In terms of skin, summer is a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation. Sweat brings the break outs, the sun dehydrates, humidity makes it impossible for moisturizers to sink in. Luckily, the world of things to smear on your body is vast and if you're having a particular problem, chances are, some brand has at least attempted to solve it. As we wade (yes, because it's as humid as an infinity pool out here) into the dog days, lightweight lotions are like manna from heaven—if manna was soothing, quick-drying, and dermatologist-tested. Some options:
Oils: not just for greasing your pan. They're light, breathable, and super hydrating. Not to mention all the fun scents, shimmers and tints available to you. We’re partial to two that, aside from their many nice qualities, were designed with nozzles large enough to actually dispense the product with ease and precision, a problem that surprisingly plagues many other oils. First up is Nars Body Glow. (Yes, we've written about its wonders before.) In addition to curing parched skin without leaving it greasy, this bronze beauty adds a bit of a believable tan, for those who are melanin-challenged. Fair warning: until it settles into your skin, the tint tends to transfer to any material around it, so wait at least five minutes before coming into contact with anything not covered in Saran Wrap. If a festive, mojito-like scent is more your jam, slather on Fresh’s Rice Dry Oil. Yes, dry. The rice-based oil imparts a glossy finish without leaving you with that pesky over-lubricated feel. Bring on the vinyl seating! For best results: apply either oil after the shower on your lightly towel-dried body.
As fond as we are of oil, it's nice to have options. Namely, some lotions and creams. Kiehl’s Creme de Corps may be a standard of vanities everywhere, but the aptly titled Creme de Corps Light-Weight Body Lotion is fit for the heat, especially because it boasts SPF 30 sunscreen. Multi-tasking is a virtue, even for your medicine cabinet, and here you're eliminating scaliness while preventing UVA and UVB ray damage. Score. The coconut-Banana-Boat fragrance may conjure fantasies of the tropics (or turn you off of the product entirely). Should the latter be the case, turn to Avène Cold Cream Nourishing Body Lotion, a paraben-free and virtually scentless alternative. French, well-priced, and endlessly effective, particularly if you're applying on a dry body—a utility the oils sadly lack.
There you have it, dear readers: a summer hydrator for even the choosiest among us, so there are no excuses for parched skin. Drink up.
Photos by Elizabeth Brockway.
