Dear John
I wonder if you can help? I am in search of an every day moisturiser with an SPF of about 25. I have olive skin but I like to protect my face so ideally would like an SPF above 15 but they are very difficult to come by. I have sensitive/dry skin and I find many products too oily. I currently use Dermalogica products and I have used the sun protection range but I was under the impression that a moisturiser is better for every day use rather than a sun cream (which I often find too oily). What are your thoughts for every day use? Would you advise to use a moisturiser or sun cream and, if so, do you have any that you'd recommend? I've used tinted moisturiser but as I am already olive skinned I'd like a non-tinted cream. I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks,
Jeyda

Jeyda,
To be truthful with you, my main thought is to just make sure there is a sunscreen in whatever way you can get one! Clinique City Block SPF25 and 40 are usually a good bet for a sensitive skin, but if you want a moisturiser, their Super Defence with SPF25 should do you nicely at a reasonable price. Dr. Lewinn's Face Moisturiser SPF30 is also £30, so won't break the bank. If you have the cash to spare, Chantecaille Firming SPF30 and the new La Prairie Anti-Aging SPF30 are both superb. Another option is to go with a facial sunscreen that can be applied over whatever moisturiser is good for you skin. I like the Clarins UV SPF40 and Chanel Essential Care UV SPF50. These are both non-oily, non-white, and will give you the protection you are after. So would the Becca Mineral Primer SPF30. So many to choose from, but you will have to have a look and feel to see which one is right for you. You are already leaps and bounds in the right direction so I wish you the best of luck in locating the best product!
Cheers,
John

Dear John,
I have very oily skin and I break out very frequently. I am 26 years old and I have had acne since I was 15. I have tried everything with the exception of Accutane because I am afraid of the side effects. Antibiotics (Minocycline) worked the best for me, but unfortunately the effects have worn off from using the antibiotics for so long.  I recently stopped using them altogether.  I am desperate at this point.  I don't want to take medication for the rest of my life, but I don't want to be an adult with acne.  I was hoping that perhaps you know of a natural solution for acne that you could recommend. Also, I have very fair skin and the acne has left me with horrible hyper-pigmentation.  I currently use Palmer's Age Spot serum to diminish the hyper-pigmentation, and it works incredibly well, but it doesn't help to control the breakouts.

I am so embarrassed of my skin that I have to wear heavy makeup every single day.  It is so terrible to feel that I must wear a mask all the time. Please, please help!
Thank you,
Shannon

Shannon,
I really feel for you, but I guess the most logical question is - "Shouldn't you think long and hard about the pros and cons of the Accutane?" If it could sort your problem out (as close to permanent as you can hope for), isn't trying a very very low dosage worth another thought? I know it is a horrid drug, but the results are well documented and not everyone even gets the customary dryness. Desperation calls for desperate measures! LOL. And this would be a short sharp shock rather than the continued use of something like an antibiotic. But another treatment that would help you with both the breakout and the pigmentation problems would be to use the Karin Herzog Oxygen products. Oxygen is a natural anti-bacterial and also helps to lighten pigment and scarring. Nor are they particularly expensive. There are several different strengths of O2 depending on the severity of your breakout. They work by forcing living oxygen into the skin to kill of bacteria and minimise breakout.  That is very close to a natural solution for both and it is both medically developed and tested. You can find out more from their website karinherzog.co.uk. Have a read and if you have any more specific questions about the product or their use, please feel free to contact me again.
Best,
John

Dear John
Help! I get puffy upper eyelids when I have a bad nights sleep or eat something I shouldn't like wheat or dairy - it looks at worst like a water blister - the under eye area is never affected.  Is there a treatment that will get rid of it - creams tend to make it even worse.
Thanks,
Denise

Denise,
I have seen this on quite a few clients, but all I can find on it points toward it being a hereditary condition. Using lymphatic drainage massage will definitely help to shift the little pocket of fluid, and with regular practice, can help minimise the recurrence. To do it, simply cross your middle fingers over your ring fingers to control the pressure you apply. Press firmly on either side of the bridge of your nose - count to three and release. Move along the upper ridge of your eye socket and repeat every quarter of an inch or so. Once you get to the outer edge of the eyes you will find a dip just about another quarter to half an inch toward the temple. This is the lymphatic release point...press, count to three and release. Now do the same again starting at the bridge of the nose and working under the eye, on the socket, the same way. Again, release the lymphatic drainage point at that little dip near the temple. This shifts that little pocket of fluid, but you must do both top and bottom otherwise you will simply move the pocket of fluid to the opposite place you are working. You will be surprised how well this works and you can do it as part of your eyecream application, sitting on the train, at your desk, or pretty nearly anywhere, anytime.

As a product, the Strixaderm S.O.S. Eyecream that I am constantly banging on about has been proven by the American Medical Association to reduce puffiness around the eye by 40% in only 1 month. Plus you can use it on the entire eye area. But be careful not to use too much - one spot the size of a grain of rice is enough to do both eyes! I hope that helps, Denise.
All the best,
John

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