For covering and helping to clear up breakouts...

Q: I'm 25 with PCOS, so as you can imagine my skin never looks healthy and glowing. I always have breakouts on my chin (and can’t remember the last time I didn’t have to use concealer.) I've now started getting breakouts occasionally on my forehead and cheeks. Please can you advise the best beauty regime for me. 

Also because I'm 25, should I be thinking of anti ageing products? If possible could you also recommend the best concealer to cover blemishes?

Alison: The best concealer to cover blemishes would be the Amazing Cosmetics Concealer. Apply over a primer, such as Smashbox Photo Finish, if you need it to go on smoothly. Also, the best way to cover spots is to layer. So, you should finish with a powder make-up that you then use all over the face, such as from Laura Geller or Bare Escentuals. This will help it to look more natural without showing the concealer underneath.

The good news is that you have been diagnosed. As you progress through treatment the skin will calm down. In the meantime make sure that you avoid exfoliating - you don't want to make your skin any more active than it already is.

Your skin is being driven to be overactive by a hormonal imbalance. So, don't do a lot of masks or a lot of steaming. If you do want to exfoliate or use a mask, I'd limit it to once a month, or twice maximum. Don't use dermabrasion, go for a gentle exfoliant instead.

On a daily basis, use Australian Body Care Skinwash in the shower as an antibacterial wash. You can still use a cleanser and toner or an all-in-one formula. Use On a Clear Day from Philosophy on more stubborn areas. Origins, newly returned to QVC, have a fantastic spot cream that should be coming back too.

Remember that on the chin area, much as you really don't want to, you should apply moisturiser every single morning and every single night. This should help it to balance out as the more you starve it of moisture or stimulate it, the more it won't balance. So anything light and hydrating would be great.

If you're worried about anti-ageing, use the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream day and night all over the face and neck.

Comments

[shamsa]

Hi my name is shamsa and i am asian age 26. Since age of 15 i had acne problems. when i came to this country 11 years ago i tried everything as other girls on the website said that they would work for couple of weeks( i wonder why) and then go back to the same skin problem. I actually tried everything from every advert i saw tried the product but nothing works permenantly. I also tried Dr Murad Clear skin product it worked for 2 weeks and then my skin gone back to oily, dried, uneven, and blemish. Although my skin is not dark my skin is fair but not clear.I don't have big spots which i used to when i was 18 but now i have acne on chin forhead especially alot on jaw line left and right and they are very painful because of their position(on the jawline bone) please can you recommend any good product which really work please be honest with me i am not very rich person to afford expensive product i am working as a dental nurse. I would really really be gratefull.

Thank You

[lucy]

I am also 25 with pcos and i use liz earle cleanse and polish and skin tonic am and pm, in the mornings i also use elemis try-enzyme facial wash and moisturize am and pm with gatineau activ eclat. I also use the activ eclat enzyme exfoliator once a week and this has started to clear my skin up. I'm just stuck on the breakouts on my back and chest now.