Lots of common things can encourage toxicity to lurk beneath the skin’s surface - including soaps, skin creams, anti-perspirants, synthetic fibres and even fabric conditioners. Today’s modern diet, with its artificial flavourings, colourings, trans-fats and preservatives, does little to help the situation.

The good news is that you can solve these problems in just a few minutes a day, by skin brushing - a simple technique that gets your lymphatic system moving. With the pores opening up, you’ll eliminate metabolic waste fast and get rid of those sluggish feelings.

French women have for years known the benefits of skin brushing, and made it part of their daily regime, hence the lack of cellulite on French thighs.

Brushing has an amazing range of benefits including skin tightening, improving digestion, banishing cellulite, stimulating circulation and increasing cell renewal and sebum production. Dead skin layers are removed while the lymphatic cleansing action helps strengthen your immune system.

So where do you start? First get a natural bristle body brush (available from the Body Shop and many other health and beauty outlets). Get a hand held brush, preferably with a strap for the back of your hand, and also one with a long handle (or a long loofah) so you can reach everywhere.

Many brushes are dual purpose and come with a detachable long handle. Do not use a synthetic brush ,as it will scratch the skin. You will also need a very soft brush or flannel for the face and neck.

Brush your skin when it’s completely dry before showering in the morning, and again in the evening if you have time. Start at the soles of your feet and work upwards, brushing the legs, then buttocks, then on to the chest and stomach and finally the face. Brush more gently where the skin is thinnest and always brush towards the heart.

Here’s our five-minute step-by-step skin brushing guide:

Make sure your room is warm and there are towels to sit on.  Undress and find somewhere comfortable to sit so that you can easily reach your feet and lower legs. Try to find time for at least six strokes of the brush in each direction

1 Take the brush and begin with the sole of your right foot. Use firm, rhythmic strokes to cover the sole.  Next, brush the top of your foot, brushing up towards your ankle.  Then go on to your lower leg, making sure you cover the whole surface - shin and calf.  Always brush this area in an upward direction.

2 Stand up and brush the area from your knee to the top of your thigh.  Make sure you cover the whole area several times, using long, rhythmic strokes. Brush your buttock area as far as your waist. 

3 Now repeat the whole procedure on your left leg, starting again with the sole of your foot.

4 Starting from the top of your buttocks, and again moving in an upward direction, use the longer handled brush or loofah to brush the whole of your back all the way up to your shoulders.

5 Next, brush your right arm. Start with the palm of your hand, move on to the back of your hand and then brush from your wrist up to your elbow, always in an upward direction and ensuring that the whole surface of your skin is brushed. Brush your upper arm, working from your elbow towards your shoulder, again covering the whole surface of your upper arm.

6 Repeat step 5 on your left side, starting with your hand. 

7 Then, very gently, brush your abdomen, brushing in a circle, always in a clockwise direction.  Cover the area several times but with less pressure than on your arms and legs.  If it feels uncomfortable, stop.

8 The neck and chest are also very sensitive areas so, again, brush here very gently.  Always work towards your heart.  If the bristles feel too hard for your neck, don’t brush here, but use your softer brush or flannel. 

9 Lastly, work on your face.  Use your soft brush or a dry flannel and soften and shorten your action, as brisk rubbing can stretch or otherwise damage the facial skin.

Just how much waste is being removed?

If you want to check for yourself just how dramatic the skin’s elimination of wastes can be, try performing this experiment…

Every day before your shower, brush your skin all over for five minutes. Then take a damp flannel and rub it all over your freshly brushed body. Hang the flannel up and repeat the process with the same flannel the next day. After a few days, the smell of the flannel will be quite revolting because of the quantity of waste products that have come through the skin’s surface.

Get the glow

The best thing about skin brushing (apart from the beauty benefits) is the tingling warm glow your skin will experience every morning as the circulation increases and your whole body feels wide awake.

Tips to preserve your body brush.

