Want to feel good in your own skin?

Well, it all starts with some top-to-toe bodycare

OUR BEAUTY DIRECTOR’S HERO BUYS

The rise of body skincare continues – as in proper make-a-difference formulas. And if your beauty routine is a long-term protocol intended to elicit results then it’s wise to pay attention to what you’re applying from the neck down (remember, facial skincare should always be taken down to your décolletage). Here are my favourites for some serious framework…

Dr Sam Bunting is a skin expert with her own Harley Street clinic and product range. Her Flawless Body Therapy (€34, drsambunting.com) is now one of her most-subscribed-to products: it contains lactic acid (to smooth), bakuchiol (to firm, clear pores, brighten), squalane (to hydrate) and has a rich texture that sinks straight in.

Based on a similar idea is

The Solution range: I like Hyaluronic Acid Hydrating Body Lotion (€11.75, superdrug.com) containing hyaluronic acid and squalane, so it’s hydrating and moisturising. The brand’s other lotions include Vitamin C Brightening Body Lotion (€11.75).

Garnier Body Intensive 7 Days Softening Lotion with coconut milk (€7.99, boots.ie) is one of my all-time favourites. It has a satin feel, keeps skin well moisturised, and the sweet coconut fragrance is more sun lotion than sickly.

For a super-luxury moisturiser, look to Sisley Black Rose Beautifying Emulsion (€140, sisley-paris.com), an extension of its hugely successful Black Rose range, all of which is great for hydrating and plumping and leaving skin radiant.

Ameliorate Transforming Body Cream (€25.95, lookfantastic.ie) is a great multitasker and most trusted for its gentle exfoliation and

HHHHHtransformational powers when treating keratosis pilaris (known as KP) – rough, dry and bumpy ‘chicken’ skin often found on the tops of arms and legs. You’ll need to apply regularly but it does work.

An alternative option, and one that also treats KP, is The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution (€8.70, theordinary.deciem.com). Officially, it’s meant for the face but with its nozzle applicator it’s easy to pour a little into your palm for rubbing into the backs of your arms. And it also works wonders.

Remember, a good scrub is also important. Just as with the face, if you exfoliate away the dead cells the beneficial ingredients in your cream can penetrate easily and do their job better. My favourite is still Beauty Pie Soul Providers Re-Energizing Dry Oil Sugar

Scrub (€12.50 for members/€58 non-members, beautypie.com), which is spa-level perfection.

If you want to add a touch of bronze, Tan-Luxe Super Glow

Body (€40.75, tan-luxe.com) is truly excellent. Much like its top-notch sister version for the face, this includes a hydrating hyaluronic acid and develops into a very natural colour that you build up slowly over a few days – I find it takes two applications to start making a difference to my pasty limbs.

For a more temporary – or emergency – hit of faux-sun-kissed skin, look to Vita Liberata Body Blur (€29.99, boots.ie). It’s essentially a tinted cream; don’t be alarmed if it looks too dark on first application – your skin just requires a good bit of buffing to smooth it out. I find that a tanning mitt gets the job done effectively.

HHHHThese are my favourites for some serious framework