Your "summer body" cheat sheet

I never got caught up in the “summer body” thing, simply because I try to look and feel my best year-round whether I’m in a bathing suit or not. These days I’m all about being kind to my body because it’s really been through the ringer over the past few months. I’m giving it lots of fruits and vegetables, sparing it from junk, slowly getting back to exercise, and not beating it up mentally because it looks a little different than it used to. But despite these efforts, I never said I wasn’t open to cheating—and there are a handful of new products that can help all of us fake it until we make it! 

First up is Maelys B-Flat Belly Firming Cream. Firmer, tighter, smoother-looking skin with just a few pumps a day? Sign me up. (It also helps fade the appearance of stretch marks, but believe it or not, I didn’t get even one despite gaining 65+ pounds while pregnant.) In addition to hydrating avocado extract and shea butter, this cream also features Pink Pepperslim that’s said to help burn fat. (Reality check: It’s highly unlikely that a topical cream can actually penetrate deep enough to reach the fat layer beneath the skin—but temporary smoothing is indeed possible).

Then there’s U Beauty’s The SCULPT Arm Compound—and I’ve read so many glowing reviews that I may actually buy it. (Since I can’t really work out my upper body for a while, I can fully justify making this purchase.) Designed to tighten, tone and sculpt (I know, it sounds too good to be true) by flushing excess fluid, it also sets the stage for optimal collagen production and gives your skin’s appearance an overall boost. I’ll be sure to report back once I cave and order it.

And finally, we have Mutha’s Body Contour Serum, which claims to mimic the results of a lymphatic drainage massage while delivering full-body contouring, resurfacing and hydration. It’s formulated with exfoliating fruit acids plus mustard seed sprout extract and capsaicin (the compound that makes peppers spicy) to minimize water retention and target dimples by increasing microcirculation. The consumer perception results are impressive (92% agreed the serum helped tighten and firm the skin!)—but alas, study participants ranged from 27 to 40 years old, so I’ll have to try it to see how my 44-year-old skin responds in the name of research, of course.