Gently wash your brush every month or so in mild soap or shampoo, rinse it and let it dry thoroughly and don’t leave it in your bathroom, or you’re in danger of your maid using it to scrub the bath!

This month, try a total cleansing programme at Imar Spa. They’re offering a colonic and detox package, including food and five star accommodation, for just Dhs750.

This is a great deal, as the normal price for colonic hydrotherapy alone is Dhs390. For more details and bookings, call Imar Spa Umm Al Quwain on 06 7664440

Chill out together

Try a treat together at the Amara Spa, Park Hyatt Dubai. This month their superb spa ritual begins with a salt, pepper and ginger body scrub to remove dead skin, revive circulation and give you an all-over feeling of invigoration.

An outdoor rain-shower stimulates the senses and prepares you for an ultra-relaxing aromatherapy body massage.

Choose a selection from the Spa cuisine menu in one of the lounges, by the pool or in the Courtyard of tranquility - then end your day with a phyto-aromatic Anne Semonin facial by the exclusive Parisian brand Anne Semonin.

You can stay and use the spa and pool facilities for as long as you like. All this for Dhs780 per person. Call Amara Spa on 04 6021234.

Dead sea detox

Start the new year squeaky clean with the Elixir spa’s January special.

Start with a dead sea body wrap and scrub then envelop your body in deep cleansing dead sea mud. This treatment will de-stress and rejuvenate the body, while leaving your skin smooth and silky.

Follow this with the Ytsara organic facial treatment to deep-cleanse, revitalise and lift. You’ll emerge with brighter skin and a relaxed mind and body. Just Dhs670 for two and a half hours of bliss.

Call Elixir Spa, Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa, Tel: 04 3995000.

The key is to increase fibre to aid digestion, add enzymes to cleanse your liver, and rehydrate with nutrient rich foods that have a high liquid level.

Here are ten of the best

The Husks and Seeds

1. Psyllium. Rich in super soluble fibre, this husk will help control cholesterol, mop up toxins and cleanse your colon. It’s available at any health food store. It comes in different forms. But with all psyllium you need to drink plenty of water for maximum benefit.

2. Sesame seeds. They’re good for your liver cells and protect against the effects of alcohol and other chemicals. For a healthy dip, try tahini, the delicious sesame seed paste, or try a za’ata croissant for br4eakfast, filled with healthy herbs and topped with a liberal coating of sesame seeds.

The Fruits

3. Lemons and Limes. Add to warm water to kick-start your day, or drink whenever you feel thirsty. Packed with vitamin C, lemon/lime juice helps make toxins water-soluble so they can be flushed away. Add a little honey if you need to sweeten the juice.

4. The other fruits. They will build up your vitamin C levels, add vital fibre, with a side order of antioxidants - and they all taste great.

The Greens

5. Broccoli. This clever cruciferate promotes cancer-fighting, enzyme-stimulating activity. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says it’s the top food to prevent colon cancer - and the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston found that that broccoli, along with spinach, helped minimise the risk of cataracts. Eat it raw, boil it lightly, or steam it.

6. Green, leafy vegetables. Eat them raw, add to a broth, or better still juice them. Their chlorophyll cleans away environmental toxins (heavy metals, pesticides) and protects your liver.

Eyes right

We all have laughter lines, but even outdoors you can avoid deep wrinkles by applying a light eye cream or even better, eye gel, using gentle patting action all around the orbital bones.

When you’re out and about, don’t screw up eyes to shield out the suns rays - invest in a good pair of sunglasses and wear them!

Here’s a few hints for last minute eye revival....

Refrigerate your eye gel before use.

Invest in a good concealer, and use after a late night to brighten eye area. Pat on with finger gently a small amount at a time.

Wake skin up in the morning by applying a very cold, wet flannel for a few minutes.

Helping hands

Skin on the hands is delicate and dries out easily, so the key is protect your hands before you get them wet. It’s so easy to apply sunscreen all over and forget your hands.

