On a moisturiser for young, acne-prone skin…

Q.

Hi Alison, my 14-year-old daughter suffers from acne and has been given some cream from the doctor to apply twice daily. The problem is that the cream is making her skin very dry. Can you please advice what will be the best moisturiser for her to use at the moment. She is using some Liz Earle that I gave her. Thanks very much,

Pam

A. I would recommend the light option. Although, she must follow the doctor's advice. It sounds like the doctor has given her a retinol-based cream and they thin the skin and clean out the pores, so she will go through a period of extreme skin sensitivity and skin peeling. The skin then renews itself without, hopefully, any of the acne there. This is normal, but if you are at all worried consult your doctor.

For comfort reasons, Liz Earle's Light Moisturiser will relieve the dryness. She must also avoid the sun when using the prescribed cream, because the sun can cause pigmentation when using retinol-based creams.

For problem skin, scarring and fine lines...

Q: I'm 39 years old with combination skin. I still suffer from acne all over my chin and on my forehead. They usually hurt, are big and there's also scarring.

Due to my age, I also see sagging and lines around my eyes. Could you please recommend a course of action so that I look better on my 40th birthday?

Alison: Our Alpha-H range addresses a lot of the issues that you are suffering with, as well as helping to tackle signs of ageing.

What you may be finding difficult is that spot-care ranges are too drying and make your wrinkles look worse, and 'anti-ageing' ranges make your skin look too puffy or oily. However, Alpha-H looks at both these issues together.

View our Alpha-H range.

For oily, dry and blemished skin...

Q: I'm Asian, age 26. Since the age of 15 I have had acne problems. When I came to this country 11 years ago I tried everything but nothing worked permanently. My skin has gone back to being oily, dry and blemished. Although my skin is not dark, it's not clear.

I don't have big spots which I used to when I was 18 but now I have acne on my chin, forehead and especially on my jaw line. They are very painful. Please can you recommend any good product which really works?

Alison: Firstly, this may be something worth mentioning to your doctor in case they can give you some medical advice to help.

You've mentioned using skincare designed to target spots that give great results at first and then later on these seem to worsen. This may be because you've stopped using these products or aren't using them as much, perhaps. Plus, they can dry the skin out or be too harsh after a while. So instead you need to make sure you're using some hydrating formulas to help prevent your skin from drying out.

If you haven't got a routine at home, try Alpha-H Liquid Harmony and the Alpha-H Liquid Gold. Liquid Gold will help to clean out the pores and the blackheads - you only need to use it three nights a week and then you can lessen off to once a week once you start seeing results.

The Liquid Harmony can be used on a daily basis when you feel the spots are coming back - so you can stop using Liquid Gold and switch to this instead. I'd also suggest using the Alpha-H Balancing Moisturiser under a cleanser from the Alpha-H range.

For sensitive skin and breakouts...

Q: I'm 40 and have always suffered from dry skin. I've only ever had breakouts once a month but lately my chin looks like an active pin cushion. I'm also getting spots on my forehead (hairline) and a few around my nose. One side of my chin looks like it has a chemical burn and I'm worried about scarring. Please could you recommend something for this area and help to clear my face up.

Alison: If it’s flared up that badly, I am a little concerned about the possibility of rosacea and so I would see your doctor for some advice.

From a beauty point of view, there are two options. The first is to use calming products for sensitive skin. So, you could try Elemis Sensitive Cleansing Wash with the Elemis SOS Cream (which comes in a handy duo collection) to help balance and calm the skin down.

The second option is if the oil glands have been over stimulated and so have flared up, then I would try the Alpha-H Clean and Clear Collection, which contains the Triple Action Cleanser, Balancing Cleanser, Micro Cleanse Exfoliant and the Clearing Gel.

These two sets are opposites of each other so you need to try to work out which would be best. With our 30-day money-back guarantee, it is possible to try one and see how it goes. If it's a sensitivity issue, go for the first option, and if it's not not sensitive and is oil gland stimulation, then go for the second option.

For spots, whiteheads and sensitive skin...

Q: My 12 year old son has been getting spots and white heads on his face, particularly his nose, for a few months now. I've read your advice to others and decided to try him on the Australian skinwash twice a day.

After 3 days his skin was completely clear and looking great. However, after a week he started to get very dry, sore red patches on his cheeks so stopped using it. Is it worth trying him on my cleanse and polish or should I steer clear?

