On excess skin on the neck area...

Q.

Hi Alison, Last year I lost nine stone in weight which has left me with lots of loose skin. My main concern is my neck. I use Gatineau Throat Gel which is great but it still can't cope with the amount of loose skin I have. I don't want to go down the surgery route but it is really getting me down - you can't hide your neck can you? Is there anything else you recommend? (I also have a dog called Zack- he's a mad pointer cross) Thanks,

Kim Smith, Swindon.

A. Well done for losing nine stone Kim, I hope you feel fabulous and I'm sure you look fabulous. But, yes it can be a confidence thing, but bear in mind that we all have problem areas. You may be fixating on this area, but other people won't be.

What you can use on the neck is a combination of serum and cream. If you're on the Gatineau regime, you'll need to use the Firming Throat Gel with the DefiLift Throat and Decollete Cream on top, twice a day. You'll also need to exfoliate the neck area three times week.

For an instant improvement on the neck area, you can put on a layer of Genie Instant Line Smoother - ideal for special occasions. This will instantly tighten up the neck area - it doesn’t have any long-term effects but is great for making you look as good as you can when you're going out.

Even wearing some gorgeous jewellery will detract from the neck area - people will admire your fab necklace, not look at your neck.

On a complete beauty routine for mature skin...

Q: 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.

For drooping eyelids...

Q: I'm 64 years old and have a good beauty regime with all my lovely products from QVC. I've recently decided to go for contact lenses after years of wearing glasses. Wow - what a shock to see the dreaded overhang on my eyes. I can't see much eyelid to apply eye shadow. Can you recommend the best product to use to help with this problem? Plastic surgery is definitely out so I'm hoping you can suggest something helpful.

Alison: From a skincare point of view, I'd recommend Gale Hayman Eye Lift Gel on the lids and all around the eye, twice a day. This should give your skin an instant tightening effect. This is more of a long-term product for your beauty routine.

However, from an instant, quick fix, make-up point of view, you should use Genie Instant Line Smoother. It will help to tighten up the upper eyelid, so much so that the fold will lessen. Apply it on one eye first so that you can see the difference - this is what I like to call the 'One Eye Challenge!'

It's enriched with lovely skin-friendly ingredients too, such as collagen, vitamins and cucumber. You should apply it every single day to the upper eyelid before applying anything else. Simply pat it in, and leave it slightly damp to set. As it sinks in, it should help to tighten up the look of the skin.

For large open pores...

Q: 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.

Pampering treats for a neglected skincare routine...

Q: My Mum is 80 years old and has recently been very suddenly widowed. The shock has taken its toll on her face and she has also understandably neglected her skincare regime. Her skin looks sallow, droopy and heavily lined. Would any products help her? I would love to treat her.

Alison: I'm so sorry to hear about your Mum and hopefully I can help her with her skin dilemmas. It's important not to overload her skin with complicated products after she's suffered from shock. Skincare that's a treat, enjoyable and easy to use is what she needs.

For oily, sagging skin and on using mineral make-up...

Q: I'm 51-years-old and menopausal (sweats!) with a very oily T-zone and cheeks. I love Elemis products but would like to know which ones would give me a proper routine. I also have sagging skin with deep ridges at either side of my mouth (not attractive!).

My other problem is with what make-up to wear - I love the idea of mineral make-up but whenever I try it, it seems to cake and accentuate my wrinkles. I HATE the smell of lavender which seems to rule out so many products.

Alison: When mineral make-up cakes and accentuates the pores, it's usually a sign that your skincare routine isn't right. When you use a really good mineral make-up - and we only stock the really good ones - then this shouldn't happen. Our easiest ones to use are from Laura Geller.

It's also crucial that you wear a primer underneath your make-up, especially at your age, to create a smoothing effect. Laura Geller Spackle Under Make Up Primer is great at calming down the look of redness with its slight lilac tone. Plus, it contains aloe vera and creates a lovely calming feeling on irritated skin.

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

Q: 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 

On suitable skincare for slackening, lined skin...

Q: My mum is 65 this year. She has great skin and looks much younger for her age but recently she has noticed her skin is slackening and she has lines on her cheeks. She has always moisturised morning and night although only with lightweight beauty fluid. I would like treat her to some skin care that will improve her skin, what should she use?

Alison: Often when you treat someone to a beauty regime, if it’s too complicated then they won’t use it. So I recommend Gatineau DefiLIFT 3D Resculpting Lift Cream - it's a fantastic and luxurious moisturiser that your mum can apply day and night and that is specifically designed to firm the skin. However if you think she'd be prepared to do a complete firming regime, then get one of our Clientele kits with Estrolift in it, such as the Clientele Estro-Lift Starter Kit, the Clientele Estro-Lift Day & Night Treatment or the Clientele 6 Piece Estro-Lift Complete Beauty Collection. One of these would make a great routine if she's prepared to take it on and is great value in a kit form too. Sometimes it's difficult to get people away from their much-loved cleanser though, for example, that they've been using for years! So the moisturiser alone can still give her fantastic results.