On soothing a dry, red and sore neck…

Q: I'm on medication and have experienced some side affects. I was standing in the sunshine and now my neck has gone dry, red and sore. I put on skin cream with collagen and vitamin A but to no avail. Please help, Helli.

A: If you've experienced side effects from medication, then your first point of contact is your doctor. Secondly, sunscreen is not enough, you actually have to physically cover the area with a cotton cloth because you don't want any sun on it whatsoever.

If it's on the neck area I would suggest wearing a shirt or scarf, and if you are sunbathing (if the medication allows you to sunbathe) I'd recommend a wide brim hat and Ultrasun SPF 50, which is medically accepted and what doctors would recommend. 

The most important think now is to get the skin calm by keeping it covered and maybe try cooling gels like SBC's Aftersun Aloe Vera Gel or the Ultrasun Aftersun Gel.

Why I love Elemis...

Elemis is simply a really enjoyable range to use. I get a lot of clients that have become despondent with skincare, or find certain brands are too heavy or oily, and I get them using Elemis.

Their products are really fresh and lightweight in texture and when I talk about the plant extract ingredients, you can actually smell them!

The Lime Blossom Cleanser and Lavender Toner for combination skins, which works particularly well on my skin, actually balances the skin while you're cleaning it. And that's what is so clever - when cleansing and toning your skin it gets to work straight away!

On a new beauty routine post pregnancy...

Q: I have recently had a baby and since the birth I have noticed a difference in my skin. I previously had oily skin, which has now turned dry in places and can be very sensitive (sometimes itchy with red patches).

I'm currently using Decleor products for oily/combination skin, which isn't working as effectively as it used to. I would be extremely grateful if you could suggest products from the Decleor range that would be more suitable for my present skin type.

Alison: I can quite understand what has happened and this is very normal after pregnancy. What you must bear in mind, is that after having a baby it takes a little while for your skin to re-adjust.

If you care for your skin for how it appears to be now, then you are probably using products that are too harsh. So instead you should treat it as a sensitive skin type and allow it to balance back out, which it should do in time.

In terms of your Aromessence, you should either be on the Rose D'Orient for sensitive skin if your skin is feeling really irritated, or the Neroli if it's more unbalanced. Then for a moisturiser I would recommend the Decleor Hydra Floral and I would also suggest the Soothing Emulsion for a speedy routine, or the Hydrating Cleanser & Toner if you have more time.

Keep to this simple routine and your skin should feel much more comfortable within about a week's time.

On using the Elemis Tri Enzyme System...

Q: I purchased the Elemis TSV and have slotted it into my morning regime, which uses high-end salon products as I'm a therapist myself. Unfortunately after the first use of the Try Enzyme Masque, my face stung. I have sensitive skin, but have never experienced anything like this!

I'm not using the facial wash or serum to allow my skin to calm down!  Can you please tell me if this is normal for this range of products? Oh and I am 41yrs old.

Alison: It is normal to experience a little bit of a tingling with this Elemis Tri-Enzyme System because it's designed to deeply exfoliate using enzymes and to help re-balance your skin's pH levels. However, it shouldn't be causing such a reaction as you have described.

As a salon therapist, it might be that the combination of the Tri-Enzyme with any salon treatments that you are using are causing this effect, such as any chemical peels, dermabrasion or deep exfoliation. If you are doing any of these then you don't need to use Tri-Enzyme as these products are to slot into your routine if your skin is in a poorer condition than you would like.

They are much more suitable for skin that has a rougher texture, and yours may be much fresher and may just not need it! You can just use the Tri-Enzyme Wash but you may not need the Mask.

On our Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish formula...

Q: I've just turned 49 and have used Liz Earle's Cleanse & Polish for 10+ years. I've recently noticed my skin feels red and very sensitive after using it. I've just found out the formula has changed, now I'm scared to use it. 

My fine lines around my eyes are greater and my eyes are more puffy. I've ordered the Decleor Cleansing Wash - as it removes eye make-up too and looks good for sensitive skin. Do you think I've ordered the right thing? Daren't use Liz Earle again.

Alison: Don't be scared to use Liz Earle again. The formula has changed, they've just removed the almond milk, but we haven't had any concerns or worries about it.

It might be that as you're getting older, your skin is acting a little differently to how you're used to. Also sometimes using a muslin cloth on a daily basis can be too much. So you could try sticking with your Cleanse & Polish and just removing it with damp cotton wool, as this texture is a lot softer and more gentle on your skin.

I am concerned about you changing from one all-in-one cleanser to another all-in-one cleanser. They are designed to be used with the same formula on your face, neck and eyes but I think you may be better using a separate eye make-up remover and toner while your skin is acting sensitively.

The Decleor Cleansing Water is fine for you to use. You can use this all over the face and on the eye area just apply very gently with dampened cotton wool. In fact, you could use this technique with the Cleanse & Polish too. Just see how it goes without using the muslin cloth.

For spots, whiteheads and sensitive skin...

Q: My 12 year old son has been getting spots and white heads on his face, particularly his nose, for a few months now. I've read your advice to others and decided to try him on the Australian skinwash twice a day.

After 3 days his skin was completely clear and looking great. However, after a week he started to get very dry, sore red patches on his cheeks so stopped using it. Is it worth trying him on my cleanse and polish or should I steer clear?

