layer of your skin is covered by a very thin layer of water and lipids, and keeping it moisturised helps prevent it from drying out. Interestingly, your skin also needs moisture to transmit messages to
Interestingly, your skin Also needs moisture to trAnsmit messages to your BrAin to regenerAte And rebuild new cells.
your brain to regenerate and rebuild new cells: a good daily body cream, oil or butter is clearly a no-brainer, but it’s also helpful to drink lots of water and take short showers using warm water (hot water can be very dehydrating).
Catch some rays
We’re not talking about slathering yourself in oil and baking yourself like a chicken breast on a grill here, but the truth is we all need a little sun. Many of us are worryingly short of vitamin D, which our bodies produce when our skin is exposed to sunlight. A deficiency can result in exhaustion, loss of bone density, aching muscles, hair loss and a host of other symptoms. So get outside before it’s too hot: have your morning cup of coffee in the sun or go for an early morning or late afternoon walk. The emphasis here is on early and late: it’s best not to be exposed to the sun between 10am and 4pm, when the UV rays are strongest. If you are exposed during those hours, be sure to use a topnotch sunscreen that does more than protect your skin from UVB, which is what the SPF rating refers to. Some also protect against UVA, as well as infrared. Look for an SPF of at least 50.
Get your glow on!
There’s nothing like that healthy summer glow, is there? But it’s way healthier if it comes from a bottle. Self tans have come a long way, and there are loads of options. You can go the salon route, which might be safer in terms of results but is pricier, or you can do it at home, in which case all you need to choose is your preferred texture and technique (mousse, lotion or spray). It’s essential to de-fuzz 24 hours before applying your self tan, and to exfoliate just before. A primer helps smooth your skin, and a bit of vitamin E cream on crinkly tricky bits like knees, ankles and wrists will also help. You could also opt for a tinted moisturiser – even something with a bit of a shine to it: highlighting your shoulders and décolletage will make you look sunkissed and sexy, and it’s a beautiful way to celebrate summer.