Exfoliate often
Does your skin look dull and dry? Slathering on the moisturizing isn't going to solve the problem unless you exfoliate first. Use a sugar or salt scrub in the shower to gently slough away the dead skin cells. Work the scrub in a circular motion, starting at your feet and heading up through your shoulders. Don't rub too hard; you'll irritate your skin. Use a facial scrub on your face and neck. Exfoliate twice a week all summer long to get glowing skin.
Use sunscreen
Whenever you go out, use a sunscreen on your body and face. Reapply often, especially if you go in the water. Don't bake in the sun at the beach or pool, and skip the tanning bed. The ultraviolet rays in a tanning bed are just as harmful as those from the sun. Instead, use a sunless self-tanner to build up a summer glow gradually. If you aren't a fan of self-tanners, use a bronzer on your face. Apply powder bronzer with a big brush to the places where the sun hits your face naturally -- forehead, cheeks, nose and chin.
Hydrate your skin
Use facial moisturizer morning and night and body lotion daily to keep your skin hydrated and silky smooth. Apply lotion right after you get out of the shower to help seal the moisture into your skin. Tropical, fruity body lotions are favorites for summertime. Don't forget about your lips. Use a lip balm or moisturizing lipstick daily to keep your lips soft and moisturized. When going out in the sun, be sure to use a lip balm with SPF 15 or greater to protect your lips from sunburn. If you get chapped lips, rub them gently in the shower with a washcloth each morning.
Get a pedicure
In sandals weather, you want your feet to look their very best. Head to the salon or give yourself a pedicure weekly. If you have dry, cracked feet, slough away rough spots with pumice or a foot file. Apply vegetable oil (or a mixture of petroleum jelly and lemon juice) to your feet before bedtime. Put on a pair of clean, white socks overnight to allow the oil to work.
Eat healthfully
Diet, exercise and water intake are all keys to healthy, glowing skin. Make sure you eat a diet rich in vitamins, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Vitamin E-rich foods such as green vegetables, whole grains and some nuts are good for your skin, as are berries and plums, which contain high levels of antioxidants. Add cold-water fish or flaxseed to your diet a couple times a week to get enough omega-3.
Get some aerobic exercise at least three times a week. It's good not only for your body, but also for your circulation, which is great for your skin. Be sure to drink eight glasses of water daily to flush the toxins from your body for clear, healthy-looking skin.
Wear a hat and shades
Protect your face from the sun with a wide-brimmed hat. Of course, you shouldn't skip the sunscreen, but a hat will protect your hair and add another layer of protection for your face. Put on a pair of sunglasses, too. They not only look glamorous -- they protect your eyes. Be sure to get sunglasses with 100-percent UVA/UVB protection. Sunglasses also will stop you from squinting. Over time, too much squinting can lead to fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes.
