Assuming you've been salt-rubbing yourself to within an inch of your life for the past fortnight, the next thing you should be thinking about before you ditch your tights and slip on that mini is moisturisers. It is worth investing a little time, money and effort in a body cream that gives skin an extra boost, especially if you've gone to the trouble of scrubbing beforehand. Use an intensive, renewing body cream for a couple of weeks and you will be able to see the difference.

There is no better way to hydrate and soften skin than with a warm soak in an infused bath. If you don't consider a bath without bubbles luxurious, then pick something soft and gentle, such as Dove Creme Bath or Johnson's pH5.5 body wash. If you can do without the bubbles, and trust me, it's worth it, try Kneipp herbal bath in almond.

For the best results, moisturise your body as soon as you step out of the bath. The key to finding a good intensive moisturiser is to go for one that is absorbed quickly but leaves the skin soft to the touch after the first application. Before buying a cream, test it on your elbow - you might get funny looks, but you'll be able to tell if it's going to do the business. If it doesn't turn the dry skin on your elbow from grey to brown, leave it on the shelf. Skin Caviar Luxe Body Cream, from La Prairie, is amazingly luxurious, and since it contains caviar, if you've cleaned yourself out buying it you could always spread it on toast. Issima Body Secret from Guerlain is silky and not at all greasy (unlike many intensive creams), and leaves skin looking amazingly healthy, with a dewy sheen.

If it's shine you're after (and why not?) try Johnson's baby oil gel. It's not as messy as the oil, but still locks in plenty of moisture. Body Cocoon Moisture Rich Creme (new range from Garnier) is great for dry to very dry skin. It claims to "release ugly duckling layers to reveal your more radiant inner princess". And for once, I have to admit, the hype is true.