In the event you haven’t heard of ZO Pores and skin Well being, there’s a very good likelihood you’ve heard of its founder, world-renowned dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi.
Dr. Obagi can be the creator of his namesake line of merchandise — Obagi skincare — which can be found in every single place from TheDermStore.com to Walmart. He left that model in 2006 and launched a brand new skincare firm in 2007 known as ZO Pores and skin Well being.
Reading: Zo skin health reviews 2021
What are the Finest Pores and skin Care Merchandise of 2022?
ZO Pores and skin Well being believes the one technique to obtain pores and skin well being is thru the ability of science. We share this perception right here at The Derm Overview, which is why we’ve evaluated the ZO Pores and skin Well being product formulations by way of a scientific lens.
Beneath we’ll focus on the analysis that helps (or doesn’t assist) the substances that you just’ll discover in these merchandise. We’ll additionally share ZO Pores and skin Well being opinions in an effort to get an concept of what clients actually consider these merchandise.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
Table of Contents
What Are The Prime 10 Most Well-liked ZO Pores and skin Well being Merchandise?
From correcting solar harm and hyperpigmentation to stopping indicators of growing older, ZO Pores and skin Well being has an answer in your skincare wants. Right here’s a breakdown of the highest 10 hottest ZO Pores and skin Well being merchandise.
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ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Polish
Pores and skin wanting somewhat boring? If that’s the case, including in a product that exfoliates (aka removes useless pores and skin cells) may also help to revive boring, drained pores and skin. ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Polish makes use of magnesium oxide crystals to exfoliate useless pores and skin cells to be able to promote a transparent, clean, and even toned complexion.
One other bodily exfoliant on this formulation is sodium bicarbonate — aka baking soda. Whereas baking soda is abrasive and can exfoliate the pores and skin, the vast majority of skincare consultants take into account it to be too harsh.
Plus, baking soda has a excessive pH of 9, which is usually too alkaline for the pores and skin to tolerate for the reason that pores and skin’s regular pH is about 4.5 to five. This alkaline pH can result in disruption of the pores and skin barrier, inflicting redness, dryness, breakouts, and indicators of sensitivity.
One other drawback: the model highlights vitamin C as a key ingredient in ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Polish, however the pH of a product ought to ideally be lower than 3.5 for vitamin C to penetrate the pores and skin. Thus, utilizing a excessive focus of baking soda with a pH of 9 in a formulation that incorporates vitamin C simply doesn’t make sense.
And, lastly, we are able to’t ignore the inclusion of perfume within the ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Polish, which can result in pores and skin sensitivity.
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Polish makes use of magnesium oxide crystals and baking soda to exfoliate the pores and skin, however the alkaline pH of baking soda could result in disruption of the pores and skin barrier.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
ZO Pores and skin Well being Oil Management Pads
These are alcohol-based zits “treatment” pads which are claimed to take away oil, normalize pore measurement, and assist clean the pores and skin’s floor. And these pads possible will present these results, however solely due to the excessive focus of alcohol within the formulation.
The issue with alcohol-based merchandise is that, at first, they appear like they’re benefitting the pores and skin. Initially, alcohol reduces extra oil, makes pores seem smaller, and tightens pores and skin.
Nonetheless, the speedy de-greasing results of alcohol-based merchandise can truly stimulate the sebaceous glands to provide extra oil, inflicting the pores and skin to look much more shiny and oily than it was earlier than. This may occasionally even result in a rise in zits breakouts.
One other main drawback with utilizing excessive concentrations of denatured alcohol is that this ingredient is well-known to trigger pores and skin dryness, irritation, and even disruption of the pores and skin barrier.
In keeping with a publication within the journal BBA Biomembranes alcohol disrupts the lipids that make up the stratum corneum (the outermost layer of pores and skin).
Whereas alcohol could present short-term advantages, it’s not doing all of your pores and skin any good in the long term.
