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Fixing dry, flaky skin under acne

As one of Lancôme's make-up artists, Ross Burton has had a behind-the-scenes presence at many important fashion shows and photo shoots. He has made up models and movie stars, including Lancôme spokeswoman Uma Thurman. Here Ross shares some great ideas for fixing the dry, flaky skin that often appears under acne.

In the morning

Step 1: Use an oil-free cleanser to keep the skin's surface clean. Follow with a toner to remove any make-up that remains on the skin. Pat dry and follow with a light, hydrating moisturiser with a pump applicator (to prevent dipping your fingers into anything and transferring it to your face).

Step 2: If you wear foundation, use an oil-free formula only in the areas where you need it.

Step 3: The biggest mistake women make in concealing acne-prone skin is using too much product as a cover-up. Use a fine-bristle make-up brush to blend three warm shades of concealer to match your skin tone, and apply the concealer with a dotting movement instead of left to right paint strokes. The goal is to diminish the redness and discoloration caused by the pimple(s).

Step 4: Set with transparent, oil-free powder to match your skin tone.

During the day

Step 1: Always carry compact powder for touch-ups. Make sure the puff is not facing the make-up. Keep the plastic piece between the puff and the powder, or turn the puff upside down.

Step 2: If the area around your spot(s) becomes visibly dry during the day, apply a clear gel on top of your make-up to keep the area shine-free without over-drying it.

In the evening

Step 1: Cleanse and tone the skin following the recommended morning routine, and then exfoliate. Exfoliating is an important step because as a blemish dries, there is dry skin around the entire area. An exfoliant removes the excess dry skin. You can exfoliate the whole face or only the areas where you have clogged up and flakey skin. For very clogged skin, exfoliate three times a week.

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