At Chetco Medical and Aesthetics in Brookings, OR, people frequently ask us for advice on their skincare routines, and we’re always happy to help. When it comes to brands and products we recommend, ZO Skin Health is at the top of our list.
ZO Skin Health is an international skincare company that was founded by world-renowned dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi. But what sets ZO apart — and the reason we highly recommend ZO products — is the extensive clinical testing it performs to prove that its products work.
Keep reading to learn how to build the perfect skincare routine with this impressive lineup of products.
How to Build a Skincare Routine
It’s important to know how to pick the right skincare products for you rather than just buying a bunch of random items. Before you start building your skincare routine, here’s what you should know.
Your Skin Type
It’s important to determine your skin type before buying anything. Your skin type determines which type of products you should use and which you should avoid. For example, people with dry skin should avoid products with alcohol and prioritize moisturizing products that will help protect their skin’s natural oils.
The four skin types are:
- Dry skin
- Oily skin
- Combination skin
- Normal skin
Dry skin is characterized by a dry, scaly, or flaky feeling. It is often accompanied by redness but is not usually prone to acne.
Oily skin is not flaky and may feel greasy to the touch or appear shiny.
Combination skin is exactly what it sounds like: a combination of two different skin types. The most common type of combination skin is an oily T-zone and dry or normal cheeks.
Your Concerns
Take a look in the mirror and pinpoint the areas or concerns on your skin that you want to address. This will help guide your decision-making when filling out your skincare routine.
For example, if you want to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, an anti-aging cream might be a good addition. But it wouldn’t make sense to get a serum meant to correct hyperpigmentation. It’s important to match your skincare routine to your needs.
5 Steps of a Basic Daily Skincare Routine
Below are the five basic steps to a good skincare routine. If you are just starting out, it’s okay to skip step three for now. Many people find it easier to start with a bare-bones routine and then add in targeted treatments as they go.
1. Cleanse
The first step of any skincare routine should be to remove dirt, oils, makeup, leftover skincare products, and other impurities with a cleanser. This refreshes your skin, unclogs your pores, and primes them to absorb the products you apply next.
If you have dry or sensitive skin, we recommend ZO’s gentle Hydrating Cleanser.
2. Tone
Next up is toner. A high-quality toner balances your skin’s pH levels and removes any lingering dirt or debris that your cleanser missed. For this, it’s hard to beat ZO Complexion Renewal Pads.
3. Treat
This step is when you target specific concerns around your face with serums, gels, and light creams. For example, you can target puffiness under your eyes with ZO Eye Brightening Crème.
If you choose to layer products to address multiple concerns at the same time, make sure to apply the lightest one first and the heaviest one last. This ensures the best possible absorption.
4. Moisturize
Moisturization is key when it comes to healthy and happy skin. In the morning, a light moisturizer is good enough, but at night you can swap it for a richer, more potent moisturizer.
5. Protect
The best defense against many common signs of aging is sunscreen. Exposure to UV rays damages your skin and can cause fine and wrinkles, age spots, and other blemishes to appear.
The ZO skincare line has several strong SPF 45 and SPF 50 sunscreens that provide ultimate protection from the sun and come in various formulations.
Sunscreen is especially important if your skincare routine includes any retinoids.
Best Anti-Aging Products to Add to Your Morning Routine
These are two of the best anti-aging products from ZO Skin Health to add to your morning skincare routine.
Daily Power Defense
This lightweight serum helps restore your skin’s natural barrier and provides next-level protection against premature signs of aging. It is safe for use on all skin types and can help restore a youthful glow to your skin.
Illuminating AOX Serum
This powerful serum is packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, and specialized enzymes to combat signs of aging and illuminate your complexion.
Best Anti-Aging Products to Add to Your Nighttime Routine
At night is the perfect time to spoil your skin with a little bit of extra nourishment and repair. Stronger creams, serums, and masks perform better when they’re allowed to soak into your skin overnight.
Growth Factor Serum
This lightweight gel nourishes and restores your skin while you sleep, minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and improving overall firmness and texture.
Radical Night Repair
This 1% retinol anti-aging cream stimulates collagen production to help erase fine lines and wrinkles.
Cosmetic Treatments Complement a Good ZO Skincare Routine
At Chetco Medical and Aesthetics in Brookings, OR, we believe that cosmetic treatments cannot replace a good skincare routine, but they are a fantastic complement. That’s why we offer anti-aging treatments that address everything from fine lines and wrinkles to age spots and sagging skin.
Whether you just need a little advice on your ZO skincare routine or are interested in one of our cosmetic treatments, give us a call today to schedule your next visit.