Beauty fix: The lazy girl’s guide to summertime skin treatments

Every week our Beauty Fix columnist takes on your questions about makeup, skincare, hair and more. Have a beauty question we haven’t answered? Email us at beautyfix@fashionmagazine.com or ask away in the comments below.

I don’t have too much time or money to commit to regular pedicures, so what can I use to keep my feet looking their best?
As indulgent as regular pedicures can be throughout the summer, they can get expensive, not to mention tricky to fit into your schedule between work and play. Fortunately, the Clarisonic Pedi Sonic Foot Transformation System ($230, thebay.com) is a quick addition to your daily shower routine, and it delivers pretty substantial results. The system consists of a sonic device with two interchangeable device heads (one brush for wet/dry buffing, one disc for smoothing calloused areas), foot scrub (full fruit acids), foot balm (no-slip formula with shea butter and honey to hydrate) and foot peel (a fluid full of glycolic and lactic acid to gently break down dead skin cells). It may sound complicated, but it’s as simple as using the buffing brush daily with the scrub in the shower, followed by the balm and applying the foot peel or using the smoothing disc a couple times a week.

My skin has been looking a dull this summer. What’s a simple and fuss-free way to fix this?
Dullness is generally brought on by an accumulation of dead skin cells that prevent light from reflecting from our skin, so the end result is lackluster-looking skin. As a general rule, exfoliate at least once a week in order to minimize dead skin cell build-up and help your skin along in its cell renewal process. StriVectin Labs 5 Minute Weekly Glycolic Peel ($98, murale.ca) is a foolproof two-step exfoliation process that you can throw on while spending time around the house in the morning or evening since it only takes five minutes to do. Apply the Detoxifying Primer and leave on skin for one minute, then follow up with the Activator over top of the Primer in order to let the alpha hydroxy acids and glycolic acid dissolve dead skin cells without irritating the skin. Dullness is a thing of the past with weekly use of this dynamic duo.

What’s an effective face scrub that doesn’t use plastic micro-beads?
Plastic micro-beads are a no-go for anyone that’s even remotely environmentally conscious, so steering clear of products that use them for exfoliating purposes is to be expected. If you’re craving a scrubbing sensation without the negative environmental impact, try Ole Henriksen Walnut Complexion Scrub ($30, sephora.ca). It’s free of plastic micro-beads and actually employs walnut powder to provide a bit of grit that gently, but effectively exfoliates skin. The formula also contains aloe vera gel and chamomile to hydrate and soothe skin. A little goes a long way, so you’ll be able to nurse a single jar for a while, making it a worthy addition to your skincare regime.

I have acne-prone skin, but face-cleansing brushes are so appealing. Is there anything that’s less prone to bacteria accumulation?
Facial cleansing tools are always popular until you have to clean them. That’s a deterrent for many people, especially anyone acne-prone, since breakouts can worsen if facial cleansing tools aren’t cleaned effectively in between uses. Try the Foreo Luna Mini ($159, murale.ca), which is a facial cleansing tool that employs sonic pulses to lift away dirt and oil from skin, but it’s made from non-porous silicone. This makes it a dream to use for germaphobes, because it doesn’t collect bacteria over time and can be cleaned with minimal effort. You can actually wash it after each use with soap and water in a few seconds. The gadget has three different silicone touch points to offer different cleansing capabilities, and thicker touch points cleanse deeper whereas smaller touch points are better for sensitive areas. Bonus: there’s no brush replacement involved and the battery holds a charge for up to 300 uses (used for a minute twice daily, that’s about 5 months without worrying it’ll die mid-use).

I’m pretty lazy when it comes to exfoliating and moisturizing in the summer. Can I streamline this process?
Of course you can! The key is to look for a body scrub that contains hydrating ingredients that will ultimately allow you to skip the separate moisturizing step in your shower routine. Keeping Bobbi Brown Beach Body Scrub ($49, bobbibrown.ca) within reach in the shower will be a visual reminder to apply this creamy scrub. It’s loaded with orange peel and pumice to slough off dead skin while hydrating skin with rich shea butter and essential oils. Hyper-hydrating properties aside, skin will also smell like a summery day, with notes of sea spray, sand jasmine and mandarin.

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