Beauty Clinic: Breakouts and (oily) older skin

Q. At 65, I still suffer from oily skin and breakouts, which has recently got worse. I use bareMinerals make-up and wash my brushes very frequently. A matte moisturiser and primer keep the oil at bay for half the day. But my skin is also sensitive, dry and flaky so I use a facial scrub two to three times a week but no change. If I try a richer moisturiser or an oil, I come out in fatty spots. I am desperate. What can I do? A. We are so sorry to hear of your dilemma and asked Dr. Rabia Malik, who specialises in natural solutions for skincare problems (drrabiamalik.com), for her advice.

Dr Malik says: 'I totally understand how frustrating this must be for you. You are doing the right thing by using mineral makeup and washing make-up brushes regularly.

‘With regard to skincare, using an effective cleanser is vital for oily, acne prone skin. You do not mention what you are using currently, but for dry sensitive skin, I would suggest a sulphate-free cleanser. One of my favourites is MV Organic Skincare Gentle Cream Cleanser, £34.50 for 70 ml from www.cultbeauty.co.uk). Rinse off the product with a clean muslin cloth, dipped in warm then cold water; this will gently exfoliate your skin daily.

‘Once a week, use an enzyme-based mask such as Cosmedix Pure Enzymes, £30.95 for 30 g from www.amazon.co.uk, which is more gentle than a facial scrub, and should also help with dry flaky skin.

‘In terms of additional hydration, you might try using a few drops of MV Organic Skincare Pure Jojoba oil, £28 for 35 ml from www.cultbeauty.co.uk, under your moisturizer; it is excellent for acne-prone skin as it is not too heavy and will not clog pores.

‘Finally, I find that optimising internal health by improving your nutrition can also help with skin conditions. It may be worthwhile seeing a nutritionist for a review or, at the very least, try taking an essential fatty acid supplement, which can often help with problematic skin.' (Try IdealOmega 3, £23.70 for 60 capsules, from www.victoriahealth.com.)