Happy New Year Skin: Four Firm Favourites

I'm sprucing up my skin for the New Year and am sharing four products that are my favourites.  You may have already bared all on the beach, but me? I'm the type of person who sneaks off to the beach at the very tail-end of the day to avoid the sun (and crowds). And my face needs some serious TLC. 

So friends - here are four of my favourites to share with you. 

1. Dermalogica Gentle Cream Exfoliant $67.50:: For a long time, I'd been avoiding exfoliating my skin. What a mistake. Not only does it slough away dead skin and removes dulling surface debris, but it dramatically improves my skin texture. This one is a goodie - as it provides chemical exfoliation with a two-in-one masque treatment - and the lactic acid and salicylic acid speed up cell renewal, and it's super gentle. Sulfur clears the skin by eliminating breakout-causing bacteria while clearing excess oil and follicle congestion - which is perfect for me, because - even though I'm 33, I am still not clear of breakouts. Boo hiss to that - but wild party for this exfoliant.

2. Ella Bache Great Tan Without Sun $40:: I have been a devout user of this fake tan for over 12 years. I'm one of those people who - if I find something I really, really love - I'll stay loyal. There are a number of reasons why I'm compelled to tell you about this - probably one of my most favourite beauty products. Ever. 

I have very fair skin - and lots of fake tans don't really lend themselves to this. I've found that if I dilute this a little with some regular body moisturiser, it gives me the perfect subtle tan - rather than looking like an Ooompa Loompa. Secondly, applying fake tans can be risky business - particularly if the formula wipes on with no colour. The Great Tan is a brown colour - so immediately you can see where you've applied it - and where it needs to be removed, pronto. While most fake tans stink - you know, I know - when you smell that tell-tale odour - you know someone's been faux-tanning. This one is subtle, next to no odour. And finally, the formula is moisturising - leaving your skin feeling hydrated it protects the skin's natural barrier.

3. Garnier Body Intensive Ultra-Softening Lotion with Mango Oil for Dry, Rough Skin $6.95 :: Anything containing mango gets my thumbs up. I love mangoes in the daytime. In the night time. Anytime. I grabbed this from the supermarket one day - dubious about just how good a $7 moisturiser could be. Well the news is - very good. It leaves your skin silky, nourished - with a nice sheen - and not sticky (the sign of a good moisturiser in my book).

4. Clarins Eau Dynamisante Invigorating Fragrance $65::  Nothing says summer to me like this fragrance. Fresh and invigorating, I love a splash of this on one of those heinously hot days - plus it reminds me of my Mum.