2009 Tutu Fellow Dr Theo Mothoa-Frendo has founded and launched a company that offers a skincare range specifically for African skin, called Uso. The company, African Dermal Science, describes itself as a South African, black female owned business, focused on the research, development and manufacturing of advanced skin and healthcare solutions targeted at addressing the specific needs of Africans.
Mothoa-Frendo brings 17 years of experience in the medical field of which 10 years was with Swiss head-quartered Roche Pharmaceuticals, working primarily in the Sub-Saharan African region. Her MBA thesis was on how local identity and globalisation influence consumption behaviour of luxury skincare brands amongst South African women. Mothoa-Frendo's market and medical reseach has led her to the conclusion that Africans have unmet healthcare dermatological needs and that some of the products in her line will help meet those needs.
She says that African Dermal Science products have been formulated for all skin types of darker complexion and dermal issues resulting from living in the harsh African climate, including photo-damage, problem skin, uneven skin tone and dryness. The products are all made in South Africa and support local job creation. Animal testing is not used.
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