Exfoliating is essential for summer skin

Hang up the woolly cardigans and fold away the thick fashion tights and leg-hugging skinnies, because it’s almost time to bare your skin and embrace the summer sun! Chances are, you’ll be feeling a little reluctant about exposing your lacklustre, dry and Twilight-esque skin for all to see, so start priming your skin now and you’ll soon be ready for all those strappy tops, knee skimming dresses and beach-friendly sandals…

Start by scrubbing up

Exfoliation is the first step to gorgeous skin. It’s important to scrub away all those dead skin cells lying on the surface, as this will reveal the smoother skin underneath and let your moisturiser sink in and really do its work.

Noella Gabriel, director of training and product development at Elemis, develops cutting edge spa therapies and skincare products and knows what makes for a good skincare regime. She says: “During the winter months the body is covered up and a build up of dry skin will accumulate. The skin works on a 21-day cycle and so three weeks before a holiday is perfect timing to start conditioning your body for summer.”

“Exfoliating tackles dead skin cells and dehydration and should include a form of moisturisation which leaves the skin super soft and moisturised. Always invest in a good body exfoliator and apply to the skin with circular motions working upwards; this aids circulation and lymphatic drainage, helping rid the body of bad toxins.”

Noella recommends  Elemis’ Exotic Lime & Ginger Salt Glow: a luxurious, stimulating scrub, which has won awards for its super-smoothing properties. We really like the energising Rub ‘n’ Buff Salt Scrub from Ole Henriksen which combines sea salt, lemongrass and lavender oil to leave your skin ultra soft. Bliss Spa’s foaming Super Slough Scrub gently exfoliates your skin with jojoba beads and pumice, plus the fresh scent and flip-top bottle make this a fuss-free choice for quick, easy exfoliation in the shower. If your skin needs extra hydration ,we recommend the moisturising Creme de Corps Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish from Kiehls. Containing pure honey, luffa fruit and jojoba butter, the rich formula will make your skin silky smooth.

If you’re a fan of pretty packaging, then Cath Kidston’s Rose Body Scrub will make a lovely addition to your bathroom shelf, or go for one of Spiezia’s sapphire-toned glass jars. The brand’s organic Lemongrass & Marigold Body Scrub is packed full of natural ingredients and the blue kilner jar can be reused too.

Hydration 101

Ditch your rich body butters and balms for lighter, fast-absorbing body lotions. It’s best to avoid creams with glycerine, lanolin or petrolatum as, in warmer temperatures, these will quite literally smother your skin.

Our summer body top pick is the Gotta Have It Pomegranate Body Lotion from the ME! Bath Body Icing range . Other ‘flavours’ which sound scrumptious enough to eat include vanilla, papaya nectar and strawberry and kiwi. These creamy lotions are halfway between body butter and body lotion, and will really hydrate and nourish. They’re packed with nutrients and vitamins, ensuring that skin stays supple and smooth.

If you’re a fan of all things organic, try the prettily-packaged Rambling Rose Body Lotion from Figs and Rouge – it’s free of parabens and chemical nasties. For those with ultra-sensitive skin, Pai’s Comfrey and Calendula Calming Body Cream comes highly recommended. This is another organic treat, and the herbal formula is specially adapted to soothe, heal and add moisture.

Don't forget to look after your legs!

Aim to apply lotion after every shower or bath to seal in moisture and keep your skin super soft. Watch out as the knees, elbows, ankles and feet tend to dry out more, so make sure you slap extra lotion onto these areas.

If you don’t have time to lavish your body with a cream, quickly spritz a moisturising spray over your skin while it’s still damp. Soap and Glory’s Girligo is ideal for… girls on the go! It’s a mist that will leave your skin soft, supple and scented with a luscious blend of bergamot, jasmine and summery fruit fragrances.

Body oils are also great for adding a luminous sheen to your skin and their wonderful scents can even enhance your mood. Try the Lavera Body Spa range – we like the brand’s Rose Garden Organic Body Oil, a blissful blend of wild rose, jojoba, olive and almond oils that will leave skin velvety smooth. Super soft pins are a must for summer skin and This Works Dry Leg Oil has become a cult product, with fans including Madonna and Naomi Campbell. It’s absorbed super quickly and will give legs a glossy glow.

