Starting your day with a face full of pimples or acne breakouts can be painful and affect your self-esteem, whatever age or sex you are.

For this month’s column, I want to try to help you understand why sometimes we can get blemished skin and how to combat and eradicate it, and what tried-and-tested treatments I think might just get your skin back on track.

Spots on the forehead tend to indicate a stressed bladder, digestive system or overdoing it on the red wine and red meat. To help ease this, try increasing your intake of water, green tea and fibre-rich foods that help dispel toxins.

Spots between the brows are thought to be linked to the liver and stress, and they can often crop up the morning after a boozy night out or as a result of over indulgence in processed, greasy foods.

Cheek spots can be linked to your respiratory system. Or your phone could be the cheek blemish culprit as the average phone screen supposedly harbours more bacteria than a loo seat, so do wipe the screen down with an antibacterial wipe weekly to avoid spot-causing bacteria transferring to your skin.

Spots on the chin and along the jaw line are often linked to hormonal issues, while blackheads and nose spots can be a result of bacterial imbalance in the body, stress and bad diet.

People with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to get acne around the mouth and chin and persistent spots on the jaw could be your adrenal glands playing up, so a trip to the GP is advisable.

Nature will, in time, take its course and most annoying spots should eventually go away if you look after your skin properly. To minimise the effects of scarring and infections to your skin, do try not to squeeze your pimples, especially not with unwashed hands.

If you really have had enough of your blemished skin, help is always at hand. So, for starters I would advise a trip to your local beautician’s.

Beauty Treatments

1. Phyt’s anti-comédons (100% natural and organic) 60-minute facial for all ages works wonders on problem skin. This facial specifically tackles pimples, blackheads, excess oil and/or acne. Antibacterial ingredients found in the serum anti-comédons (copper) neutralise bacterial activity deep in the pores of the face and the effects of this treatment are long lasting on the skin and very healing. Blackheads are released easily and a soothing restoring mint and camphor face mask is applied to combat sore ruddy skin. This is a hugely rejuvenating treatment at €60. For information/bookings, contact Nessa Walsh at Nessa’s Beauty Rooms Rhode and Edenderry on 086-371-8951. Alternatively, for a Phyt’s stockist in your area, visit www.phytsireland.ie

2. The age summum facial by Guinot is a truly enriching, hands-on restorative facial for the mid-30+ person. It’s not only marvellous at healing and stimulating collagen production in your skin, but the hyaluronic acid gel used soothes away wrinkles. This is a winning facial if you want your skin to look firmer, hydrated and youthful for any big event, and is very popular with mothers of the bride at €80. Contact Caroline Murphy, skincare specialist in Edenderry on 046-973-1865.

Home Treatments

1. Eau Thermale Avène products for sensitive skin have a super range of products for problem skin. The Cleanance soapless gel cleanser (RRP €15) can be used on the face, chest and back to remove impurities and refresh skin. Cleanance mask-scrub (RRP €19) is perfect for blitzing blackheads, calming spots and gently exfoliating the dead skin cells away. Cicalfate antibacterial protective SOS cream (RRP €13) has a unique and powerful combination of healing and moisturising ingredients that help stop infection and act as a protective shield. This cream can even be used on cold sores, cracked skin and scratches. The Avène range can be purchased in selected Lloyds, Boots and independent pharmacies nationwide.

2. Vichy Normaderm Hyaluspot cream (RRP €10) creates a film over the spots and works with an antibacterial technology and hyaluronic acid that minimises spots, while being gentle on the skin. Ideal to pop on the spots before applying your cover up. Available from pharmacies nationwide.

3. Clearasil ultra rapid acne vanishing treatment is great for getting rid of problem teen pimples, €8.89 from www.boots.ie

4. MAC Studio Finish concealer (RRP €20) covers blemishes, spots and scars really well. Do ask the makeup artist at the MAC counter to help you choose the correct colour for your skin tone and how best to apply this product. The key with this cover-up is to apply gradually and layer it.

The Next Step

If you have got to the stage where no amount of lotions or potions are helping your problematic skin, then the next step I believe is The Cosmedical Skin and Laser Clinic in Tallaght, Dublin. This amazing clinic is run and owned by skincare specialist Geraldine Kelly, and her team are passionate about their skin-improving treatments.

All the treatments are advanced, non-surgical and very effective and your skin will be in safe hands. Take the first step to regaining your beautiful skin back by giving Geraldine a call on 0-414-7781 for advice and a free consultation. The clinic is easy to find and there is free parking within a five-minute walk.