Q. I have incredibly dry and sensitive skin.  Now with the cold weather nothing I do seems to get my skin hydrated.  Could you recommend the most hydrating mask you know?  Also my skin looks okay in the morning but after a day at work it has dried out and there are flaky bits – what can I apply during the day over my make up?   
A. Firstly, do you drink enough water through the day?  About six to eight large glasses of still water is about right, mostly between meals.  And while we are on the subject of water, try keeping a bowl of water on your desk – most offices are incredibly dehydrating.  (Just think what happens to the water level in vases of flowers…)

Also, do you consume enough Essential Fatty Acids either in the form of plenty of oily fish and green veg, nuts and seeds, and/or (preferably ‘and’) take an Omega-3 supplement?  We like IdealOmega 3.

So please start this regime and reassess after two months.

Secondly, we think a daily facial oil is what you need to literally oil your skin.  Darcey Bussell swears by the Sanctuary Active Reverse Lipid Recovery Facial Oil.

And yes, she is the face of the brand but she confided to us recently that she had dry patches on her face and this was the first product that had banished them.  So use that twice a day, night and morning (and no, it won’t make your face greasy…).

As far as masks go, we always recommend VERY gentle facial exfoliation first, which will remove the flaky bits.  The same Sanctuary Active Reverse range offers a Leave-On Exfoliating Cream and a 30 Day Thermal Rose Clay Transformation Mask.

• IdealOmega 3 at www.victoriahealth.com/£23.70 for 60 capsules – buy here and you’ll receive a 5% ‘insider’ discount at the checkout

• Sanctuary Active Reverse Lipid Recovery Facial Oil at www.boots.com/£22 – buy here

• Sanctuary Active Leave-On Exfoliating Cream at www.boots.com/£22 - buy here

• Sanctuary Active 30 Day Thermal Rose Clay Transformation Mask at www.boots.com/£27.50 –  buy here