3 Easy Steps to a Swimsuit Ready Body

Listen, I know that there are some people out there who will insist that the best way to get in shape for bathing suit season is to exercise, but you and I know that these people are simply trying to rob you of your joy. And, as one of my favorite Facebook memes says, you don’t need that kind of negativity in your life. Exercise is fine if you enjoy it, but for the rest of us, there are creams, lotions and potions that make exercising entirely optional. Seriously. They’re that good. And even if they aren’t, they smell better than exercise, and there’s always a cute coverup. So let’s talk about the three steps, shall we, because they are so simple and pleasurable that they almost feel like pampering.

Wait, does that mean that something that feels good can actually be good for you?

Take that, exercise!

1. Treat

You may not have paid all that much attention to the skin on your body over the winter, so now is the time to take stock. Whether you’re battling blemishes, scars, or dry, scaly skin, start treating your skin now so it feels and looks better when you hit the beach.

Scarology 3-Step System

If scars are making you self-conscious, this is the most complete scar system I’ve found. It was developed by a husband and wife team, Dr. Michael Connor and Dr. Jeanmarie Connor, and starts with a natural fruit acid exfoliator, then a cream, and then a silicone sheet. Results are said to be dramatic and occur in as little as 3 days, and it even works on old scars, including acne scars and C-section scars.. (I will update after I try it myself!)

Scarology 3 Step System, $89.99, Amazon

Stacked Skincare Body Peel

This simple brush-on peel does for your body what other peels do for your face: smooth, brighten, fade brown spots, and fight acne.

Stacked Skincare TCA Body Peel, $191, StackedSkincare.com

The Magic Pads

Easy to use, these glycolic acid pads feature natural ingredients in an aloe vera juice base, making them safe for everyone to use, even kids. They exfoliate to brighten skin and fight acne.

The Magic Pads, $19.95, Amazon

2. Tone

Jiggly skin happens to all of us, but there’s no reason to resort to drastic measures, like physical activity, to tone your body. Instead, try a cool new cream in a pretty package. They may not get rid of the jigglies completely, but they’ll firm and smooth and smell great doing it.

Bum Bum Cream

I adore the packaging, the fragrance, and the natural ingredients. Plus, it gives your skin a flattering shimmery glow. The verdict is still out, though, on whether it will give me the bum of a Brazilian bikini model.

Sol de Janeiro
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, $45, Amazon

Hot Cream

This product is all natural, smells pleasantly minty, soothes aches and pains and restless leg syndrome, and may also help smooth bumpy or dimply skin. Totally a win-win.

Hot Cream, $14.95, Amazon

Eden’s Garden

My love of body oils is well documented, and so I’m intrigued by this formula. The blend of essential oils seems promising (not to mention yummy smelling) and if it helps cellulite while moisturizing my skin, I’ll be sold.

Eden’s Garden Cellulite Synergy, $11.95, Amazon

3. Tan

A tan really can minimize skin imperfections and make you appear slimmer and more toned, but if the side effect is sun damage, it’s never worth it. If you crave this sun-kissed glow, stick to the top self tanners and bronzing lotions for safe, golden results.

Svelta

This botanical blend not only gives you a golden glow, but it also features ingredients to tone and tighten skin.

Svelta Tan Skin Perfecting Self Tanner, $38, Amazon

Vita Liberata

Alyson Hogg is not only the CEO of Vita Liberata, she’s also fair skinned and lives in Ireland, so she has firsthand experience achieving a natural tan on fair skin. Her tips? Prep the skin with “lots of fruit and vegetables. Drink lots of water, exfoliate and moisturize the skin with a gentle scrubby brush.” Hogg also recommends using a tanning mist and starting at the face to get an even tan, using as little product as possible, and then wiping down some areas that tend to get darker, like the knuckles, with a damp cloth after application. This dry oil gives a natural glow, moisturizes with organic ingredients and protects with SPF50.

Vita Liberata Self Tan Dry Oil SPF50, $54, Sephora

Melanie Mils Hollywood Gleam

I interviewed makeup artists Melanie Mills about her new line, and her commitment to amazing ingredients was inspiring. These products are so luxurious, and really give the face and body a gorgeous natural glow. Plus it’s transfer resistant and doesn’t streak or stain.

Melanie Mills Hollywood Body Radiance, $15, MelanieMillsHollywood.com

I truly believe that taking care of your skin, on your body as well as your face, can hugely impact how your skin looks and feels, so prep now, using my three easy steps (Treat, Tone and Tan) for beautiful skin all summer long.