Origins of the parent company

Although OXY is a relatively modern skincare brand, its corporate lineage connects to two significantly older entities: Rohto Pharmaceutical and The Mentholatum Company. The Mentholatum Company traces its origins to 1889 in Wichita, Kansas, where it initially produced soaps and toiletries before expanding into healthcare products. Similarly, Rohto Pharmaceutical began in 1889 in Osaka, Japan, as a family pharmacy.

In 1988, Rohto Pharmaceutical acquired The Mentholatum Company, integrating Mentholatum and its associated brands into the Rohto group.

Development of OXY

OXY’s contemporary history is closely tied to acne-focused skincare. According to Mentholatum’s official historical account, the company acquired the global rights to the Oxy brand in 2004, after which the brand expanded into additional international markets. Separately, Rohto’s Japanese corporate records note 2006 as the year OXY was launched as a men’s skincare brand in Japan.8

This dual origin helps explain why OXY has historically maintained a distinct identity compared to conventional facial skincare lines; its early positioning emphasized young men’s skincare, oil control, and acne management.

OXY’s product portfolio varies considerably between countries, and the brand is not necessarily sold with identical formulations or product names in every market.

Facial cleansers

In Indonesia, Rohto currently lists three principal OXY facial wash products:3

• OXY Acne Cleanser Facial Wash — designed for acne-prone skin.
• OXY Perfect Wash — positioned for oily and acne-prone skin.
• OXY Deep Wash — positioned for normal skin and formulated to help remove oil, dirt, and dead skin cells, including through charcoal.

The Indonesian OXY Acne Cleanser is marketed around a “6 Multi Action” concept, with claims covering acne care, pore cleansing, excess-oil removal, moisturizing, soothing, and brightening.4

Acne treatments

OXY also offers dedicated topical acne treatments. One notable product in Indonesia is OXY 5, a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment classified as an over-the-counter restricted medicine (Obat Bebas Terbatas) containing 50 mg/g benzoyl peroxide gel, with PT Rohto Laboratories Indonesia listed as both manufacturer and registrant.

Internationally, the OXY range has historically included various acne creams and treatments designed to clear and control breakouts.5

OXY’s central proposition can be summarized as acne-focused skincare designed for people dealing with pimples, excess oil, and blemish-prone skin. Rather than positioning itself primarily as a luxury, anti-aging, or beauty-oriented line, OXY has traditionally emphasized functional skin care.

Its communication has historically focused on specific problems such as:

• Acne
• Excess sebum and oil
• Clogged pores
• Dirt and impurities
• Dead skin cells
• Post-acne skin concerns

The exact emphasis differs by product and market.

OXY is not an independent company. The corporate relationship is structured as follows:

Rohto Pharmaceutical
↓
The Mentholatum Company
↓
OXY

The Mentholatum Company describes OXY as one of its brands, while Rohto owns The Mentholatum Company.6 Rohto is a large Japanese healthcare and beauty company with businesses spanning pharmaceuticals, eye care, cosmetics, skincare, and consumer healthcare, distributing products internationally across numerous countries.7

OXY maintains a recognizable presence in Indonesia through Rohto Laboratories Indonesia. The local range is explicitly presented as a collection of facial care products for acne-prone skin, with different cleansers intended for varying skin conditions.

The Indonesian portfolio demonstrates an evolution beyond OXY’s historical men’s skincare positioning. Its current range is organized primarily around skin type and skin concern rather than exclusively around gender. Rohto Laboratories Indonesia categorizes OXY under its Skin Care portfolio.3

• 1889 — The Mentholatum Company is founded in Wichita, Kansas.
• 1889 — Rohto’s predecessor begins as a family pharmacy in Osaka, Japan.
• 1988 — Rohto Pharmaceutical acquires The Mentholatum Company.
• 2004 — Mentholatum acquires the global rights to the Oxy brand.
• 2006 — Rohto records the launch of OXY as a men’s skincare brand in Japan.8
• Present — OXY operates as part of the Mentholatum/Rohto brand portfolio, with acne and facial care products marketed in multiple countries.

OXY’s identity is characterized by four major pillars:

Acne care

Acne treatment and prevention remain the brand’s defining category. Mentholatum describes OXY as providing “acne solutions,” and regional product lines focus heavily on acne-prone skin.

Oil control

Many OXY products target people with oily or combination skin, reflecting the relationship between excess sebum, clogged pores, and acne.

Functional skincare

OXY generally emphasizes specific skin problems and practical solutions rather than luxury positioning.

Youth-oriented heritage

The brand’s historical positioning as a men’s skincare brand in Japan, combined with its acne-care focus, has given OXY a strong association with younger consumers and first-time skincare users.8

It is important to distinguish OXY from Mentholatum. Mentholatum is the older corporate brand originating in the United States in 1889, while OXY is a specific skincare brand within the Mentholatum family. Mentholatum’s broader portfolio covers healthcare, personal care, acne care, eye care, and other categories beyond OXY’s specialized scope.

The name OXY or Oxy is not exclusive to the skincare brand. For instance, Oxy is commonly used as the shortened name and stock ticker for Occidental Petroleum Corporation, an American energy company with no corporate connection to OXY skincare. Unrelated uses of “Oxy” also exist in chemistry, medicine, and entertainment. Therefore, OXY skincare or OXY Acne Care is the appropriate designation when referring to this personal care brand.

1. Our Story – Oxy® Acne Care
2. A MENTHOLATUM COMPANY BRAND – Oxy® Acne Care
3. Oxy – Rohto Laboratories Indonesia
4. OXY Acne Cleanser ＜br＞ Facial Wash – Rohto Laboratories Indonesia
5. About
6. Oxy® Acne Care Celebrates 50 Years with Exciting Brand Relaunch
7. Announcing OXY® Total Care® Acne Treatments With Hyaluronic Acid For Hormonal Acne At Any Age
8. Our Story | OXY EIGHT