They say beauty is skin deep. Whether you think this is true or not doesn’t make much difference – even if you don’t think it’s the be all and end all, everyone still wants to look their best. With the exception of a lucky few, most people probably wish their skin was less dry, greasy, spotty, blotchy… The list goes on. And yet many people settle for second best, simply because they have accepted this as normal and don’t realise there’s anything more they could be doing. Here are 5 top tips to get your skin looking perfect this summer

1. Cleanse your skin regularly. This might sound obvious but a lot of people don’t realise that a daily wash with soap in the shower isn’t really enough. In fact, you shouldn’t use soap on your face at all as it will only dry your skin out. Instead you should use a daily cleanser with lukewarm water. Eve Lom do a brilliant all-round cleanser that according to Vogue is “probably the best cleanser in the world”.

2. Know your skin type. Again this will probably sound obvious but using the right products for your skin type is perhaps the most important thing of all. If you use a moisturiser meant for dry skin when yours is greasy or vice versa you could end up making your skin worse. The different varieties of products are there for a reason!

3. Moisturise. Always use a moisturiser after you wash. This will help your skin repair itself and protect it throughout the whole day. Dermalogica have a huge range of different moisturisers for all skin types as well as specialist repair and recovery creams.

4. Always wear protection in the sun. As well as causing skin cancer, over-exposure to the sun can leave your skin looking tired and old, not to mention very red! Always wear sunblock when you go out and don’t use sunbeds – a little natural sunlight makes you look better than a false all-over tan anyway!

5. Look after yourself. The easiest way to keep your skin looking its best is simply to live a happy and healthy lifestyle. Drink lots of water to keep you and your skin hydrated, and avoid eating too much fatty or greasy food. Take plenty of exercise, if you don’t have time to get to the gym why not invest in some Fit Flops, which work towards keeping you in shape and tone your legs as you go about your day. Remember that stress is bad for your skin as well as your general and mental health, so take time to relax and get lots of sleep!