What you need before, during and after your hols

Brigit Grant has found the products you need before, during and after your hols

One of the great joys of writing about beauty is sharing. Ahead of your departure to foreign climes or maybe just the back garden, there are creams to improve your face and other bits of your body. Although they always promise to shape you into Elle Macpherson, the reality is just firmer and smoother. Here are some of the best.

Hair expert Phillip Kingsley’s hero summer product is Swimcap (£22), a formula that stops discolouration and damage caused by the sun, chlorine, salt water and wind. One application provides a luxurious, ultra-conditioning treatment that draws moisture into the hair. Castor oil and olive oil hydrate the hair while elastin, a natural moisturising agent, boosts the hair’s stretch-ability. A must for holidaymakers. (Available at www.philipkingsley.co.uk)

NURISS Skincare, is founded by Dr Anita Sturnham, a GP and skincare expert who is very focused on the eye and décolletage area, but the NURISS Neckcessity Cream (£65) is for that bit of your body that gives away your age.This cream maintains skin’s elasticity with potent peptides combined with a moisturising hyaluronic base. It also boosts healthy collagen growth to reduce wrinkled and loose skin. Yippee! (Available from Nuriss.co.uk)

Firming Peptide Body Treatment £36 is a Glyco Firming Complex with a potent peptide that visibly firms the skin. The Omega-6 is very hydrating and adds a glow and the scent is lemongrass, vetiver and bergamot. (Available from selected John Lewis, House of Fraser and Debenhams stores)

Daily Telegraph readers gave the thumbs up to Circulation Boost Oil from Inner-Soul Organics ( £13 for 30ml, £37 for 100ml), which is another body oil blend created with five oils chosen to soften and promote elasticity, offering a natural and organic approach to reducing cellulite, dryness and general sluggishness. Fresh geranium and rosemary essential oils will impact blood flow, which is great after a morning shower. (Available from inner-soul.co.uk)

You may not have tried Botox yet because you are scared or think it is too pricey. Age Erased (£45 for 10ml /£9.99 for 2ml) means you don’t have to brave the needle because it is a serum that contains the active ingredient Argireline, which is in Botox. The serum gives an instant tightening and lifting effect in 60 seconds. Make-up artists love it and, although the results are temporary, it can be applied as many times as you like. (Available from www.ageerased.com)

TanOrganic’s self-tanning oil (£24.99) stops you from looking like the lone milk bottle on the beach with a head (and body) start on your tan thanks to this oil, which gives you the holiday glow ahead of your trip. It’s a synthetic-free formula made with aloe vera and plant oils that has a delicate citrus fragrance. The finish is bronze in a good way and the aloe keeps the skin moist. (Available from Waitrose, Superdrug and Holland & Barrett)

Khadi 10 Herbs Anti-cellulite Oil (£11.90) has just arrived to stimulate the metabolism in the skin, dissolve fat and remove toxins.  Made in India, it has a fantastic combination of herbs, including mustard oil to help detoxify; Nagarmotha to activate cell metabolism and dissolve fat and Manjistha, which regulates a sluggish lymph system. It’s the Trikatu I’m interested in, which  induces sweating to open up the skin to flush out toxins and fat. (Available at independent pharmacies and  www.khadihair.co.uk)

Herbalife launched this year and is all about the vitamins and botanicals, which are important when you are exposed to the sun every day for a fortnight. Its SKIN Protective Daily Moisturiser SPF30 (£32.65) gives broad spectrum UVA/UVB to shield against harmful UV rays and The Daily Glow Moisturiser (£32.65) is a handbag-size miracle worker that gives the skin a healthy glow if you like to go au naturel and it smells gorgeous.