The softest, silkiest skin: How to get it now

SIMPLE SKIN CARE

You wash your face twice a day, but you still find yourself wishing for the beautiful skin you see in the magazines. The good news is that great skin isn’t reserved just for supermodels and superstars. Want to bring out your skin’s inner diva? Here's the best skin care routine for soft, silky skin -- no celeb status required.

WASH

In the morning and before you go to bed, use a mild daily facial cleanser and warm water. Gently massage your face in a circular motion. Don't ignore the often overlooked neck area! Rinse with several splashes of clean water, making sure all the cleanser is down the drain where it should be, and not left on your skin.

EXFOLIATE

Scrub, scrub, scrub... but take it easy. Apply a soft facial exfoliant to slough away dead skin cells and get your face ready for the spotlight, even if it is only in your own living room.

TONE

Spritz a toner on your face and neck, and wipe with a soft cotton towel to clean off any sneaky little bits of cleanser that may be left behind. You need to make sure your soon-to-be soft, silky skin is a clean slate for moisturizer and any makeup you may use.

SERUMS

When it comes to eye serums and facial creams, "Apply eye products around the eye out to the ear with your ring finger, so as not to pull the delicate eye area," advises Richard Cacace, skin care expert and owner of Body Beautiful Spa & Laser Center, and creator of Richard Cacace Skincare Products and SpaDealsNYC.com. The trick is to dab it on; treat your skin like the delicate flower it truly is.

MOISTURIZE

Looking for a moisturizer that works for your whole body, no matter what your skin type? Cacace swears by pure shea butter. Head to a heath food store, stock up on this natural hydrator and slather on generously.

USE SPF

One of the best proactive things you can do for your skin is to protect it from the sun's harmful rays. Give skin UV-fighting power by smoothing on a lightweight tinted moisturizer or foundation loaded with SPF. Then you'll be ready for your close up, both indoors and out.

Adopt this skin care routine and your skin will be paparazzi-ready before you know it. "Following this regimen morning and evening will achieve optimal results that can be seen in just a week or two," adds Cacace. "[That means] softer, clearer skin, reduction in fine lines, and firmer, more youthful skin."

10 Steps to firmer, smoother skin

SECONDS TO SILKY SKIN

We are in the height of summer and, naturally, showing the most skin we will all year long. Taking care of your face should be your number one priority, but making sure your skin is soft and smooth all over is equally as crucial. Even if you self-tan, you still need to make sure your skin looks firm, toned and hydrated! Here are ten easy tips for gorgeous and firm skin all over.

DRY BRUSH DAILY

Rub a natural bristle brush in an outward circular motion all over your body on a daily basis. Not only will it stimulate your circulation and help reduce the appearance of cellulite, but you will exfoliate the dead skin cells revealing soft skin underneath.

CREATE A SMOOTH CANVAS

After dry brushing your body, follow up in the shower with an at-home body scrub. Then combine coconut oil with sugar to trick your skin into thinking it just got back from a luxury spa trip. It will look great and smell delicious.

MOISTURIZE WITH BODY WASH

Body washes offer so much these days! Many have antioxidants and skin firming ingredients in them. Choose one that suits your needs -- whether you need extra hydration, skin clarifying or a boost of exfoliation. Some even include alpha hydroxy acids or glycolic acids to aid exfoliation.

USE OIL BEFORE YOUR MOISTURIZE

Yes, this is an extra step, but adding a layer of oil will form a light layer on your skin to lock in moisture. To speed up the process, put your favorite oil (such as monoi oil or a product like BioOil) in a spray bottle to keep in your shower. After you towel dry, spray it all over.

BANISH THE BLOAT

Try a three day detox to help decrease bloating and increase skin's radiance. There are many juice detox programs on the market or you can even cut out coffee, alcohol, salt and sugar for three days to debloat. You'll feel lighter and your stomach will feel flatter!