ZO Pores and skin Well being Oil Management Pads do include a number of useful substances, similar to salicylic acid and glycolic acid, however we don’t assume the advantages of those substances outweigh the dangers of making use of a lot alcohol to your pores and skin.
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Oil Management Pads are alcohol-based pads that scale back extra oil, make pores seem smaller, and tighten pores and skin, however will not be one of the best in the long term.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
ZO Pores and skin Well being Each day Energy Protection
The Each day Energy Protection serum is known as an “antioxidant serum”, nonetheless, the formulation doesn’t embrace many antioxidants, simply retinol and a low focus of vitamin E. In our opinion, it could be higher to discuss with this as a retinol serum, however we digress.
Happily, retinol is a superb skincare ingredient. It will increase cell turnover, capabilities as an antioxidant, and stimulates collagen manufacturing, thereby lowering indicators of growing older.
Plus, this serum tackles traces and wrinkles with one other highly effective anti-aging ingredient — Matrixyl 3000. In case you aren’t conversant in this ingredient, it’s the trademarked peptide that’s made up of two matrikines (palmitoyl tripeptide-1 and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7).
Matrikines are peptides that regulate cell actions by way of cell signaling. The 2 matrikines in Matrixyl 3000 work synergistically to revive and keep the pores and skin’s youthful look by signaling to cells to provide extra collagen.
Sadly, there are fairly a number of aromatic important oils on this ZO Pores and skin Well being serum, which can result in pores and skin sensitivity.
Read more: Best new skin treatments
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Each day Energy Protection serum combines retinol and peptides into one formulation, however the inclusion of aromatic important oils within the formulation provides us pause.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
ZO Pores and skin Well being Development Issue Serum
ZO Pores and skin Well being Development Issue Serum is a light-weight serum that features excessive concentrations of a number of totally different humectants and silicones, which each assist to disguise indicators of growing older — humectants appeal to moisture which plumps the pores and skin, and silicones kind a skinny movie that blurs the looks of line and wrinkles. However these results are short-term and can disappear when you wash off the product.
The remainder of the formulation features a few attention-grabbing substances, similar to Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Tradition.
This plant stem cell is inherently wealthy in polyphenol content material, particularly verbascoside, that mitigates inflammatory response and oxidative stress.
Plus, the formulation contains two progress elements — a fermented crimson ginseng extract and disodium acetyl glucosamine phosphate — which each assist to revive hydration, elasticity, and firmness.
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Development Issue Serum is a light-weight serum that consists of humectants, silicones, progress elements, and plant stem cells.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Cleanser
This gel cleanser helps to softly exfoliate pores and skin because of jojoba esters. Jojoba esters are spherical, biodegradable beads that assist to take away useless pores and skin cells.
Like most cleansers, the formulation contains surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine. Surfactants include one finish that’s hydrophilic (drawn to water) and one finish that’s lipophilic (attracted to grease). This enables surfactants to draw and droop oils, dust, and different impurities which have collected on the pores and skin and wash them away.
ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Cleanser additionally contains salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps to exfoliate pores and skin whereas unclogging pores.
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Cleanser combines jojoba esters with surfactants and salicylic acid to exfoliate useless pores and skin cells, take away extra oil, and unclog pores.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
ZO Pores and skin Well being Vitamin C Self Activating
This ZO Pores and skin Well being Vitamin C serum combines 10% ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C) with tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (a steady vitamin C by-product).
No matter what type of vitamin C is used within the formulation, all vitamin C derivatives are transformed to ascorbic acid after being absorbed into the pores and skin. Ascorbic acid is a potent antioxidant that protects pores and skin from free radicals whereas additionally serving to to fade darkish spots and promote a brighter complexion.
The serum additionally contains vitamin E, which is nice as a result of the antioxidant exercise of vitamin E can truly grow to be extra highly effective when mixed with vitamin C. For that reason, nutritional vitamins C and E are known as “network antioxidants”.
