Always thoroughly clean your skin.

Use regular face masks for a more intensive nourishing treatment.

Exercise regularly, helping boost circulation and aiding the health of the skin.

Eat a healthy diet - it will be reflected in your skin.

Use facial oils - no other products treat the skin as deeply.

Q Skin changes as you age, what are the best ways to maintain youthful skin?

A In your 20s, thorough cleansing. Keeping skin clean is the first rule to a healthy glow in youth.

In your 30s, massage around the eyes, particularly the crows feet, to help avoid lines and keep the area well nourished.

In your 40s, ensure skin is well-moisturised so that it looks plump and healthy.

For 50 and older, invest in good quality facial treatments.

Q What part of the body do people neglect the most? What should they do to address the problem?

A Feet are the most neglected area of the body but are so important to keep healthy. Feet carry you, and this is reflected in the face. Have regular pedicures to keep [your feet healthy] and regularly exfoliate and apply nourishing treatments, preferably overnight so they have time to take effect while you sleep. I am less precious about what I use on my feet, so it's always a good idea to use up a product that you have found perhaps doesn't work as well on other areas of the body.

Q Pollution is a big issue here. Are there any tips you can share to help combat its effects?

A Protect. Always use a good moisturiser which - as well as keeping skin healthy - will act as a shielding barrier, helping limit the damage pollution can cause. Repair. Use good quality facial serums and oils to keep skin at optimum health and protect against further damage.

Q Is there a multipurpose AA oil that is good for conditions such as menstrual cramps, motion sickness, headaches and stress?

A Support Lavender & Peppermint Bath & Shower Oil. Massage over the stomach area before a bath or shower to help relieve cramps or nausea. Apply before a shower and inhale deeply, or, alternatively, apply a small amount to pulse points.

Q When you travel, what are the 'must-have' products you wouldn't be caught without?

A Definitely the AA Overnight Repair Mask, which is great to use on a long flight and also a saviour for busy trips, as it keeps my skin looking healthy and stops me looking too tired. For in-flight, the Breathe Inhalation Essence always helps me keep a clear head thanks to the frankincense, which helps calm me before big presentations. Just a few drops on my neck and nerves are instantly reduced.

Nicholas Perricone, dermatologist and creator of the NV Perricone skin care brand, advises on the latest ingredients and tips to counteract everything from flakiness to acne.

Q Weather in Hong Kong can be very humid, yet air conditioning can also dry skin out. How can we protect our complexions with such extremes?

A Dry skin is actually a manifestation of chronic subclinical [invisible to the eye] inflammation. To resolve this, follow the three-tiered anti-inflammatory programme - foods, antioxidant supplements, and topical agents that fight inflammation. It's important to make sure that you eat adequate healthy fats such as those found in fish, fish oil, extra virgin olive oil and so on.

Q What ingredients should we look for in a topical to prevent dry skin?

A You can counter the causes of dry, flaky skin through topicals that contain alpha lipoic acid (ALA). It works with other antioxidants in the skin to reduce the inflammatory effects of UV rays.

Q What habits should we keep to avoid dry skin?

A Keep your showers and baths short, and use warm - not hot - water. Avoid coffee, which is a diuretic; alcohol, which accelerates dehydration; and sugary, starchy food, which cause an inflammatory response in the body and exacerbate many skin problems from wrinkles to dry skin to acne, eczema and rosacea. Don't smoke. Avoid harsh cleansers and exfoliators and use a gentle, antioxidant-based cleanser applied gently with a natural sea sponge and rinse thoroughly with warm water. Apply antioxidant-rich moisturisers while skin is still damp from the shower. Stay hydrated, increase your intake of the omega 3 family of healthy fats and take fish oil capsules.

Q Blocked pores can be a perennial problem in the heat. What can be done?

A Use a moisturiser, but make sure it is not oil-based and ideally contains two powerful antioxidants - ALA and the natural anti-ageing agent dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) to normalise the skin and increase radiance. When ALA is abundant in the cellular environment, the cell is better able to conduct critical functions, including repair. This also helps the cell resist oxidative stress and inflammation in the skin's sebaceous [oil-producing] glands. This is particularly important to acne patients, whose sebaceous glands do not function optimally. I always recommend acne patients take ALA supplements and apply a topical lotion that contains it. I also recommend DMAE to increase the appearance of skin tone. A topical DMAE lotion can help decrease the appearance of large pores.

NV Perriconne's latest product line, Cold Plasma - which contains DMAE - includes an eye cream, face cream and body cream, and is available at Joyce Beauty.