butter up

A six-month hiatus from the sun followed by a straight week of sun-worshipping is bound to have consequences, otherwise known as "The Week After Spring Break."

After generously coating myself in sunscreen last week during an unbelievable spring break in Jamaica, I still got sun burnt. Not that I'm surprised that my pink, freckled, Polish skin would burn even with SPF 50 (thanks, Mom). Now, a few days after my burn has settled in, I am peeling in some spots and generally dry all over my body - not comfortable or pretty. 

Whether you burn in the sun or or tan flawlessly it is SO crucial to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! The sun, pool and salt water zap all the moisture out of your skin and make it appear dull and feel less soft due to dryness, regardless of how much you think you're glowing with that new tan.

Moisture Cocktail - body oil, body lotion and Body Butter

In order to help itching, prevent peeling, and keep your tan lasting longer, apply some form of moisturizer at least three times a day (morning, post-shower and night) for at least a week. It may seem excessive, but this is the best way to prevent your skin from looking lackluster and feeling dry.

Showering with warm or hot water is also extremely drying, so consider using a moisturizing shower wash if you're prone to dry skin. If you have a lot of free time on your hands, you can also put on some body oil (or lotion) before showering to prevent your skin from drying out as much from the hot water - the oil will provide a thin layer of moisture protection even through washing.

There are few things I love more than a new Body Butter

I prefer to use Body Butter from The Body Shop because it is incredibly moisturizing but doesn't leave a greasy residue on my skin - it sinks in. Sometimes I opt for body oil or regular lotion - it depends on how dry your skin is plus your personal preference.

DON'T neglect your face, hands and lips with moisturizer because they need to be soft and radiant too - if not more so than the rest of your body. Even if you have oily skin it's great to moisturize because your oil glands are most likely overproducing oil to compensate for dryness, and therefore your skin is oily. Interesting, huh?

As for peeling on your scalp (like me), it's probably a good idea to NOT put body oil or lotion all over your scalp - unless you want your hair to look greasy.

A week of intense moisturizing will not only make you feel better, but look better too. Your body is thirsty for a Moisture Cocktail whether you realize it or not!

true life: I have eczema

I have had eczema since I was a baby and countless prescription creams later (applied every day), the eczema that covers my ankles is still there. It's gross, embarrassing, and worst of all -- itchy. 

The solution seems so simple. People tell me all the time, people who don't have eczema, "don't itch and it'll go away." It's not that simple. It's not an itching like a mosquito bite that is on the surface of the skin, it's deep under my skin and lasts for hours. If I don't itch it makes my skin crawl because it's such an uncomfortable sensation. 

The itchy reality

I hate despise when my eczema is visible. Kids are brutally honest and the little swimmers I used to coach always asked me what's wrong with my feet; adults do it too. It doesn't seem like a huge issue to be self-conscious about, but I am. Sure, the issue is exaggerated in my mind, but don't all physical issues seem worse to ourselves than anyone else? It's not a secret that nobody is perfect, yet we're all guilty of focusing on our imperfections. 

Eczema is just one of my physical imperfections. Even Miranda Kerr has physical imperfections (I think?), so we should all have more self lovin' and not focus on trivial things no one else notices!

"Beauty, to me, is being comfortable in your own skin." -Gwyneth Paltrow