WITH Summer well and truly on its way, it's time to lay your skin bare. The time has come to ditch the scarves and hoods that are so good at hiding our faces, and prepare to let skin shine, nature's way.

First of all, and most importantly, skin needs to be hydrated. The obvious way to do this is by drinking a lot of water. Water flushes out all of the impurities that your body lugs around, and also carries around nutrients essential to your health. But, what we're really interested in is the fact that water helps skin to remain supple and plump, which reduces the appearance of wrinkles. If your skin is tight and dry, then lines and blemishes are more likely to show. Now, it is recommended that we drink between 6-8 glasses of water every day. Now, I don't know about you, but for me this always proves to be a bit much. However, just having water handy when you sit down for dinner, to watch TV, or to accompany you to bed will help you on your way to those eight glasses.

It also helps to have a good face wash at hand. Washing your face with soap can be harsh for your skin, not to mention agony when it gets in your eyes. So find yourself a face wash that's right for you. Simple's Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash really does the job for me. Simple provide a whole range of cleansers, including scrubs, gels and masks that combat dry skin, ageing skin and spots, and can be found in your local Boots or Superdrug.

Next; use sunscreen. By now we're very much welcoming those hot, sunny days with open arms, but in the heat of the moment we can't afford to forget about our skin. Sun can easily damage unprotected skin, causing premature ageing and dehydration, putting every line on show. If you have a bit of spare money floating around, then treat your skin to Clinique's SPF 35 Targeted Protection Stick. This stick is oil free and protects the most sensitive areas, including eyes, nose and even scars, for £15.50.

As we all know, organic is the way forward when it comes to cosmetics and skin care. I am loving Pai's Hydrating Day Cream, available from lovelula.com. This creamy bottle of moisture is good for all skin types and smells so inviting that you won't be averse to rubbing it all over your face. For £18, the natural ingredients of avocado and jojoba will help skin on its path to natural beauty this Summer.

Finally, ditch the heavy foundation and allow skin to breath. All the powder will clog up pores and encourage spots to erupt. Besides, we want to feel free when we finally tear off the layers and hit the beach. Let your skin enjoy the Summer too.