Feel as gorgeous as you look with these skin-protection tips

Your skin may not be as baby-soft as it was on the day you were born, since it has been exposed to our toxin-filled environment for years. However, you needn't fret. With some dedicated pampering, soothing and smoothing you'll soon be loving the skin you're in...

1. Protect yourself from the sun. The sun's harmful rays are the quickest route to getting wrinkled, ageing skin and it doesn't stop there. Ultraviolet rays can also cause more serious problems, like skin cancer. Come sun, rain, grey clouds or snow, always slaver on the sun-block, aiming for a minimum Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15.
2. Always moisturise well after having a shower or a bath to lock in the H2O your skin has just received and allow your skin to help preserve its natural moisture. Moisturisers achieve this by creating a seal on the skin, which prevents water from escaping and leaving you with parched, rough skin. If you have extremely dry skin, opt for a light oil (like baby oil) as it will form a heavier barrier and will keep skin hydrated for longer.
3. Exfoliate regularly, but be gentle! Treat your skin with care, which means don't scrub or rub too hard or you can cause wrinkles or damage to your skin. Use an exfoliating puff, scrub or special exfoliating gloves to remove dead skin cells, dirt and oil and to leave your skin feeling as soft as silk.
4. When shaving, be sure that you use your razor only on moist, well-lathered skin. Shaving in a hurry on dry skin will cause horrid nicks and cuts - a big no no.
5. Try a milk and honey bath for a luxurious way to velvety skin. Run a warm bath, add a pint of milk, a couple of tablespoons of honey then just relax.

Gok says...
'After cleansing, apply some moisturiser with at least SPF15. It is the most important thing you can do for your face. And it's never too late to start taking action and protecting your skin from the sun.'

You smoothie...

There are loads of different products and methods to get silky smooth skin, so get out there and get scrubbing...

Body baths
Indulge yourself and give your skin a right royal treat with a pampering body bath. This season, we're loving these foamingly fab products.

1. The Naked body products range are not only brilliant, making your skin feel soft and supple as nature intended, but the products are 97% natural (made using naturally derived ingredients mostly from plants) and are free of any petrochemicals, sulphates and parabens. Try the Starflower Softening Foam Bath for smooth, clean skin. Starflower Softening Foam Bath, Naked body products, £3.99, Boots
2. When you really want to indulge yourself, opt for a luxurious body wash like the Banana Republic Soft Vanilla Body Wash. With a delicate fragrance, it blends the essence of oriental vanilla with notes of clementine, water lily, heliotrope flower, tonka bean, peach flower, vanilla, soft musks, white amber, cedarwood and patchouli. Banana Republic Soft Vanilla Body Wash, £12, John Lewis
3. Soothe away your stresses and strains with a slavering of Satsuma body polish to leave your skin beautifully clean and refreshingly scented. The new gel-based, foaming polish is loaded with exfoliating crushed walnut shells and loofah particles. Mmm, sounds good enough to eat... Satsuma Body Polish, £9, The Body Shop

Q: How do I get rid of the nasty cracked skin on the heels of my feet?
Paula Barnes, Dorchester
A: It's important to smooth down the heels first. Use a pumice stone to get rid of the very hard skin and then rub in a moisturising cream to soften it. Repeat once more if need be. Moisturise well at night and wear socks overnight to let the cream penetrate deeply. Follow this routine each week, and you should be able to keep hard skin at bay.

Gok says...
'I believe in easy natural remedies. Homemade treatments are pure, easy and cheap. My favourite is making up some fresh avocado to apply to my face. It works brilliantly as a moisturiser.'

Get beautiful for free. Get some Zzzzzz...
Nature is brilliant, it gives us what we need and we don't have to pay for the privilege. Sleep is one of the cheapest - and most effective - beauty treatments around. We've all heard of the term 'beauty sleep' and there is a science behind it: when we sleep, our body repairs itself, and that includes our skin, which gets busy regenerating its cells. Ideally, you should aim for eight hours a night to keep yourself in prime condition or your skin will begin to look tired, dull and you could become prone to dark circles under your eyes.

But did you know that how you sleep also has a bearing on how you look? To look your best, sleep on your back. If you sleep on your front or side, with your face in a pillow, you'll create fine fold lines on your face. Lying on your back allows gravity to pull back your skin - reversing the cruel effect it has during the day.

Boost your circulation with dry body brushing
Skin brushing, also known as dry body brushing, is a fabulous way to look after your skin and make it glow with radiance.
You will help to banish cellulite and fatty deposits, improve your skin tone, get rid of dead or dry skin, stimulate your circulation and boost metabolism. All this will encourage your skin to renew itself, so you look fresh and invigorated.

And you needn't book into a luxury spa to reap the benefits. Just a few minutes each morning is all it takes to get in tip-top condition from head to toe. Here are the Dos and Don'ts of it....

DO:

• Use a long-handled brush with firm, natural bristles.
• Beginning from the soles of the feet and working upwards, brush towards the heart.
• Use long, sweeping movements
• Always brush before your morning shower.
• Stop if it feels uncomfortable.
• Finish off with a warm shower
• Always apply body lotion or cream afterwards.

DON'T:

• Wet your skin first. It won't have the same effect since water will stretch the skin.
• Use a synthetic brush. It will scratch your skin.
• Brush your buttock area to your waist.
• Brush your breasts. (Ouch!)
• Brush aggressively. Your skin could turn red and sore.

Written By Puneet Chahal
First Published in At Home with Gok Wan, October 2008