Get Smooth for Summer
Who doesn’t want softer skin, especially during the summer? These amazing scrubs will leave your skin noticeably smoother, softer, and healthier. Each one of these favorites gently hydrate your skin ridding it of dirt and tired skin cells.
Bliss Lemon + Sage Body Scrub, $28
This body skin polish has tiny circular scrubbing grains that help to gently exfoliate your skin. Perfect for sensitive skin, the lightly lemon-scented scrub will leave your skin feeling soothed and renewed after every scrub.
Ahava Softening Butter Scrub, $20
This body scrub first starts off as a thick creamy body butter. When you add water, it quickly turns into a moisturizing scrub. Exfoliate in a circular motion, making sure to focus on problem areas like elbows and knees. The soft buttery formula will moisturize your skin leaving it softer than ever before.
The best way to apply this body buff is to scrub on before getting in the shower. Letting the oil soak in will help skin soften, allowing the scrub to really soak deep into the skin. Concentrate on areas that are rough or dry. This scrub is super light and perfect for sensitive and dry skin types.
St. Tropez Tan Optimizer Body Polish, $50
This St. Tropez Tan Optimizer is a must have for summer, especially if you are using a self-tanner. Prepare your skin for the perfect summer tan using this light, sugary scrub. It easily removes dead skin cells to brighten and prepare your skin for the best self-tan possible (which can be achieved by using the St. Tropez self-tanning mousse)!
Dr. Dennis Gross Skin Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, $54
Using this daily face peel will quickly become your new best kept secret. It works quickly to even skin tone, visibly reduce pore size, and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. The added green tea extract helps to smooth, balance, and protect skin. This simple two step process will leave your skin feeling amazingly refreshed. Use it year-round!
Peter Thomas Roth Laser-Free Retexturizer Exfoliating Scrub, $30
This multi-action retexturizing scrub works wonders and contains moisturizers from sweet almond oils, apricot, mango, and Dragon’s Blood (an all natural plant based aid). It feels great on the skin, minimizes pores, fine lines and wrinkles too. After a few uses, your skins texture will feel just like it was 10+ years ago.
This fabulous scrub will leave your skin extra smooth. The gentle exfoliating scrub will carefully remove dirt and oil, leaving your skin acne and blackhead free. It’s a great product for those who are breakout prone. I love the subtle apricot smell (and the price is right too)!
Buy St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub, $5.99
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St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub, $5.99
Shop the Full Story: Best Scrubs and Self-Tanners for the Face and Body |
Body Washes We Love
Whether you need a wake-up call in the morning or a soothing bath after work, there is a body wash right for you. Instead of reaching for your AM coffee, try out a citrus-scented wash to perk you up. If you have sensitive skin and are in need of nutrients and hydration, try a creamy or oil-infused wash, sure to soften and revitalize your skin. No matter your budget, you’ll find one that’s perfect for your skin-type. They certainly beat using bar soaps!
1. Kio Kio- Citrus Petal and Tartara
Made with mineral-rich spring water, sustainably harvested plant extracts and organic ingredients from New Zealand this body wash not only does good for the body, but also the environment. The citrus petal and tartara scent is flowery with a hint of lemon to wake you up and soften your skin at the same time.
Buy Now, $31
2. L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil
Imagine bathing or showering with a body wash that smells of sweet almonds and has an amazingly soothing feel to it! L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil is super moisturizing and made with 100% Provence Almond Oil. Besides cleansing and hydrating the skin, it’s also a favorite to use for shaving. Everyone who tries this product is addicted (including the guys)!
Buy Now, $24
3. Peter Thomas Roth Mega-Rich™ Body Wash
Although almost all hotels leave an array of bath products for visitors to use, the quality is not always up to par. Hilton Hotels decided to commission Peter Thomas Roth to create a luxury line of unisex bath and body products that everyone would love. The body wash is full of vitamins A, B, and C, and it cleanses the skin while nourishing and revitalizing it. With its exfoliating beads and refreshing grapefruit scent, you’ll feel like you’re on vacation every time you use it!
Buy Now, $18
4. Lush- Creamed Almond and Coconut Shower Smoothie
This body wash is unique as it is more of a cream/moisturizer than a simple shower gel. Made with almond oil which is high in vitamin E, it is especially good for those who have naturally dry skin. Although it’s called an “almond and coconut smoothie”, it is not overpowering at all. Rather, it emits a subtle scent: a mix of vanilla, jasmine and ylang.
Buy Now, $18
5. Bliss Lemon + Sage Soapy Suds Body Wash + Bubbling Bath
Start off your morning in a great mood with this uplifting sage and lemon body wash by bliss. The easy-pump top allows for just enough lather in order to give you extremely soft, vitamin-rich skin. Formulated for even the most sensitive skin, this wash doubles as a bubble bath too!
Buy Now, $18
6. Booth’s Triple Action Bath, Shower & Hair Wash Revitalizing Rosemary Mint
Booth’s Triple Action Bath, Shower & Hair Wash is an all-in-one shampoo, body wash, and bubble bath. In a subtle Rosemary Mint scent, it’s perfect to perk you up in the morning and start off the day right. This product is not only convenient at home, but also for multi-tasking or travelers on the go!
