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 acne on the neck and back...

I am a 19-year-old male and have acne over my neck and back. I'm on my second course of tablets from the GP and they are helping but I want to find something else. Sometimes the acne is huge red lumps and sometimes it's white blackheads.

The lumps on my neck are particularly painful and this tends to get me down. Can you please recommend something to ease the swelling and inflammation?

Alison: Firstly you could go back to your doctor because they may be able to prescribe you alternative tablets. Plus, if you explain to your doctor that the lumps are very painful, then they might be able to help you out further.

Secondly, bear in mind that your diet could be having an effect on your skin condition - it doesn't always. So, you could try for a month to leave out very oily food, such as crisps and chocolate, and very acidic food, such as too much fresh fruit - pineapple is particularly acidic.

Thirdly, I can recommend you a skincare routine that, in conjunction with your doctor's advice, could help improve your condition. You've mentioned that acne is appearing on your neck as well as your back. This could also be associated with ingrown hairs caused by shaving.

I recommend Alpha-H Liquid Gold - wiped over the neck and back, three nights a week. Then use the Alpha-H Triple Action Cleanser with the Balancing Moisturiser, which also acts as an exfoliant. You could also use the Micro Cleanse in the shower twice times a week to lift up any ingrown hairs.

For dark under-eye circles and breakouts that lead to scarring...

I'm 29, will be turning 30 this year and I really want to sort out my skin. I have dry cheeks with an oily T-zone and on the hairline area, along with black and white heads on my nose. I'm Asian so the spots I get leave scars on my face and I have dark circles despite drinking so much water and sleeping well. Please advise on a skincare line for my face to bring freshness and to calm down my breakouts.

Alison: I would recommend the Elemis Tri-Enzyme range. So, each morning use the Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Facial Wash, followed by Decleor Aromessence Neroli Face Oil and Decleor Hydra Floral Moisturiser.

In the evening use the Decleor Balancing Cleanser, followed by the Tri Enzyme Wash and the Decleor Balancing Toner, then use Elemis Tri-Enzyme Resurfacing Serum, as it doesn't remove make-up, and finish with the Decleor Hydra Floral Moisturiser.

For the dark circles around your eyes, I'd recommend, morning and night, applying the Alpha-H Absolute Eye Complex, as this is really good on Asian skin tones.

For instant confidence, as it can make a dramatic difference when you conceal dark circles, I’d recommend Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer which comes in six shades - you'd be about Medium Dark or Medium Natural. Either use this or the Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Tint - on number four or five levels. It does depend if you want a lighter or full cover finish - if you like wearing make-up, I'd try the Bobbi Brown one, and if you don't then pick the Prescriptives concealer.

For blackheads on the nose...

I was wondering if you could tell me what I could do about blackheads on my nose. They don't seem to be filled with sebum or raised, they just seem to be black marks in the pores. However, I did try squeezing them a lot and wondered if I have pushed the dirt too far down.

Alison: Blackheads on the nose are trapped sebum, which is normally cream in colour. However, when they get trapped in the hair follicle they oxidise, thicken and become blacker. So, when you squeeze them they should come out on to the surface.

Squeezing them is fine as they can be a concern - although only do it once a week. Don't squeeze them if it's painful as you could be bursting them underneath and could cause a skin infection.

It's best done after a shower, hot bath or facial steam as this will open the pores and make it much easier. Plus, make sure you follow with something soothing on open pores, such as Decleor Prolagene Gel as a daily moisturiser.

If you don't want to squeeze them or find that it’s not actually working - it might not, especially if they are deep rooted - then wipe over this area once a day with Alpha-H Liquid Gold. The glycolic acid in this will act to dissolve the blackhead, cleaning out the pore with this liquid. Only apply this to the blackhead area though, as you won't necessarily need it on the whole of the face. Try this every night until the blackhead doesn't appear black any more. Then, continue with a moisturiser, either your own from home or the Decleor Prolagene Gel.

If the blackheads come back, which they will do if you're prone to them, then just repeat the process for a couple of weeks with the Liquid Gold followed by a moisturiser.

For dryness on the face with blackheads on the nose...

I'm 45 years old and had to have a full Hysterectomy last December. I'm now on HRT and have since developed very dry skin on my face. Could you recommend a cream I could use? Also I have deep blackheads all over my nose for years and would like to get rid of them, could you tell me what to use to sort my face out?

Alison: On a weekly basis, you need to use the Philosophy Microdelivery Peel set which contains the Microdelivery Peel with vitamin C crystals and the Microdelivery Peel Rapid Activation. These will be brilliant on both the blackheads and your dryness too.

Plus they will help with the absorption of products from our Clientele Estro-lift line - which would also be perfect for you. These are designed to counteract the side effects of the slowing down of hormones inside. Use as many of these Estrolift products as you like.

The most important products that I would recommend are the facial wash, day cream, the night cream and the serum, which you can use morning and night because I think your skin will need it. Buying them in a kit will probably work out cheaper for you too. I think with this routine, you will feel much happier.

