The summer solstice will be upon us. And the hotter it gets the more body parts you’re likely to expose; shorts, tank tops, halters, minis, bikini bathing suits, etc. It’s all about the healthy and gorgeous summer glow. Regardless of your age or gender, wanting to feel confident and look your best in your skin is aye, ok. Here are a few tips to help you put your healthiest, and best skin forward.
Feed your skin
Feed your skin with clean, wholesome foods daily. If eating/chewing vegetables are difficult, try juices and smoothies. It’s a great way to start your day, and an even greater way to give your cells the pure power it needs to repair and replenish, so you can release your inner glow and radiate from the inside out.
Take your Vitamins
Supplements should be an integral part of your skin care regimen. Give your skin additional support for replenishment and rejuvenation with vitamins A, B3, C, K.
– Vitamin A will reduce wrinkles.
– Vitamin B3, will reduce redness and increase moisture.
– Vitamin C will help reduce dark spots.
– Vitamin E will moisturize.
– Vitamin K will help reduce dark under eyes.
Move your body
Get some form of exercise. Moving your body will increase oxygen intake, and oxygen molecules are necessary for the energy making mitochondria in your cells. Remember your body functions on a cellular level; oxygenated cells equal powerful cells. So, give your body the fuel it needs to do its work.
Brush your skin
Try brushing your skin at least once per day. Dry Skin brushing supports the movement of lymphatic fluids in your body. This simple technique improves digestion; increases circulation, lymphatic drainage, and removes toxins, which results in improved kidney function; increases skin’s elasticity and rejuvenates the nervous system.
Protect your skin with SPF
Protect your skin with SPF if you plan on being in the open sun for very long periods. Needless to say, you should avoid the tanning beds.
Hydrate your body
Try to drink the recommended 6 – 8 glasses of water daily. For some this might be difficult, so try alternatives like seltzer water, room temperature water, iced water, flavored water. whatever works for you. Approximately 70% of the body is made up of water, and most of the cell’s work is done in a watery environment.
Exfoliate your skin weekly
The outer layer of skin that’s in contact with the environment is made up of dead cells. The dead cells are removed from our clothing and when we take showers or baths, but using a sugar scrub with a gentle exfoliant like turbinado sugar will provide the added benefit of moisturizing. If you have dry skin, once per week should be sufficient. For those with oily or combination skin, 2-3 times per week is ok.
Practice meditating
Practice meditating or conscious/deep breathing techniques. Stress is a normal part of our lives. However, stressful situations – which you’ll have at some point – will cause the stress hormone, “cortisol” to increase in your body. Increased cortisol leads to an increase in sebum, which is the natural body oil made by the skin. Too much sebum, however, will lead to clogged pores and eventually, acne eruption. No Bueno! So, save yourself some skin woes and summer stress. Breath deep or meditate your way through the stresses.

Dixie Lincoln- Nichols is a biological science educator, health and wellbeing consultant and Qigong instructor. Her work has been featured in media outlets like, Oprah Mag, SELF, Yahoo and more. She is the founder of Inside Outer Beauty Market, a multi-cultutal retailer curating and creating products to support the body inside and out. Visit the site at www.iobeautymarket.com