Even before you leave your hotel room you can give your hands a boost by using a handcream which contains an added sun-screen… and always use a barrier cream before washing your swimming things!

Neck-lines

How many of you remember your face cream but forget your neck? The skin on your neck is actually more sensitive than the skin on your face, so it needs extra care. Always apply a moisturiser to the neck using gentle, upward strokes to avoid pulling.

If you’re planning a day outdoors, avoid spraying perfume on your neck, as sunlight can activate it causing irritation.

Skin deep

Did you know that skin is relatively thin at birth, increasing in thickness during childhood?

In our early 20s the thickness of our skin gradually begins to decline and by the time a woman reaches her fifties the skin in thinning quite abruptly.

The sun is the skin’s worst enemy and sun-worshippers almost always appear visibly older than their non-sun lover contemporaries. So get that suncream out and use it!

Top-up tip

It’s great to sample local cuisine when you travel, and wash it down with the local brew. But remember - tea, coffee and alcohol all have a dehydrating effect on the skin.

If you do indulge, always drink a large glass of water before bedtime to re-hydrate the skin.

If you don’t do it already, you should start with daily body brushing (click here for article).

You can then exfoliate with a peel or a scrub. “Dead cells on the surface of the skin can give it a dull lack-lustre appearance, but you can improve your complexion tremendously by exfoliating and sloughing off the old, dead skin cells,” says dermatologist Dr Jennifer Joneyous.

Peels contain alphahydroxyl acids (AHAs) and those for home use can be found in creams from beauty specialists such as Gatineau and Natura Bisse (available online here. AHA treatments and creams are also to be found at many salons.

Try the Dermalogica specialist AHA treatment - contact Healthcare LLC on 04 2650201 for the salon closest to you.

Susan Harmsworth, founder of ESPA, stresses that this isn’t a summer one-off, but that you should exfoliate as often as your skin needs. “The drier the skin, the more often you can exfoliate” she explains.

ESPA treatments can be found at Assawan Spa, Burj Al Arab or telephone 04 3017777, but most salons offer a range of facial and body scrubs.

If you want to treat yourself at home, there are plenty of scrubs to be found around the beauty counters. Places like Body Shop have scrubs of all flavours including pink grapefruit, cocoa and mango - click here for full details.

Estee Lauder’s Body Performance Exfoliating Body Polish, and No7 Brightening Body Buffer, from Boots, both help to detoxify skin, while Clinique’s Sparkle Skin Body Exfoliating Cream, has a blue shimmer to leave a glimmering sheen.

Products with natural ingredients are absorbed into your body when you scrub, so they can also feed your skin. You could even make your own salt or sugar scrub at home.

“When you exfoliate, apply the paste to damp skin and rub very lightly using circular movements,” says beauty therapist Bharti Vyas. “Ensure you stroke rather than scour, and moisturise your skin well afterwards. Newly exfoliated skin is more vulnerable to sun damage, so apply a sun block if you are going straight out in the sun.”

If you want to make your own scrub, here are some of her home recipes…

FACE FOOD

Gentle facial exfoliator for sensitive skin: “Oats and oatflakes have a gentle but deep cleansing action, and can correct skin imbalances, making them ideal for dry, irritated and sensitive skins,” says Bharti.
This scrub can be used once or twice a week to get rid of the dead skin cells and to reveal more radiant skin underneath.
2 heaping teaspoons fine oatmeal
2 teaspoons heavy cream
Combine ingredients, apply to skin, and lightly rub using the balls of your fingers, then rinse off. Do not apply sustained pressure to any particular spot.

Cleansing mask: “Runny honey is good for dislodging dead skin cells. It also has soothing, healing, emollient and mildly antiseptic properties,” says Bharti. This makes this mask ideal for congested skin.
2 heaping teaspoons gram flour [also known as chana flour, besan or chickpea flour]
1 teaspoon water
1 teaspooon runny honey
Mix to a thick, sticky consistency. Apply to affected areas and leave for five to seven minutes.

