From the recent FACE conference we attended recently, one phrase will stand out in the quest against acne.
Wash, Scrub, Oil Control
This is the newest mantra of Dr Zein Obagi. He believes that these three steps started early enough can prevent you getting acne. From as young as nine years old we should ensure our children are washing away any sebum from their skin, sebum is the oil that our skin produces to lubricate itself. Ironically it is sebum that causes inflammation, and once you have inflammation, you can get acne. So Dr. Obagi believes if you stop this initial inflammation then you can effectively ‘prevent’ acne developing in the first place. This is very exciting in the quest to have better skin. The range also targets ageing at different stages, there are different levels- where you add in additional products depending on the client.
Using the newest range ZO Dr Obagi has developed new products to cleanse and moisturise the skin. We have divided the products into different steps to make it easier to follow.
Introducing ZO Skin Health®
Step one
Dr Obagi has developed two cleansers, one for oily to dry skin- The Offects hydrating cleanser Hydrates and rejuvenates without disrupting the moisture barrier. Using panthenol and allantoin to soothe, repair, and restore skin, it cleans away dead skin cells and supports cellular renewal and one for oily to normal skin. Offects exfoliating cleanser gently exfoliates and cleanses skin, reduces excess oil and neutralizes free radicals. Encapsulated vitamin E provides antioxidant protection and hydration for healthy skin. This wash is used morning and night to wash away sebum, and prepare the skin for the next step.
Step two
This step is to stimulate the skin, using Dr Obagi’s Offects scrub Offects Exfoliating polish using ultra-fine magnesium crystals exfoliate dead skin cells and increase epidermal turnover for a cleaner, smoother, more even-toned complexion. Vitamins A, C, and E esters provide antioxidant benefits to help maintain skin barrier function.
Step three
This step is known as oil control stage, if your skin is prone to excess sebum these pads will help control it! Offects TE pads acne pore treatment pads reduces sebum production, removes dead skin cells and deep-cleanse congested pores using 2% salicylic acid. Botanical extracts calm inflammation and soothe irritation. Recommended for prevention and treatment of oily skin and breakouts.
Step four
Known as activate stage, using products to work with your skin, to perfect it and slow the effects of time! You can chose from Daily power defence, this time-released retinol, antioxidants, and specialized DNA repairing enzymes work around-the-clock to help minimize UV oxidative damage and uneven pigmentation, while restoring skin function and elasticity.. Or Ossential Growth Factor Serum uses two proprietary peptides to support collagen production for increased skin density. Combining retinol and amino acids, cellular function is stimulated, collagen degradation reduced, and elasticity restored.
Step five
Should you feel a need to moisturise there are also great moisturisers in this range. There is the Renewal cream, a functional hydrator contains encapsulated retinol, powerful antioxidants and an anti-inflammatory agent to calm, replenish, rejuvenate, and repair the skin moisture barrier or the Overnight recovery cream to chose from Calming agents help prevent inflammation as retinol and other ingredients work more actively overnight to repair and regenerate skin cells to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles
Extra steps
There are a few more optional steps for instance eye cream but the one essential step on top of this is sunscreen. Dr Obagi has developed the newest and most innovative sunscreen on the market! Using natural melanin, titanium dioxide, and zinc oxide to provide broadspectrum UVA/UVB protection, Oclipse is also used to smooth and prime skin for a more even makeup application. This product will protect your skin more effectively.
If you find that you have more specific problems, ZO also have a medical range, Dr Fay can examine your skin and advise on the most suitable product for you to add in to your regime. We can tailor the ZO range to suit your needs. We are very excited about introducing this newest range to you. We are looking forward to having it on our shelves in the very near future! Cosmeticdoctor is one of a few clinics in the south of Ireland stocking ZO Medical and ZO Skin Health. So book for your consultation, and we can give you the skin you have always dreamed of, and until then remember