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.

On a suitable lipstick and eye products for younger-looking skin...

I have an olive skin tone and cannot seem to match a lipstick. Ideally I would like my lipstick to be young-looking without it looking too pink or too red, which I have a hard time finding. Which out of the Fran Wilson range would you recommend?

Also I suffer from insomnia and have tired-looking eyes with dark circles and fine lines. Which product would be the best?

Alison: Fran Wilson change their lipstick colours so often that it's hard to recommend a staple colour for you to try. I'm looking into them providing us with a range of basic colours that are easier for me to recommend.

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.

On improving the look of the eye area...

I'm 55, going through the menopause and I'm on medication for angina and diabetes. I seem to have a large area between my lower lashes and the lower contour bone, resulting in large bags and a "shelf" /indentation where the contour bone/top of cheek is. I don't know if this is due to my age, medication or bad luck! I use good quality products but haven't noticed a significant improvement. The lines under the eyes diminish and are plumped but I still have this indentation that makes me look so tired.

I also have a problem with concealers in that they "break up" especially in the corner of my eye. I have some phytopeel (as yet unused) and having watched decleor recently discovered that this can be used on eye area. I wondered if this would resolve the problem of the concealers breaking up? Please help.

Alison: This 'shelf' that you describe is common and particularly with the type of illnesses that you suffer from so, I have a few tips to help you improve the look if it. The Decleor Phytopeel should work and will help to lighten and brighten up the eye area. Plus, it should help with the application of any other products - meaning that they will break up less as your skin is more hydrated.

You can use this product right up to the lashes, both above and below the eye. Apply a thin layer and let it sink in until you can't see it. You can then just roll it off with your ring finger, stretching your eye area slightly, and it should take the dead skin with it. Keep rolling until nothing else comes off.

On an economical, all-over beauty routine for mature skin...

I am a 51-year-old woman and black. My skin type is oily and prone to breaking out in spots.  Please advise on good products (on a tight budget). Also, I am beginning to notice darkness round my eyes. Aside from face could you also advise on a good body product for sagginess and stretch marks (orange peel like)?

Alison: For an economical and effective skincare solution I'd recommend Alpha-H. You could use the Triple Action Cleanser and the Rejuvenating Cream both morning and evening on the face, eyes and neck. Alpha-H do these in big sizes - larger than a lot of brands do - which work out much cheaper.

Try also the Liquid Gold, wiping it over the face before bedtime three times a week. Don’t follow with anything else. This product will help to control your oily areas and break-outs. This is both very easy, effective and economical.

On the body area, you would do well to use one of the Philosophy Luxury Collections. It features a body wash with a peptide formula and is designed to be extra moisturising for your skin. It also includes a Philosophy body butter. You can choose this collection in either Amazing Grace or Pure Grace fragrances to give your skin a lovely scent. This body wash and butter are ideal for saggy skin and will last you a long time too as they're a great size 

For dark hereditary eye circles on Asian skin...

please could you help! im 24 asian skin tone. i have VERY VERY VERY dark hereditory eye circles. what concealor and eye creme would you suggest? im using bobby browns creamy concealor, it gives good coverage however it doesnt seem to stay put and settles into fine lines... please kindly any help would be appreciated.

Alison: One that would give a stronger coverage would be Amazing Cosmetics Concealer and I guess you'd be medium or tan. If you're between the two, you could try Amazing Cosmetics A Little Amazing Kit and choose Medium to Dark and then you can blend the two together. Underneath the concealer, use a primer to stop the concealer from cracking and getting dry or looking heavy later on in the day. Smashbox Green Room Hybrid 2 in 1 Luminizing Primer contains Smashbox Photo Finish that should give you the full coverage that you want and make application easier. A good eye cream for dark circles has got to be Elemis Absolute Eye Serum that comes in Elemis Absolute Eye Treatment. I have had a superb response for dark hereditary circles on Asian skin for this. Apply it daily. Also, make sure you keep drinking lots of water as it will help to keep this area refreshed. On top of the Elemis serum, you can use the Precriptives Vibrant C Collection applied regularly morning and night. If you feel your concealer is drying out throughout the day, you can keep this in your handbag and re-apply it over your concealer. Other good tips are to concentrate mascara and eye liner on your upper lashes to draw attention upwards away from your dark circles. You could even try a stylised shape on your upper lashes with the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner Set. Using a paler or pearlised eyeshadow from Bare Escentuals, Mally or Bobbi Brown will create a brightness above the eye to counteract the darkness below. These tricks won't look heavily made up either. The Laura Geller Wonder Wand would also be great on the inner v-shape of the eye.

For concealing dark eye circles and firming a drooping eye area...

I don’t wear make-up at all but I’d really like to start. I want to create a natural look and cover the dark circles under my eyes and my frown lines. My eyelids are really droopy, so I’d like something to help firm them too please...

Alison: Use a few drops of AD Skin Synergy Nourishing Night Treatment all over your face every night to help smooth and condition your skin – it should help with your drooping eye area too. Cosmetics-wise, try bareMinerals SPF15 Foundation, bareMinerals Clear Radiance All Over Face Colour and the soft bareMinerals Blendable Wine Eye Collection. Another great base is Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Tint.

For concealing dark circles under the eyes...

Please can you tell me the best product to get rid of and conceal dark circles under the eyes. People are always telling me how tired I look. I am 32 and have combination skin.

Alison: A great product for dark circles would be Elemis Absolute Eye Serum which can be applied morning and night under existing products. We also have an iconic dark circle treater from Sue Devitt, it's called Sue Devitt Bermuda Triangle Automatic Concealer because you put it on the dark triangle in your inner eye and it just disappears. It comes in three different shades. Supermodels and actresses fly Sue Devitt all around the world and this is one of her favourite products.

For dark circles on Asian skin...

I’m a 20 year-old Asian girl and have always had really bad dark circles under my eyes. I get enough sleep and drink lots of water but I need an eye cream to help fade them and concealer to hide them. Help!

Alison: The Elemis Absolute Eye Treatment is a really powerful treatment for Asian skin. Concealer-wise we can do two things: for something to completely hide them you need a darker tone of the full-pigment Amazing Cosmetics Concealer – it covers anything. However, if you want to feel like you've got no make-up on you should use extra-light Prescriptives Traceless Skin Responsive Tint.