January is one of the best times to start fresh, finish the left over Christmas chocolates and to make some new goals for the year ahead - it's also a great time to change up your skincare routine and experiment with some products that your skin may love.

A good skincare routine that is easy to stick too is the secret to great skin. Taking off my makeup used to be one of my least enjoyable tasks of the day. Now it has become one of my favourite, alongside eating breakfast and putting on the best clothes of the day, my pyjamas.

Over the last few years I have tried lots of different lotions and potions and I thought I would share my skin saviours with you. Today is all about exfoliating. I absolutely love the feeling of giving your skin a well needed scrub. It feels so good to remove daily dirt, dead skin cells and makeup that may be lying on top of your pores. You can always tell the difference in your skin when it comes to applying your makeup base, the foundation glides on with no lumps or bumps. I always praise my clients who exfoliate. It makes my job so much easier.

For those of you who are new to exfoliating or have sensitive skin, a really great inexpensive way is to use a slightly rough flannel or a muslin cloth. Pair one of these with a gentle cleanser, add a little water and apply to skin in circular motions using as much pressure as feels comfortable. This technique also applies when applying most exfoliating products.

Next up is a Bobbi Brown product - Bobbi Brown Buffing Grains for Face. This little jar of grains is perfect for making your facial as delicate or as intense as you fancy. Add just a few to water or add to your favourite cleanser. The best pairing is a pinch of grains mixed with Oskia Renaissance Cleansing Gel. Exfoliating heaven.

For the hardcore exfoliators out there, this one is for you. Goldfaden MD Doctor Scrub is definitely not for scrubbing newbies or for those with sensitive skin. I was recommended this product by a lovely lady in Space NK when looking to give the pores on my nose a deep cleanse. After trying a tiny tester for a couple of days I was sold. My skin had never felt so smooth and glowing. Goldfaden MD Scrub has an amazingly short ingredient list which is always nice to see. Just all the good stuff. The scrub contains perfectly circular crystals which gently polish away dead cells helping to generate new cells leaving skin radiant and clear. Having used this product a couple of times a week for 2 months I don't think I could live without it. It has definitely given my pores a well needed cleanse whilst helping to reduce them in size resulting in less oily t-zone. Yay. A tad pricier than other options but if you struggle with clogged pores or rough areas around your t-zone this is should do the trick.

Exfoliating Essentials For Smooth Glowing Skin