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Dear Betsy,I have very dry body skin. I have tried the body scrub exfoliating recipes you printed and they really do help.

My main problem is what to do every day to keep my skin soft and stop the dryness? Can you recommend a good soap and body lotion that can help?

Agnes.

Dear Agnes,

Glad to hear you enjoyed the body scrub recipes, and you should continue to use them two or three times a week.

However, you are correct that your everyday routine is vital to long-term hydration of your skin.

The water in our part of the world can be very unkind to skin and hair but using soap will only make things worse. Most soaps will dehydrate the skin even more, so instead I would recommend that you use a shower gel or shower cream.

Of course, I can recommend some of those fabulous designer shower products from Chanel, Estee Lauder, Prada, Annick Goutal etc but they are too expensive for daily use.

My current favourite is Cashmere Moments by Nivea, it really leaves your skin soft and smooth and has a relaxing exotic orchid fragrance. I also like the shower creams from Dove and Radox which are quite similar and all of the above are reasonably priced and good value for money.

After showering, it is important to dry your skin properly as any water left on the skin will evaporate and have a 'drying' effect on the skin, so use a big soft fluffy towel and dry off well.

Just as your face and neck require a daily moisturiser, your body does too, and you should pay particular attention to feet, knees, elbows and not forgetting your hands, which take a real battering in our extreme climate and can really show the signs of premature ageing if you don't take care of them.

Again, there are loads of fabulous designer creams out there. I love 'Songes' by Annick Goutal, Chanel no 5 Body Cream and I recently tried Allure by Chanel Luxury Body Cream too which I have added to my 'gotta have' list!

Nivea, Dove and Palmers Cocoa Butter all do great everyday body lotions and some of them have creams or intense moisture products.

Look for ingredients such as cocoa butter, shea butter and almond oil as they are all great for your skin.

If you want a subtle sun-kissed look too then try Dove's Summer Glow Body Lotion which will give you a moisturised, glowing skin.

With the Eid holidays coming up, I am sure you have time for a luxurious soak in a warm bath, so I have included a recipe for you below.

Use a body scrub or a dry body brush first of all on dry skin to remove dead skin cells and allow your bath and moisturiser to penetrate deeper and faster, so offering better and longer lasting results.

One last tip; to keep your skin super smooth and beautiful, sleep only in pure silk pajamas and on pure silk satin sheets as the natural proteins in silk will help keep your skin nourished.

Extravagant perhaps, but it works and it's natural.

BETSY'S FABULOUS ROSE MILK BATH

You will need your blender for this recipe, but you can store the remains in a non-metallic, air tight container and use it once a week.

If you have a pretty transparent container to sit on the side of your bath, then adding a handful of dried rosebuds just before you pour it into the container will give a pleasing effect and will also add to the luxurious feel of the bath.

You can find all these ingredients at your local supermarket and pharmacy.

100gm powdered milk

90gm cornstarch

150gm runny honey

120ml rose water

12 drops rose geranium oil (optional)

Handful of dried rosebuds (Lebanese supermarkets)

Put the milk, honey, rose geranium oil if using, and cornstarch into the blender and blend for a minute or two. Now slowly add the rose water until you have a smooth paste.

Add a good handful of dried rosebuds (optional) and pour into a glass or plastic container.

Add a good dollop to your running bath, just before you get in and relax for 15 to 20 minutes. Pat skin dry and apply a body cream, oil or lotion.

IF YOU ONLY DO ONE THING THIS WEEK

AS we approach the third quarter of 2008, it leaves you with only 12 weeks or so to achieve those goals you set out for yourself in January.

If you have managed to tick all those boxes then congratulations, but most of us won't have. It's not too late and this gives you a chance to re-evaluate your priorities and goals as for many of you they will have changed over the last nine months.

Write a list of the three most important things you would REALLY like to do before 2009 comes knocking and get on with it!