What is it?
A so-called medical-grade skincare range from Switzerland founded by Paul Herzog, who also invented an artificial respirator system that won him an honorary doctorate from the Nobel Institute. Herzog, who died in 1992, is said to be the first scientist to stabilise active oxygen in an emulsion, patenting it in 1975. His widow, Karin, who is a beauty therapist, and their daughters run the company.
What's so good about it?
Noelle Palmisano-Herzog, the group's marketing executive, says her father proved that ageing of the skin was due mainly to a decrease in oxygenation and a slowing of collagen. Smoking, ill-health and air pollution worsen the process. He created a lotion whereby the liquid phase oxygen in cream is transformed into oxygen gas on contact with the skin. 'The oxygen doesn't oxidise,' says Palmisano-Herzog. 'As you apply it, it turns into a gas form and pushes the vitamin A into the skin. That becomes the anti-ageing part.' You can feel a zinging sensation on your hands if you press them together as soon as you've applied the lotion.
What about the products?
Its star product is Vita-A-Kombi, which comes in three different strengths. There's Vita-A-Kombi 1 ($630/55ml, 1 per cent oxygen), Vita-A-Kombi 2 ($660/55ml, 2 per cent) and Vita-A-Kombi 3 ($690/50ml, 3 per cent). Palmisano-Herzog says Vita-A-Kombi 2 is the most popular for regular use, particularly with smokers, those with stressed, dull skin, blemishes, spots and hyper-pigmentation. There's also Oxygen Face cream ($430/50ml), Mild Scrub ($330/50ml) and Vitamin H Cream ($750/55ml). Men and women can use the products, which come in simple black packaging that makes them look more like prescription cream than something from a beauty shop.