WATCH THE STRETCH MARKS

Nothing can permanently get rid of stretch marks, but you can help to prevent them by moisturizing regularly and drinking plenty of water. To help fade existing stretch marks, you can try a retinol product that will increase cell turnover and collagen production. If you have stretch marks, it's also imperative to apply sunscreen on them or they will darken and become more pronounced.

FIGHT THE CELLULITE

Use a serum targeted at fighting the appearance of cellulite on a daily basis. Apply it to your problem areas -- thighs, tummy and your behind in a circular motion for best results.

USE MULTI-TASKING MOISTURIZERS

Try a moisturizer that has skin firming ingredients in it such as collagen and elastin. Some, like Jergens Natural Glow also have subtle amounts of self-tanner to maintain a golden skin tone without having to continually self-tan.

APPLY SUNSCREEN DAILY

This is the most important step! Many women remember to always apply sunscreen to their face, but not their body. Strive to apply at least an SPF 15 moisturizer to your body each day and reapply as needed. It will make a difference in the long run, especially if you live in a consistently sunny climate.

FINAL TOUCH

Try a bronzing and illuminating body tint all over your body. Adding some color to your skin can help to define muscle tone. Illuminating your skin can create the illusion of glowing, healthy skin.

Dealing with sunburned, peeling skin

HOW TO DEAL WITH
THE PEEL

After a day in the sun, you may find yourself with fiery sunburn. And then a few days later, you have itchy, peeling skin. Peeling skin is not only unattractive, it can also be quite painful. Here are a few simple ways to deal with the peel.

1

Cool it down

If you notice your skin start to peel, the first thing you should do is take a cold shower or bath. The cold water will help your skin cool down and slow the peeling process. When you are drying your skin, be sure to pat dry with a clean, soft towel and avoid rubbing. By rubbing your skin, you can actually speed up and spread the peeling of your skin -- and you definitely don't want to do that.

2

Stop the itch

At all costs, you should avoid scratching your skin when it's peeling. You can actually do permanent damage to your skin in the form of scars. If you get the urge to scratch, the best thing to do is to use ice to dull the sensation. Put ice in a piece of soft cloth and gently place the cloth on top of the area of your skin that itches. The itch should subside once the ice begins to cool down the skin.

3

Moisturize your skin

Once you get out of the shower and dry your skin, apply a moisturizing lotion. Look for a moisturizer that is specifically designed to work on sunburn or peeling skin. Generally, the lotion should contains aloe vera, which will cool your skin, reduce inflammation and slow the peeling. Aloe vera is a natural cactus extract that has long been hailed for its soothing properties. You can actually buy pure aloe vera gel (or break open the plant, if you have it) and apply it directly to the peeling skin to aid healing, fight pain and avoid infection.

4

Drink up

Now that you have cooled your skin from the outside, it's time to start working on your skin from the inside. Truth be told, nothing helps your skin as much as a tall glass of water. Healthy skin needs to stay hydrated. When your skin is damaged -- like after a sunburn -- water becomes even more important. Drink a lot of water to give your skin all the fuel it needs to repair and revive itself. If you notice your skin beginning to peel, be sure to drink eight to 10 glasses of water per day.

5

Don't peel it!

Flaky, peeling skin is more than just irritating and unattractive. It can also lead to an infection. Peeling skin can become infected if you scratch or try to forcefully peel the skin. If there is a segment of dead skin that is hanging off and you want to remove it, don't pull on it - no matter how temping it is. Instead, get a small pair of scissors and carefully cut away just that section of skin. Be sure you are only cutting away dead skin and you don't tear skin that is trying to heal. Once you cut away the dead skin, apply an antibacterial ointment (such as Neosporin) to the area.

6

Prevent scarring

Reduce the itch associated with peeling (and moisturize your skin) by taking a cool bath containing colloidal oatmeal. You can find this fine oatmeal in most pharmacies. To help prevent scarring, promote healing and reduce long-term skin damage, take antioxidant supplements -- vitamin C and vitamin E. Also apply a topical vitamin E cream to reduce the chances of scarring as well.

