exfoliators

The skincare step that will give you immediate results? Exfoliation. Whether it's to bust breakouts, diminish dark spots and scars, or even smooth away lines, finding the right exfoliant for your skin will help ensure that your complexion stays healthy and glowing. Learn what type is right you, when you keep reading.

You scrub your body with salt scrubs, you exfoliate your face with chemical peels, but what about the skin on top of your head? Yes, your scalp is skin. And while you give it a scrub every time you wash, it could use a little extra love. Learn the benefits of a scalp rubdown when you keep reading.

So we've covered the ins and outs of facial exfoliants, now it's time to move onto the body. As with your face, it's important to exfoliate your body regularly (twice a week) to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. This means a new epidermis (top layer of skin cells) can surface and your skin will appear healthy and radiant, instead of dull and lacklustre.

Exfoliating the body also stimulates circulation and helps any moisturising ingredients penetrate deeper into the skin. This is particularly important for more mature skin which isn't as good at retaining moisture as younger skin.

A thorough weekly exfoliation will help stimulate the body's lymphatic system and in turn encourage the release of toxins. Start by dry brushing with a loofah on dry skin, then add a mechanical exfoliant to a body brush or exfoliating gloves and work the product into wet skin using circular motions. (If you have particularly sensitive skin, opt for a chemical exfoliant instead.) Rough areas such as knees, elbows and the heels of your feet may benefit from a pumice stone. Always follow with a moisturiser. And remember, don't over-exfoliate. Do you exfoliate your body weekly?

If I told you there was a product that you could add to water to create a gentle facial exfoliator, what would you say?

I’m expecting “Gee whiz, you learn something new on here every day,” but I’ll settle for a simple wowed expression. (Less accepted responses: “Yes dumb-a**,” or “Is it sand. It is, isn’t it?”)

Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains ($60) are a little bit of luxury than can be mixed with water (or a Bobbi Brown cleanser if you happen to have one) to magically turn into a gentle exfoliator. Handy.

How do they do this? Well they won’t reveal their secret to me – they’re very loyal those Buffing Grains – but what I can tell you is they’re formulated with Japanese adzuki bean powder which helps to rid you from dry and dead skin cells and promotes new cell turnover to leave your skin glowing.

You only need a very small amount so the 28g will last you a while and the pour top makes it very easy to use. One of the most thoughtful, useful products around I'd say.

Stockists: Bobbi Brown (1800 061 326)

We may not all have the old I had to pose for Playboy to pay my debts excuse – surely nothing makes you whip that body into shape quicker than a call from Hugh Hefner – but we all want to look good naked. Fact.

I’ll let you into a little secret – it’s all about good skin. It doesn’t matter what shape or size you are, if you have silky skin you feel instantly more attractive. Another fact.

I am slovenly when it comes to long-winded rituals which is why I love Estée Lauder Body Performance Exfoliating Body Polish ($60). It buffs away dull skin cells so you can skip the dry brushing and its bounty of beads refine skin, moisturise and pretty much perform magic. You don’t want to clog up skin with a heavy, greasy moisturiser so opt for a lightweight and easily-absorbed lotion like Nougat London Conditioning Body Soufflé ($34.95). This one contains wheatgerm oil which helps promote new cell growth and repair sun-damaged skin.

Finish with a light dusting of Lush Silky Underwear ($15.95) which leaves skin feeling soft, sensual and most of all, sexy.

Stockists: Nougat London (1800 137 480).