5 Steps To Radiant Summer Beauty

azif · #1 (**permalink**) 05-05-2006, 07:10 PM

5 steps to radiant summer beauty

Nourish your face
No other part of the body gets as much exposure to the elements, so now is the time for extra pampering. Pure vitamin E oil or aloe oil (rather than the gel) make great and inexpensive facial moisturizing treatments, says Deborah Evans, general manager of the Red Mountain Spa in Ivins, Utah. Find these hydrators (in capsule or liquid form) at natural products stores and apply directly to the skin, avoiding the eyes; leave them on overnight. Avoid facial moisturizers with fresh citrus or citrus essential oils during summer, Evans says, because they may make skin more prone to sunburn. And don't forget your lips. Choose a lip balm with natural shea butter or coconut oil, an SPF of 15, and refreshing peppermint, which helps keep kissers cool and luscious on hot days.

Detoxify your locks
If you've been using deep conditioners and the like to combat cold-weather dryness and static, your hair might be overloaded come spring. As humidity and temps rise, switch to lighter conditioners. Janice Cox, author of Natural Beauty for All Seasons (Henry Holt, 1996), recommends a monthly ritual: Mix up to 2 teaspoons of baking soda with your shampoo to eradicate excess oils.

Exfoliate
"The biggest mistake people make is to hydrate without sloughing off dead skin," says Kandi Clement, lead aesthetician at Miraval Resort and Spa in Catalina, Arizona. Once a week, scrub off lifeless cells all over the body with a natural exfoliating lotion or gel. Clement recommends products with sugar, salt, or gentle acidic agents, like citrus.

Get a sun-free tan
When sleeves disappear and skirt lines rise, most of us yearn for tanned, healthy-looking skin. But the National Cancer Institute advises against unprotected sun exposure and tanning beds, both of which drastically increase the risk of malignant melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer. Instead, try a natural spray-on or lotion tanner, which temporarily darkens skin tone using ingredients such as walnut shell extract.

Refurbish your feet
Before breaking out your slinky sandals, "gently scrub with white vinegar to bring dull, yellowed nails back to life," advises Evans. Then treat yourself to an in-home pedicure to exfoliate and soften tough, cracked feet. Evans recommends a 20-minute routine, including a salty foot scrub, a foot masque—try one with avocado—and a foot-specific lotion that is designed to address problems like cracked heels and dryness.