As a pale-skinned girl, I consider it completely normal to be a tad bit envious of our beautiful, bronzed girlfriends. There have been many seasons where I have chosen to take the “indoor flower” approach and shun the sun for an entire summer. But today, fair-skinned Zesty Digest readers, I am here to tell you that you can hit the beach (or the pool) and not feel like a member of the “Cullen Clan.” Simply follow my three steps to give your skin some TLC before (and after) you soak up the sun.
Exfoliate: Exfoliating your face and body is the key to achieving healthy skin, whether you’re in the sun or the shade. If you have normal skin, use a gentle exfoliating facial scrub (I love Clinique’s 7 Day Scrub) two times per week. If your skin is on the oily side, you can exfoliate up to three times a week. For an overall glow, use an exfoliating body scrub, such as the beauty editor favorite, Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish, three times per week. Warning: Fresh’s Brown Sugar Body Polish may cause slight obsession or serious addiction.
Protect: Once you’ve exfoliated your face (don’t forget to cleanse afterwards), and before you apply any makeup, use a high-quality SPF day cream, such the UV Plus HP Day Screen High Protection SPF 40 by Clarins. One area women often forget about is their lips, so I recommend using a sunscreen lip treatment, like the amazing Healthy Lip Screen by Lavanilla. Finish your sun prep routine by applying a generous amount of Josie Maran’s Argan Sun Protection for Body.
Treat: If you follow the first two steps, go swimming all day and still arrive home with a minor sunburn (aka you fell asleep while “tanning”), don’t fret. Lather on the life-saving Aloe +Plus Soothing Gel by First Aid Beauty. Be sure to hydrate and restore your skin’s moisture barrier with The Body Shop’s Aloe Soothing Night Cream.
With these protective products in your beauty arsenal, you’ll be ready to slip into your polka dot bikini and put your best face forward!
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