Beautiful, Badescu Skin

Spring is here and summer seems to be coming faster than usual, doesn’t it?

For some, warm weather is a fun excuse to break out skimpy summer clothes. For others—those suffering from body acne—summertime is about finding creative ways to cover up.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Body Acne (often deemed Bacne) is an entirely treatable condition. Personally, I find it easier to treat body acne because the body’s skin can handle more aggressive care than the face. (This is mainly true for women; men’s skin tends to be tough all over.)

I shower every day with the A.H.A. Botanical Body Soap. It is the only body wash I’ve used that has provided consistent, reliable relief from body acne. It works by exfoliating away dead skin cells that can clog pores.

Here’s what’s in it:

• Papaya and Grapefruit Extracts for exfoliation.
• Oat Protein to soothe and calm.
• Ginseng Extract to rejuvenate the skin.

These days, I can honestly say that I never have to think twice about what I’m wearing—at least not when it comes to how clear my skin is. In fact, I just ordered a backless dress for an upcoming trip to Miami and I’m not worried at all about whether or not I’ll be able to wear it!

Dehydration is skin’s enemy. Bottoms up on the water!

Oh, what did you do to your face? A night out can seriously wreak havoc on otherwise beautiful skin, but no worries—we’re going to make sure you look amazing for the rest of the day. Late-night activities like drinking and (gasp) smoking can dehydrate, inflame and irritate your skin, while sleeping in last night’s makeup is an invitation to acne. Check out these 7 tips and look fantastic at brunch!

The Night Before:

• You’ve heard it before (and for good reason):  Drink a glass of water between each alcoholic beverage.
• Drink another glass of water before bed.
• We know you don’t want to, but try to wash your face before you fall asleep. Since alcohol can seriously parch your skin, slather your now-clean face with a night cream and eye cream. And don’t forget your lips—they’ll need a little extra moisture too!

In the A.M.:

•  We would never ask anyone to give up their coffee, but caffeine will dehydrate your skin further. At the very least, chase your morning coffee with a big glass of H2O.
• Did you neglect to wash your face last night? Now’s the time to fix the damage. Wash your face and then use whatever gentle method of exfoliation you prefer (whether it is a scrub, a cleanser with Alpha-Hydroxy Acids or a mask with AHAs).
• You might need to put something cold on your eyes to reduce puffiness. You could use the old standby (cold tea bags) or try our trick: keep your eye cream in the fridge. This works especially well with eye gels like our Ceramide Eye Gel.
• Get some color in your cheeks by boosting circulation with a little mild exercise or a shower.

Oh, and get something healthy to eat (bananas are a particularly good choice). With a little concealer, you’re all set to go!

It’s Friday! Time for our Fan Friday Giveaway! This week: Glycolic Foaming Cleanser. If you’d like the chance to win this bottle, comment on the blog below!

Contest is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada and will run from May 17-19, 2013. Winner will be announced Monday, May 20, 2013.

Everyone loves having soft, smooth, kissable lips. Just like the skin of the face, the lips require occasional exfoliation to help keep dry and chapped skin at bay. For a quick and effective DIY Lip Scrub (use BEFORE applying lip balm) gather the following items and get ready to pamper your pucker the way I do right before a big event or a fun weekend.

You will need:

• A small mixing bowl
• A spoon
• 1 tbsp. Honey or Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp. White Sugar
• Additional Flavors: Cinnamon, Strawberry, Maple Syrup or Vanilla, Almond or Orange (cooking extracts)

1. In the bowl, add the Honey or Olive Oil.
2. Sprinkle the sugar in and mix until the consistency is an even, grainy paste.
3. Add in a dash of your choice ingredient from the above list for a touch of flavor.
4. Mix everything well.
5. With your finger or a dry toothbrush, gently massage the paste over your lips for a few seconds.
6. Rinse the scrub off of your lips with water, and reveal soft, renewed lips.

Follow up with our Lip Wax (it has Vitamin E Oil, Rose Hips Oil and Rose Petal Extract) and pucker that pout!