How to get your body ready for summer

Smoother, even-toned, and glowing skin is easier than you think. Here’s how to make the most of the body you’ve got with the best hydrating creams, instant skin-firmers, and radiance-boosting products. We highlight what will make you look and feel good fast.

Your arms

Bumpy backs of the arms are common and can sometimes be unsightly. Called keratosis pilaris, it is caused by plugs of keratin that block up follicles and cause red bumps. The best way to reduce and calm them is to use a product containing glycolic or try gentle exfoliation with either a scrub or gadget to help dissolve the keratin and keep the arms smooth. Daily moisturising is key and is best done straight after showering to lock in moisture. Add a bit of colour and sheen to the arms with either a self-tanner or shimmer cream. These will even out the skin and disguise bumps.

Your legs

Of course, regular workouts, good genes, and a healthy diet go a long way in having great legs, but there are things you can do in the body care stakes to help them look their best. For a start get into body scrubbing at least twice a week. Gritty salt and oil scrubs are the best as they help to boost circulation and depuff. Doing our ‘Scandi shower’ (alternating warm-and cold-water shower jets over legs and hips) a few times a week or if you can get into cold water swimming will help to shift trapped fluid. Spend time massaging in your body lotions every day, as this will also help heavy, puffy thighs and calves, and will zap dry skin at the same time. Always massage upwards and drink plenty of water, as the more you drink the less water your body will retain. For problem areas try firming, toning, and stretchmark-specific creams. While they are not an overnight cure they will help. For evening glamour, shimmer creams, oils, and self-tans will always make the skin glow.

Your belly & boobs

These areas will benefit from a similar treatment you give the rest of your body. Regular exfoliation and moisturisation will improve skin tone and condition, and by taking the pale glow off the skin it will always make it look and feel better. If you’re not a fan of self-tan, a gradual tanner will build a subtle tan over a few days. If you have stretchmarks on these areas, specific creams will help with the overall skin condition but are by no means a miracle cure. Again, sensible healthy eating and regular exercise will help with your bellys appearance, reducing bloating and keeping it firm and toned. Shimmer oils always look fabulous on the chest and cleavage as the light always catches that area making the skin glow.

Your bum

An often-forgotten spot on the body, until it's swimwear season and your derriere is on show again. Whatever its size, and however much you like or dislike it, the smoother your skin, the better your bum will look and feel. Exfoliate in the shower at least once a week using a sugar or salt scrub. This will not only boost circulation but will leave your skin soft and smooth ready for a firming, and contouring body lotion which is best applied straight after. Not sitting for too long and making movement part of your every day will boost circulation and keep your bum toned.

Your back

Backs, being the most inaccessible of regions, tend to be the worst offenders so you need to look after it. If hormonal imbalances, pregnancy, or PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome) aren’t giving you back acne, then a combination of synthetic fibres, workouts, and overly fragranced or rich body products could be clogging your pores. Exfoliation is key to promoting a blemish-free back. Just dampen the skin in the shower or bath, then massage a body scrub or a body buffer all over. Masks are great at zapping impurities and help to draw out the blemishes. Smooth on a charcoal or clay-based one and leave on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off. Troubleshoot by zapping blemishes with spot treatment lotions or tea tree oil and to enhance the skin you can use a shimmery body lotion or self-tan.