BODY BATH TREAT
Bath of the five nectars: In Ayurveda, milk, honey, yogurt, ghee and banana are considered to be the five perfect foods, so this bath would be a real treat to nourish, soften, smooth and re-energize your skin.
1 banana, mashed
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon yogurt
1 teaspoon ghee/clarified butter
Combine all the ingredients before massaging the sweet-scented mix onto your skin. Plunge yourself into a warm bath and feel your skin gradually becoming softer and smoother.

SCRUB UP
All-purpose oatmeal scrub: This scrub is gentle enough to be used all over the body and will leave behind radiant-looking skin. The quantities given are enough for one thick application.
2 tablespoons finely ground oatmeal
1 tablespoon almond oil
Combine the two ingredients together and massage into your body. Rinse off with warm water and pat skin dry, making sure you moisturise well afterwards.

Oh no! It’s the curse of the dreaded cellulite! Luckily, help is at hand to banish those unwanted dimples.

First look at your diet

Here’s a list of the cellulite busting foods:

* Fibre speeds up the digestion and prevents toxin build-up. Add more brown rice, oats, veggies and fruit.

* Fats aren’t all bad. Get rid of saturated and trans fats. Up the intake of essential fats such as cold pressed hemp, linseed or walnut.

* Fruit such as grapefruit is great for an empty stomach. It cleanses the system and helps detox the liver. Berries are a great source of anti-oxidants (especially goji berries).

* Greens are great. They are packed with phytochemicals to support the liver. Up your intake of cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and watercress. Try this old fashioned remedy - it works. Boil a couple of spoons of cabbage every day in unsalted water and drink the water after eating the cabbage.

* Lethicin repairs skin cells, and is found in soya, green veg, seaweed, lettuce and apples.

Then give it a rest

Treat yourself to a detox day, with fresh fruit such as apples and vegetable juices. This will help cleanse your system while giving your gut a well-deserved rest.

Cut out or cut down on alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, sugar, fatty meat, refined carbs, dairy and salt.

Don’t mix protein and carbs at the same meal.

Ditch the S words...smoking, sunbathing and stress.

Next the action plan

Get a skin brush and do it every day. This stimulates the lymph, which drains the toxins (see this article on skin brushing).

Take at least 30 minute vigorous exercise a day.

Finally, some lifestyle changes

Drink plenty of water to flush out the system (one to two litres a day)

Get plenty of sleep. It’s a proven fact that sleep deprived people are much more likely to put on the flab.

Try supplements such as gotu kola for improved lymph and circulation, algae, spirulina and milk thistle for the liver, and agnus castus for balancing female hormones.

The report, from market analyst Mintel, says the demand for cosmetic treatments will continue to rise, particularly for non-invasive treatments such as Botox and collagen wrinkle fillers, which soared in popularity during 2007.

During that year more than 570,000 cosmetic operations and treatments were carried out in the UK alone, compared with 300,000 for that country in 2005.

The number of non-surgical procedures such as laser and teeth-whitening treatments rose from 230,000 to 472,000, with a marked increase in demand for Botox and collagen wrinkle fillers.

The total cosmetic surgery market is now worth just over 900 million UKP - more than double the 430 million spent in 2005.

Non-invasive treatments, such as Botox and collagen fillers, have become much more popular because they are seen as less risky and require repeat top-ups, the report adds. Breast enlargements remain the most popular type of surgery for women.

One well-known consumer group is sounding a note of caution over this expansion in busines. Which? says that in a boom sector there is a real risk that in the rush to make money some businesses will cut corners.

Health campaigner Frances Blunden said: “This report underlines the fact that cosmetic treatments industry is now big business and companies are trying hard to maximise their share of this growing market.”