Alison: He seems to be suffering from the result of washing his face twice a day with an anti-bacterial formula without following with a moisturiser. So if he still wants to continue with the ABC, he just needs to follow with a moisturiser and hopefully he should continue to get great results.

He could try a gel moisturiser, such as SBC Collagen Gel, or the liquid gel texture of Alpha-H Balancing Moisturiser.

If he wants to swap his cleanser, he could try the Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser followed by the Balancing Moisturiser. He could also slot in Cleanse & Polish if he wants to, maybe in the evening if he has time, and he could still use the ABC Skinwash in the morning. The bottom line is that he definitely needs to follow with some kind of skin-softening agent, whether he borrows something you already use or experiments with something else.

For oily skin prone to redness and breakouts...

Q: I'm in my thirties with oily skin prone to breakouts. I work outdoors year round so my skin is exposed to the elements though I'm careful to wear high SPF to protect it from sun damage. I also suffer from reactive redness particularly after meals or changes in temperature.

In combination with all this I find my skin feeling lumpy and pimply (particularly round the hairline and jaw line) as though congested despite exfoliating every other day. Could this be dehydration or a reaction to a product?

Alison: This could be over exfoliation for a start because in your thirties, if you're exfoliating every other day - it’s quite a lot. This would be maybe more suitable for women in their 40s with dry skin and wrinkles.

So, if you want to make sure your skin is clear, bright and exfoliated without a physical exfoliant, try using the Elemis Tri-Enzyme range. I think this would suit you because of the outdoor element. I'd also suggest using the Elemis SOS Cream on your skin to help with the spots, bumps and redness.

If this redness continues then you should use the Elemis Daily Redness Relief underneath or on top of your SPF factor. If you are serious about using an SPF factor then you should be using Ultrasun Face Cream. Apply once a day and use every day. After ten minutes, apply the Anti Redness or SOS Cream over the top.

For a reaction from using a product...

Q: I'm 32 and had my first baby last year. I've always had sensitive skin and I've just used a product that has reacted badly to my skin. It's now left dry, sore, itchy and red.

I've bought the Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser. It helps but hasn't cured it. I've been to the doctors and have been prescribed anti-histamines but they haven't been able to clear it. Normally I like Prescriptives Superline Preventor but I can't use it at the moment because of this problem.

Alison: You should be able to use anything you previously used once your skin has cleared up. To help clear your skin up, you need to use the most simplistic routine. Your skin is now reacting to products that it didn't even react to before, because it's hypersensitised. I'd recommend combining your doctor's advice with the following beauty advice.

I'm going to recommend you use only two products in your routine until your skin has cleared up and these should be products that you know aren't irritating your skin. So use one cleaning product and one moisturising product. If there's something in your routine that doesn't irritate your skin on application, then you can still use this as one of your two products.

If you haven't got anything in your routine that's giving you a soothed feeling when applied then I recommend you firstly use L'Occitane 100% Shea Butter Moisturiser. If you warm it up in the palms of your hands then you can even use this as a cleanser, wiped gently off with a very soft flannel or cloth (nothing too rough). Then warm it back up and put it on as a moisturiser, leaving it to soak in to soften your skin.

For a red, spotty and inflamed nose...

Q: I have a problem with my nose. It has become really red since the menopause and at times gets spotty and feels inflamed. I don't drink or smoke. Is their anything you can suggest?

Alison: There's something called rosacea, which it may or not be, but your doctor could diagnose this for you. So it may be worth making an appointment just to make sure, and if it is rosacea then they'll be able to give you further advice on this.

However, it's also quite common to get a red-coloured rash on the nose area around the age of the menopause. It's very important to:

• Avoid the sun (especially sunbathing), as any form of heat will make it worse
• Avoid using scrubs and exfoliators, as any form of irritation will make it worse
• Use a strong all-day sun block for protection and to help prevent the area from becoming inflamed

If your skin is generally irritated and sensitive at this time, then it might be worth making your routine incredibly simple. Liz Earle Superskin Moisturiser springs to my mind immediately, and has in fact been raved about by a famous journalist recently for this very problem. It contains very pure, naturally active ingredients and is ideal for sensitive skin.

So, make sure you use an SPF all day and keep this area out of the sun too. Cover it over with a product that you're less likely to have an allergy to, such as bareMinerals SPF15 Foundation. It's made without any colours, preservatives or parabens. This product should also give you skin confidence without it looking too made up.

For prickly heat...

Q: Can you offer any advice on how to stop or treat prickly heat? I always get it on my arms and it gets incredibly painful. I'm off to Cyprus and would love to get something sorted out for it now before I go.

Alison: Firstly, your doctor should be able to give you some advice for prickly heat and any anti-histamines that you can take to help.

However, you can also help by preparing the skin. A Tan Accelerator would be a great help before you go away, as whether you want a tan or not, it prepares the skin to be tougher against the sun.

Step two would be to use a gel-based SPF factor such as all-day Ultrasun SPF20. If you want to use a re-application sun cream then make sure its gel based and that you re-apply every 20 - 40 minutes.

Try to keep your skin from sweating too much as well - you could take the ABC Skinwash with you on holiday and shower with it after sunbathing. This will help to keep the skin cool and clean. General tips are keeping cool at night and not overheating (check that your room has air conditioning in advance) and SBC Aloe Vera Gel would be my absolute must for you to take with you - just apply it any time you get an itch for instant soothing relief.

My husband also suffers from prickly heat and finds this routine really helps.