Let’s face it – a beach body is just your body, on a beach. Gone are the days where the arrival of summer heralded a season of self-loathing, and now being beach ready is just about having all the bits and pieces you need to go to the beach! But, simply being ready to go to the beach isn’t an excuse not to look after your bod before, during and after your trip, especially if you’ll be spending a lot of time in the sun! Here are a few ways you can care for your body on a budget.
Related: Four Top Tips To Help You Save For Summer
Natural moisturisers
Healthy soft skin is a priority when it comes to preparing your beach body. Well moisturised skin is thought to tan better and hold it for longer, and is key to battling sunburn if you are unlucky enough to get caught. Instead of forking out a fiver for a fancy moisturiser, take a look around at home. Many moisturisers claim to harness the benefits of common household ingredients, so you may already have one in your kitchen cupboard. Honey, olive oil, coconut oil and avocados all work as natural moisturisers, but at a fraction of the cost of shop-bought lotions. Olive oil can be added to a bath to make your skin silky smooth, while the inside of an avocado skin can be rubbed onto your face as a DIY spa treatment. Find out more about these natural moisturisers and how to use them here.
DIY Scrubs
Another key part of getting your beach body tanned, and maintaining it is to scrub away dead skin cells. But you don’t need to splash out on expensive scrubs – you can make your own to do it on the cheap. Simply combine half a cup of coconut oil with two tablespoons of sugar and a tablespoon of lemon juice. Rub the mixture onto your skin and rinse off with warm water. If you’ve not got any coconut oil about, you can create a chocolate sugar face scrub by combining olive oil, cocoa powder, brown sugar and vanilla extract, find exact the quantities here. Failing that, you can find free face scrub samples online. For example, sites like Pretty Thrifty let you know how you can get your hands on free skincare samples.
Natural fake tan
If you want to take your moisturiser to the next level and kickstart your tan before hitting the beach, there are a few affordable measures you can take. Again, natural remedies seem to be the best option if you want to avoid a hefty price tag or risk a streaky orange look. You can make a DIY self-tanning lotion by simply combining unscented white lotion with 100% pure cocoa powder. Once mixed together thoroughly, apply this combination daily for a gradual and natural looking tan. See the recipe here.
If you want to avoid smelling like brownies on your holiday, another thing to try is a real pre-holiday tan. While this may be difficult to achieve in the Great British weather, spending as much time as possible outside will help you attract a little sun.
Exercise at home
If you’re keen to tone up before you flash some flesh on the beach, then there are a few ways you can do this without applying for a pricey gym membership. Going out for a jog occasionally is a good way to clear your mind while getting a breath of fresh air and catching some pre-holiday sunshine. You can also revamp your diet to make sure you’re getting the right nutrients without it costing a fortune. For example, markets usually offer fruit and veg cheaper than supermarket prices. Organising a meal plan before heading to the shops can also help you cut expenses and save time.
Related: Tips for Healthy Eating on a Budget
More sleep
Finally, more sleep is a solution that won’t cost a penny and that you’re guaranteed to enjoy. Sleep is essential for your mental health, but also your physical health, and not just when you’re getting beach body healthy. Getting enough sleep is key to maintaining good skin, plus, while you snooze, melatonin is produced. This helps you achieve good quality sleep, and studies have found that it also helps heal skeletal muscle injuries faster. So, you can help your body mend itself post-workout, just by having a good rest!
We hope this helps you achieve a body you’re happy with on a budget. Enjoy the beach!
