The weather in the United States is starting to warm up, and people will flock to the beaches and lakes for sun and water activities. Since such activities call for bikinis and trunks, a good portion of skin that was previously hidden under layers of clothing will be revealed. Here are some tips to get your skin looking its best.

1. USE A LOOFAH: Loofahs are great for gently exfoliating dull, dead skin and revealing healthy, smooth skin. I recommend using a loofah at least every other day to prime your skin for oil and lotion.

2. USE A SCRUB: I love sugar scrubs and make sure to use them once a week or the day before a photo shoot. Salf scrubs are usually too abrasive for most people and will STING like crazy if you have any nicks or cuts, so I generally avoid them. Sugar scrubs come in so many delectable fragrances now (a favorite is Tree Hut Body Scrub) that you will be tempted to eat them when you are in the shower!

3. PAT SKIN UNTIL DAMP: When you exit the shower, you should use the towel to gently pat yourself so that your skin is a bit damp. A bit of moisture left on the skin is actually good since the next steps will lock in that moisture nicely.

4. APPLY BODY OIL TO DAMP SKIN: A bit of body oil gently applied to the skin does an excellent job of imparting a glow to your skin which is also very sexy. I love Neutrogena Body Oil, but you can use grapeseed oil or any other light oil. Another nice trick is to do this before you step out of the shower. My ritual consists of patting my skin with the towel while I am in the shower, then applying the oil.

5. APPLY LOTION: Apply a healthy dollop of lotion to your skin after the oil has set in for a minute. Brands I turn to are Gold Bond Ultimate, Liquid Saun Rayz, and Lubriderm.

If you plan on being outdoors, make sure to apply sumblock and apply it frequently.