A luminous, bronzed glow is what everyone wants each summer, but often times we find ourselves with dull, dry skin leftover from winter, which only looks worse under the hot, dry sun of summer. Our recent posts have outlined all the healthy skin education you need to protect yourselves this summer, but sun facts aside, we do love a bronzed glow around here, even if it comes in a bottle or from a spray! HDC has all the tools to help you achieve the glowing summer look before the long, sunny days of summer begin. Four crucial steps of Exfoliation, Hydration, Bronzing, and Highlighting will give you the head start you need to get that vibrant summer glow.
- Exfoliation: This lays the groundwork for enhancing skin tone and texture while revealing a fresh, healthy complexion. Replenix® Clarifying Brightening Polish, is a great mechanical exfoliator developed with gentle microbeads. This mild scrub removes dead, dry skin cells while providing the skin with antioxidants. Another favorite cleanser in our office is the Restorsea® Reviving Cleanser with Vibransea® Complex. This cleanser utilizes an enzymatic exfoliation formulated with non-toxic and naturally derived ingredients. Without stripping the skin of its essential oils, it leaves the skin feeling clean. Clarisonic®’s Cleansing System offers a variety of brush heads for both the face and body. The patented sonic cleansing technology works with skin’s natural elasticity to loosen deep dirt and oil. Clarisonic® works great when paired with a mild, non-stripping cleanser to help prep your face and body for a nice summer glow.
- Hydration: When skin is hydrated, it looks dewy, fresh, and healthy, like a glow from within. To begin, it’s important to make sure that you stay hydrated by consuming plenty of fluids during the hot summer months. Hot temperatures and sweating lead to dehydration, and dehydration is not only unhealthy for you, but leads to dull, dry, and wrinkly skin! Next, pump up more H2O in your skin with Replenix® Pure Hydration Hyaluronic Acid Serum. In addition to your regular moisturizer, this provides your skin with all-day moisture. The hyaluronic acid molecules in this serum penetrate the skin and lock in moisture, leaving your skin feeling vibrant. Besides your face, hydrating and moisturizing the skin on the rest of your body is important, too. Aveeno® Skin Relief Moisture Repair Cream is a great option as an over-the-counter moisturizer for your entire body. It helps restore moisture and provides long-lasting hydration. Sold exclusively at HDC, Restorsea® Retexturing Body Butter incorporates selective enzymatic exfoliation and hydration, leaving your skin feeling wonderfully soft and hydrated. Once you have exfoliated and hydrated your skin, you are ready for the final step to a summer glow!
- Bronzing: My favorite step is bronzing, and as the final step, it is composed of the actual bronzing products! There are so many options on the market for both face and body. Starting with the face, Dew the Hoola, a liquid bronzer by Benefit® Cosmetics, provides a glamourous natural glow. It can be applied all over the face, or just in place of a powder bronzer. If you find your skin is on the dry side, you can mix Dew the Hoola with your foundation or moisturizer. For true glow impact, try mixing it with Restorsea®’s 24kt Liquid Gold Face Oil and get extra sparkle and hydration! Benefit® Cosmetics also has a self- tanner for the entire body, within the same product line. The Hoola Zero Tanlines Body Bronzer includes a sponge applicator, allowing for an easy hands-free application. The lightweight formula allows for a buildable streak-free glow. Benefit® claims a 12-hour application time, which is perfect for a long day of fun. An HDC favorite, South Seas® Island Glow Body Bronzer is another transfer-resistant, quick drying, DHA-free instant body bronzer. Pick up Island Glow at Honet Dermatology for a shimmery, rich color that looks amazing on any skin tone! A little goes a long way.
- Highlighting: Besides liquid bronzers and self-tanners, highlighters have been exploding on the market to help you get the shimmer and sparkle part of the glow. Applied to the areas you want to showcase– cheekbones, cupid’s bow, or down the bridge of the nose– highlighters provide you with the luminosity that everyone is searching for. Although there are many highlighters out there, our staff favorite at HDC is Mac® Mineralize Skinfinish ‑ Soft and Gentle Powder. It is perfect for a daytime look: just swipe it on your face, as you find yourself heading to a poolside party. It provides a radiant finish to your look without being overly metallic. Another great option is Urban Decay®’s Naked Illuminated Shimmering Powder for Face and Body. This product is applied by brushing it onto wherever you desire for a smooth, shimmery instant glow. The fine powder absorbs right into the skin providing an iridescent shine, without looking chalky or streaky.
Besides our favorites, there are so many more options out there that can provide you with that bronzed, shimmery summer glow, and we’d love to hear what your tips and preferences are! Remember when using self-tanners and bronzing lotions, less is always more. It’s simple to apply more color, but once the products are on your skin, they aren’t the easiest to remove. Also, practice does make perfect and sometimes application requires some patience and know-how. And of course, if you find yourself heading out into the bright sun this summer, make sure you don’t leave the house without applying your sunscreen first! A healthy glow with SPF is always the best and most beautiful glow! So GLOW ON and enjoy the summer!
–Senada with Dr. H
