Yahoo Lifestyle Get Your Body Ready For Summer
Soaring temperatures and sun-drenched days can evoke simultaneous pangs of excitement and panic - the thought of exposing arms, abs and limbs after months of being swaddled in sweaters and stockings can strike fear into most beach enthusiasts. So, in preparation for weekends spent lazing by the shore (not to mention balmy nights in chic camisoles and shorts), we have your go-to guide for getting fabulous - fast. From tips on tanning to toning up, here are the pro secrets for looking smooth, glowing and fit, on and off the beach.
Slough for softer skin
Giving your flaky limbs a buff once or twice a week "removes the topmost layer", notes Dr Li-Chuen Wong, consultant dermatologist for Sydney Skin. "If we don't exfoliate, skin can look dull, dry and lacklustre in appearance." Massage a scrub in circular motions, starting from your feet and working up to your neck and decolletage, to accelerate cell turnover, boost radiance and allow for more effective absorption of creams and serums. Look for products containing essential oils to replenish skin while you scrub, or opt for an exfoliating body wash gentle enough for daily use.
Your toolkit: Dermalogica The Ultimate Buffing Cloth, $23; Garnier Body Beauty Oil Scrub, $11.95; Palmolive Body Butter Peppermint Crush Exfoliating Body Wash, $6.79.
Make time to moisturise
According to a recent survey, 60 per cent of Australian women don't use lotion post-shower. And while it is an additional step, moisturising is essential to combat the drying effects of sun and salt water exposure. "Dry skin may also lead to the development of dermatitis, so moisturise all over at least daily, particularly if you suffer from skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis," says Dr Wong. Swap thicker creams for lightweight, fast-absorbing lotions, or add a body oil to your bath to soften skin while you soak.
Your toolkit: Vaseline Spray Moisturiser in Aloe, $9.99; Aveeno Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion, $12.95; Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Rapid Moisture Spray Lotion in Cocoa Butter & Shea Butter, $9.99.
Love your lower half
Dimples on your derriere? You're not alone: according to the Journal Of The American Academy Of Dermatology, 98 per cent of women have cellulite. "This is caused by fatty deposits trapped underneath skin, often seen on the buttocks and thighs," explains Dr Wong. Combine exercise with fresh foods that are rich in vitamin C, like broccoli, blackcurrants, guava, citrus and kiwifruit: research from the Journal Of The American College Of Nutrition revealed that the vitamin can help you blast up to 30 per cent more fat during exercise. There's no fast fix for smoothing cellulite, but creams can improve the skin's appearance - look for lotions containing caffeine (a diuretic known for its skin-tightening properties) and boost circulation with a daily dry body brush pre-shower.
Your toolkit: BioElixia Body Shaper Cellulite Contour Creme, $59; Sisley Cellulinov Intensive Anti-Cellulite Body Care, $225; L.A. Skinny by L.A. Medical, $95.
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