On a cleanser for oily skin prone to breakouts and blackheads

Please can you recommend a good cleanser (I like to use water to wash off make-up etc). I'm 24, have very oily skin, open pores, blackheads, am prone to break outs etc, and really want to get into a good skin care routine. Can't bear moisturiser on my skin during the day as my make-up slides off. Should I be using a night cream to replace not wearing a moisturiser in the day? Thank you.

Alison: I'd recommend the Purity Made Simple Cleanser from Philosophy, which comes in the Philosophy Skincare Set. I think this brand would be perfect for you. This cleanser is really lightweight so you can wash it off, use it in the shower or use it to take off your make-up.

I'm not going to let you get away with not using a moisturiser though! It's so important to use one, I just don't think you've found a good oil-free one yet. I recommend Philosophy Hope In A Jar Moisturiser to use morning and night - it's really light so you shouldn't get greasy skin with it and it should go matte on your skin. It will help to stop the build up of blackheads and get rid of dead skin cells from the surface layer. Using both these products should help to make your skin feel refreshed.

Another product you might like is Cosmetics A La Carte Matte Miracle. You apply this before make-up to stop any shine from coming through.

For blackheads and open pores...

What do you suggest for blackheads and open pores? I'm 56yrs and can be prone to small spots. I've tried all sorts of masks and for a few hours skin looks clean and pores reduced but the next day I'm back to square one. I'd say I have combination skin, somedays it feels greasy but I get dryness around my nose.

Alison: I think you should try a classic Alpha-H system: use Alpha-H Liquid Gold three times a week. Wipe over the skin at nightime and don't use it during the day. You also need an SPF, either one you have at home or you can use the Alpha-H Daily Moisturiser with SPF30. With this, you can also use the Alpha-H Rejuvenating Cream at nightime, which is perfect for your age group, featuring great anti-ageing benefits.

The Liquid Gold is superb, especially when you feel you really shouldn't be suffering from open pores or blockages but they still keep coming. It will help to clean them out and when it starts to work, you should use it less. Try it three times a week, twice over the skin initially and then when the blackheads diminish, maybe use it once a week. If you use it too much, the oil glands will over-produce so it will give fantastic results to begin with and then the opposite will happen.

On a suitable moisturiser for dry skin with blackheads on the nose and chin...

I am continuously trying to find the right moisturiser for my skin. I am 17 and I have a dry/dehydrated flaky skin however I cannot use products with a high oil content because I have blackheads on my nose and chin. I use cleanse and polish which I am really happy with as it deals with both problems but I have struggled to find the right moisturiser; please could you recommend one (and any other product you think would help me)?

Alison: You could try the light version of the Liz Earle moisturisers which contain less oil - pick Liz Earle Skin Repair Duo and choose the Light option. Otherwise my first choice for you would be the Clientele Elastology Age Blocker, which contains an SPF 25. The lady that invented this was focussed on creating oil-free moisturisers so it doesn't leave any shine. From a long-term point of view, wearing an SPF on a daily basis is fantastic for all year round use. You don't need anti-aging products at the moment as such but this product will keep your skin comfortable, hydrated and protected. If, for whatever reason, you find that too heavy, the lightest moisturiser that we do is Philosophy Hope In A Jar Moisturiser. It's oil-free and you won't be able to feel or see it on the skin, plus it's also hydrating which will help with your dryness and flakiness. However, be aware that it won't offer you the SPF. The only way to balance your skin is to use one of these moisturisers all over the face, don't miss oily areas out because it will just cause those areas to produce more oil.

For breakouts of blackheads on dry, sensitive skin...

Im 27 and I suffer from breakouts of blackheads. I would say that my skin type is dry to sensitive. What products would you recommend?

Alison: I'm worried that you may have over-stripped or over-dried your skin with potent or dramatic action products. They give short term results but spotty skin will always come back if you're over harsh to it. Decleor products are perfect for you. There's the Decleor Oily/Combination Cleansing Collection, which is a face wash cleanser and toner, and then the Decleor Aromessence Ylang Ylang Face Oil. You could use this Ylang Ylang face oil with the Decleor Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Cream. This routine will give you hydration as well as help to control your breakouts. Don't use too many masks or exfoliants on your skin, just let it balance for a while. But if you want to use one, I recommend the Elemis Herbal Lavender Repair Mask once every ten days; it can be put directly onto spots overnight.

For deep hereditary lines around the eyes and combination skin with blackheads...

My husband who is 35 has very deep hereditary lines around his eyes, I have tried all sorts of products but he can be prone to blackheads in the same area as well. I think his skin type is classic combination, oily t-zone and dry cheeks.

Alison: I'd get him on the Elemis Men's Grooming Collection as it's a fantastically economical kit. Use the skin scrub before shaving to clear out the pores and the moisturiser to prevent them from filling up again - it also gives a matte finish. Hereditary deep lines are always going to be a weak point, but he will see a difference if he uses Genie Instant Line Smoother morning and night as an eye cream.