Keeping your skin in good nick this winter is all about exfoliation. Beauty expert Laura Ludlow explains the hows and the whys

It’s 6.30am, cold, dark outside, you are standing in the bathroom, eyes half shut, debating whether you can turn the shower on and get your arm back to the warmth of your dressing gown without it getting wet with the first rush of water. The last thing on your mind, at that time in the morning is the state of your skin. But if you take three minutes, a couple of times a week, to exfoliate or dry brush, you will avoid the unsightly leg dandruff that threatens to make your expensive Falke 60 denier black tights look like they have done battle in a snow storm.

For all the men reading here, exfoliating is good for you too. Your bodies need to be exfoliated so that your skin is soft and smooth, even if your weekends are spent tackling other men on the rugby pitch and downing the obligatory 10 pints afterwards. Exfoliating before you shave also results in a lovely close shave, something us girls always appreciate. And make sure you throw out that freebie scrubby thing you get with every purchase of shower gel, because once it is used it becomes loaded with bacteria. Instead, opt for one of those huge brushes meant for use outside of the shower. Use it to give your body a great 'dry scrub.' This way you don't compete with the shower stream and your brush stays bacteria-free.

But do not fear. If the idea of standing on your bathmat shivering as you groom yourself like a Thelwell pony is enough to send you back under your duvet, there are plenty of excellent body exfoliators that you can use in the shower as well.

Why exfoliate?
The average human generates a new layer of skin every two to four weeks. At the end of the cycle, the old, dead cells on the surface are shed. You can improve your complexion tremendously by exfoliating and sloughing off the old, dead skin cells, ensuring that you’re not a walking talking faux snow machine when you step out this party season. If the old, dead skin cells are not removed, they can clog the pores, leading to really attractive spots or blackheads. Also, if you exfoliate your face, your wrinkles will appear less prominent, either because you’ve scrubbed so hard you’ve erased any remnant of features, or because there won’t be a build up of dead skin cells stuck in the wrinkle itself. Serial fake tanners take note as well… your tan will last longer and fade evenly if you give yourself a good exfoliate a few times a week.

Types of exfoliators?
There are two main types of exfoliators: mechanical and chemical. Both sound painful but are harmless and easy to practice.

Mechanical exfoliators contain minuscule pieces of grit that, when rubbed on your skin, dislodge the dead skin cells. The most common grit comes from walnut shells and apricot pits.

Chemical exfoliators do the same task as their mechanical siblings but by using mild acids in place of shrapnel. Exfoliating products usually contain alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids, or salicylic acids. Don’t worry, you don’t have to ask for these by name at time of purchase.

To brush your skin, start at you feet and sweep up the legs in long, light brisk movements. All skin brushing movements should be towards the heart, to encourage the return of blood and encourage lymphatic flow. Pay particular attention to the cellulite-prone areas like my thighs… err…I mean your thighs! Brush your abdomen with a circular motion. It should take about three to five minutes, depending on how many strokes you give each area.

Don’t be too rough. Over brushing causes the skin to turn red and become irritated. (This often happens to me after a few glasses of red wine too!) Do it first thing in the morning, when the increased blood flow will help wake you up. Your colleagues won’t know what hit them as you bounce into the office full of the joys of Christmas!

Nicetouch! recommends:
AKIN - Sandalwood & Sweet Orange Invigorating Body Scrub - 200ml Sanctum – Body Buff Sanctum – Body Polish AKIN - Jojoba & Corn Gentle Exfoliating Facial Scrub Chemicals are like Cocktails – bring them on! Dermalogica – Exfoliating Body Scrub Dermalogica – Daily Microfoliant Dermalogica – Gentle Cream Exfoliator Xen-Tan Body Scrub – a great pre- tanner!

Laura Ludlow is a beauty therapist and runs website www.nicetouch.co.uk