Soft Summer Skin

summer skin care for sistas part 2

"Secrets to Staying Supple" by Dre Brown

In the summer, I fully embrace my zodiac sun sign. I emerge from my cold weather hibernation a fun-loving pisces, ready to let my inner fish swim free in the nearest pool or beach wave! However, what my horoscope always fails to mention is how after hours in the salty surf or chlorine my skin feels more like a fish out of water—dry and gasping for moisture.

It appears the ample natural oils we sistas enjoy all year round are fast to flee amidst some of our favorite skin-taxing summer activities. From swimming to tanning, dry skin can be just a fun-filled afternoon away.

Over summers past, I realized ashy knees and elbows would never complement my choice of swimsuit or sarong. So I got to work, discovering ways to keep my skin supple, no matter what each sunny day brought my way. Here's my fail-safe routine:

Pre-Beach Balming

When heading out for a day at the beach, I prepare with a hot shower. Then, after rinsing, I rub down in a generous amount of expeller pressed coconut oil. The heat makes for quick absorption and the rich oil keeps my skin moisturized through a few dips in the waves.

Post-Pool Pedi-care

Between the chlorine and pool pavement, what once were softly-pedicured feet can emerge dry and chapped. After a swim, I replenish my feet with a body butter wrap. I first slather on my favorite body butter cream, and then cover each foot in plastic food wrap and a hot soaked towel. In the time it takes to read my latest mag cover to cover, my feet have returned to their previous suppleness.

Spray & Shine

Nothing looks better below a summer party mini-dress than stems with a subtle sheen. After initially moisturizing with a rich body lotion, I gloss up my legs with a gentle spray aerosol oil sheen hair spray—this trick is far less messy than a liquid oil and just as effective!

Dre Brown's top 3 summer moisturizers for body

1 Shea Moisture Organic African Black Soap Shea Butter Body Lotion

Rich, creamy, and long-lasting without a greasy residue. Also chock-full of natural elements it suggests will aid in clarifying problem-prone skin.

2 Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Soothing Oil For Dry Itchy Skin

Light and easy to apply on-the-go. Great for calming irritation after sunburn or chlorine exposure.

3 Tree Of Life Organic Expeller Pressed Coconut Oil

Dry skin relief is as close as your grocer's aisle. Perfect for sensitive skin, with no heavy scent.

Driven to infuse each encounter with joy-inducing laughter, Dre Brown seeks to offer those she reaches both something for the eye and for the soul. Based out of New York City, Dre splits her time between makeup artistry, hair styling, strategic marketing, writing and entrepreneurship. Follow her exploits on her blog: a Dre in The Life and her Beautylish series "Confessions of a Nouveau Natural Woman"

Images courtesy of jade-monaee.tumblr.com/