Now, more than ever, your skin deserves an extra dose of pure pampering because during the summer months, you really have to face up to the drying elements. Sun, salt and chlorinated water, air conditioning, even frequent showering, work together to deplete skin of vital moisture, and with it, natural softness, suppleness, smoothness. Since the top layer of the skin is kept pliable by its water content, skin begins to crack and dry when water loss occurs. But you can take positive action by using a raft of protective and hydrating products which will offset the drying environment.

Moisturizers - Moisturizers attract water to the skin's outer layers while providing a protective film over its surface to seal in natural moisture. Using a moisturizer immediately after cleansing and toning face in the morning, applying it while skin is still slightly damp to lock in the moisture. To apply: smooth a small amount of product over face and throat with fingertips in an upward and outward direction. Modern formulations are light and quickly absorbed so that there's no unattractive greasy film left on skin's surface. Face immediately feels dewier, looks healthier. Before you sleep, use a richer, creamier type of moisturizer, a night cream if skin is quite dry. If you bathe in the evening, apply cream before you pop into the tub so that the steam will aid in absorption, then tissue off excess.

Masks - Your face, because it's constantly exposed, suffers the most from water loss. In addition to moisturizing creams and lotions, masks also add moisture plus give your pores a cleansing workout. Make your own: Banana mask mash a ripe banana and spread over your face. Leave on for 5 minutes and rinse off with tepid water. Follow both masks with a film of moisturizer. For added lubrication, apply a fingertip of honey under the eyes and on the lips before you apply masks.

Body Smoothers - Skin suffers from head to toe in summer, so keep yourself comfortable and moisturized all over with generously applied body lotion. Turn your bath into a luxuriously hydrating beauty break. Soothe overheated spirits and soften rough, parched skin by sinking into a tub bubbled with scented bath gel or oil, or silkened with scented, cream enriched soap. Keep bath water warm, never hot which is too drying. For extra zing, add a bottleful of chilled club soda. Polish rough spots on elbows, knees and heels with a loofah or abrasive buff sponge while you soak. Blot skin lightly with a terry towel and apply body lotion or oil while skin is slightly damp, putting an extra amount on rougher areas. Stay within your fragrance family by selecting a smoother in the same scent as your cologne.

Makeup - In our dry and getting dryer world, those in the beauty business are becoming increasingly aware of the need to supplement the natural moisture content of the skin. Cosmetics companies are now including moisturizing ingredients in foundations, blushers, lipsticks, lip glosses, and eye shadows. Because they contain added emollients, these products are smoother and easier to apply. In addition, they provide a barrier between your skin and the elements and help to protect your complexion from the sun's burning rays. Best-dressed summer faces apply a translucent film of foundation over moisturizer, a soft shade of cream eye shadow, cream blusher and a simple, slick-on lip-gloss.

Water - Skin needs moisture from within as well as without. To function at peak efficiency, you must replace whatever water lost through perspiration as well as adding more. In warm weather, five glasses of water in addition to other liquids keep kidney working to flush out impurities, and helps keep skin from dehydrating.

Sunita Motwani-Makhija is an Internationally qualified Beautician and Hair Consultant and is the Director of the Schnell Hans Chain of Beauty Schools & Salons in Mumbai, that conducts Basic and Advanced courses and also the City & Guilds International Hairdressing Qualification. Sunita is the first Indian to have been conferred the prestigious Licentiateship in Hairdressing by City & Guilds, U.K. Her chain of salons offer excellent beauty treatments too. For any hair & beauty queries E-mail: schnellhans@rbcsgroup.com