Which? is concerned that the lack of effective regulation in the rapidly growing market could leave consumers vulnerable to sharp sales and marketing practices and unregistered or unqualified practitioners and providers, particularly of non-surgical treatments. 

Kate

Wouldn’t be without
A good black mascara such as Rimmel Volume Extend.
She Uemura eyelash curler.
Rimmel Soft Kohl Kajal black eye pencil.

Favourite salon treatment
Massage - though she really prefers this at home.

Favourite spa
Chiva Som, Thailand.

Best kept beauty secret
A really high factor sun protection cream. Kate uses factor 35.

Lily

Wouldn’t be without
Dermologica Special Cleansing Gel.
Nars Hydrating Moisture Cream.
A really good black mascara.

Favourite salon treatment
The Oxygen Plasma and Ultrasound Facial at BeautyWorksWest, London.

Favourite spa
The Elemis day spa in London’s Mayfair.

Best kept beauty secret
Wear suncream and don’t overpluck your eyebrows.

So there you have it - advice from both models is choose a great black mascara, and slap on that suncream. Make sure you’ve got both in your handbag at all times!

* Soak feet regularly in a salt bath to help improve circulation and control bacteria.

* Have a weekly massage to encourage blood flow to nourish skin and toenails.

* Stick to natural fibres on feet and expose them to the air for a short period each day.

* Spread and wiggle toes in the bath to liven up inert feet.

* Care for your feet as you do your face - exfoliate once a week and moisturise regularly.

* Add milk to soften water in a footbath.

* Always dry carefully and avoid moisturising between toes.

* Before painting toenails, clean them with polish remover and apply a clear base coat to prevent nails from discolouring.

Scrub off dry skin gently.

* Be extra careful softening and cutting cuticles on toenails, which grow twice as fast as on hands.

If you have problem feet, specialist ranges help you cope with corns, callouses, bunions, blisters, verrucas, athlete’s foot and ingrown toenails, but it does pay to get expert advice from a pharmacist or chiropodist.

Walking in sand is great exercise for feet.

Instant fix

Here’s the easy way to get your feet looking fabulous for summer without spending a fortune on a pedicure.

Difficulty: Easy. Time Required: 20 minutes

1.  Soak your feet in warm water for about ten minutes.

2.  Pat feet dry. Don’t forget between the toes.

3.  Clip toenails straight across. Or, if you would rather, use an emery board (but wait until toenails are completely dry).

4.  Using pumice stone, remove any rough areas from your heels.

5.  Massage cuticle area with a little oil or moisturiser.

6.  Gently push back cuticles.

7.  Apply foot lotion and massage into each foot.

8.  Remove any excess lotion.

9.  If you wish to apply polish follow the procedure below.

10.  Clean nails with polish remover, then use a base coat and let it dry thoroughly. Then put a small amount of polish on your brush; paint one stroke down the centre of your nail. Your brush should hold just enough colour to accomplish this. Stroke the sides of the nail and you are done.

11.  Wait until polish is set (dry to the touch) and then apply the top coat. Don’t skip this step as it not only adds life to your pedicure, it will protect your nails as well.

12.  Sanitise all of your equipment with alcohol and when it’s dry, store away until the next manicure or pedicure.

Tips:
Nail polish can be stored in the fridge.
To prevent the cap from sticking, coat it with a little Vaseline.

* Stay in the shade between 11am and 3pm
* Make sure you never burn
* Always cover up - and don’t forget your sun-hat
* Remember to take extra care with children
* Use factor 15+ sunscreen

Just in time, Wella has launched an enhanced range of System Professional (SP) Energy Line products, formulated to reduce genetic and temporary hair loss by up to 37 per cent.

“It is scientifically proven that the appearance of a fuller head of hair can be achieved by keeping it clean and strong. Using products in Wella’s SP Energy Line does just this” explains Maya Stanley of Wella Professionals.

