How to: Rid adult spots

Health & Beauty

Annabelle from Cheshire still suffers from spots at 31, we help her turn from spotty teen to beauty queen

"Dear Busy Girls. I'm 31 and I still get spots. They always seem to get worse with the onset of cold weather. I really thought I'd be clear of this by my age, any tips as Clearasil etc, just seem to make me worse. Thanks so much, Annabelle, Cheshire"

Dear Annabelle,

More & more busy girls just like you are getting spots these days - they say it's a result of our busy stressful lives, lacking diets & overuse of makeup coverups. But don't worry, we've got some top tips, so you don't need to suffer from teen skin anymore...

1. Acne/ spots usually begin with blackheads which are the result of oil & trapped dead skin cells. Scrubbing too hard at black heads causes inflammation, so try a gentle exfoliant with alpha-hydroxy acids, e.g. Lancome Pure Focus Deep Pore Refining Scrub or for a great quick fix, Biore Pore Perfect Strips.

2.Stress, bad cosmetics, hormones & the pill can cause spots as your oil glands overcompensate. So look for oil-free, non-acnegenic products like Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Gel or Olay Daily Facials Intensives Deep Cleansing Clay Mask.

3. Have a facial, because acne is not a disease but a condition of the skin, ask for sulphur, zinc & camphor masks, exfoliation & blackhead extractions.

4: Don't treat adult acne like the teen kind -as the products you used as a teenager won't work on adult skin & will simply perpetuate the problem, making the area sensitive & red. Try to be less severe with your treatment & use sensitive skin products before reaching for the Clearasil.

5:A dermatologist will be able to help Too many women wait to see a doctor for their skin problems, but a dermatologist has a range of products to clear up your skin, like retinoids, antibiotics, azelaic acid & birth control pills.

6. Laser therapy does work although is seen as a more costly alternative. Look for a reputed skin clinic which will offer you a no-obligation consultation before treatment commences. You'll need around 3 full facial treatments & should expect to pay around £150.00 for each one.

7. Stop touching your face because every time you touch that spot, you move the bacteria around your face & spread the infection.

8. Try a mineral makeup which won't block your pores & will allow your skin to breathe. We currently recommend Lily Lolo for great shades of foundation, concealer & eye makeup.