Now that summer is on its way, our bodies are more exposed to harsh sun and heat. As moms, we’re so busy looking out for everyone else–making sure our kids are hydrated and wearing their hats and sunscreen, etc.—that we can forget to take care of ourselves. Here are five tricks for staying fresh and beautiful despite the summer heat, from a sexy-smelling deodorant to a three-tiered approach to applying sunscreen!—
Upgrade your deodorant. I’m a sweaty lady year-round, but it’s a lot more pronounced in summer. My “holy grail” of deodorants is Donna Karan Cashmere Mist Deodorant Antiperspirant. It is not cheap and if you are looking for a non-aluminum deodorant, this is not for you. But it smells absolutely incredible and keeps you dry. Even though it is under your arms, people will notice the clean, sexy scent and comment on how good you smell. Trust me! ($19)
Try a moisturizing body wash. Another unpleasant side effect of warm weather is back-ne (back acne). Yes, I am 35 and I still get back-ne!%uFFFD To combat this, I recently bought Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Shea Butter Wash. After one use, my back felt clean yet not tight and stripped. I also love its earthy, musky smell and the fact that it can be used on your whole body and face. Though its intended for acne-prone or troubled skin, its moisturizing effects are great for any skin type. ($25)
Switch up your body lotion. Even though it’s warm outside, our bodies still need extra moisture after showering (being in the sun and going to the pool are super-drying.) I love Carol’s Daughter, a Brooklyn-based beauty line, and recently tried their Coconut Moisture Shea Souffle ($20). I am a sucker for anything coconut so I thought it would have the traditional coconut suntan lotion smell, but it is SO not that! It has water lily in it, which gives it a light, clean, floral scent. Another summer fave is Monoi Tiki Tahiti Body Oil ($11), which has a beautiful tropical scent (it takes me back to my honeymoon in Maui, mmmm!). It’s perfect for a post-beach shower.
Aim for brighter skin. Due to genetics, sun damage, and probably motherhood (the hormones, lack of sleep etc.) my face has loads of brown spots, wrinkles, and overall dullness. Not cute. I am always on the quest for brighter skin. I recently discovered ($7) on my weekly Target run. I had been using the brand’s ($8) on my face all winter long and have been loving it, so I grabbed this one to try for summer. I can’t conclusively say that is making my skin brighter, but what I do love is that it’s very clarifying, leaving me with fresh, clean skin ready for either my night serums or day moisturizers.
Use sunscreen daily. And finally, to protect my face from future sun damage and keep the dullness at bay, sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen is a must! I am a huge nag about sunscreen for the whole family as well as wearing hats and staying out of the sun. It is one of the few things you can control when it comes to aging skin. In warmer months, I layer a Neutrogena sunscreen (SPF 55) mixed with my BB cream (SPF 30), topped off with mineral powder (SPF 15)–and then reapply this mix throughout the day. It is wrong to assume that sunscreen you put on at 8 am is protecting you all day long, so reapply and wear a hat!
