On when to apply a face mask...

My skin has definitely improved since splashing out on various Elemis, Decleor and Gatineau products... but I am hoping that you can give me some advice regarding what is probably a very daft question. If I use a mask, should I be applying a toner BEFORE or AFTER???

Alison: This is a really good question and one I've never actually had in my 15 years here! You definitely get the star award for best question that a lot of people may think has an obvious answer, but in actual fact most people do this wrong.

A mask must be applied to thoroughly clean skin. So it should be at least cleansed and toned, if not cleansed, toned, exfoliated and toned again as well! If it's a leave-on mask, such as Decleor Hydra Floral or Gatineau Melatogenine that you can leave on through the night, then you can actually go to bed in it.

If you don't want to do this and you'd prefer to continue with your night-time treatments after about 15 minutes of the mask sinking in, then you should wipe off the excess with toner. If there is a lot of mask to remove, such as with a clay mask, you should then take it off with either warm, wet cotton wool or a warm, damp cloth. Then follow with toner and your night time treatments.

On which water-based products to use...

I've just been put on oxygen therapy and the doctor has said I'm free to use whatever creams/cosmetics I want as long as they are water based rather than petroleum based. I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction.

I have dry skin and very dark circles, so any advice as to a moisturiser which is water based and something to cover the dark circles would be very helpful.

Alison: If you can't use petroleum-based products then that includes all mineral oil derivatives as well. The ranges we have that are petroleum oil-free and water-based are Elemis, A'kin, Liz Earle and AD Skin Synergy.

If it's a moisturiser that you're looking for, then try a light formula from A'kin. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream fits into this too and can be used on the eye area as well.

To cover the dark circles, you could try Bare Escentuals Concealer as this is just a pure, 100% natural pigment.

For bumps on the forehead and an oily T-zone...

I'm a 25 year-old guy and have an oily T-zone but normal everywhere else. I also have bumps on my forehead. At the moment I'm using Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish - this was working to start with but now I'm not seeing any results. What skincare range would be best for me to start to use?

Alison: Try Elemis Tri-Enzyme skincare range - this sounds perfect for you. This system is specifically for those bumps that develop from a poor conditioned skin. So they should help to buff away the dead skin cells, while leaving you with a smoother finish.

Don't worry if you feel a mild tingle when you first use these products as that is the enzymes working. You'll find it reassuring as it's just a sign that it's actually working. The cool tingle should disappear after a while. I'm a huge fan of the products as they leave my skin looking nice and smooth. I even use the Facial Wash every single day.

On a complete skincare routine for mature skin...

I'm 56 and have basically never used anything other than soap and water to clean my face. I do use a night cream but that's all. I have combination skin and just a couple of very fine lines around my eyes.  I'm confused as to what would be the best beauty routine for me though.

I don't wear any make up other than mascara and lipstick but do wear a 50+ sun block when I go on holiday as I have a couple of blotches which were due to a lot of sun bathing when I was a teenager. Can you help with a good beauty routine for me please?

Alison: Obviously you've been conscious of SPF factors in recent years which is fantastic. On a daily basis and through the winter you could use Ultrasun SPF 30 Day Cream. This should help to prevent future damage and is great especially for more mature skin. UltraSun also have an SPF50 if you want a higher SPF - and all their range offers all-day protection.

There are an awful lot of ranges to choose from, but when you haven't used anything before it's best not to jump into anything too complicated. Start off with Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish, Superskin Moisturiser and Superskin Concentrate.

This would be best to start you off on, particularly because of your age group. Start off on this simple routine and if you want to go on further and get more results on lines or your eyes, then I can suggest other products and ranges for you. See how you get on, and how you enjoy the Liz Earle products too.

On replacing exfoliating gloves...

Could you tell me if exfoliation gloves ever need replacing? I have some I purchased from Liz Earle and find them very good.

Alison: Yes, they will need replacing at some point. You'll just find that the fabric loops, which have the exfoliating properties, will snap at some point.