Buy Now, $7
7. St. Ives Purify Exfoliating Body Wash
This exfoliating body wash isn’t harsh at all like many others, but cleans deep with tiny beads to renew the skins surface and softness. Made with sea kelp and mineral salts, this cleanser revives the skin with vitamins and anti-oxidants. Plus, it emits a soothing beachy scent that we love.
Buy Now, $3
Best Scrubs and Self-Tanners for the Face and Body
Summer is just around the corner and before you know it you’ll be showing more skin. If your skin is still a shade of winter white, self-tanner is the safe answer to achieving a summer glow before you hit the beach or pool. A smooth and natural application is easy to get at home if you exfoliate first. Here are some of my recommendations for soft and beautifully bronzed skin. All products tried and true!
Fresh Brown Sugar Body Polish
This Brown Sugar Body Polish is an all-natural scrub made with real brown sugar crystals and natural humectants that rid your skin of dry skin cells while preventing future moisture loss. The scrub blends four natural oils that deeply moisturize and nourish the skin. I am a huge fan of this product and have been using it for years to keep my legs from looking like the skin of an alligator. One of the best scrubs on the market.
Buy Now, $38
Kiehl’s Creme de Corps ‘Soy Milk & Honey’ Body Polish
Nothing is sweeter than Milk and Honey, this scrub included. Made of pure Honey and Soy Milk protein, this body exfoliator will help your skin feel it’s softest! Kiehl’s body polish is also infused with Shea and Jojoba Butters, Sweet Almond Oil, and Luffa Fruit for a nourishing effect. It does not leave an oily residue on the skin so makes a great pre-tan scrub. I am obsessed with the amazing scent!
Buy Now, $28
Burt’s Bees Cranberry & Pomegranate Sugar Scrub
Burt’s Bees is becoming the go-to natural drugstore brand known for great ingredients like pomegranate. This sugar scrub smells delectable and leaves your skin oh-so-smooth. Really a two-in-one, there is no need to moisturize after use.
Buy Now, $12.99
For the face:
Remede Sweep
A celebrity favorite, this gentle facial scrub is made of 30% minerals, bentonite clay, and moisturizing agents that scrub dirt softly away while toning and moisturizing your skin. It is extremely mild, treating your face with the utmost care.
Buy Now, $48
St. Ives Naturally Clear Green Tea Scrub, Oil-Free
This facial scrub uses 100% Natural Green Tea to enhance your skin with Vitamins C and E and an abundant amount of anti-oxidants, which help prevent aging. The scrub also contains extracts from olive oil and olive leaves. Dermatologist tested and hypoallergenic, this Green Tea Scrub clears away breakouts and reduces irritating redness too.
Buy Now, $5.99
Self-tanners for the face and body:
I have a serious problem with self-tanning products that smell yucky. The ones below not only give you the most natural-looking tans, but smell great too…REALLY!
Xen-Tan’s E! Live from the Red Carpet Perfect Blend
Other than a tan, nothing says summer more than a fresh scent –this tanner combines both with its sun-ready tone and summer sweet cucumber melon scent. What also makes it so special is that it has an adjustable dial that allows you to customize your tan from light to dark so even a self-tanning rookie can achieve a flawless application. Xen-tan is a favorite of the royal maid of honor, Pipa Middleton as well as Giuliana Rancic. I love this product big time, especially because it does not stain your clothing. Need I say more?
Buy Now, $43
Shiseido Brilliant Bronze Self-Tanning Emulsion
This self-tanner has a duel identity, moisturizing as it gradually darkens your skin-tone for a beach-ready bronze! If you don’t like applying self-tanners that are bronze colored because they can stain your clothes, this is the perfect product for you! It is a clean white cream that is dermatologist-tested and meant for both your body and face. Using it a few times a week will create the perfect sun-kissed skin.
Buy Now, $26
This is the perfect self-tanner for fair-skinned tones and those of you who like or prefer using organic products. Made with active extracts from Carob and Sugar, this organic tanning milk gives your skin a healthy and gradual tan. Safflower and Coconut oils soften the skin while the Buriti oils protect it from dehydration.
Sun Labs Self-Tanning Micro Mist
No need to get your hands dirty, this self-tanning spray let’s you apply the liquid evenly without ever having to rub it in. This product darkens your skin instantly, and works best after exfoliation. I personally love the shade of this tan that is created by using it. The spray smells great and your golden glow will stand strong for 5-7 days after application.
Buy Now, $16
L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze ProPerfect Salon Airbrush Self-Tanning Mist
The new mist is amazing and similar to what you would achieve from getting a professional spray tan. I like it because it’s super easy to get to those hard to reach places like your back. No more tell tale white spots! The scent is very light and nice. Affordably priced too.
Buy Now, $10.49
L’Oreal Paris Sublime Bronze
Another great drugstore find! This product is a clear gel and works very well on all skin types. The tan is bronze colored and very natural. It is important to make sure that all spots are covered when applying including ankles and knees, inside of arms and back of legs. If you miss a spot, just fill it in with the spray mist product.
Buy Now, $10.49