AN EFFECTIVE SKIN CARE ROUTINE – ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTHY SKIN

Cleanse. Tone. Moisturise. Treat.

A good skin care routine is essential for healthy skin and can also help to both treat and assist with mild acne care. An effective skin care routine can also supplement any treatments prescribed by your dermatologist. 

Dr Mathobela, a leading specialist dermatologist and OXY’s resident skincare expert, outlines the four essential steps to maintain healthy skin.

Cleanse

It is important to cleanse one’s skin twice a day (morning and evening). One’s skin becomes easily contaminated by dirt from our hands, air pollutants, hair and hair products. The type of cleanser chosen, and the ingredients it contains, will depend on your skin type. Gels and foaming cleansers are predominantly better suited to oily skin and milky cleansers more ideal for those with dry and/ or sensitive skin. 

Oily skinned individuals and those prone to acne will benefit from cleansers containing Salicylic Acid and Benzoyl Peroxide. In addition, oily skinned individuals can also incorporate an exfoliating cleanser (or mask) into their cleansing routine (approximately two to three times a week). 

Should you wear make-up during the day, it is important to double cleanse at night in order to make 100% sure that all make up is completely washed off. This will help to avoid the clogging of one’s pores, thereby assisting in preventing the worsening of any existing acne condition. 

Recommended from the OXY range:

  • OXY Daily Face Wash (Regular and Sensitive Skin):
    Specially formulated to deep cleanse pores by removing dirt and oil. As part of a daily skin care routine, OXY Face Wash unblocks pores helping to keep skin looking clean, clear and healthy. 
  • OXY Cleansing Soap Bar (Regular and Tea Tree)
    Spots and blackheads are the results of pores becoming blocked by oil, bacteria and dirt. Use OXY Cleansing Soap Bar daily to keep your skin clean and clear of blemishes. Daily use will assist in the prevention of spots and blackheads whilst controlling excess oil. Contains 2% Salicylic Acid.
  • OXY Charcoal Soap
    Effectively cleans skin and pores with adsorbing activated charcoal, preventing oil and dirt build-up that causes whiteheads and blackheads.
  • OXY Cleansing Facial Wipes
    OXY Cleansing Facial Wipes with Tea Tree Oil and Salicylic Acid will not only gently cleanse but also leave your skin soft, moisturised and free of blemishes. The anti-bacterial properties of Tea Tree oil and Salicylic Acid will assist in keeping skin spot free. Chamomile extract ensures they are gentle enough to use anytime throughout the day to remove stubborn oiliness and impurities.
  • OXY Charcoal Mask 3–in–1
    Contains charcoal which binds with and visibly removes dirt from pores leaving skin clearer and purified.  Gentle exfoliation leaves skin smoother.  Contains Salicylic Acid.
  • OXY Daily Anti Spot Face Scrub
    Gentle exfoliating action will unblock pores for a cleaner and smoother skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of Salicylic Acid will fight bacteria and assist in keeping your skin spot free. It also assists in skin cells shedding more rapidly, allowing for new skin growth. Extracts of Aloe will soothe troubled skin whilst Oleracea Extract assists in cell regeneration. Skin is left feeling soft and moisturised.

Tone

While old toners tend to be harsh and irritating to one’s skin, the more modern-day toners are gentle and of benefit. The use of a toner can also act as an extra cleansing step to help remove any last traces of make-up. For individuals with very oily skins, the use of a toner helps to cleanse any excess oil helping to mattify the skin. Further, toners containing salicylic acid help to unclog the pores, thereby aiding the treatment of acne. For dry and sensitive skins, soothing hydrating toners are recommended.

Recommend from the OXY range: 

  • OXY Cleansing Toner
    Its unique formula deep cleanses the skin, removing harmful dirt and impurities. Salicylic Acid assists in the removal of dead skin cells whilst added glycerine leaves the skin feeling soft, balanced and moisturised.

Moisturise

Absolutely everyone needs to moisturise, even those individuals with an oily skin. The moisturising of oily skin ensures that the skin does not over produce oil in its attempt to self moisturise. The use of non-comedogenic moisturisers is recommended for oily skinned individuals.
Moisturising needs to take place both morning and evening, immediately after cleansing and toning in order to seal in the moisture gained from the cleansing process. Further, moisturising one’s skin will further help to soothe any irritation or dryness that can be caused by acne medications. In the morning, the most important step post moisturising is applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen. 

Recommended from the OXY range: 

  • OXY Daily Moisturiser
    A necessity for those treating problem skin and who are seeking sun protection that won’t aggravate the skin. Glycerine and Vitamin E helps to gently moisturise and nourish the skin, while its SPF15 protects the skin against UVA/ UVB rays. The Salicylic Acid controls excess oil and removes impurities, thereby improving the skin’s overall health and appearance while the natural anti-inflammatory properties contained in Tea Tree Oil helps to soothe the skin. 

Treat
The final step, i.e. treatment, can be done with either over the counter lotions and gels with Benzoyl Peroxide or with dermatologically prescribed medications. Treatments can either be applied all over the face, or on specific spots or areas of the face. Once again, this step can be carried out both morning and evening depending on the type of treatment being used or as directed by the treating dermatologist. 

Recommended from the OXY range: 

  • OXY 10 Lotion
    Contains Benzoyl Peroxide, a scheduled product formulated for the mild treatment of acne, pimples and blackheads. Its anti-bacterial properties are specially formulated to exfoliate, suppress excess skin oil production, soften and remove dead skin and help clear existing pimples and blackheads. OXY 10 is the only 10% Benzoyl Peroxide treatment available on the South African market.
  • OXY 5 Lotion
    Its anti-bacterial properties are specially formulated to exfoliate, suppress excess skin oil production, soften and remove dead skin and help clear existing pimples and blackheads. Contains 5% Benzoyl Peroxide.
  • OXY Emergency Zit Blitzer
    Your must-have emergency zit blitzer! It’s a triple-action anti-bacterial product with tea tree oil and chamomile that visibly reduces the size and redness of those unwanted spots within hours. The anti-germ system contains alcohol to help destroy spot causing germs.
  • OXY Scar Care
    Without proper care, skin can be left damaged with dark spots and mild scarring. Skin will look tired, rough and aged. OXY Scar Care is an innovative formulation combining Vitamin C, E, B6 and Turmeric to assist in fading out post acne and pimple scars whilst keeping your skin clear of spots and blackheads.