Spring into summer: 8 beauty tips for a sizzling you.(skin and hair protection tips)

Although we all love the long, sunny days of summer, getting our bodies ready to bare can seem like quite a challenge. But with a few refinements to your beauty routine, you can have gorgeous skin and hair throughout the months ahead.

Tip #1

Shed Your Winter Skin

Our bodies slow in the winter--just as bears hibernate--and the exfoliation process is no exception. We need to slough off the ugly, dying ceils to reveal younger, plumper cells, says Linda Miles, DOM, vice president at Derma E. "This simple process can take years off our appearance in a matter of minutes. Skin is smoother, more vibrant," she says. When exfoliating, the key is to remove the dead skin cells but leave healthy ones intact. Look for exfoliants that contain gentle ingredients, such as a scrub with sugar or a chemical scrub with fruit acids.

Tip #2

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow

Getting rid of unwanted body hair is no fun, but using a product that actually smells good and nourishes the skin while it works makes the task more manageable. Look for hair removal systems made with ingredients such as sugar and pine resin. "Sugaring" is designed to stick to the hair, not the skin, so there's no painful tearing. Made with ingredients such as lavender and vitamin E, these natural products also benefit the skin.