The 5 best scrubs and body polishes

Super toning body polish, £18, Balance Me, Debenhams.com

The recent wedge of blue sky got me thinking that summer will soon be upon us. Optimistic perhaps, but it's amazing what a hit of Vitamin D can do.

Usually I forget all about shedding my cocoon of winter woollies until the last minute and attempt to slough months of neglect from my skin at once. As you'll probably have guessed, it never works and has often made the bumpy, rough skin on my arms and the un-toned wobble of my thighs worse than before. So I'm starting early, with a routine of exercise and exfoliation; avoiding anything too harsh on either front – gently does it.

Body brush

£14.50, Mioskincare.co.uk

A head-to-toe brushing every other day will really help stimulate the body's natural detoxification process, while targeted exfoliation leaves skin smooth.

Sugar scrub

£2.95, lush.co.uk

Sugar, ginger and fennel combine in this purifying vegan-friendly scrub. The sugar will melt in water, so slice into single-use chunks to avoid waste.

Super toning body polish

£18, Balance Me, Debenhams.com

Ground walnut shells provide exfoliation, while juniper, geranium and bergamot essential oils encourage good circulation – and smell heavenly.

Body lift cellulite control

£36 clarins.co.uk

Caffeine is the key ingredient in most cellulite creams, and while a topical application won't actually budge the below-skin fat, it can certainly improve its appearance.

Resurface & refine ultra polish

£12, Sanctuary Spa, boots.com

This is specifically designed to deal with bumpy 'chicken-skin', use on damp skin every few days and within a few weeks you should notice a dramatic improvement.