BEAUTY CLINIC: 'Non-girlie' skincare for my son

 Jo and Sarah answer real questions from readers: to put your query, go tbeautybible.com

Q My teenage son, 17, has the usual quota of spots and blackheads. Using a targeted skincare regime does help but he has given up because it looks ‘girlie’. Is there a range that might be more appealing to him?

A We think he might like 31st State (31st-state.com), a new well-priced range of clean, natural, effective ‘face, body and hair stuff’ for teen boys, launched this summer. It was created by former pharmaceutical PR Stephanie Capuano for her own two teenage boys and named after her home state California.

For more information follow Beauty Bible online here or on Facebook and Twitter

For more information follow Beauty Bible online here or on Facebook and Twitter

When her boys reached puberty and the breakouts started as well as the ‘stinking’ (so there’s a roll-on deo at £5.99), Stephanie googled natural skincare options in vain. In desperation she even bought a £65 pot of treatment pads for her 14-year-old, ‘which worked by cutting them in half and using once a day instead of twice a day.’

Frustrated at the complete lack of suitable products that also looked cool, Stephanie set about creating a range of products primarily for her own sons’ needs, formulated by an expert. ‘Very importantly, I created it out of concern for all the unnecessary chemicals in most existing products for these boys, and in direct response to the growing base of scientific evidence linking the negative effects of endocrine disruptors on male reproductive health.’

Stephanie worked closely with her sister in California, who serves on the board of the Breast Cancer Prevention Partners, who raise funds to support research into the environmental causes of cancer and other health problems. ‘Their Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which works to apply pressure on the beauty industry to phase out harmful chemicals linked to cancer, birth defects and health problems and replace them with safer alternatives, was a guiding principle in development of 31st State formulations.’

31st State products are free from: SLS, SLES, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, synthetic colours, PEGs, PABA, phthalates, genetically modified Ingredients aluminium, plastic microbeads, lead, mercury and formaldehyde. They are vegan and cruelty free, sourced and made in the United Kingdom.

31st State products smell fresh, the packaging is cool enough for any guy’s bathroom shelf, and, we’re told by colleagues with teen sons, they work.

Beauty Bible loves… LA MONTAÑA scented candles: The Star Collection, £32-£75.

This is simply joy unbounded for lovers of scented candles – and we don't know anyone who isn’t…. Black sparkly treasure chests of our favourite fragrant candles in small (but not mini) sizes, there are three options to suit all pockets. We’re mighty tempted to do a large number of our Christmas presents here.

This is simply joy unbounded for lovers of scented candles – and we don't know anyone who isn’t

This is simply joy unbounded for lovers of scented candles – and we don't know anyone who isn’t

So… LA MONTAÑA: this award-winning home fragrance brand was founded by our dear friend Cassandra Hall and her scriptwriter husband Jonathan after they decamped to live part of the year half way up a Spanish mountain.

The seven evocative fragrances are based on the aromas they inhaled around them, from atmospheric First Light and Cloudburst to floral Galán de Noche night-scented jasmine and Sacred Roses, redolent of deep red roses and cool cloisters. Winter Oranges laced with cinnamon and cloves and Three Kings with cedarwood, frankincense and myrrh are the essence of the festive season and Alfredo’s Café is perfect for chaps with its notes of dark tobacco, coffee and brandy.

We thought of telling your our favourites but it’s almost impossible to choose. If you’re feeling generous (and remember you deserve spoiling too), splurge on the full collection, which retails at a special Christmas price of £75 but is worth £126.

OR choose a twinkly box with three individually boxed minis – you choose the three – for £49.

The other option is a mini duo of LA MONTAÑA’s Christmas bestsellers: Winter Oranges and Three Kings, for £32.

That’s all our present boxes ticked then … Order them from www.lamontana.co.uk, post free within the UK.