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.

For wearing make-up over open pores...

My sister is getting married in August and I'm a bridesmaid for her and a bit worried about my skin. I'm 31 years old and have oily skin. I currently use Liz Earle's Cleanse and Polish, followed by the skin tonic and the skin repair light moisturiser. 

My problem is that during this hot humid weather my pores appear to be more visibly open. I'm dreading having a make-up trial as I'm worried that my make-up will be awful. Is there anything that I could incorporate into my daily routine that would help to reduce the appearance of my pores?

Alison: A simple solution would be to add Decleor Prolagene Gel to your routine and use it morning and night, all over the face, neck and eyes. Apply it after your Cleanse and Polish and before your Skin Repair Moisturiser. It will help to tighten and firm up the look of the pores, as well as acting to hydrate and reduce the appearance of any fine lines around the eye area.

Our brands offer lots of make-up trials, so if you like any of them they could be a good start for you. Whichever brand you choose, order a make-up primer from them, such as Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer or Laura Geller Spackle. This should help to create a smooth canvas for make-up application.

With make-up trials, it's important to go to a full time make-up artist. Some salons offer make-up lessons but unless they have a full time make-up artist there I wouldn't recommend it - they often aren't up-to-date in make-up techniques and trends.

Department stores often offer fantastic make-up trials and you can find some of our brands, such as Bobbi Brown and Prescriptives, there. It's worth trying out a couple of different ones as well to find the right one for you.

For large open pores...

I need help with large open pores between my breasts and down the centre of my back. Is there any way to reduce the appearance of very large open pores in this area? When the skin is pushed together, it looks crepey which I don't think should be happening as I'm in my early 30s. I had an allergic reaction to the Alpha H range so would prefer to stay clear.

Alison: You should definitely try using the ABC Skinwash in case the pores are caused by a skin infection - this is an anti-septic wash that can help to neutralise any bacteria in this area.

You can also get open pores in these areas if you naturally perspire more than others. So, I'd suggest making sure that you aren't using too strong an anti-perspirant underneath your arms. What can happen is that if the perspiration cannot get out under your arms, it may find somewhere else to come out - so spotty chests and backs are often a symptom of this.

Even though you have open pores, remember that a body moisturiser is still essential. The one I'd recommend that would help to reduce the look of these pores is SBC Collagen Gel. Apply this two-three times a day or just a thick mask-type layer once a day (that you can leave to sink in when you're brushing your teeth or getting ready etc) to help plump up the skin in this area. Plumping up this area will help to close the pores up as they tend to widen when the skin is dehydrated or infected.

On male skincare for oily skin…

I'm a 25 year old guy and have slightly oily skin. I've been using the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish but I'm finding the Skin Repair Light is just a little too heavy. I have slightly enlarged pores on my nose, the occasional breakout, and I find that whenever I put my moisturiser on, within a few hours I start to look a little shiny.

I tend to find that products that are too gentle don't clean my skin properly, and products that are too strong dry my skin so I was wondering what you would recommend?

Alison: If you're happy to continue using the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish then please do. A very easy solution for you to help with your enlarged pores and to use as a moisturiser would be the Decleor Prolagene Gel. It's a light gel, has firming anti-ageing properties and helps to tighten pores too. You shouldn't sweat this out or feel shiny a few hours later either.

I'd recommend using it morning and night and then at night put a moisturiser or night cream on top to help balance your skin out. This can be really light too, if you prefer - Liz Earle Skin Repair perhaps or the hydrating, water-based Decleor Hydrafloral Light.

In terms of exfoliants, use one a maximum of once a week to help to clean out any enlarged pores. I'd suggest Liz Earle, if you want to stay with this brand. I understand when you say that strong products are too drying - it's all about doing a little tweak to your routine to see a big result. This should then get your skin doing what you want it to, then you can stick to a more set routine in the future.

One product I'd love to recommend for you is the Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, however at the moment I'm not sure you'd want to use it as it's a bit more expensive and not as light in texture. It's thicker in texture but you wouldn't sweat it out as it's easily absorbed. I'd suggest considering it at some point as it would be great for your skin and it's been a big hit with men in particular as it doesn't leave a residue.

For pigmented skin with a lumpy texture...

I recently had my 61st birthday and have become very aware of my neck area. From my ears down to the base of the throat I have pigmented skin, reddish/brown in colour. The skin itself is lumpy and is covered in what looks like spots or blocked pores, but they are hard not conventional type spots. I also have this to a lesser degree on my cheek bones and the top of my nose has very open pores and a reddish look. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

Alison: Normally lumps like this can be described in one of two ways, the first of which is cosmetic and caused by fatty acids that get trapped under the surface of the skin. It's unusual on the neck area but quite common the cheeks and they tend to be caused by dehydration. So you should try a rehydrating skin routine and I recommend Decleor for this. Use the Decleor Cleanse & Tone Duo, the Decleor Aromessence Neroli Face Oil and the Decleor Hydra Floral Anti-Pollution Cream to begin with. They may not be the best solution long term for the neck area but if you use them on the face and the neck then you should begin to see results. Then on a weekly basis, I'd like you to use the Gatineau Firming Throat Gel which is great on the neck area and also for your age group.

That routine should work well if the lumps are cosmetic. Bear in mind that if your skin is not responding to this routine, the lumps could need to be checked out by a doctor.

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 foundation or primer to disguise enlarged pores and discolouration...

I have just had a baby causing my skin to be very oily with enlarged pores and discolouration on cheeks and chin. I am looking for a foundation or primer that will last throughout the day (a wedding to go to) but will also make my pores look smaller and mask the discolouration. Can you suggest a brand or item to use?

Alison: Apply Cosmetics A La Carte Matte Miracle after your skincare routine. Take it in your handbag so you can touch up throughout the day  - just dab it on over your make-up. It will help to take off some of the shine and absorb some of the oil that may come out over the next few hours. Then use a Smashbox primer as well as this. For the discolouration you should use Smashbox Green Room Hybrid 2 in 1 Luminizing Primer as it will help to counteract the dullness of any of the pigmentation. A coat of self-tan a few days before the wedding is a great easy option and then just apply Bare Escentuals make-up for a natural look. If you don't want to use self-tan but want complete coverage on just the pigmentation, then Covermark do a really good foundation - Covermark Face Magic Foundation. An alternative trick is to use a good liquid concealer, like Amazing Cosmetics Concealer, with a new technology powder make-up for the finish from Bare Escentuals or Smashbox - it gives the full coverage that doesn't look full.

For acne-scarred skin with enlarged pores on the nose...

I’m a smoker and suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. My skin is acne scarred with enlarged pores on and around my nose, and I’m also beginning to get fine lines. I don't know if it’s dehydrated, but my make-up tends to look flaky and cakey. I need a simple regime but I can't seem to find the balance between harsh exfoliators and cleansers versus heavy moisturisers.

Alison says: I guarantee your skin is dehydrated. The reason you’re confused is that you probably think you need heavier, oil-based products when in fact you need water-based ones. I recommend the Aromessence Neroli Face Oil underneath a facial cream. Use a cleanser too and you should see dramatic improvements. Try and cut down on the cigarettes and drink more water too as these are common skin concerns of smokers.