The Key To Strapless Dressing? Skincare, Of Course

A strapless dress or top is a summer essential for your wardrobe. Showing your shoulders is a fun way to experiment with showing skin, and it can help ensure an even tan line on your upper body. For some women, showing their arms and shoulders can mean showing body acne and textured skin. These are both natural and something everyone experiences at some point in their life. And neither have to be reasons to stay covered up, either. 

Oftentimes women forget that the same skin routines they use for helping acne and texture on their face can be applied to their bodies as well. Creating a smooth transition from the skin on your face to the skin on the rest of your body is the key to feeling your best in a strapless look this summer. The best part is most of the tools you'll need to achieve this are already hiding among your skincare products.

Body acne can especially flare up in the summertime due to extra sweating and tight-fitting clothing. The secret to defeating summer acne is to try and fight it before it can even start. Making sure you are showering after intense activity or heavy sweating is a great start for fighting body acne. According to Vogue, ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid help fight bacteria and gently exfoliate your skin. If these ingredients sound familiar it's because they are also common ingredients in acne-fighting face washes as well.

The American Academy of Dermatology advises people to be mindful of not only the products they use but how they wash their skin. Using things like loofahs and back brushes can be too abrasive. You don't want to scrub too hard because this can cause irritation and make your skin more red and inflamed. Not to mention that things like loofahs can harbor pathogenic bacteria and transfer them to your skin over time, notes the Journal of Clinical Microbiology — meaning you are creating more acne as you wash your skin, no thank you!

It can feel easier to get glowing, healthy skin on your face, and this has to do with the difference in skin thickness between your face and body. The skin on our body is thicker, according to Acta Dermato-Venereologica, and the pores are larger and produce more oil. The skin on the body also receives less circulation than our face, contributing to its occasional dry and dull appearance. This can make achieving glowing summer skin across your face and body more difficult, but not impossible.

If you have heartier skin, you might want to try dry brushing as part of your self-care routine. It can help with circulation and give your skin a more natural glow. Investing in a quality SPF is also important. A study in Dermatology proved that using SPF for extended periods helped to even skin tone, improve skin clarity and texture, and aided dark spots. Combining frequent SPF use with a moisturizer will help ensure your skin gets the moisturization and protection it needs to create hydrated, radiant skin.