BODY WORRIES SOLVED
With swimsuit season fast approaching, FIRST polled top skin experts for their spa-inspired strategies to body-beautiful in just 3 weeks. Plus: instant fixes to boost confidence in a flash!
CELLULITE
SPIDER VEINS
CREPEY SKIN
STRETCH MARKS
SAGGY BUST
Smooth cellulite with a clay massage
Trying on last summer’s bathing suit only to get a glimpse of “orange-peel skin” in the mirror can be a real downer. Smooth those lumps with a bentonite clay and rose hip oil massage! Studies show the clay has a strong negative ionic charge that acts like a magnet to bond to the positively charged toxins that cause cellulite. And massage stimulates the lymph system so toxins and trapped fluids can be flushed from the body for smoother skin, says Beverly Hills dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D. Plus, rose hip oil’s antioxidants stimulate collagen and elastin production to firm skin, making dimples less obvious.
TO DO: In a bowl, mix 1⁄ cup of water with 1⁄ cup of
2 2 bentonite clay (like Aztec Secret Bentonite Indian Healing Clay, $7 for 1 lb., VitaminShoppe.com) and 5 drops of rose hip oil (like Acure Rosehip
Oil, $11 for 1 oz.,
Target.com). Massage onto cellulite in circular motions. Next, loosely wrap the area with plastic wrap and let sit for
15 minutes, then rinse.
Repeat daily for smooth skin in 30 days.
Erase spider veins with a grapeseed oil rub
Pesky weblike clusters of purple veins can show up on legs for a number of reasons, from long hours on your feet to pregnancy. “The pressure causes capillary walls to weaken, which in turn allows blood to pool at the skin’s surface, resulting in the unsightly veins,” explains Z. Catherine Navarro, M.D., a dermatologist in West Palm Beach, Florida. But you can minimize the appearance of veins just in time for summer by applying a mix of grapeseed oil and rosemary and lemongrass essential oils. “Grapeseed oil contains proanthocyanidins that strengthen veins and capillary walls, plus it reduces inflammation and promotes healthy blood flow,” says Dr. Navarro. And rosemary and lemongrass essential oils both improve blood circulation to speed results.
TO DO: In a bowl, combine 1 Tbs. of grapeseed oil with 3 drops of rosemary essential oil and
3 drops of lemongrass essential oil. Massage onto affected areas twice a day and let the mixture absorb into skin to see results in three weeks.
Brighten underarms
with a “green” toner
A buildup of dead skin cells is to blame for dark underarm shadows, says dermatologist Tsippora Shainhouse, M.D. A way to minimize them so you look stunning in a sleeveless top: Apply a cucumber, lime and parsley toner. Cucumber’s vitamin C brightens, lime’s citric acid sloughs off dead cells and parsley’s apiol acts like a bleach to lighten skin. TO DO: Grate 1 cucumber and drain the juice into a bowl. Add 1 tsp. of chopped parsley and the juice from half a lime to the bowl; stir. Dab onto discoloration with a cotton pad and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse. Store in the fridge and use twice a day for results in two weeks.
Banish bacne
with a cleansing spritz
We may no longer see it on our face but our back is still prone to acne, thanks to hormonal changes and a winter spent cooped up in heavy fabrics. Dermatologist Z. Catherine Navarro, M.D., suggests ending breakouts with an apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil mist. “The vinegar’s anti-inflammatory properties reduce redness while its acetic acid unclogs pores, and tea tree oil’s antibacterial terpenes disinfect skin without stripping it of its natural oils.”
TO DO: In a spray bottle, mix
1⁄4 cup of cider vinegar, 1⁄ cup
2 of water and 5 drops of tea tree oil; shake. Spray on affected skin nightly (then rinse in the
AM) for results in two weeks.
Firm crepey skin
with a papaya wash
Argh! We may have been able to cover up that crinkly skin on the neck and décolletage during the cold months, but come summer that crepeyness is front and center. To the rescue: papaya! The tropical fruit’s enzymes (papain and bromelain) encourage cell turnover for more supple, youthful-looking skin. And its vitamin C stimulates collagen production to plump and firm skin, says
Dr. Shainhouse. For best results, mix with sea salt (its minerals nourish skin while its texture sloughs off dead cells) and olive oil (its vitamin E and polyphenols moisturize and protect skin from future damage).
TO DO: Puree ⁄4 cup of papaya (frozen
3 or fresh); combine in a bowl with 1⁄ cup
2 of sea salt and 2 Tbs. of olive oil. While showering, massage onto neck and chest skin for 1 minute using upward motions; rinse. Use three times a week to see a difference in three weeks.
Soften dry patches
with a brown sugar scrub
Shedding winter’s layers can be daunting when rough patches of skin (like on elbows and knees) lurk beneath. What can help: a scrub made of brown sugar (its glycolic acid exfoliates), olive oil (its squalene moisturizes) and kiwi (its vitamin A repairs damage). TO DO: Combine 11⁄ cups of brown sugar,
2 3⁄4 cup of olive oil and 2 Tbs. of pureed kiwi (fresh or frozen). Massage a handful of the scrub onto damp skin in a circular motion for 5 minutes, then rinse. Store in the fridge in a resealable container (it will stay fresh for 14 days). Use two to three times a week for softer skin in two weeks.
Diminish age spots
with a turmeric mask
Brown spots on the face, neck and hands are a harsh aging giveaway. The fix? Turmeric! “When used topically, the spice’s curcumin brightens skin and thwarts melanin production to prevent new spots from forming,” says dermatologist Z. Catherine Navarro, M.D. Mix with avocado (its carotenoids protect from UV rays) and honey
(its enzymes gently exfoliate) for even, youthful skin.
TO DO: Mix half an avocado,
1 tsp. of turmeric and 1 Tbs. of honey into a paste. Apply to spots and let sit 15 minutes; rinse. Use three times a week for results in three weeks.