Are You Ready To Show Some Summer Skin?

After several days of warm weather last week, we're back to wearing coats and long sleeves for a few days, which frankly, is a blessing in disguise. The warm days sent too many people to the back of their closets for their warm weather clothes, which they threw on with little regard to bad skin, untoned bodies, and unpedicured feet.

I hope not! But if you were, keep in mind that Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer here in the States, is now less than a month away. If you get started now, you can do the necessary maintenance required to get your skin in summer shape. Today's article shows you how.

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Now that May is here, summer isn't far behind. The days will grow longer, the temperatures will rise, and you'll be shedding clothes to keep cool.

Will your summer skin win nods - or induce wincing behind your back? You can hope it will be the former. Or, you can take a few steps right now to ensure that it is. All that's required is a little time and effort.

Summer means sunshine, which means that you can't rely on your regular indoor lighting tricks. If your skin is flawless, you have nothing to fear. If it's not and you're in the habit of hiding that fact behind layers of makeup, your secret will be out. Not only does bright sunlight cause heavy makeup to look like a mask, the heat will melt your camouflage and send it sliding down your face.

So don't try to hide your bad skin. Strive to get GOOD skin instead, the kind that doesn't need much makeup and can stand up to direct sunlight. Take a look around Heather Kleinman's Cosmetic Connection site,

to get recommendations on skin care products, or make an appointment with a dermatologist if you suffer from serious problems. It's the fastest way to get the skin you want.

Also, if you have errant hairs around your brows, on your upper lip, or on your chin, remove or bleach them using products specifically designed for the face. Extraneous facial hair, like heavy makeup, becomes apparent in bright sunlight.

Tank tops and spaghetti straps look great on beautiful skin. But if they expose breakouts or uneven tones, the focus will be on your skin problems, not your clothes.

Again, work on getting smooth skin. You can exfoliate from the neck down, but don't over-do it, particularly if you have breakouts. You don't want to risk tearing open a pimple. Not only can this damage the skin, it can spread the infection to neighboring areas, exacerbating the problem. Also, if you use a loofah on your back, either wash it frequently in the washing machine or throw it away. Loofahs are notorious for harboring bacteria, which you then spread to your skin.

If your upper arms are a bit on the flabby side, you've got a few weeks to tone them up. Try these simple exercises from Denise Austin to get your arms in shape,

If the skin on your upper arms (or shoulders, buttocks, and upper thighs, for that matter) is covered in hundreds of hard, clogged pores, you're probably suffering from a common inherited condition called keratosis pilaris. While you may think this is a persistent case of acne, these lesions rarely become inflamed or form into a pimple - although they can become irritated if you pick at them. On dark skin, they can look like a sea of blackheads.

Start by washing the skin gently with body wash (not soap, which is too drying). Rub the area with a washcloth to exfoliate, but don't scrub too hard or you'll inflame them. When dry, apply a BHA (beta hydroxy acid, also known as salicylic acid) lotion, gel, or toner (like Peter Thomas Roth's AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel).

AHA/BHA Acne Clearing Gel
Sephora

Avoid moisturizers on the area until it's clear. Also, wear sleeves for coverage and avoid sunscreen (if possible) until the area is clear. You don't want to further clog the pores with heavy moisturizers.

Have lots of hair on your lower arms that's dark or that you hate to look at? Get rid of it by using wax or a depilatory (do NOT shave). Once every few months is all it takes to keep this area sleek and tidy.

Have a fanny and upper thighs dimpled with cellulite? Refusing to don a swimsuit because of it? Don't! A few ballet moves and some handy products can reduce the appearance of cellulite pretty quickly.

Start by visiting the Prevention.com site for Denise Austin's tips on getting dancer's legs without spending hours in the dance studio, at:

Next, try stimulating the area as you shower with some seaweed scrub soap from Bliss Labs. Just rub this knobby soap in a circular motion as you shower, and you'll feel the difference right away. Love it!

Seaweed Soap
Sephora

Finally, follow up with one of the caffeine-laden cellulite lotions that help shrink the appearance of cellulite. They won't give you the fanny of a 15-year-old, but they will make the dimples less noticeable. Avon and Neutrogena both have great ones, or try "The Big Skinny" from Philosophy

The Big Skinny
Sephora

Emerging from winter with rough elbows, knees, and heels? Exfoliate and moisturize to wear down those rough patches and get great looking skin instead. Try this spa-like treatment from B. Kamins to tackle the job right away,

B. Kamins
Sephora

Last but not least, make sure you have sandal-ready feet by treating yourself to a beginning-of-season pedicure. Not only will great-looking feet compliment your snazzy new sandals, you can enjoy a pedicure guilt-free by asking for it for Mother's Day. So much more practical than a tired bouquet of flowers, don't you think?

Just because warm weather is around the corner is no reason to panic. Just take note of the condition of your skin from head to toe and do whatever's necessary to get it in beautiful shape before summer arrives. With just a little time and effort, you can "Wow!" them with how great you look. Which is far more rewarding that hiding beneath all those old layers.