In a world of mirror selfies, bikini shots, and filters, the pressures to look a certain Instagramable way are real. If that’s you, you’re not alone (we get it). And with that comes the desire to look (and feel) 100% when you’re wearing….well, nothing. Today we’re taking the stress out of undressing and sharing the key to looking your best when you’re down to your birthday suit…or even bra and undergarments.
Regular workouts and clean eating aside, feeling prime sans clothes starts with healthy skin, which is why we’re focusing on ways to keep your body hydrated and fresh from head to toe. After all, better-looking skin can certainly boost confidence while you’re in the buff.
At the end of the day, the most important thing to remember is to love the skin you’re in. Here are some tips to help you achieve just this.
There’s no better way to slough off unwanted dry, flakey skin than a powerful (yet safe) scrub. Regular use of scrubs leads to smoother, softer, healthier skin. Kourt exfoliates from her shoulders down every other day using this one from Caudalie (she also likes this one from Isola). She also suggests applying the product using these mitts which help get rid of dead skin. You can recycle products you don’t want to use on your face by using them on your body (Kourt does this all the time). This is a smart approach to clear out your beauty cabinet and polish your skin in a sustainable way.
In order to achieve glowy skin, it’s important to moisturize everything — everywhere — at least once a day. Kourt’s trick to hydrating her body is similar to the scrub hack: she’ll combine thicker creams and serums she doesn’t want to put on her face and instead slather them all over her body (who else is trying this asap?). Don’t forget to care for your hands and feet as well; we recommend focusing on these areas at night. Try adding a few drops of oil into your hand cream before applying to both areas. This trick really locks in moisture.
Drink your water, period. Maintaining a healthy and hydrated self begins with the amount of fluid you put into your body. Experts say women should drink around 12 cups of water each day. Follow Kourt’s lead and avoid plastic water bottles by swapping for stainless steel or glass options.
It’s no secret that lighting is everything, especially when it comes to looking your best. Great lighting can do wonders for masking cellulite (yes, we all have it), and harsh lighting can do just the opposite. It’s no different when you’re disrobed, so do yourself a favor and set the mood by finding the illuminating situation that works best for you. Takeaway: candles are key.
Okay, this one technically doesn’t have anything to do with maintaining healthier skin but we couldn’t leave it out. Good posture, like standing tall and keeping your chin up, not only makes you look good, it also makes you feel more confident. According to body language expert Lillian Glass, and author of The Body Language Advantage: “Confident people are always looking up, never down at the table, the ground, or their feet,” she says. “You have to always pretend that there’s a string holding the crown of your head up.”
