Q. I have an oily T-zone and wonder if there is a primer and/or tinted moisturiser or foundation that would help me stop looking shiny but not give that slightly ‘dead’ look some mattifiers give?

A. We have just been trying the new Matte Cream by Erborian, a Korean/French hybrid range that we rate very highly indeed. Its long name is Mattifying Face Cream Blur Effect – and it does both excellently.  Try the small 15 ml size for £16.

Stroke on a small amount over clean skin before applying foundation or BB cream.  It does give an ultra-matte finish but because it has light-reflecting micro-pigments, there is no dullness.  In fact, it looks luminous and very soft – a perfect base for foundation or, as they suggest, BB Cream. Plus, you can use Matte Cream to touch up your T-zone during the day, over your BB cream.

Erborian suggest treating an oily T-zone with their (faintly scary-looking) Black Scrub, £24 for 50 ml made with charcoal.  It works in three ways to help get rid of impurities, eliminate dead cells and absorb excess sebum (the oil in your skin) so it mattifies too.  They advise focusing on your T-zone to help balance that.

We are also big fans of Erborian CC Cream Doré SPF25, which comes out of the tube an unimpressive light grey but magically self adjusts to your complexion/£17.50 for 15 ml.

BB Cream is probably moisturising enough on its own.  You could always dot a light concealer on any blemishes (a fine paint brush is a brilliant way to apply with pinpoint precision then tap with your little fingertip to blend in well); we like the Beauty Bible Award winner, Inika Certified Organic Perfection Concealer/£22 for 10 ml.

If you like to wear foundation you may need to apply a light moisturiser first on your cheeks (and of course always on your neck and décolleté).  Look for an oil-free product – lots to choose from including Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation/£6.49 for 30 ml, and Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation/£32 for 30 ml.

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