An essential to use now and stash in your suitcase come holiday time, is old favourite Hei Poa’s Monoi Tahiti Aux Fleurs. Not only does this smell like lazy days on the beach, it’s a use-everywhere conditioning product too. Slick onto legs, nails, hair – you name it. There’s a shimmery version of the product available as well, but this may not be totally appropriate for everyday use!

Inside Out

There’s more to radiant, glowing skin than body scrubs and fruity lotions. “Two major things happen as we approach summer,” explains Noella. “One, the days get longer and so skin has greater exposure to light, and secondly, our diets change dramatically. The diet change can have a very positive affect on the skin with the introduction of more fruit, salads, juices, lighter meals – all bringing a vitamin cocktail to the skin which increases skin radiance and glow.”

For instance, did you know that vitamin C can counter the effects of sun exposure, while vitamin E can make your skin look and feel smoother? Vitamin A also plays a role in repairing skin tissue and nutrients like zinc can clear your skin.

So make sure you have a balanced diet, and as the old adage goes, eat your five a day. Drink plenty of water too to keep your body hydrated – this is particularly important in warmer, sunnier climes when your body sweats more to cool you down.

Fake it!

It’s all very well having soft skin, free from pesky bumps and clogged up pores, but if it’s glistening white, you’ll look a tad washed out. The solution? Give your skin a sunkissed glow – the sunless way.

Fake tans have come a long way in recent years, so there’s no excuse for leaving the house looking like you’ve fallen in a pool of tangerine coloured paint! St Tropez and Fake Bake are two of the most well-established and popular brands. You can buy a complete bronzing set from St Tropez which includes gloves and a buffing mitt, while Fake Bake stock a super-light self-tanning mousse which effortlessly glides onto your skin and dries fast, perfect if you’re a girl on-the-go. Also worth a mention is Xen-Tan – a favourite among A-list celebrities which achieves great results for those who are fair skinned.

When it comes to special occasions like weddings, head to your local salon for a spray tan -  these are ideal if you want to avoid the fuss of doing it solo, not to mention the homemade streaks!

Get the glow before you hit the beach

If you’re not ready for a daring transformation that will see you go to bed like Snow White and awaken as a golden goddess, opt for a more subtle tint. Try body lotions such cult brand Rodial’s everyday version of their Brazilian Tan or OY!’s organic Soft Glow Gradual Tan. These daily moisturisers are pretty foolproof and allow you to build up colour slowly.

Don’t Forget Your Feet…

After being tucked up inside boots and even wellies over the winter, it’s probably been a while since your feet faced the natural elements. If you suffer from rough skin on your feet, you’ll need to soften them up before slipping them into a pair of sandals. A pumice stone is great for removing dry skin on your heels and the balls of your feet and you should use it for a few minutes, several times a week.

Alternatively, take the easy option and pamper your feet with Barielle’s Foot Restoration Scrub, which is formulated with natural pumice as well as mentol and eucalyptus to reinvigorate tired feet. If you want to try your hand at concocting a homemade recipe, just mix together a cup of granulated sugar with olive oil and add a few drops of peppermint oil, and you’ll have a minty fresh foot scrub in a matter of minutes.

Once you’re sloughed away dead skin and smoothed heels and toes, don’t foget to moisturise. Saaf’s Organic Foot Softening Balm works wonders on rough, chapped feet, containing cocoa butter, essential oils and vitamin E. Scholl, a brand that’s all about feet, offer a Deep Moisturising Cream which promises  an immediate 80 per cent increase in hydration. To ensure that your feet are ready for summer sandals, try Butter London’s Stiletto Stick, which smooths dry, cracked heels and comes in a handy roll-on for targeted treatment.

One last thing to remember – when summer finally comes around, apply a sunscreen to every part of your body that’s exposed, even if it’s a cloudy day, as this will help keep your skin youthful and healthy, perhaps the best preparation you can do to keep your skin in tip top condition.