Dr Melaxin Cactox Pore Relief Multi Balm – Deep Refreshment

If you struggle with oily skin and acne, it’s a really familiar feeling. You know, when it’s early in the day but the oils on your skin are already heavy and cloying. You’re perpetually shiny, face sticky and nothing seems to relieve the feeling. Having spent many years with oily skin, I’ve literally taken to using face wipes during the middle of the day to keep my face feeling fresh and cooler. So, my intense excitement at the new releases by Dr Melaxin was felt across the room. 

Why was I excited? It’s the cactus 🌵! This rich skincare ingredient is designed to help refresh oily skin, bring balance, whilst also supplying its own hydration. Where skin cleansing can trigger your skin to produce more oils and sebum, cactus can bring balance and actively cool skin when used. 

With the rise of beauty balms, designed to bring a light touch and rich skin treatment – I was genuinely ecstatic to see the release of the Dr Melaxin Cactox Pore Relief Multi Balm. With rich cactus extract, balancing zinc PCA to help keep skin dry and refreshed and a boost of caffeine to keep your skin bright and glowy? It was an instant add-to-cart.  

But was I sucked in by the advertising (and my personal desire to relieve my oily skin)? Let's see the before and after and put this new, oily skin balm to the test!

Coptis Japonica Root extract: soothing anti-inflammatory extract that helps reduce redness and balance sebum on skin for a gentle, cooling effect. 

Aloe leaf extract: deeply hydrating plant extract that helps stimulate skin cell healing, reduces irritation and smooth fine lines. 

Eucalyptus extract: astringent extract that helps reduce pore size and create clearer skin texture, whilst also stimulating ceramide production inside skin cells for gentle moisture. 

Lemon extract: brightening and refreshing extract that helps reduce redness, dark spots and irritation for smoother skin appearance. 

Pumpkin extract: refreshing extract rich in a variety of vitamins (A, C and E) to help reduce cell stress, improve healing and provide protection against UV radiation. 

Caffeine: topical caffeine helps reduce cell stress, boost circulation and bringing more radiance to sin, whilst also reducing puffiness for a refreshed face. 

Cactus flower/fruit extract: specifically extracted from ‘prickly pear’, this restorative extract helps boost collagen production, provide deep hydration and repair irritated and damaged skin.  
(*) Read more in our cactus blog here! 

Zinc PCA: helps treat acne spots and rebalance oily skin, by preventing skin drying out and suppressing sebum production.  

Kiwi extract: refreshing and hydrating extract rich in vitamin C that helps reduce uneven textures and improve skin radiance, for a gentle glow. 

Ceramides: topical molecule that helps fill cracks in the skin barrier to help repair skin biome and improve moisture retention. 
(*) Read more in our cactus blog here! 

Hyaluronic Acid: moisture attracting molecule that helps draw moisture towards it, helping plump skin molecules and maintain moisture for longer. 

(*) There’s a large variety of plant extracts in this balm, including celery, apply, broccoli and more! This list includes the more interesting and active extracts that will make a clear difference to your skin.  

This refreshing balm is specifically designed for oily skin and acne-prone skin to refresh and cool. It's less suited for dry skin and sensitive skin (due to its more astringent nature that might be irritating to these skin types).

My creamy balm arrived and I was so excited to add it to my routine. I used it as one of the last stages of my skincare, after moisturizer but before sunscreen - as it's designed to create a protective barrier underneath that helps remove heat from the skin. 

The first time I used it, it comes with a mint-like cooling effect that almost feels like a light burn (which worried me at first). But, after a few uses, I became used to it and you can feel the heat lifting away from your cheeks. It helps reduce redness in the skin, creates an incredibly lightweight layer and has zero greasiness to it.

This balm is incredibly lightweight and cooling to skin and the difference to oil balance is really night and day. Previously, I would start to feel that oily, cloying feeling before lunchtime - but with a layer of this balm it helps keep skin more aerated and cool and in control up until the afternoon.

It sits well under make-up and SPF, leaves no residue and is a great addition to reduce pores and keep skin clear and glassy. Skincare balms have been trending 📈, from the Dr Melaxin Calcium Balm to the Medicube PDRN balm for fine lines and hydration. This is the alternative, refreshing balm for oily skin and it really makes a noticeable difference to skin comfort and reduces oily sheen throughout the day.

If you are after a treatment specifically for cooling skin, balancing oils and preventing that oily and heavy feeling in the day - this is a great balm choice! It's refreshing, cooling and rich in a variety of extracts designed to soothe and balance your skin. The entire Cactox range is an exciting addition from Dr Melaxin and are available to shop now, on Arktastic~!

Dr Melaxin has delivered a variety of carefully researched and fun skincare products, designed to deliver pure results. Check out their latest releases and get a deal with our 2026 EOFY sale!

Want to upgrade your routine? Check out our guide to the power of cactus and how it can revive your skincare routine. Or check out our inside info on the brand new Medicube AGE-R Booster Pro X2.

What is the Dr Melaxin Cactox Pore Relief Multi Balm? 

A lightweight, soothing multi-balm formulated to refine the look of pores, cool the skin and help rebalance excess sebum, powered by cactus extract, caffeine and zinc.

What skin type is it best for? 

Best suited to oily, combination and congestion-prone skin, but the calming cactus base makes it gentle enough for sensitive skin types too.

What do the key ingredients do? 

Cactus extract hydrates and soothes, caffeine helps brighten and de-puff, and zinc supports oil control and skin barrier protection.

Where does it fit in my routine? 

Apply after cleansing and toning, before heavier creams or sunscreen. It can be used morning and night, or as a targeted balm on oilier areas like the T-zone.

Will it clog my pores? 

It’s designed to refine and clear the look of pores rather than block them, making it a good fit for breakout-prone skin, though always patch test first.

Does it actually minimise pores? 

It can’t physically shrink pores, but the zinc and caffeine help control oil and tighten their appearance, so pores look smaller and less congested with regular use.

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