Nothing makes you feel better than smooth, soft, glowing skin, but is it possible to achieve this goal without spending a fortune on skincare products or trying out newfangled anti ageing, radiance boosting treatments?

Here are 7 tips for making your skin look and feel beautifully smooth:

1. Sun protection

Although sunbathing may give your skin a golden glow, it can also contribute to premature ageing, dehydration and peeling.

If you’re out and about, even on a relatively cloudy day, it’s advisable to wear sun lotion. Try to buy make-up products that contain UV protection, so that your face is always protected.

When you go abroad on holiday, avoid the midday sun and use a suitable factor sunscreen.

It’s particularly important to protect your skin if you burn very easily.

 2. Drink water

Hydration is essential for your skin, and drinking plenty of water will help to ensure your complexion looks clear and bright and that your skin feels soft and nourished.

Ideally, you should aim for around 2 litres of water per day.

Avoid caffeine-rich drinks, which may make the appearance of cellulite worse.

If you don’t like the taste of plain water, try adding sugar free cordial.

Green tea is also a great choice for good skin, as its rich in antioxidants.

3. Exfoliate

 Exfoliating is a means of removing dead skin cells and a great way to make your skin look and feel bright and soft.

Exfoliating can be a little uncomfortable, but it’s not painful and you only have to do it once a week to reap the benefits.

You can buy exfoliating skincare products or simply use your usual body wash with an exfoliating mitt.

 4. Moisturize

Moisturizing is really important, especially in the winter months.

Ideally, you should aim to moisturize twice a day after cleansing.

It’s important to moisturize your whole body, not just your face.

If you have oily skin, you still need to moisturize to keep your skin nourished, but it’s best to look for products that are specially designed for your skin type.

5. Eat well

Most people know that their diet affects their health, but it can also have an impact on your skin, hair and teeth.

Eating certain foods, such as leafy green vegetables, tomatoes, nuts, oily fish and berries, is really good for your skin, so try to include these in your diet and steer clear of processed, salty and fatty foods.

6. Choose your skincare products carefully

There are so many skincare products out there, and this can make it really confusing when it comes to buying products.

Many of us wonder what to buy, how much to pay and how to use all these so called skin savers at the same time.

Generally speaking, you don’t need to pay a lot of money to buy good quality products, and it’s better to stick to products that you like and that suit your skin type than to pay more for a new product that doesn’t cater for your skin’s needs.

If you have questions, consult a beautician or a skincare expert.

Often, it’s a case of trial and error and you may have to try a few different brands and products before you find ones you really like.

7. Sleep

A lack of sleep can leave you feeling groggy, tired and irritated, but it can also have an influence on the look and feel of your skin.

Sleep is really important as it gives your body and mind chance to rest and recovers.

Ideally, you should try to get around 7 hours of good quality sleep per night.