Alison: He seems to be suffering from the result of washing his face twice a day with an anti-bacterial formula without following with a moisturiser. So if he still wants to continue with the ABC, he just needs to follow with a moisturiser and hopefully he should continue to get great results.

He could try a gel moisturiser, such as SBC Collagen Gel, or the liquid gel texture of Alpha-H Balancing Moisturiser.

If he wants to swap his cleanser, he could try the Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser followed by the Balancing Moisturiser. He could also slot in Cleanse & Polish if he wants to, maybe in the evening if he has time, and he could still use the ABC Skinwash in the morning. The bottom line is that he definitely needs to follow with some kind of skin-softening agent, whether he borrows something you already use or experiments with something else.

For oily skin prone to redness and breakouts...

Q: I'm in my thirties with oily skin prone to breakouts. I work outdoors year round so my skin is exposed to the elements though I'm careful to wear high SPF to protect it from sun damage. I also suffer from reactive redness particularly after meals or changes in temperature.

In combination with all this I find my skin feeling lumpy and pimply (particularly round the hairline and jaw line) as though congested despite exfoliating every other day. Could this be dehydration or a reaction to a product?

Alison: This could be over exfoliation for a start because in your thirties, if you're exfoliating every other day - it’s quite a lot. This would be maybe more suitable for women in their 40s with dry skin and wrinkles.

So, if you want to make sure your skin is clear, bright and exfoliated without a physical exfoliant, try using the Elemis Tri-Enzyme range. I think this would suit you because of the outdoor element. I'd also suggest using the Elemis SOS Cream on your skin to help with the spots, bumps and redness.

If this redness continues then you should use the Elemis Daily Redness Relief underneath or on top of your SPF factor. If you are serious about using an SPF factor then you should be using Ultrasun Face Cream. Apply once a day and use every day. After ten minutes, apply the Anti Redness or SOS Cream over the top.

For teenage spots on the forehead and chin...

Q: My son is getting spots on his forehead and chin especially. Neil is 14 and is extremely embarrassed about this. We have tried various products from the chemist but nothing seems to work. He has also been using Tea Tree oil, which doesn't seem to work either. Can you help?

Alison: Obviously he is that very vulnerable age where the spots aren't necessarily caused by a bad skincare routine but by hormones flaring up and causing his oil glands to be overactive.

You say you've used tea tree oil, but have you used the ABC Skinwash, which contains tea tree oil? If you haven't, then this is maybe the most masculine product to use with the easiest application technique - such as using it in the shower. It also comes in big economical sizes.

If you have tried this already, then my next step would be for him to use the Liz Earle Men's Cleanse & Polish system with the cloth for removal, that will also help to knock off the tops of any spots or blackheads. I know Liz's son actually uses this to help with his skin. Plus, if he does need to start shaving, he can use this kit for that too.

If he's very trendy, into fashion and men's grooming mags, feel free to show him a little bit of spot concealer, maybe the one that you use so you don't have to get him a separate one. This could be really great for his confidence. Also, an invisible make-up is self-tan. So you could always try mixing a little bit of this in with a moisturiser one night for him to just tone down the look of the redness and disguise them more. Let me tell you that footballers do wear self-tan - I know, I'm married to one!

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.

For breakouts and dryness on the face...

Q: I'm a 38-year-old who experiences pimples, blackheads and breakouts on my chin and forehead. I've tried all products and the latest is Philosophy which works only for a few months but after that I have oily skin and breakouts again. Please advise me on what to use. I have a combination of oily and sensitive skin.

Alison: When I suffer from this problem I follow a balancing routine. This is as follows: Decleor Cleanser & Toner, Decleor Aromessence Neroli Oil and the Decleor Hydra Floral Moisturiser.

To this, I also add a few other products to help target the breakout areas. So, I'd add Philosophy On a Clear Day Serum underneath the Aromessence and Moisturiser. This should help to fight the spotty areas whilst keeping the skin hydrated.

For breakouts and enlarged pores on the face...

Q: I work outside in the elements all year round. I'm 38, have enlarged pores on my nose and I get breakouts on my chin, forehead, including hairline, and sometimes on my cheeks.

The majority of the time I'm left with scarring/pigmentation, which is making me very self-conscious. Please help as this is really getting me down.

Alison: I have helped someone recently who suffered from the same skin complaints as you, and found Prai to be the answer. She also told me to recommend it to anyone with the same dilemmas as her, because she found it instantly improved the look of her skin - it was a real wow result!

So, I think you will get a quick and flattering result with this range, making it look and feel younger. Try this Prai four-piece collection and let me know how you get on.