What ZO is for
ZO Skin Health is a complete range created by dermatologist Dr Zein Obagi. It covers cleansers, exfoliants, retinol, serums and sun protection, all designed to work together.
What I like about ZO is its structure. Rather than a shelf of unrelated products, it gives you a clear daily order to follow, so you always know what goes on next. It suits people who like a plan and are happy to stick to a routine.
ZO is also quite active. Some products exfoliate and some contain retinol, so it's a range I always like to introduce carefully.
Where to start: Getting Skin Ready
ZO calls its everyday foundation Getting Skin Ready: three steps, morning and evening. Cleanse, exfoliate, tone.
Cleanse with ZO Gentle Cleanser, a silky gel-to-foam that removes oil and make-up without leaving skin tight. Exfoliate with ZO Exfoliating Polish, the brand's best-known product, which uses fine magnesium crystals to buff away dull surface cells. Start two to three times a week and build up; dry or sensitive skin may need it less often. Then wipe over a ZO Complexion Renewal Pad, which lifts away leftover oil and gently refines texture.
Then protect. ZO Daily Power Defense is a barrier serum that helps defend skin against everyday environmental stress and supports hydration. It goes on morning and evening after the first three steps. In the morning, finish with SPF: ZO Smart Tone SPF 50 has a tint that adjusts to blend into most skin tones.
If you'd like to try the routine before committing to full sizes, the Daily GSR + Skin Barrier Defense Program has smaller sizes of the Gentle Cleanser, Exfoliating Polish, Complexion Renewal Pads and Daily Power Defense.
Tanisha's tipBuild ZO in gently. Start with the cleanser, polish and SPF for a couple of weeks, then add the pads and serum. It gives your skin time to adjust.
Going further
Once your skin is used to the basics, ZO has targeted products for particular concerns: retinol such as Wrinkle + Texture Repair for lines and texture, Rozatrol for redness-prone skin, Complexion Clarifying Serum for oily, congested skin, and Brightalive for uneven tone. There are programmes that bundle a full routine for each, too.
These are stronger, more targeted steps, which is exactly why I'd rather one of my skin experts helped you choose. Some ZO products contain retinol, including Daily Power Defense, so if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, tell us and we'll leave those out.
How ZO is sold here
ZO is sold only through authorised providers, so you won't see an Add to basket button on its product pages straight away. You'll see the price and an option to book a free consultation instead.
Your consultation is free and takes 15 minutes, by phone, video or in one of our clinics. One of my skin experts will ask about your skin, what you'd love to change and what you're using now, then build a ZO routine that suits you. There's never any obligation to buy.
Once your routine is set, you can order and reorder here, with delivery or free collection from our Chichester or Petersfield clinic.
Tanisha's tipBefore your consultation, take photos of the labels of everything you use now. It helps us build your ZO routine around what's already working for you.
