As summer approaches, the urge to get a nice tan before the holidays starts to arise, leading to a trial and error of many different skincare methods.
Luckily, there is a simple trick that can make your skin less dry and more suitable for a longer-lasting bronze – despite seeming “counterintuitive”.
Experts at Net-a-Porter have spoken out on the importance of regular exfoliation (ideally two times per week) for achieving noticeable improvements in your skin.
According to LA-based aesthetician Shani Darden: “The dead skin cells need to be removed so that treatment and hydrating products can properly penetrate.
“Chemical exfoliants are ideal because they’re more effective yet less harsh than scrubs.”
For people with severely dry and sensitive skin, alternatives such as reusable cotton pads or mesh towels are equally effective.
Darden suggested using a square of cotton gauze on the face for gentle exfoliation without causing irritation.
To maintain your tan into autumn, Kimberley Nkosi, the tanning expert from the Barbie movie, recommends exfoliating every two to three days.
She reassured that regular exfoliation won’t diminish your tan; instead, it enhances the natural skin finish.
The expert said: “It sounds counterintuitive, but it won’t make your tan disappear. In fact, the more you exfoliate, the better your natural skin finish will be.”
Nkosi advised paying particular attention to areas prone to dry skin buildup, such as elbows, knees, and ankles.
If you experience redness when exfoliating, an alternative approach is to enjoy a bath with Epsom salts.
Nkosi suggested: “If you submerge yourself in water, the salts enter your skin and help with cell turnover in a gentler, more natural way.”
Similarly, a milk bath offers exfoliating benefits and can improve the texture of rough, dry skin.
Dr. Barbara Sturm enhances her bath water with a gallon of full-fat milk, explaining: “It makes your skin feel so soft and very hydrated.”
