Four easy ways to buff up your body for spring: Better… not younger with Inge van Lotringen

By James On Apr 2, 2023

That’s it, spring has officially arrived and it’s time to come out of your winter cocoon and give your body the TLC it deserves.

Chicken skin, rough patches, and mottled areas are the result of your skin being suffocated by layers of man-made fibers during what seems like the longest winter on record.

Dead skin has built up, tiny hairs have become trapped (hence those red bumps on your arms), and moisture can no longer penetrate, so you have to peel and reveal, gently.

Trading bumpy arms and legs, cheese-crust heels, and “back” for supple skin that makes you feel chic in a spring outfit is something I can get behind, as long as it requires little effort or money. Here’s how to do it from the comfort of your home…

Banish bumps and blemishes

One of my favorite ways to remove dead skin cells and dissolve blockages is to soak in a milk or enzyme bath. Both lactic acid (in milk) and bromelain and papain (enzymes in fruits like pineapple and papaya) are similar to substances found in the skin itself and are extremely effective at melting away bumps and scaly areas. .

That’s it, spring has officially arrived and it’s time to come out of your winter cocoon and give your body the TLC it deserves.

I love Ameliorate Softening Bath Milk Oil (£20, lookfantasic.com), or Indeed Labs Exfoliator II (£24.99, lookfantasic.com) — it’s officially an enzyme face cleansing powder, but a few dollops in the bath makes it an excellent body softener.

The ancient wisdom of applying moisturizer to damp skin to seal in extra moisture still stands. For my money, Vaseline Advanced Repair Body Lotion (£2.95, sainsburys.co.uk) and CeraVe Moisturizing Lotion (£11.50, boots.com) are two of the best non-sticky, non-pore-clogging body lotions. Turn them into a tanning lotion by adding some Superdrug Solait Tan Drops (£5.99, superdrug.com), job done on the cheap.

Cast a spell with body potions

The new ‘do it all’ body serums do a lot just by rubbing them on. The St Tropez Self Tan Luxe Body Serum (£28, boots.com) gives you a kiss of sunshine while calming redness and plumping skin thanks to the face serum. favorites niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Beauty Pie Youth Bomb Body 360* Repair Concentrate, (£38 members or £125 non-members, beautypie.com) has retinol, fruit acids, niacinamide and hydrators – it’s everything you’ve been using for radiant, even skin . toned complexion. For a targeted treatment that can really make a difference, try Stria Lab Redefining Stretch Mark Cream (£40, strialab.com).

With a high dose of gotu kola extract, clinically proven to reduce the visibility of these pesky marks, it’s probably your best bet for smoothing their appearance.

smooth neckline

Pimples on the back and chest are simply not welcome. Clear up blemishes with salicylic acid that unclogs pores and soothes. Superdrug Me+ Salicylic Acid Body Gel Cream (£7.99, superdrug.com) is a bargain with a very effective formula.

Use after a shower with Foreo 4 Body’s T-Sonic Body Massage Brush (£129, current body.com) – it’s a tactile disc with bacteria-resistant silicone ‘bristles’ that emit sonic vibrations to ‘shake’ the dirt from your pores

It’s especially effective at fighting back and chest blemishes when used in conjunction with Jason Tea Tree Purifying Body Wash (£14.99, jasonnaturalcare.co.uk).

Do you want a trick for an instantly more radiant embonpoint? ELF Cosmetics Halo Glow Liquid Filter (£14, elfcosmetics.co.uk) will blur blemishes and wrinkles while giving your chest (or face) a luscious golden glow.

Steps to perfect your feet

When it comes to smooth, callus-free feet, think thick creams with AHAs and urea. Simply apply it for a few consecutive nights, rubbing under your socks before going to bed. CCS Foot Care Cream (£7.99, boots.com) with urea and 10 per cent lactic acid, is really good.

To leave your nails in perfect condition, I like Protein Formula For Nails (£15, boots.com) which comes in four concentrations to suit the condition of your nails. This prescriptive system ensures you get the right infusion of protein to make your nails hard, flexible and smooth.

And voila, you’re ready for bicep-revealing T-shirts, strappy tops, and, whisper, sandals—we just need the weather to match now.

Run to him!

Gone are the days when you needed animal hair to create great makeup brushes.

Otis Batterbee designs high-quality, vegan and ecological ones in icy tones; This huge new fluffy brush (Otis Batterbee Ultimate Face Brush, £25, otisbatterbee.com) works for powdering your face, but it’s also great for dusting the golden shimmer anywhere you want.

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My Icon of the Week – Emily Blunt

Emily Blunt: The quintessential English beauty rocked ballet vibes with her Oscars look

The quintessential English beauty rocked the ballet vibes with her Oscars look. Her soft makeup came courtesy of the Chanel Les 4 Rouges Eyeshadow and Blush Palette in Tendresse (£70, chanel.com) and Les Beiges Bronzing Cream (£46, sephora.co.uk).

Her ballet bun was held up with John Frieda Frizz-Ease Extra Strength Serum (£7.99, boots.com)

cosmetic desire

Most hydrating serums that specialize in ‘wonder-quenching’ hyaluronic acid leave a lot to be desired.

It takes a lot more than a hyped ingredient to moisten dry skin and keep it that way all day, especially when you like your serum oil-free.

However, the 16/11 Labs Formula 1/v.7 Anti-Dehydration Complex (£65, 1611labs.com), made up of dozens of carefully balanced hydrating agents, handles it while reinforcing the skin’s moisture barrier in the process.

Expensive but a cut above the rest.

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