
As the daughter of Dr. Zein E. Obagi, a renowned dermatologist and creator of ZO Skin Centres and the award-winning ZO Skin Health Inc., Obagi witnessed first-hand how skin health can positively impact someone’s confidence. “What started as curiosity became a deep respect for the science and art behind it.” she says. “The family connection made it personal—but what truly pulled me in was seeing the transformations and how powerful healthy, resilient skin can be.” The ZO philosophy focuses on restoring and maintaining skin health at a cellular level by analyzing a patient’s skin and using science to treat the “why” behind their symptoms. The GSR, or get skin ready protocol, helps clients prime their skin at home for in-office treatments.
ZO Skin Health’s product line features high-potency formulas that are clinically tested. “Skin care is often cosmetic, and it’s about how things look or feel on the surface for a short amount of time,” Obagi says. “Skin health, rather, is functional and it’s about how well your skin behaves, repairs, protects, and regenerates over time.” Each ZO product has a purpose that can range from improving skin texture, regulating pigment, or strengthening your skin barrier. While there is typically an adjustment period during which patients may experience redness or peeling, Obagi advises to trust the process. “Stick with your program long enough to let your skin cycle through all of the necessary adjustments and changes,” she says. “Power through it because that’s where the real results are.”
As Californians know, sun exposure is a key aging factor. However, Obagi also notes that chronic inflammation can play a role as well. “Any persistent, low-grade inflammation can increase free radical damage in the skin cells and disrupt barrier function and collagen production as well as accelerate age-related skin conditions,” she says. Other factors can include exposure to blue light as well as sugar intake, sleep, and stress. “The top misconception (about maintaining healthy skin) is probably that more moisture or moisturizer equals healthier skin,” she says. “In reality, over-hydrating the skin or using products that limit our natural ability to regulate hydration naturally can weaken the skin barrier and lead to dependency.”
While everyone’s skin needs are different, Obagi’s top three recommendations for radiant skin include a retinol-based program to boost cell turnover while reversing signs of damage, in-office microneedling or RF (radio-frequency) microneedling for collagen stimulation and to improve textural issues, and exfoliation and antioxidants to remove dead skin cells and to brighten and protect the skin. When it comes to building a simple-yet-effective regimen at home, she suggests keeping it simple. “The right cleanser along with a product to exfoliate, stimulate, and protect the skin—get those right before layering on more,” she says. “A program does not have to be overwhelming; it just needs to be targeted on key skin health needs.” From the ZO Skin Health line, she recommends the ZO Exfoliating Polish, ZO Skin Health Daily Power Defense, and the ZO Skin Health Wrinkle and Texture Repair.
The post Expert Skin-Care Tips from Serene Obagi of ZO Skin Health appeared first on Orange Coast.