Summer beauty problems

QUICK FIXES FOR
SUMMER SUN DILEMMAS

Everyone wants to look picture perfect all summer long, but sometimes mistakes happen. Common predicaments don't have to be complete disasters. You can handle problems, such as too much sunless tanner, with a little know-how. Read these quick beauty tips to learn how to fix summer beauty dilemmas in no time.

TOO MUCH SUNLESS TANNER

If you have over-applied sunless tanner and now look too dark or too orange, don't worry. You can lighten up your skin by using baking soda. Baking soda is used for many homemade beauty treatments so it's no surprise it's effective on sunless tanner too.

Orange all over

Dump 2-3 cups of baking soda into your bathtub and fill with warm water. Crawl into the tub and relax for 30 minutes. The baking soda will soften your skin and its bleaching properties will allow you to slough away the outer layer of dark skin. Using a loofah, scrub your feet, elbows and other areas where the tanner is especially blotchy. Use a washcloth to scrub the rest of your body. Rub very gently on the more sensitive areas of your body, such as the bikini area.

Orange in the face

If it's just your face that is overdone, wash with a gentle exfoliating scrub. A mixture of oatmeal, honey and milk works well. Cover up orange skin with a tinted moisturizer or mineral makeup while waiting for the sunless tanner to fade. If you have blotches on your face, use a green concealer stick to hide darker areas.

Evidence of orange

If the your fingernails, toenails, palms of your hands and soles of your feet are orange, you can apply a small amount of facial cream bleach to the problem areas. Allow to set for 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. Don't use facial bleach on other body parts.

Learn how to do sunless right. Fake a tan year round these self-tanner tips>>

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HEAL A PEELING SUNBURN

Though everyone should try to avoid sunburn, sometimes it happens. Dealing with the redness and peeling can be a hassle, but you have to allow your skin to heal.

Sunburnt in the face

Don't peel it! Gently exfoliate the dead, peeling skin by washing your face with a warm, soft washcloth. Do not rub too hard or you could cause irritation and more inflammation.

Makeup solutions

Apply aloe vera gel to help your skin heal. If you need to wear makeup, don't use too much. A tinted moisturizer with SPF 15 or higher is a much better option than liquid or powder foundation. The moisturizer will hydrate your skin and the tint can even out the redness.
Avoid additional sunlight if you are already sunburned. Wear a hat when going outdoors for extended periods of time and add sunglasses to protect your eyes.

More Tips and tricks to treat sunburnt skin>>

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FIX A FARMER'S TAN

If you have a farmer's tan or you fell asleep at the beach (sometimes relaxation comes with a punishment), fix your drastically uneven tan with these tips. They key is to concentrate on certain areas.

Exfoliate

Exfoliate the darker portion of you skin, using a granulated cleanser or sea salt scrub. This will remove dead skin cells. Use good moisturizer on the areas of skin that are much lighter.

Apply SPF

You can try to fix the problem naturally by using a stronger sunscreen (SPF 30) on the dark portions of your skin and a milder sunscreen (SPF 15) on the lighter sections, then spend time in the sun. This method will take some time and if your uneven tan is on your face, you might not want to wait.

Fake a bake

Head to the tanning salon! The fastest way to fix an uneven tan is to get a spray on tan from a trained technician. He/she will be able to airbrush the areas and even out your skintone. This is the quickest and easiest way to fix your uneven tan.

The truth about tanning: Indoor and outdoor tanning dangers

DANGERS OF
BRONZED SKIN

Believe it or not, there was a time when fair, pale skin was all the rage in its representation of class, prestige, and separation from the tanned working masses. Oh how things have changed! Tanned, bronzed bodies with that glowing sun-kissed look are in. But before you follow the tanning trend, you may want to think twice.

