It may be winter outside, but in my heart its the height of summer (or May at least) and I’m lying on a beach gazing down at my smooth, toned, lithe, blemish-free limbs. Well, I can but dream. But on the basis that it’s never too soon to prepare a body for the cruel light of bright sunny days – especially after what seems like the longest, coldest winter in history, I’ve started the whole buffing business already.
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Call me foolishly optimistic, but I like to think that if I start now and work really hard, I can beat all those flaky dry bits that have clung on so stubbornly since about October, will be sloughed into submission. There are so many body scrubs out there – some kind and gentle (good for young and sensitive skins) and others more aggressively effective – ideal for tough old boots like me with seriously rough knees, elbows, heels and the like. The bits that seem to take for ever to soften up.

Kerstin Florian’s Aromatherapy Turkish Body Scrub (£26.50 237ml) falls into the latter category. But unlike some other very granular salt scrubs the various oils (eucalyptus, lavender, basil and lemon) bind the thermal mineral salts together – so no mess as you rub in before stepping into the bath or shower. If you want to go for the full no-holds-barred scrub, apply onto dry skin, but for softer, less needy spots like tummy or bottom, dampen the skin a little first.

The smell is so invigorating and zingy I think this scrub works best in the morning – it wakes you up before it’s veen started its real work. I can also report that it does that job pretty well too. Some annoying dry spots on my arms are beginning to fade away after a week of use and thanks to all the oils, the rest of my body feels permanantly soft and smooth after just one application.

It’s a good start, but for a little extra insurance and to give my body a fighting chance in a bikini (gulp!), I’ve been following up this morning blitz with Kerstin Florian Marine Firming Body Cream (£29.25 133ml). It has at its base an algae extract with minerals and trace elements as well as plant extracts to stimulate circulation, soothe, calm and smooth the skin. It would take more than a couple of week’s use to make any discernible difference, but the cream (with no real scent) massages on easily, absorbs quickly and immediately leaves my skin feeling moisturised (something not every firming gel does). It may be wishful thinking but I do think I can detect a slight dimishing of that tell-tale dimply look to my thighs and stomach.

www.kerstinflorian.co.uk