Body Glow! How to make your skin look radiant

 Ah yes, summertime...the season for skirts, shorts and sundresses. It also means that we may need a bit more attention to these exposed parts than we had given during previous seasons so I have here some tips and tricks to help keep your skin hydrated and radiant!

I also would be grinning this big if my skin was so radiant!

1. Drink Water

Ok, yes...this seems like a no-brainer but my goal is to make self-care accessible and if you don't already know, you know now...drinking water is key to self-care, inside and out. Whether its sparkling water, infused water, water in fun bottles, use whatever you need to help you stay hydrated, just avoid sugar which would defeat the purpose.

2. Exfoliate

I usually am a fan of chemical exfoliants but when it comes to body care, I like physical exfoliants. It just seems more efficient with all the ground you have to cover as compared to your face. Dry brushing gives me crazy dolphin skin but learning about macular amyloidosis (a grey, patchy lesion that forms on your skin and is caused by friction) has led me to pull back a little on this self-care step. I still like to indulge once every few months, but certainly not something I would recommend on the regular.

Another preferred way is through body scrubs. I am currently loving Frank's body scrub line which is messy but smells like chocolate and feels so good, leaving my skin hydrated and glowy. I don't like that it leaves coffee granules all over my shower...I would have much preferred the texture of Dr. Teal's body scrub but the fact that it doesn't have liquid in probably why the scrubbing factor is so much better.

3. Hydrate IN the shower

I discovered in-shower lotions about 5 years ago and they are a game-changer. I know we are supposed to moisturize after getting out of the shower, but first of all...it's cold and I just wanted to get dressed. Secondly, it always felt like the moisturizer just sat on my skin and I didn't see a big difference in applying it to dry vs. damp skin. In-shower lotion is an easy step since you are already naked and it prevents me from having skin so ashy I could draw on it after my shower. As a standalone, it is not enough to get a super rich glow but it does help.

4. Use a body oil

This is the biggest difference in whether I have a glow to my skin. I love the JR Watkins body oil mist, especially the coconut & honey scent. The spray is so easy and it is the only way I can reach my back. It is a bit messy so I spray it on while I am still in the shower to avoid oily splotches on my floor. However, it seems that this item is discontinued so I am now trying the Neutrogena dry body oil. It doesn't have a scent but that is far better than an off-putting smell. Now if only I could get it in a spray form...

5. Find a thick, luxurious lotion that you enjoy putting on

After my shower, I find myself in a bit of a battle. My hair is wet and uncomfortable and my skin is damp and cold...so do I dry my hair or do I moisturize my skin? A microfiber towel helps keep my hair up but a rich, luxurious lotion helps make the task of apply body lotion feel like a spa treatment. Soap & Glory's Righteous Body lotion is a fun, floral scent that feels wonderful on the skin...it feels like springtime and is very hydrating. However, for the summer, Sol de Janiero's Bum Bum cream is a tropical drink on a paradise island, all rolled up in a (very expensive) jar. I wish it was in a body pump because it would feel more hygienic but the jar does allow me to add little dollops of Fenty Body Lava for a really shimmer finish. However, the combination of the two is quite expensive so I tried the Hempz Milk & Honey lotion to see if I can get a similar scent without the hefty price tag. Unfortunately, its more milk and doesn't compare to the Bum Bum cream so I will continue on my hunt.

If you are not a fan of scented lotions, I also find the Nivea 72 Hour lotion to be a good way to create a more neutral aroma palette. Not everything you apply has to have a fragrance since layering fragrance is a delicate art that requires consideration for each smell. I have not tested it to see if it really lasts 72 hours but it goes on easily and does not leave a sticky finish.

6. Use an SPF oil

I hope I don't need to say this, but you better be applying SPF...you are not stronger than the sun. So, with that PSA out of the way, using an SPF that is an oil will give you that glisten that other sunscreens won't. I am loving the Hawaiian Tropic SPF 30 oil. It is NOT what I would wear to the beach/pool/hiking or anywhere I know I will get extended sun exposure or will be sweating off but it is a nice sunscreen for daily exposure and gives you a soft sheen that doesn't rub off on my clothes. Please make sure you are not selecting a tanning oil which usually has very low SPF. SPF 30 is recommended for daily use and this oil is so easy to put on that I don't mind applying it every day.

Just like all the other steps in self-care, feel free to pick and chose what works for you! They are all meant to be customized in ways that fit your lifestyle...except for water and sunscreen, that's just non-negotiable.