Even though it is February, it is never too early to start preparing both your body and your mind for summer. And to make sure it all goes well, simply follow these important tips.
Skincare essentials
First things first, even though you consider booking vacations and buying new swimsuits as summer prep, your skin needs to be fully prepared for the upcoming season as well. You need to take a few steps before laying on that sunbed.
Make it glow
Regardless to the season, a lady should never neglect the importance of exfoliation. This will help your skin achieve that healthy, smooth and glowing look, which is exactly what you need. However, you have to do it with care – your only goal is to lift that outer layer of dead skin cells without stripping your skin. Make sure you use special polishing cloths, brushes and scrubs that will help you smooth away the roughness.
Moisturize
Regardless of whether your skin is dry or acne prone, it still needs to be moisturized. If you don’t give your skin its essential hydration, it will begin to feel dry and tight – which is the last things we want during hot summer months. Also, moisturizer is what protects your skin from every rough element in your surroundings. However, during summer, opt for a lighter moisturizer than the one you’ve been using during winter, with serums that are rich in hyaluronic acid and of course SPF.
Root out that unwanted hair
If you are planning on spending your summer days laying on a beach or poolside, you might need to put some effort into removing all that unwanted hair from your body. But once that wax strip is ripped off, you have to take care of that skin area. First, give your skin some time (at least 48 hours to be exact) to recover before going outdoors and exposing it to the sun rays. After all, follicles are pretty vulnerable to irritation, and your skin may be sensitive.
On the other hand, if you are not a waxing type, you can always opt for a new cosmetic hit called laser hair removal – which is both less painful and more long-term.
Clear the breakouts
When summer approaches, you no longer have to just worry about the acne on your skin, but on your body as well, since covering is now not an option. Luckily, the approach for treating acne on your chest, back or anywhere else is pretty much the same as treating facial acne. Don’t pick, exfoliate regularly and treat with products that contain salicylic acid which will help you slough off the dead skin cells, and micronized benzoyl peroxide that will penetrate the skin and kill the acne-causing bacteria.
Treat your feet
Since they’ve been stuffed inside winter boots for a couple months now, your feet could probably use some love as well. If you don’t have time for a pedicure at the salon, there is a great way to soften them while you sleep. Remove the thick skin with a file, then apply a rich ointment and cover them with a plastic wrap and cotton socks. Leave overnight and repeat every day to achieve smooth skin, and once you do, repeat once a week to maintain it.
Don’t skip your workouts
Winter is the time when you are sculpting your summer body. In other words, this is the time you have to give your 101 percent. Go running in the morning, lift weights, or whatever it is that you do. Do your absolute best to be at your hottest looking self this season. And if you haven’t been working out over the past few months, don’t despair – you still have enough time to build your summer body. There are tons of workout programs online that can help you achieve your goal.
Update your diet
Workouts will do nothing if your diet isn’t balanced. First of all, you need to make sure you are always hydrated – drink at least 2 liters of water each day, and avoid low temperature and artificial liquids. In the morning, drink a glass of warm lemon water which will do wonders for your mood and your metabolism. Second, avoid salty, spicy and sugary foods and focus entirely on lean protein and a calorie deficit. Incorporate fruit and whole grains into your nutrition as much as you can. If you don’t know what to eat, note that the internet is filled with this kind of content, so you can search online for ideas.
So there you have it, the ultimate tips for your summer prep. Make sure you follow them all in order to achieve the best possible results.