So if you’re stressed out about your hair, follow the Wella recipe for hair health. Use the SP Energy Serum 3.5 as intensive hair loss treatment. It stimulates circulation and increases the supply of nutrients deep down at the roots.

Follow with the SP Energy Shampoo 1.5 to gently cleanse and regulate moisture content - adding vitality, body and shine.

For a night shine, use SP Elixir 3.5. It makes the hair healthier and thicker, by increasing its diameter. The whole range is available from selected salons across the GCC region.

For more advice on general hair care, see our earlier article.

Now that summer’s here, they also need extra protection from the sun and the clogging effects of melted-in eye make up.

The skin around the eyes is very delicate and there are no oil or sweat glands to help condition it. That’s why your eyes are the first place that wrinkles tend to appear.

Basic eye-care is simple but needs to be followed every day. It’s important to cleanse, and to remember to use a gentle touch. A good way is to use a moist cotton ball dipped in a cleansing gel. Make sure that all the day’s makeup is gone, but never use soap as it will deplete the natural oils.

After cleansing, use a moisturiser that softens the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. Light creams with vitamin A, aloe vera and chamomile are ideal as they have healing and rejuvenating properties.

Avoid the use of a heavy cream as moisturiser - its high oil content makes the skin under the eye puff up. Also steer clear of using astringents and anti-spot lotions for the area around the eyes.

Using the end of your little finger, gently dab your moisturiser in dots just under the brow line working inwards towards the nose, then repeat along the socket line under the eye.

Tips for sparkling and healthy eyes

Drink eight to ten glasses of water every day. Eat more fruit daily to help keep the skin clear and healthy - also scientists have found evidence that eating fruits deters age related eye problems.

If you have a tendency toward water retention, avoid salt and make sure you have enough essential vitamins and minerals, either through food, or by taking a supplement to be on the safe side.

To get rid of that puffy look around your eyes simply soak two cotton wool balls in cool rose water or in cucumber juice and place them on your closed eyes for about ten minutes.

For thick healthy lashes just put a drop of olive oil at the base of the lashes every night before you go to bed and watch for the difference.

When you’re out in the sun, always wear 100% UV-protected sunglasses to protect your eyes from problems such as cataracts. Also, when using a sunscreen remember to gently apply on the eyelids - and remember to have your eyes examined once a year by a qualified optomotrist.

Your eyes are accentuated by your eyebrows and the shape is really importance. It’s a good idea to pluck and shape your eyebrows after a shower since the pores are open. Use a good mirror, preferably one that magnifies. Always pluck in bright daylight with a really good pair of tweezers, or for a really smooth finish, try a salon that does threading,

Finally use an alcohol-free toner or cold water to cleanse and close the pores, before applying moisturiser.

The Soap Gems mimic the look and feel of Earth’s most precious stones and are made from a mild, extra long lasting, vegetable glycerin base, to preserve your skin’s oil barrier.

There are 15 varieties, all with a unique fragrance. As many as 180 steps are necessary to recreate nature’s beautiful patterns, then each soap is hand-hewn to perfection.

Soap Gems are hypoallergenic so they’re suitable for sensitive skins and they contain organic extracts of aloe vera, calendula, lavender and jojoba oil. They are available from Elche natural beauty retreat near Jumaira Plaza in Dubai for Dhs95. Call 04 3494942 or 3495952 for more details.

Oh, and to all you panicked UK expats out there - relax. This is the American version of mum’s special day. Doesn’t stop you treating her, though - right?

The products are designed to enhance the skin’s luminosity, while they even out dark spots and pigmentation marks. Developed by Swiss and Japanese scientists, the formulation – containing Vitamin C and liquorice root extract - guards against skin damage from UV rays, while correcting any existing problems.

The Moisture White range includes Toning Essence, Eye Serum, UV Protection Cream SPF 25, Moisture Cream Plus, Hydrating Mask and Brightening mask, and is available from all Body Shop branches.

For details of stores in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, click here.