TANNED BODIES WALK THE RED CARPET

Today, our royalty walks red carpets at movie openings and parties with glowing, dark skin (and some, like George Hamilton, look a tad like tanned leather). Some A-listers use sunless tanners while others expose themselves to ultraviolet light lying in tanning beds or basking on the beach.
It is tempting, if not irresistible, to emulate their beauty by succumbing to the dangers of both natural and artificial sunlight, despite the warnings of skin cancer and premature aging.

THINK TWICE BEFORE TANNING

Dr. Erin Welch, board-certified dermatologist of the American Academy of Dermatology and Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) encourages women to think twice about catching some rays to enhance their beauty. Here is what you need to know before you catch some rays.

UVB RAYS

You may have heard UVB rays referred to as the "tanning rays." UVB rays have shorter wavelengths, mostly associated with outdoor sunlight, that have increased strength in the summer. These intense summer rays are responsible for that coveted glowing tan or, in excess, those beet red burns. For many years, sunblock only offered protection against UVB rays because the affects of UVA rays were still unknown.

UVA RAYS

There was a time when UVA rays were thought to be safer than UVB rays because UVA effects were not as immediate as UVB rays. This lead to the popularity of tanning beds and bold advertising, still used in many tanning salons today, that indoor tanning is safer than outdoor sun-bathing. However, scientists have found that this is untrue. UVA rays have longer wavelengths and actually penetrate deeper into your skin.

OUTDOOR VERSUS INDOOR TANNING

According to Welch, sunlight tends to be a mixture of UVA and UVB, while artificial tanning bulbs emit more UVA.
The significant difference between the two types of rays are related to their wavelengths, but both cause damage to your skin. While the longer UVA rays penetrate the skin deeper, they also break down collagen and elastic tissue and generate free radicals and oxidative damage, according to Welch.
The shorter UVB rays cannot reach this deep, but they cause mutations in the DNA of skin cells in the higher layers of skin and cause sunburns.
While you are less likely to burn from UVA rays, it is still possible and UVA rays have proved to be linked to increased melanoma rates.
Not only are UVA rays dangerous, but they can also be accounted for rapidly aging skin. "By penetrating deeper into the skin, the longer UVA rays actually break down collagen and elastin and stimulate wrinkling even faster than sunlight alone. This accounts for the 'leathery' appearance of the skin of chronic indoor tanning bed users," says Welch.

WHAT ABOUT VITAMIN D?

In many salons, you will see advertisements that encourage customers to get bronzed in tanning beds because exposure to both natural and artificial sunlight provides vitamin D, a vitamin the body manufactures from a metabolite of cholesterol when exposed to sunlight (a process that can occur in five to 15 minutes of sunlight exposure).
However, Dr. Welch is quick point out that "most people get this much incidental light on various areas of their skin during their daily activities, and have no need to seek additional artificial light exposure to make vitamin D."
In fact, despite the health benefit of vitamin D, skin cancer is most commonly seen on the most chronically exposed areas of the body, such as the head and neck, from incidental sun exposure.
Also, vitamin D is readily available in many dietary sources, such as dairy products, fish, liver, egg yolks, and fortified orange juice. Dr. Welch says, "There is no need to encourage wrinkles and skin cancer by trying to make vitamin D with your face!"
Both tanning beds and overexposure to sunlight end up doing more harm than good.

WHO IS AT RISK?

If one expert is not enough to convince you, the NCI confirms that tanning beds increase the risk of skin cancer as well as natural sunlight.
According to the NCI, women who use tanning beds more than once a month are 55 percent more likely to develop malignant melanoma, which is the most deadly form of skin cancer.
Other types of skin cancer (basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma), which can easily be prevented, will affect 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to be 65 years old.
According to the NCI, people at greatest risk are those with fair skin; blonde, red or light hair; and blue, green, or gray eyes.
Artificial and natural sunlight exposure is also most likely to affect those who easily burn, have already been treated for skin cancer or have skin cancer in their family history.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE TANNED LOOK

The NCI recommends that you avoid tanning beds and booths and regularly check for abnormalities (bumps and sores that don't heal or moles that evolve in shape and color).
Dr. Welch, the NCI and the American Academy of Dermatology recommend the use of spray tans and other sunless tanning products in place of exposure to ultraviolet radiation from natural and artificial sunlight.
"I think the most attractive skin for my patients is healthy-looking skin, without wrinkles, spots, and other blemishes associated with chronic sun damage, so I encourage all of my patients to protect their skin from excessive sun exposure," says Welch.

