ZO Skin Health is an innovative medical-grade skincare range created by dermatologist Zein Obagi and designed to promote optimal skin health with advanced delivery systems, bioengineered complexes, and exclusive formulations.
ZO products help soften fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin texture and tone, minimize hyperpigmentation and sun damage reduction, and control oily skin – while treating acne and rosacea simultaneously.
1. Exfoliation
Exfoliation is an integral component of maintaining good skin health. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells to reveal fresher, younger-looking skin, facilitating better absorption of serums and moisturizers.
Exfoliate at least once or twice weekly using either a gentle scrub or chemical exfoliator, taking care not to scrub too hard as this could damage your skin. Also, avoid exfoliating open wounds or sunburnt or irritated areas of skin that need healing or are vulnerable. Oily/normal skin types should exfoliate up to three times weekly, while dry skin requires only two or three. It would be best to stay up-to-date on what your needs may change over time, as exfoliation needs can change as needed.
Toning is an essential step in skincare regimens for all skin types. It helps manage sebum production while restoring pH balance, allowing products to penetrate more readily into your pores. For acne-prone skin, using salicylic acid-infused toners may help prevent breakouts; for normal to dry skin types, a toner with glycerin can reduce redness and promote hydration.
ZO Skin Health offers an assortment of gentle yet effective cleansers, powerful exfoliators, peptide serums, and soothing hydration designed to maintain and improve skin. Please schedule an appointment with one of their professionals today to discover which products best suit your needs.
2. Retinol
Retinol is an effective solution to improve skin tone and texture, reduce hyperpigmentation, soften fine lines, and help other products work more effectively by speeding their absorption into the skin. At VEI Aesthetics Center, we offer our patients ZO Skin Health products containing Retinol to help them achieve younger-looking and healthier skin.
Zein Obagi founded the ZO Skincare line to use cutting-edge technology to improve skin health and appearance by balancing treatments with daily care, continuously evolving with new research discoveries. Their unique delivery systems, bioengineered complexes, and exclusive formulations make this medical-grade skincare brand stand out among others.
The ZO skin health regimen provides comprehensive solutions that target skin health at its cellular level, including resurfacing peels and laser treatments to diminish signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles and products targeted towards specific issues like rosacea or acne.
Retinol products from Zo Skin Health work to regulate cell cycle function and increase new skin cell production, creating brighter complexions with smoother and even skin. Although retinol may make your skin more sensitive initially, gradually increase the dose as necessary and always apply sunscreen before using retinol products; results will eventually show. VEI Aesthetics Center suggests consulting our board-certified aesthetician on which regimen best fits your needs.
3. Peptides
Every day, another new skincare ingredient promises to transform your appearance, from trendy elements to natural products like Peptides that make a difference in complexion. Peptides are naturally produced amino acids produced in our bodies and play an integral part in many skin care products. According to research studies, peptides boost collagen production for reduced fine lines and wrinkles while supporting healthy nails and hair growth and having antimicrobial properties.
Peptides can help repair the damage done to your skin barrier through over-exfoliation, pollution, sun exposure, and poor sleep. In addition, they help reduce crow’s feet and fine lines while improving texture and elasticity – perfect for sensitive skin types who prefer less irritating anti-aging ingredients such as those paired with hyaluronic acid.
Hexapeptide-3 is one of the more sought-after peptides, as it may help decrease inflammation and boost skin hydration. Hexapeptide-5 has also been shown to increase skin thickness while stimulating collagen production – Plus, there’s even an effective combination of hexapeptide-3 and hexapeptide-4 that has been demonstrated to decrease fine lines and wrinkles!
Notably, peptides work best with other ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid. Direct acids may break them down through hydrolysis, diminishing their effectiveness.
4. Growth Factors
Growth factors are natural proteins our bodies produce that serve as messengers between cells to signal healing and growth when necessary. They activate amino acid transport, DNA synthesis, and other essential cellular functions.
These natural substances play an essential role in wound healing, nerve regeneration, bone formation, and cell differentiation processes – as well as controlling cell metabolism. For instance, epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor are a few growth factors found throughout all living organisms (including humans).
Growth factors were initially developed to speed the healing of burn victims; today, they’re used in skincare products to stimulate collagen production for firmer, smoother skin while diminishing fine lines and wrinkles. Most growth factor-containing products also contain other active ingredients like antioxidants or peptides for maximum results.
Growth factors applied topically stimulate fibroblasts to produce collagen in the dermis, making this form of cosmetic medicine available as creams, serums, and masks. For maximum effectiveness, they should be combined with laser treatment, microneedling, or fractional resurfacing to achieve top results.
Growth factors differ from other skincare products in that they do not cause peeling or irritation, making them suitable for all skin types. They come in non-greasy formulations for easy application. Since growth factors increase cellular proliferation, it’s best to avoid using them on cancerous lesions or precancerous spots.
Growth factor-containing products can be obtained using human fibroblasts cultured on a 3D matrix that induces them to produce collagen or through recombinant technology that utilizes bacteria or yeast to produce growth factors. Dermatologists should look for products with INCI names published on their labels to ensure their patients receive genuine growth factors.
5. Antioxidants
Antioxidants are our bodies’ defense against oxidative stress, a chemical process that damages DNA and other vital molecules. Oxidative stress occurs naturally through food processing and responding to environmental influences; too many free radicals, however, can trigger inflammation and speed up the aging process; too much exposure can also increase the risk for heart disease, cancer, arthritis, strokes, immunity deficiencies, emphysema and more.
Oxidative stress is manageable with the right products from ZO Skin Health’s range of antioxidant skincare products – such as Daily Power Defense and Illuminating AOX Serum serums that offer medical-grade antioxidant support, helping you attain a radiant complexion.
Medical-grade skincare products contain more active ingredients than over-the-counter options, enabling them to work faster and more effectively at targeting specific skin concerns such as wrinkles, sun damage, large pores, or uneven tone. They may also keep the skin hydrated to reduce fine lines and wrinkles over time.
There are hundreds, or possibly thousands, of natural antioxidants. However, among the more widely recognized are vitamins C and E, carotenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and lignans. They can be found in plant-based foods like vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices.
Eat a wide range of antioxidant-rich foods to increase antioxidant consumption and get more antioxidants into your diet. Aim to consume five or more fresh produce daily, such as dark, leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, and colorful veggies like dark leafy greens, berries, citrus fruits, and colorful veggies. Also, look out for products containing these nutrients, such as ZO Skin Health’s 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating Cream, which can lighten discolorations and skin tone.