Basically, if you feel that they are still exfoliating and working really well, then you can carry on using them. Just wash them every now and then (maybe a little scrub a couple of times a month) in something like ABC Skinwash or an antiseptic that you already have at home, like mild Savlon, just to make sure that no bacteria is building up on them over time. Rinse them thoroughly afterwards.

For skin drying out from swimming...

I'm a woman of 45 and I go swimming 2/3 times a week. I find that it's really drying out my skin, especially around the eyes, cheeks and mouth area, which in turn is causing more fine wrinkles to form. I've very sensitive and fine skin, but it has always looked youthful until I took up swimming. I presently use the Gatineau Melatogenine range, but this does not seem to be enough.
 
Is there an intense treatment you can recommend to rehydrate my skin initially and keep it rehydrated and protected in the future, especially when I'm swimming?

Alison: Your skincare routine sounds excellent to me! So keep this routine at home and take a few products to the swimming pool with you, such as the Decleor Angelique Balm or Angelique Oil. Put either of these on before you actually get into the pool and see which works best.

These won't be removed in the pool like an emulsion would, which is why the moisturisers that you're currently using aren't protecting your skin before you go into the swimming pool. So, the Oil or Balm will work well as a pre-swim treatment.

When you get out of the pool, you can also add a couple of drops on the skin underneath your favourite Gatineau products, if you want to. For the perfect combination, put a little bit of the oil on first and then a little bit of the balm on top. Plus, you will need to apply more than you would at home because you want it to act like a barrier.

Don't worry, it shouldn't be that visible!

For breakouts and dryness on the face...

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...

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.

On a perfume that's suitable for skin allergies...

I'm trying to find a perfume for my mum who's extremely allergic to many things, including tree sap, pectin, perfume, gum, wax and many more. She's able to wear natural essential oils but finds the carrier oils often cause a reaction.

Can you suggest anything I can get for her to try as she would love to be able to wear perfume again? She has found skincare that works for her but never a scent.

Alison: You're right to be concerned about fragrance, because both natural and chemical extracts go into the making of a perfume. What's difficult too is that the ingredients listing on perfumes often won't show up every single ingredient and it will just list them all as 'perfume'.

Your Mum is correct in using essential oils as an alternative. I would, however, suggest she trys Philosophy Grace Fragrance which isn't a plant-based formula so it may work better for her. Many people have actually found that they can wear fragrance again because synthetic alternatives don't contain any of the plant-based oils.

Wearing a pure oil directly on the skin without a carrier oil is difficult. If she's got any pure oils at home that she knows don't cause her any irritation, she could try blending a few together herself into a water spritzer container which would then dilute them. Then she can use it as a body spray when she comes out of the shower or bath.

It may take a little practise to get the right fragrance so she could just try a few drops of a couple of oils at first to see which she likes, leave them for a little while to make sure they're blended and then keep a note of which ones she likes and the quantities of each. Keep the quantity of oil the same when you dilute it. Each time you then use the spritzer, remember to shake it up a little as the oils will have separated from the water.

On a complete beauty routine for mature skin...

I'm 58 and my face has the lot! Lines and wrinkles, sagging, dull skin, dark circles, and crepiness - sound beautiful? NOT! I'm going back to the cold cream days now, that's when I was a teenager! Since then I've not had any spare cash to indulge myself, as the children's needs had to come first. I'm a complete novice and would appreciate any advice.
 
I lost my mother in 2000 and lost all interest in myself totally, thankfully this year I've finally come through the darkness and would love to look better, but I do need a step by step routine. I have dry skin with a greasy T-zone.

Alison: This is a common problem - where people have tried skincare when they were younger and it didn't work. And where there wasn't much choice, other than cold cream which would have brought you out in spots as it's really heavy and wouldn't have been suitable for you at that age.

I understand that you have put your family first and then suddenly when you look in the mirror, you feel like you should be looking a lot younger. This is often found by women in their 50s and 60s, where the reflections in the mirror seem to be of an older version of you.

I want to give you a very simple routine that's quick, easy and enjoyable. All you need to do is get yourself into the routine of following it every single morning and every single night.