"[Self-tanners] are very safe, and while they offer little protection against sunburns, they can allow women to have a little 'summer color' without paying the price in premature aging and skin cancer surgery down the road."

Skin protection for workouts

PREVENT WORKOUT
SUNBURNS

Despite the obvious health benefits that come with working out, your risk of skin cancer may increase if you spend lots of time exercising outdoors. In fact, more than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed annually in the U.S. -- meaning 1 out of every 5 Americans will develop the disease. Here's what you can do to keep safe in the sun!

WHY SKIN IS AT RISK DURING OUTDOOR WORKOUTS

The stats are staggering. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime, andmelanoma is listed as the third most common cancer in women aged 20 to 39 years old. And if you spend time exercising outdoors, your odds for sun damage only increase. In fact, a recent study revealed that sweat actually contributes to UV-ray skin damage as it pumps up the photosensitivity of your skin, making you more prone to being sunburned.
On top of that, more challenging outdoor workouts may suppress your immune system as well, meaning your skin could be even more susceptible to the sun's damaging effects.
Also be aware that several medications -- even those as common as ibuprofen, doxycycline and promethazine -- may heighten your skin's sensitivity to the sun.

GOOD NEWS ABOUT GETTING SUN

There's some sunny news amidst these gloomy stats: The vitamin D you receive from natural sunlight may play a role in increasing your bone density and protecting you against hypertension, cancer and autoimmune diseases. Plus, the more you work out, the less flab you have, and the lower your risk for a variety of cancers.
But you will still need to protect your skin as much as possible when you are doing anything outdoors in the sunny seasons -- especially exercise. So, if you are a fan of working out outdoors, consider these tips.

PROPER SUN PROTECTION

Sheild your skin with sweat-proof SPF

Before every workout, slather on sweat-proof SPF 30 or above and shield against damaging UVA and UVB rays. Try Damage Control by Arbonne orBanana Boat's Sport Performance line. Note that, even though most formulas are designed for all-day protection, you should still reapply often, especially during the hours while the sun is at its peak (typically 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Toss out any tubes left over from last summer, because most sunscreen products lose their effectiveness over time.
More sunscreen smarts>>>

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Clothing with built-in sunblock

A typical cotton t-shirt will offer sun protection of only about SPF 7 -- even less once it becomes sweat-saturated. If you are going to spend the entire day outside, or if you are just super sensitive to the sun, get gear that offers built in UV protection. The Skin Cancer Foundation sells t-shirts that block 97 percent of the sun's UV rays, or check out Coolibar for an entire collection of sun protective clothing. (See their Women's Fitness Pant in white at left.) You can also opt to add SunGuard to your laundry; colorless dye gives your clothes an SPF of 30 or more.

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Accessorize wisely

A hat with a visor will shield your face and keep your scalp (where cancers can develop more aggressively) safe from the sun. Go for lightweight baseball-style caps with mesh panels that will absorb sweat and keep you cool.
And if you are going to splurge on your workout wear, spring for a solid pair of sporty sunglasses that will protect your eyes, staving off cataracts and fight fine lines around your peepers. Look for lenses that block out 100 percent of UV radiation as well as both UVA and UVB rays.

Finally, don't forget one last item that's important for good skin and overall health, and is vital when exercising: Fluid intake. Be sure to stay hydrated with water and electrolyte-boosting sports drinks throughout your workout as well as after.