Warmer weather and higher humidity levels changes and expands our skin’s needs. We don’t just need to worry about our face and hands, now that the beach is calling our names we also need to get our Body Skin in tip-top shape from head-to-toe.

Getting your best summer skin in time for the beach is easy when you add these tips and tricks into your beauty routine.

Exfoliate: Take the time to exfoliate your skin thoroughly being sure to pay extra attention to your elbows, knees and feet. I really like using Extra Mineral’s Body Scrub – Forever Ocean because it is made from Dead Sea salt crystals and it gently exfoliates the skin all over my body while leaving behind a thin layer of moisturizing oil that makes my skin silky smooth. As an added bonus the scrub has a subtle scent that I find quite relaxing.

If your body skin is extra sensitive try ANTI-AGING BUFFING BEADS from Peter Thomas Roth.  This ultra gentle anti-aging scrub can be used on the face and body. It has Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid and Botanical Brighteners to help chemically exfoliate and brighten the appearance of skin for beautiful, fresh and youthful-looking results.

De-Fuzz (or not): I know that there is an entire movement dedicated to allowing women to grow their body Hair and not remove their body hair. I respect that personal choice and think that if it works for you that you should embrace it and have the liberty to make your own choices regarding your body hair without judgments from anyone else. However, it is my preference to have my body skin mostly smooth and hair-free as I prefer how my skin feels and looks without hair.

Hair removal can be time consuming which is why I have been using an at-home Laser Removal system – here is a link to the review I wrote about the LumaRX IPL Full Body Hair Removal Device (check it out – it goes in depth on the benefits of at home laser hair removal as well as exposing some of the cons). While I opted to purchase the pricier Lumarx Full Body Hair Removal Device I have also heard really good things about the Remington i-LIGHT Pro Premier Intense Pulse Light Hair Removal System and the Silk’N Flash & go Freedom Hair Removal Device, Size One Size – No Color as a more affordable alternative.

Waxing is another good option if you don’t have a lot of time for the upkeep shaving requires, just be sure to exfoliate well before hand and to follow-up with a post shave product on areas that are prone to ingrown hairs. My favorites are:  Whish(TM) Flawless Post-Wax & Shave Serum, Size 1.1 oz What it is: Whish Flawless banishes the curse of unsightly bumps caused by shaving, waxing and lasering. What it does: This all-natural formula uses clinically proven active ingredients to prevent ingrown hairs without drying chemicals. Organic aloe soothes and immediately reduces redness and inflammation. Willow-bark extract (a natural salicylic acid) gently exfoliates and removes bacteria, keeping the pores open so hair cannot get trapped.

I also really like Arcona Tabula Rasa Spot Repair this is stronger than Whish Flawless and it works better as a spot treatment for irritation and ingrown hairs, whereas Whish Flawless should be applied all over.  What it is: Spot-specific acne-fighting formula heals blemishes and reduces enlarged pores, soothes ingrown hairs and razor burn. Who it’s for: All skin types. What it does: Exfoliates, unclogs pores, combats skin eruptions and kills bacteria with lactic acid. Stimulatse cell renewal with allantoin and grapeseed extract. Cleanses and increases circulation with naturally antiseptic witch hazel. How to use: Use daily, as needed and apply sparingly with a cotton pad.

Banish Breakouts: Unfortunately breakouts aren’t just limited to your face, a lot of people suffer from body breakouts too. Worse yet, body breakouts tend to get worse during the summertime because sun, sweating, excessive heat and humidity create the perfect pimple storm.

The best way to combat bacne and body breakouts is to keep your skin clean and dry. Showering daily with tepid water and using a cleanser formulated to prevent and treat bacne and the like works best.

The best body cleansers are Murad Acne Body Wash What it is: A triple-action cleanser that deeply cleanses to eliminate breakouts all over the body. What it does: Glycolic and salicylic acids penetrate deep into the skin to control and prevent breakouts, date seed powder exfoliates to keep pores clean and clear and green tea and licorice root extracts protect and help soothe inflamed skin. A more affordable option is PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash, 5.5 Oz What it is: It is a maximum strength foaming body wash that contains 10% of benzoyl peroxide. What it does: Benzoyl peroxide unclogs pores and inhibits the growth of bacteria that causes acne, pimples, and cystic lesions. It can cause side effects such as tingling sensation, dry or peeling skin and skin that feels warm.

You should also avoid wearing or sleeping on Synthetic Materials. Synthetic materials are thicker than cotton and they trap oil and moisture that clogs pores and causes breakouts. Instead, wear light-weight, loose fitting fabrics that let out sweat and allows your skin to breathe.

Get a Tan: A faux tan that is! Nothing hides cellulite, stretch marks, extra pounds, scars and skin discolorations more effectively than a good faux tan. It is amazing how a little bronzing can change so much. I have a very fit friend that strategically uses bronzing lotion to make it appear that she has more defined abs than she actually does.

Before you opt for that faux tan though make sure you exfoliate! Application definitely does go on more easily and evenly on a smooth surface. My favorite self tanners are:  Vita Liberata Neroli & Argan Milk For Face & Body Spf 50, I love this formulation because it is also like a skin treatment. What it is: This soothing, non-greasy milk by VITA LIBERATA features broad spectrum SPF 50 to protect skin against UVA and UVB rays, while antioxidants fight free radical damage and photo-aging, too. Who it’s for: All skin types. What it does: The lightweight, smooth, silky formula contains neroli oil, which helps skin regenerate and repair while bringing balance, and argan oil, which repairs skin with antioxidants.

For a fast and easy application I turn to St. Tropez ‘In Shower’ Gradual Tan The St. Tropez In Shower Gradual Tan is an innovative formula that is designed for use in the shower to give you a healthy, natural glow. Suitable for all skin tones and types, it delivers a natural-looking bronze glow and extreme moisture without streaking or transferring onto your clothes. How to use: Fully cleanse your skin in warm water. Then, with the shower off, generously apply in circular motions to wet skin to create even coverage. Wait three minutes, then rinse off with warm water only. Gently dry your skin before getting dressed.

Not interested in a long lasting tan? Then consider bronzers training wheels for those who fear the DHA-infused formulas. While traditional self-tanners need time to develop, bronzers produce an instant glow on contact with your skin. There’s little room for error because you can instantly see the results of your application, and, better yet, even if you do mess up you can easily wash it off and start over. My favorite formulas are:  Charlotte Tilbury ‘Supermodel Body’ Slimmer Shimmer Shape, Hydrate & Glow and Caudalie Divine Leg Tinted Body Lotion, Size 3.4 oz.

Moisturize: Dry, Ashy, Scaly skin is never sexy. The good news is that this can be fixed with a little bit of effort on your part and with the use of a good moisturizer. Fortunately, there are many body lotions and creams that work at all different price points. Below is a list of my top 10 picks for moisturizing my body (in no particular order):

1. Curel Hydra Therapy, 12 Oz
2. Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
3. Peter Thomas Roth MEGA-RICH BODY LOTION
4. Extra Mineral ANTIOXIDANT POMEGRANATE MULTI-PURPOSE CREAM
5. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream, 7.3 oz
6. Gold Bond Ultimate Healing Skin Therapy Lotion with Aloe, 14 oz
7. Fresh Seaberry Restorative Body Cream, Size 6.8 oz
8. June Jacobs Green Tea and Cucumber Body Balm
9. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, 16 oz
10. L’Occitane Shea Ultra Rich Body Lotion, Size 8.4 oz