A publication within the journal Dermatologic Remedy explains, “becausevitamin C regenerates oxidized vitamin E, the combination in a cosmeceutical formulation is synergistic — particularly in UV protection.”
Lastly, there are a number of silicones on this formulation that contribute to its silky texture, in addition to the emollient squalane to assist soften and moisturize pores and skin.
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Vitamin C Self Activating Serum combines two types of vitamin C with vitamin E and hydrating substances, leading to a serum that brightens, hydrates, and corporations pores and skin.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
ZO Pores and skin Well being Retinol Pores and skin Brightener
One other retinol product by ZO Pores and skin Well being is the Retinol Pores and skin Brightener, a silky serum that’s formulated to help in brightening and night pores and skin tone.
The formulation contains 1% retinol, which is average power, so this product will not be appropriate for beginner retinol customers. However in case you’re prepared for this power, get able to reap the advantages as a result of there’s lots!
In keeping with a publication within the journal Scientific Interventions in Growing older, retinol can decrease the looks of wonderful traces and wrinkles, enhance uneven pores and skin tone, restore pores and skin firmness, and unclog pores.
ZO Pores and skin Well being Retinol Pores and skin Brightener additionally contains antioxidant nutritional vitamins C and E, glutathione, soy isoflavones, and n-acetyl glucosamine. All of those substances assist to forestall the looks of latest age spots and uneven colour.
Backside Line: A average power retinol serum that assists in brightening and night pores and skin tone.
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ZO Pores and skin Well being Complexion Renewal Pads
Just like the ZO Pores and skin Well being Oil Management Pads, the Complexion Renewal Pads are alcohol-based facial pads.
Like we talked about above, there are some advantages to utilizing alcohol-based merchandise. They initially assist to take away extra oil and tighten pores and skin. Alcohol additionally helps different substances to penetrate the pores and skin higher.
However are these advantages value disrupting the pores and skin barrier, which may result in points like dryness, breakouts, and sensitivity? In our opinion, no, which is why we don’t suggest ZO Pores and skin Well being Complexion Renewal Pads.
Read more: How to keep your skin healthy
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Complexion Renewal Pads are alcohol-based pads that can take away extra oil and tighten the pores and skin within the quick time period, however could result in disruption of the pores and skin barrier when used long run.
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ZO Pores and skin Well being Wrinkle + Texture Restore
That is one other ZO Pores and skin Well being retinol serum, which incorporates pure retinol at a focus of 0.5 p.c.
Like we talked about with the opposite ZO Pores and skin Well being retinol merchandise, this ingredient is clinically confirmed to attenuate the looks of wonderful traces and wrinkles, enhance uneven pores and skin tone, restore pores and skin firmness, and unclog pores.
The serum additionally contains the model’s trademarked ZCORE advanced, which consists of a biomimetic tetrapeptide and candy yellow clover. Collectively, these substances are mentioned to assist the anchoring fibrils for dermal-epidermal junction integrity.
One other proprietary ingredient is ZPRO, which helps pores and skin’s pure replenishment of hyaluronic acid.
Notice: That is one other ZO Pores and skin Well being product that features perfume.
Backside Line: ZO Pores and skin Well being Wrinkle + Texture Restore is an anti-aging serum that mixes 0.5% retinol with the model’s proprietary substances ZPRO and ZCORE advanced.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
ZO Pores and skin Well being Firming Serum
Sodium DNA, an ingredient that helps fibroblast exercise, is among the key substances within the ZO Pores and skin Well being Firming Serum. There are additionally antioxidants on this formulation to guard pores and skin from environmental free radical harm.
After which there’s retinyl palmitate, an ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol. After being absorbed into the pores and skin, it’s transformed to retinol and will present anti-aging advantages.
