Living a healthy lifestyle encompasses many different areas. It is not just about logging hours on the treadmill and eating loads of leafy greens. There are also internal components that involve keeping a positive, healthy mindset while minimizing stress and negative emotions.
There are also the external components that involve taking care of your physical appearance. Sure, exercise is a huge part of this. In fact, exercise is a part of both the internal and external components of health. Exercise makes us feel good (hello, endorphins) and of course, it can help us look good as well.
With summer upon us, taking care of the physical aspects of health become more important. Personally, during the months of tank tops and shorts, I want to look and feel a bit more fresh, confident, and radiant. In particular, I want to feel comfortable in my skin. Feeling comfortable in your own skin (inside and out) is certainly a component of a healthy lifestyle—wouldn’t you say?
Over the years, I have gathered quite a few tips and tricks to get my skin summer ready. Most of my beauty tips have been learned through a process of trial and error—with some serious beauty mishaps in between. Now that I am in my mid-twenties, I think I’ve finally got a good system going.
Here are my tips to help you DARE TO BE BARE during the summer months.
Let’s start in the shower.
Exfoliate.
Year-round, I exfoliate at least once per week. However, when the summer months are here I pick up the frequency and exfoliate a few times a week.
Exfoliating is beneficial because it helps speed up cell turnover. In other words, it helps to get rid of the outer layer of dead skin that can make skin look dull and dry.
All you need is an exfoliating body wash (or even a little sugar and olive oil) and you’re good to go!
The next step should take place immediately after you have stepped out of the shower and dried off.
Moisturize.
It is always important to keep your skin well-hydrated and moisturized. Moisturized skin looks bright and dewy.
Would you believe that I used to avoid moisturizing because I thought it would make me break out? In actuality, the opposite is true. If your skin is too dry, then your pores produce extra oil which can, in turn, cause more breakouts.
Moisturizing right after a shower helps to lock in moisture. Additionally, moisturizing after exfoliating makes your skin super smooth and ready to shine!
Now that you’re smooth and moisturized, you can take steps to ensure that you stay dry and fresh all day long.
Stay dry {with deodorant}.
It is nearly summer. In fact, according to the temperatures these days—summer appears to be here already. The sun is hot. The air is humid. And you want to rock tank tops and summer dresses.
Of course, pit stains or dark underarms aren’t the best accessory to cute summer clothes. So how do you keep your underarms fresh, dry, and smooth?
Dove has the answer.
A few weeks ago, DailyBuzz gave me the opportunity to try out and review two new-to-me Dove deodorants from the clear tone line.
From the Dove site: “Dove® Clear Tone™ Skin Renew Deodorant is a unique formula, made with calendula and sunflower seed extracts that moisturizes to accelerate the natural skin renewal process. This helps to visibly reduce dark marks and even tone with regular use over time, while providing 24-hour odor and wetness protection.”
Sounds pretty fantastic to me!
I have tried (and liked) Dove deodorant in the past—but I always seem to pick up a new kind at the drugstore. Call me a deodorant whore—I won’t argue with you.
What is my first deodorant stipulation? Well, it has to smell good of course. Both of these deodorants passed the fresh and clean scent test. In fact, they smell flowery and girly. Right up my alley.
Next stipulation—the deodorant has to keep my armpits feeling dry and smooth. One of my pet peeves is deodorant that cakes up and leaves you with unsightly white chunks in your armpits and on your clothes. Also, those deodorants that never really dry but instead leave your armpits feeling wet all day? No thanks.
Again, both of these deodorants passed the test.
After going for a run in the 90 degree weather on Monday, my armpits still felt dry and (much to my surprise), the deodorant didn’t cake at all. Score!
I think my deodorant whoring ways be over—right now, this Dove Clear Tone deodorant is my new best friend.
So would I buy this deodorant on my own?
Absolutely! In fact, I will be picking up another bottle of the sheer touch once I’m running low.
Do you stick with one deodorant brand or are you constantly trying out the newest scents and lines?
As part of the DailyBuzz Healthy Living Program, I received free Clear Tone Deodorant and a stipend from Dove. However, my opinions are entirely my own.
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