Bikini Top: Victoria Secret (old, similar) l Turkish Beach Towel: Homesense (similar) l Sunglasses: Rayban

Pool season is upon us and with the warm weather here to stay, long days lounging poolside are the order of the day. Whether you’re taking a dip in a local outdoor pool, stylishly relaxing at the city’s hottest pool bar, or chilling in your own backyard – getting your skin pool-ready is only 5 easy steps away. Prep your body’s largest organ in a flash and enjoy some fun in the sun in no-time.

STEP #1: EXFOLIATE
Be done with dry, flaky winter skin with an exfoliating body scrub that will invigorate your senses and get the circulation flowing. I’m loving the all-natural Key Lime Coconut Sugar Scrub from Toronto-based LOVEFRESH for a truly good body buffing that also smells good enough to eat. The scrub is thick and substantial enough to let you scrub all over your body before it begins to melt away in the shower. After rinsing, the oils stay on your skin leaving it instantly hydrated and glowing.

STEP #2: MOISTURIZE
Replenish your skin’s natural moisture balance with a deeply nourishing body butter that will give you a radiant, healthy glow. LOVEFRESH’s Key Lime Coconut Body Butter is just the thing to keep your skin moisturized all summer long. It’s thick texture goes on like silk and soaks into your skin, lasting for hours. I love how intensely it hydrates and the smell will transport you somewhere tropical.

STEP #3: PROTECT
Don’t forget to always use your favorite sunscreen when poolside to avoid the sun’s damaging rays and maintain your skin’s youthful glow. I highly recommend The Perfect Sunscreen by CONSONANT (another all-natural Toronto-based brand). This sunscreen is a natural tan colour and NOT white, so it disappears instantly into the skin leaving no white streaks behind. It’s also 100% natural and non-greasy so you can feel good about what your protecting your skin with.

STEP #4: CONTROL
Things can certainly heat up while lounging in the hot sun, so be sure to keep any unsightly odors at bay by using an effective (and natural) deodorant. I tested out the LOVEFRESH Lemon Verbena 100% natural cream deodorant stick and I have to stay it stood the test. As anyone who has ever tried out a variety of natural deodorants, the majority just do not work and actually make your underarms smell worse. But this one is different and keeps you dry and odor-free, with the fresh scent of lemon and verbena.

STEP #5: HYDRATE
Drink plenty and plenty of water while laying in the sun to avoid dehydration and to keep your skin glowing from the inside out. Our skin is only as good as what we put inside our bodies, so don’t forget to hydrate.

* Thank you LOVEFRESH for collaborating on this post. All opinions are my own.