When it comes to our skin, we all know that, sadly, the sun is not our friend as it can cause aging of the epidermis and even cancer. So before jetting off to a sunny location for your summer holidays it's paramount to pack a good sunscreen with a high SPF that protects from UVA and UVB rays. But there's plenty more we can do to prepare our skin to face a hotter climate, salty sea water and sand. Here are a few tips to make your skin sparkle with a healthy glow, not burnt orange tones.

In order for your skin to glow with health and moisture and avoid flaking, exfoliating twice a week is a must. If you are not already doing so as an all year around routine, summer is the perfect time to start. Exfoliating gets rid of dead skin cells which tend to sit on the outlayer of our epidermis, ready to be expelled. It also removes dirt and brings to the surface the newer layer of epidermis. Choose the right exfoliating product very carefully. If you have dry skin pick an exfoliator that contains natural oils: olive oil, almond oil, vitamin E oil and shea butter are great. Not only do these lift the dirt that clogs the pores, but they are also highly moisturising, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple. Make sure to massage the product on your face and body gently, we are talking exfoliating here, not sanding. For oily skins similar rules apply: find a good, vegetable based, preferably organic product and gently massage into your skin, avoiding any spotty or irritated area. All skin types should avoid harsh, abrasive products: they'll only make dry skin drier and oily skin oilier. Dry skin won't be able to replenish its natural moisture and oily skin will compensate for the loss of natural oils by producing too much sebum, causing the skin to become oilier than before and risking a breakout.

Do use different products for the face and the body. Whilst the body can take a slightly rougher scrub, the skin on the face is extremely delicate and extra care must be taken to avoid scrubbing the area around the eyes.

For the body a moisturing exfoliator works well, as do shower mitts. It's important to concentrate on particularly dry areas (elbows, knees and the back of the upper arms) and be gentle on others (neck, chest and stomach).

Once the product's been rinsed off with some warm water and the face and body have been patted dry, a generous amount of good quality moisturiser must be applied all over (again, do use a product specific for the face and one for the body).

Exfoliation will give you instant results: your skin will appear clearer, brighter and softer. It will also make your suntan last longer if done before going on holiday as the dead skin cells will have cleared off and the epidermis will be more moisturised, thus stopping the skin from becoming dry and flaking. A good after-sun moisturising lotion must be used sistematically after the daily trip to the beach.

There are plenty of good exfoliators in the shops, but if you prefer a home made recipe all you need to do is open your kitchen cupboard: oat flakes and honey is a wonderful combination, where the honey is applied first to face and body then the oats pressed onto the skin with circular movemets. You can also make an excellent paste by mixing brown sugar with a moisturising cream and adding few drops of olive oil. Again, the trick here is to be gentle when applying the mixture.

If you are planning to have a pre-holiday wax, do make sure to exfoliate at least two days before the unwanted hairs are removed, as waxing can irritate the skin, so it shouldn't be done straight after another potentially irritating treatment. It's also important to wax a few days before sunbathing to avoid skin redness and dryness.

If you want to get rid of a few facial hairs the same goes, but take extra care not to moisturise the skin (especially on your upper lip and chin) immediately after the hair removal procedure and not to exfoliate or sunbathe for 2 to 3 days after, depending on the skin type, as this can again cause irritation and formation of small spots.

Finally don't be tempted to use a low SPF sunscreen as soon as you hit the beach. The skin needs time to adapt to the different weather conditions and a low SPF will most likely cause your skin to burn – not to tan faster – especially, but not exclusively, if you have a fair or sensitive complexion. You can gradually lower the SPF as the holiday progresses and your skin gets darker.

If you, like me, despite following these rules to a T, have the type of skin that does not get on very well with the sun, keep sun exposure only to a few hours a day, with plenty of breaks in between. In the unlikely event that you still get sunburnt or get sun irritation (which generally manifests itself with tiny yet painful spots in the affected area) aloe vera gel rubbed into the affected area is an great remedy. Also bear in mind that if you've changed your eating habits and are on a food restricted diet just before going on holiday, your skin runs the risk of breaking out and looking dull. If you do want to shed a few pounds and show off your bikini body, a balanced diet rich in protein, fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds is the best option for a healthy body, skin and mind.

Finally, as we all know, alcohol should be consumed in moderation, but the truth is most people overdo it on holiday. Drinking plently of water will rehidrate you after a night on the tiles and staying out of the sun if you have a killer hangover is a good option too. With this in mind all that's left for me to say is: have a great holiday everybody!