Make sure that to make use of SPF with any retinol or retinoid product as FDA research point out that retinyl palmitate, when utilized to the pores and skin within the presence of daylight, could enhance sensitivity to the solar.
There are additionally perfume substances on this ZO Pores and skin Well being serum, which can result in pores and skin sensitivity.
Backside Line: Easy, simple serum.
What Are The Key Components in ZO Pores and skin Well being Merchandise?
As you most likely observed from our product descriptions above, the model doesn’t use only one key ingredient in its skincare assortment.
Reasonably, every ZO Pores and skin Well being product incorporates totally different key substances in several concentrations.
The model combines evidence-based substances, similar to nutritional vitamins C and E, retinol, glycerin, salicylic acid, and glycolic acid, with their proprietary substances like ZPRO, ZCORE advanced, and extra.
Sadly, this model additionally tends to make use of substances which will trigger irritation to some pores and skin sorts, similar to denatured alcohol and perfume.
ZO Pores and skin Well being Opinions
ZO Pores and skin Well being opinions on the model’s web site are total very constructive however nearly too constructive. It appears as if the model could solely show the 5-star ZO Pores and skin Well being opinions.
After wanting by way of numerous pages of ZO Pores and skin Well being opinions, we couldn’t discover even one overview that was lower than 5 stars. Preserving that in thoughts, we’ll nonetheless share a number of ZO Pores and skin Well being opinions so that you can take into account.
The model’s hottest product — ZO Pores and skin Well being Exfoliating Polish — has acquired many raving 5 star opinions. The opinions point out that it exfoliates the pores and skin properly with out being too harsh.
For instance, one overview says, “Exfoliating Polish is my all-time favorite exfoliator. Most products are either too harsh or too soft. This one feels just right. It’s gritty enough that I get a good exfoliation, but not harsh enough that it tears my skin. I always recommend this product to my patients. It’s great for all skin types.”
And the ZO Pores and skin Well being Vitamin C Serum has loads of opinions that verify that this serum can enhance pores and skin tone, texture, and brightness.
For instance, a 5-star overview says, “This is the most effective vitamin C serum I’ve used. My old pigmentation from acne started to clear within one week of use. Highly recommend this product.”
Our Verdict
Professionals
- Formulation mix evidenced-based substances (retinol, vitamin C, AHAs, and so forth.) with proprietary substances
- Many constructive ZO Pores and skin Well being opinions
Cons
- Excessive value level (e.g. ZO Pores and skin Well being Firming Serum is $235 USD for 1.6 fl oz)
- Some merchandise include very excessive concentrations of denatured alcohol
What Are Some Alternate options to ZO Pores and skin Well being Merchandise?
Since we don’t suggest ZO Pores and skin Well being merchandise, we needed to offer you a few alternate options to contemplate. One model we suggest is Formulyst as a result of they imagine in long-term skincare remedies moderately than short-term cover-ups.
One instance is the Formulyst Final Youth Focus, which incorporates a concentrated mixture of 5 distinctive peptides that may stimulate the manufacturing of Epidermal Development Elements (EGF). It’s thought that EGF sends indicators to cells known as fibroblasts to provide extra collagen, which can assist to scale back indicators of growing older. Making use of merchandise that enhance EGF manufacturing — such because the Formulyst Final Youth Focus — could enhance pores and skin power and integrity, thereby softening the looks of wonderful traces and wrinkles.
Followers of easy skincare ought to attempt Deep Science. Deep Science merchandise are formulated with a number of key substances which are the heavy lifters of skincare formulations.
One other model that balances the ability of vegetation with leading edge science is Carrot & Stick. Not solely is Carrot & Stick good in your pores and skin, it’s also good for the atmosphere because the formulation skip dangerous chemical compounds generally present in skincare merchandise.
Followers of easy skincare ought to attempt Deep Science. Deep Science merchandise are formulated with a number of key substances which are the heavy lifters of skincare formulations.
Read more: Why does sunscreen turn my skin orange
