Health, Beauty & Fitness: Treats for spring

At this time of year, we're suddenly desperate to pack away our winter clothes and invest in a whole new wardrobe. The same goes for beauty products. With so many launches, here's a guide to a few of the most exciting new lotions and potions on the market.

L'Occitane Brightening Instant Exfoliator 25

***** www.uk.loccitane.com

"Despite having fair skin, I'm a fan of a robust exfoliator so this grainy product from L'Occitane really appealed to me. Applied to dry skin as a gel, it turns milky when rinsed off, and unlike some exfoliators, you really do feel like you've had a good scrub afterwards. Among the Brightening Instant Exfoliator's claims are that it smoothes, evens and brightens skin. Key ingredients include pure organic immortelle essential oil and brightening extract from bellis perennis, the daisy flower. Springy and fresh, I really liked this one."

ALISON GRAY

Champneys Watermint Lotion Spritz 7

*** www.boots.com

"This spritz lotion is from Champneys Spa Treatments range and it's as zingy and invigorating as the name suggests. A light, easily absorbed milk, it's surprisingly hydrating and the peppermint and rosehip oil gave my skin a lovely cool feel, perfect for warm spring afternoons. One downside: it does make you smell slightly like a tube of toothpaste."

CHITRA RAMASWAMY

Dior Addict Lipstick in Singuliere 22

**** www.dior.com

"This candy-pink lippie, from the Dior Addict lipstick range (fronted by Kate Moss), looks pretty bright in the packaging, but once applied it's a wearable and transparent colour. With a moisturising, gel-like texture that's perfect for warmer weather, this lovely shade has a subtle iridescence which will work for all ages. The clear Perspex packaging is suitably glamorous too."

CLAIRE HAY

Este Lauder Bronze Goddess Soleil Sea Star Bronzing Blush 29

***** Available now at House of Fraser stores www.houseoffraser.com, then Este Lauder counters from 2 May

"In the compact this product is completely irresistible, depicting a shimmering starfish on a bed of sand. A swirl of your blusher brush merges the pink and the peach tones together to create a convincing sun-kissed hue which is surprisingly matt on the skin, given the initial sparkling appearance. The perfect complement to a holiday tan, be it from the beach or from the bottle."

MERCY BREHENY

Elemis Freshskin Deep Clean Purifying Face Mask and Magical Moisture Quenching Face Mask 15

*** Box of six sachets (three of each type) currently available online only, www.elemis.com/freshskin

"These masks are from Elemis's new Freshskin range for teen and twentysomething skin. I found that the Deep Clean version was quite old-fashioned, in that you had to squeeze grey clay out of a sachet. However, once I'd rinsed it off, my skin felt soft, if slightly greasy. The other mask, which contains white lupin and aloe vera, was much lighter and more refreshing."

• This article was first published in The Scotsman on 23 April 2011