The warm breeze, sun, and cool waters of summer can re-energize the spirit, but after a couple of months, it wrecks havoc on your body. Here are some tips to help your outer appearance match your inner summer exuberance.

Skin

• In The Beauty Cookbook, coauthored by Cindy Pearlman, pumpkin can soothe a splotchy flush and improve skin texture. They suggest to gently massage ¾ can of pumpkin puree on your face, wait 10 minutes, then rinse. The theory behind the pumpkin comes from the beta-carotene reacting with your skin to form vitamin A and retinylesters. These chemicals strengthen capillaries and regenerate collagen…thereby making skin firmer. Pumpkin also works as a gentle exfoliating substance to clear away dead skin cells.

• Parsley has essential oils that contain natural bleaching enzymes. Cucumber has ascorbic acid, an antioxidant which spurs cell regeneration. Sour cream has a blend of proteins and exfoliating lactic acid. Mix: 4 tbsp of sour cream, 3 tbsp minced parsley, and 4 slices of mashed-up cucumber. Apply the mixture to your face to reduce age spots and freckling. Leave it on 10 minutes and rinse. You can store leftovers in the fridge and repeat the treatment in seven days.

• You have been out in the sun too long and your face is bright red and puffy. Add a few ice cubes to a glass of milk. Soak a washcloth in the mixture. Use the washcloth to gently pat the milk on your face, wait five minutes and rinse with cool water. The icy temperature will lower your body temperature and constrict capillaries, while the lactic acid in the milk uses its’ anti-inflammatory effect to calm skin.

• Eating just one cup of broccoli delivers 200 percent of the daily vitamin C and K recommendations and 50% of your vitamin A. These nutrients help to regenerate cells and protect against oxidative damage that ages your skin.

Hair

• Combine the sweltering heat speeding up the metabolic process of hair follicles with direct sun damage and drying, and you have clumps of hair falling out. Egg protein and lecithin fatty acid will help condition the scalp. Vodka has an antiseptic property that will fend off any fungus causing your hair to fall out. Witch hazel acts as an astringent, causing follicles to tighten around the hair shaft and become stronger. Mix 2 eggs, 3 tbsp of witch hazel, and 2 tbsp of vodka together. Massage the mixture directly on your scalp, but avoid the hair ends. Let the mixture sit 5-10 minutes. Rinse and repeat once a week.

Tummy Bloat

• No one wants to get into a bathing suit when their tummy is bloated. According to a study by the Journal of Medicine, eating a couple slices of rye bread a day can effectively relieve bloat-causing constipation. The good thing is that rye bread won’t slow down your day by causing the cramps and other digestive side effects that laxatives do. The arabinoxylan in rye bread is what helps to naturally restart stalled digestion.

Nails

• Smudged nail polish is the perfect way to leave a bad first impression. It is easy to prevent though. Open the freezer and stick your hands in for 2 minutes after you paint your fingernails. Just be careful not to bump into anything. Cool air from a hair dryer also works well.

Shaving

• It’s not so easy to hide unshaven body parts in the summer. Razors aren‘t so cheap anymore. Shaving with a dull blade is a good way to get cuts and razor burn.  The blade will stay sharper a lot longer if you blot it dry with a towel and keep it submerged it in baby oil or mineral oil between shaves. The oil will repel moisture and prevent rust causing minerals in your water from depositing on the blade. 

Sweat

• We all are going to sweat under the sweltering summer heat, but some sweat worse than others. In fact, it can go beyond embarrassing to actually cause skin irritations. Women usually complain about two major problem areas- underarms and under the breast. A simple mixture of equal parts baking powder and cornstarch powder can help reduce irritation. Placing a underwear liner or nursing pad in your bra and/or in the underarm of your shirt can help absorb the sweat and keep it off your clothes.

Now, get out there and enjoy the rest of your summer! Feel free to share any of your beauty tips in the comment section.