Boost your body confidence

Treatments that really work

GET SMOOTH, FEEL SEXY

So many body products claim to do things that they simply can’t, but one thing that is possible is smoothing out texture issues.

KERATOSIS PILARIS

These bumps on the upper arms, thighs and bottom are caused by a build-up of keratin in hair follicles. They’re harmless but can be made worse by hot showers, fragranced products and abrasive scrubs. Instead, use a mild acid exfoliator a couple of times a week to remove dead cells and discourage blockages.

Body Strategist Peel Scrub, £33, thecomfortzone.co.uk, combines the gentle acid PHA and softening emollients. Or try CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream, £18, lookfantastic.com, a daily body lotion that combines salicylic and lactic acid.

DULL, ROUGH TEXTURE

Nothing beats body brushing for all-round smoothing. Yes, it’s not pleasant to drag dry bristles over your skin but it’s effective, eco-friendly and easier to tolerate when it’s warm outside.

Take two minutes to work The Body Shop Round Body Brush, £9, thebodyshop.com, in firm strokes up limbs, across shoulders and clockwise over your stomach. After one session, you’ll get a circulation and energy boost, and after three you’ll be silky-soft and radiant.

ASHY ELBOWS AND KNEES

That greyish tinge is a combination of dead cells and dehydration. As long as you’re not sensitive, a chunky scrub is the most effective way to shift dullness.

Pick one that contains nourishing oils to make your skin appear supple and glowy. Slow Ageing Essential Face & Body Exfoliating Polish, £51, slowageing.co.uk, is gorgeous, with sweet orange and ginger oils, while Soul Providers Re-energizing Dry Oil Sugar Scrub, £50, beautypie.com, is summer in a jar.

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FINISHING TOUCHES

A tiny bit of hand and foot care can go a long way for body feelgood factor – as can clarifying any pesky congestion!

NAILED IT

The fastest route to feeling great about your hands is a coat of sparkling polish – and it’s just got even faster.

New Nails Inc Speedy Gloss in Belgravia With Love and Browsing On Bond Street, £8 each, nailsinc.com, has an ultra-wide brush and opaque pigment that creates a touch-dry mani in 45 seconds. The 24 shades range from classy nudes to hot coral.

HYPER-PIGMENTED HANDS?

Forget that old adage about hands being an age giveaway – most of us aren’t fibbing about how old we are. What is true is hands are heavily exposed to UV and pollution, and get nowhere near the amount of skincare attention as our faces. Prevention beats cure for pigmentation, so any time you apply facial suncare, rub it into the backs of your hands, too. New SkinCeuticals Advanced Brightening UV Defense Sunscreen SPF 50, £45, skinceuticals.co.uk, is formulated with broad-spectrum SPF and tranexamic acid, which inhibits the dark pigment melanin. Vitamin C is another powerful brightener that blocks environmental damage. With Sanctuary Spa Vitamin C 20% Daily Glow Serum, £16.50, boots.com, the 20% refers to L-ascorbic acid, the most potent form of vitamin C, with the tingle to prove it. Dab on sun spots or spread over your hands and face for robust protection. Or, try Fraxel – a trusted laser treatment that works by sending a tiny, intense beam of light into the spot, breaking down the melanin and encouraging fresh cell growth. Around £500, fraxel.com.

BEAT BODY BLEMISHES

A few switches can help banish breakouts. Avoid letting sweat and bacteria build up by wearing natural fabrics when it’s warm and wash clothes regularly. Swap body oils for water-based lotions and try not to use hair conditioner with panthenol (pro vitamin B5), as it can cling to the back and shoulders, and trap bacteria. A couple of times a week, deep-clean pores with a salicylic acid product like Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Body Smoothing Spot Exfoliant, £31, paulaschoice.co.uk.

BEST FOOT FORWARD

Ask any beauty editor about their best-ever pedicure and you’ll hear one name: Margaret Dabbs. She is the industry’s foremost foot guru, whose talented team of podiatrists administer bespoke medical pedicures, from £85, that work on calluses, hard skin and corns as well as the usual cosmetic shaping and painting. If you can’t book in for the real deal, her excellent product range offers similarly transformative experiences at home. Try The Perfect Home Pedicure Set, £67, margaretdabbs.co.uk, which includes top-grade foot and nail tools designed to last a lifetime, plus foot creams, peels and a detailed step-by-step guide written by Margaret herself.