For dry, sensitive hands with nails breaking constantly...

I'm 36 and over the last 12 months my hands are getting very dry and sensitive, especially the fingers. The nails keep breaking and I have hard dry skin around the nail which becomes very sore and hurts. Is there anything that you could recommend?

Alison: Firstly it would be good to try to find out what is causing this. You haven't mentioned what your job is or if your hands are in and out of a lot of chemicals or irritants.

So, I'd recommend you use something really gentle, such as an A'kin Handwash as they don't contain ingredients that a lot of people can be allergic to. Then when your skin becomes irritated as you've described use L'Occitane 100% Shea Butter as this only contains one ingredient. That way we're lowering the amount of potential allergens that are on the skin.

Do bare in mind, however, that this skin irritation could have been triggered off by something. If you are really concerned about it then you must consult your doctor and he may be able to prescribe something for you that you can use alongside your beauty routine.

For contact dermatitis...

I wondered if you could help. My mum's in her early forties and frequently uses L'Occitane and Liz Earle hand creams but has recently been diagnosed with contact dermatitis. The doctor has given her a steroid cream to use but she'd rather not use it. Do you know of a more natural alternative?

Alison: Obviously you must follow your doctor's advice and a steroid cream is essential. I've used them before to help with eczema flare ups, which sometimes can't be controlled due to something we've touched or even from stress. However, even your doctor will agree that you don't stay on them permanently - you just take a concentrated dose for a few days.

In between using the steroid cream, it's crucial to use non-sodium laureth sulphate hand washes - so one that's non detergent-based like Liz Earle Hand Wash or A'Kin Hand Wash. If your skin is looking a little angry, then the A'Kin Eucalyptus & Tea Tree Hand Wash in this duo acts as an anti-septic too.

Keep using your Liz Earle Hand Cream, which is non mineral oil based. On any dry areas you can use the Liz Earle Super Balm and the Liz Earle Superskin Concentrate. So, on a daily basis in between steroid cream applications, use hand products that are non mineral oil based. Other options for you include Elemis, Liz Earle and A'Kin and you can switch between these ranges as you wish.

L'Occitane Pure Shea Butter would be pure gold for you too, especially when you're having flare ups. It contains no parabens, preservatives or mineral oils and you can use it as a balm, which you may find more comforting.

On an intensive hand cream for very dry hands...

I had a baby 15 weeks ago and my hands have become very dry with all the washing/cleaning with hand gel I'm doing after every nappy change. Can you advise me on a really intensive hand cream to use?

Alison: You may be washing your hands with something that is antiseptic but very drying. If this is the case then I would try the A'kin Tea Tree Hand Wash and their Unscented Intensive Hand Cream. This is a very gentle solution if you feel that you are washing your hands an awful lot.

If you feel that it's just dryness and you're happy with what you're washing your hands with then use one of the L'Occitane Hand Creams. A great tip is to put thick layers of this cream on before you go to bed at night - perfect to put on for the one hour when the baby does go to sleep during the night! Let it sink in almost like a hand mask for extra pampering - you can just lie there and wait until you fall asleep without even rubbing it in. I'm sure it will have sunk in by the time the baby wakes again.

For age spots on the hands...

Is there anything you can suggest to help age spots on my hands? The rest of me looks quite youthful, but my hands look old. I'm 53, thank you.

Alison: Firstly, wipe Alpha-H Liquid Gold on the back of the hands every single night. Follow with the Clientele Estro-lift Hand Therapy contained in the Clientele Estro-Lift Complete Beauty Collection and apply that two or three nights a week. This product is great used as a mask under skincare gloves and you should use it as well as your hand moisturiser.

In the daytime, put UltraSun SPF28 on the back of the hands before putting on anything else, for all-day SPF protection. You should leave this for five or 10 minutes to set into the skin and after that you can continue applying your hand creams and moisturisers throughout the day. Try to keep the UltraSun on the back of your hands- so when you wash them, try to just wash your palms with soap leaving the backs with the SPF on them. Having SPF protection on your hands will help to stop your age spots from darkening in the sun. Also don't forget if you're out and about during the day and want to disguise your age spots, try a coat of self-tan.

For dry patches on the palms of the hands...

I have very dry patches on the palms of my hands and wondered if you could suggest a good hand cream for me.

Alison: Dry patches on the palms of your hands can often be like a contact sensitivity. So make sure they aren't itchy, red or weeping. If they are, you may need something from your doctor to help calm it down. Be aware if there's anything stinging or causing it to flake more - such as shampoo, hand cream, washing-up liquid etc. To get rid of the dead skin cells, you should use either Crabtree & Evelyn La Source Hand Care Kit or the Nails Inc Ultimate Hand Micro Dermabrasion Duo. Because of the sensitivity, I would like you to use L'Occitane Shea Butter Body Cream and rub it in like a balm. This is pure shea butter which will help the sensitivity - you don't want essential oils on it yet. Once it feels softer and smoother, then on a long term basis use the L'Occitane Handcream Duo all over your hands.

For dry, sun-damaged hands...

 I do a lot of gardening and my hands get very dry and sun-damaged during the summer, what products can I use to protect them?

Alison: Keep hand wash throughout the house, so you always use them when you wash your hands. You also need to use a hand cream with a sun protection factor (SPF). Keep it near your wellies so you don’t forget to put it on.

For keeping skin fresh on long-haul flights...

I’m going to the USA and my skin always dries out on long-haul flights. How can I keep my face fresh on this journey?

Alison: First, go on board with minimal make-up because you don’t want to keep taking make-up off when you sleep. In a little kit bag you need the Gale Hayman Lip Lift Duo with Collagen & Vitamin E to stop lips drying out and the Prescriptives Super Flight Cream. You can use this every hour if need be - either as a moisturiser or applied thickly as a mask. Oh, and you mustn’t forget hands! You’ll want L'Occitane Lavender Hand Cream because it’s fresh and relaxing.