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6 Steps To Glowing, Summer Skin

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July 21, 2015

Everyone one loves a beautiful, sunny, summer day. All that sunshine, unfortunately, can take a toll on your skin. Here are six steps for keeping your skin hydrated, protected and glowing all summer long and beyond.

Exfoliate before you step into the sun.

Head to the kitchen and gather ingredients to make your own natural body exfoliant. Mix one part oil to two parts sugar or salt. Basic table salt or sugar works best. Organic extra virgin coconut oil is ultra luxurious, but safflower, olive and even vegetable oils will work just as well. Scrub your body from top to bottom in the shower and rinse well. Follow up immediately with step number two.

Moisturize twice a day.

Keep your skin smooth and supple by applying body oil or moisturizer twice a day: immediately after your shower and at night, before bed. Body oil works best as it helps your skin retain moisturizer, and you can make your own by mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oil into sweet almond or coconut oil. Apply before bed; your skin will soak it in while you sleep.

Drink a lot of fluids.

Our bodies are made up of more than half water, so staying hydrated is key. Moisturize your skin from the inside out by drinking six to eight glasses of water each day. Make your own summery spa water by filling a pitcher with water and adding diced fruit – citrus, berries, pineapple, water – to create a subtly flavored, calorie free drink. You can also add herbs – mint, basil – and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Protect your skin from the sun.

We need sunshine but skin protection is essential. Wear a natural, physical sunscreen with zinc oxide instead of a chemical sunscreen. You best bet is to wear protective clothing: a cover-up, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed sunhat should be your best summer friends.

Choose an eco-friendly bronzing self tanner.

Summer calls for a summer glow. Get your tan on without depending on the sun by choosing an eco-friendly self-tanner. Look for products that don’t contain parabens, mineral oil, phenoxyethanols and triethanolamines; you want your self tanner to be filled with ingredients that are good for your skin, so look for natural ingredients such as Aloe Vera and Vitamin E.

Eat your summer fruits and veggies

The Institute of Medicine recommends that we eat 20 percent of our daily water intake. Quench your thirst and give your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to stay hydrated and healthy by getting your fill of summer fruits and veggies. Watermelon’s name gives it away – it’s 92 percent water! It’s also packed with Vitamin C and a great source of lycopene, which keeps skin smooth and supple. Strawberries also contain 92 percent water in addition to healthy amounts of fiber and vitamin C. Cucumbers are packed with a whopping 96 percent water, and are also high in vitamin K and B6.

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