Gone are the days when spots were only found on oily-skinned teens with raging hormones. For some time now, acne has been on the rise in older people, particularly menopausal women, according to Dr. Catharine Denning. ‘Hormones are involved in this group,’ she says ‘but the problem is also a decline in skin barrier function partly due to overuse of active but harsher products – such as retinols and AHAs.’

For patients who suffer from breakouts, redness/rosacea and sensitivity, as well as conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, Dr. Denning recommends Oxygenetix new Oxygenating Hydro-Matrix Blemish Control. ‘It’s nice and light on the skin, in fact I recommend it for all skin types, twice a day.’ As an aesthetic practitioner, she welcomes the new moisturiser for use straight after cosmetic procedures. ‘My patients love it. It’s a game changer for calming the skin - so they can, say, go straight into a meeting. ’

The base of the product is soothing, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial aloe vera leaf juice rather than water. ‘Leaving water sitting on the skin can cause bacterial overgrowth; if you already have breakouts you don’t want to put water on top,’ Dr Denning explains.

Salicylic acid helps unclog pores and prevent further breakouts and the brand’s patented Ceravitae complex speeds up healing and supports skin oxygenation – yep, that’s why the name is Oxygenetix.   Allowing the skin to breathe is one of the brand’s key claims. Deep moisturisation comes from hyaluronic acid and sodium PCA (a natural amino acid), with green tea to provide protective antioxidants.

Many readers will know about Oxygenetix Foundation for Blemish Control, which has become a bit of a beauty legend. Now available in 16 shades based on underlying skin tones, it’s a perfect partner for the moisturiser. It contains many of the same ingredients and promises to increase the health of your skin while fulfilling all the normal functions of a foundation. Brilliant for party season because it looks fab and will last and last. (PS You don’t have to have problem skin to wear it...)

Dr. Denning is, she says, ‘ridiculously careful about what she recommends to her patients’ and which products she uses herself. She has the foundation on over the moisturiser when we talk online, explaining that as a sufferer of melasma (a pigmentation condition), it’s key that it covers pigmentation too.  So take her word for it: these work.

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