Skincare Sunday: How to get a red-carpet body

Too many body creams do little more than moisturize in the short term, which is why I love The Method: Body Nourish, an incredible cream from LA-based skin doctor, Harold Lancer. It truly transforms flaky, bumpy, ultra-dry skin, but do expect it to tingle. With a blend of glycolic and hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and shea butter, it gives skin an instant five-star finish while polishing and plumping it for the longer term – it’s the cream his A-list clients use. Apply each evening then, once a week, use Legology’s Exfo-Lite Leg Exfoliator. I love this range and use the scrub on any dry skin from chest to toe before showering it off – the Himalayan and sea salts leaves limbs polished, while the oil nourishes beautifully.

There is something that an oil does to skin that no other ingredient seems to do; giving a unique juiciness and glow that looks fantastically healthy and fresh. But it has to be natural and light-textured so that it sinks in, leaving skin moisturized but not greasy. The organic oils used by beauty brand UMA Oils are fantastic – the blend of sandalwood, rose and neroli in its Absolute Anti-aging Body Oil soothes and nourishes even the driest skin (including sore, cracked heels).

Fluid retention is an issue for many of us, and no matter how much we exercise or eat well, some days our body feels bloated and the flesh goes almost spongy. The problem is often sluggish lymph circulation or, as founder of Legology Kate Shapland, says, “It’s more an issue of flow than fat.” The lymphatic system sits below the skin but above the muscles, which is why dry skin brushing works so effectively on ensuring good ‘flow’. Use two small skin brushes, one in each palm, and work quickly in upward strokes to make the process faster. Then finish with the Legology Air-Lite Daily Lift for Legs. I use it from the waist down and on my upper arms to treat any trapped fluid. Don’t use this at night, though – the stimulating citrus oils might keep you awake. Making this a daily regime is ideal, but four times a week is still good enough to make a visible difference.

To warm up a sallow or gray skin tone, a gradual self-tan gives an easy glow that you can build on. My advice is to use them at night, really massaging in the cream to give even coverage. La Mer’s The Gradual Tan Face and Body gives a lovely tone to skin, plus it contains the brand’s famous rejuvenating Miracle Broth. Alternatively, James Read does a great self-tan ‘wardrobe’, including the excellent Sleep Mask Tan Body; it’s a light serum that goes on easily and leaves skin extra hydrated.