Although Dr. Obagi conceived and brought to market the original Obagi Nu-Derm and ZO Skin Health, the two companies that make these brands are separate; therefore I am unable to give you advice about Obagi Nu-Derm. Depending on the severity of the acne, you may want to consider ZO Skin Health’s acne products–namely:

Exfoliating Cleanser. Are you using a cleanser for oily skin? It will help reduce sebum production, but be sure to use if for all face and body parts that are affected by acne. Avoid hot showers, which only increase your skin’s oil production, and try to keep your showers short.

Exfoliating Polish. This is great to deep cleanse the pores and remove the dead skin cells that harbor bacteria. It is fairly abrasive, so you may want to be gentle until such time as you establish your skin tolerance. Use it as little as twice a week, or as frequently as daily.

TE Pads. Use one pad over acne-prone areas, twice a day. It will dry your skin, reduce sebum (and the problems associated with it) and relieve congested pores.

As for tretinoin, Dr. Obagi recommends cream (instead of gel) and always prefers the .1% concentration. Try that, and let us know how you do! Thanks.

Donna Queen

I am a 19 years old male who lives in the Caribbean and have suffered acne since I was 11. I have noticed that the major problem on my face is clogged pores. Most of my acne seems to be deep under the skin; squeezing just causes harm to the skin and nothing comes out. Mostly on my cheeks, I have developed some kind of deep whiteheads without “an exit conduct” that affects the smoothness of the skin. I have been using Clindamycin Phosphate Gel USP, 1% and a Sulfur based wash (Plexion Cleanser), they have worked great for the most superficial acne, but still have those whiteheads described. What do you recommend me? I was wondering if the Obagi Nu-Derm System in combination with the Tretinoin Gel (what percent would you recommend?) is a better regimen for my problem as it would “peel” or resurface the skin. I also suffer from very bad body acne (back, arms and chest); all of these areas show serious hyperpigmentation problems caused by acne and acne scars. What would you recommend to fade out all that marks and skin spots on my back and arms? I am anxious to hear your recommendations, thanks for taking the time to read my concerns.

Best Regards,
Alejandro

Thanks for asking, but unfortunately, we at ZO Skin Health are separate from the company that makes Obagi Nu-Derm (Obagi Medical Products), and therefore do not represent their products or regimen. Dr. Obagi was a founder of both companies, but no longer is associated with Obagi Medical Products. I therefore suggest that you speak with a physician or other skincare professional for medical advice.

Thanks for asking; I wish I could be of more assistance.

Donna Queen

I have been on Nu-Derm system for about two months. It totally cleared my face but because of stress and changing my birth control I have started to break out with huge pimples on my chin. Now my skin looks worse then before I started the system. Would it help if I take a week off and restart the system from the beginning? Please advise, I’d like my skin to be perfect again.

Thank you!

Mintra

Vitamins, supplements, and over-the-counter topical lotions are not going to address the underlying source of your breakouts. Further, you need to change the habits that inflamed the acne in the first place (not just genetics) and prevent the acne from reoccurring. There are parts of the ZO Skin Health line that can be used with any topical or oral mediation that is prescribed. The four products are the Exfoliating Cleanser, Tepads, Exfoliating Polish, and the Oclipse. These will prevent new breakouts, reduce current breakouts, and are chemically compatible with Obagi Nu-Derm or other topical creams your doctor may prescribe. A good sunscreen that does not clog your pores will be necessary if you are placed on Accutane or any Tretinoin product, such as Retin-A®, thus the Oclipse recommendation.

Best,
Sandra Obagi, MBA
Medical Esthetician

First things first, thank you so much for your thoroughly detailed instructions. I must tell you though that as I was reading the part where you’re bracing me for the “flaking and peeling”,I am LOL because my dear husband should be used to it by now.As he likes to so delicately put it “Anne,are you burning your face again?” I’m sorry, I plan on aging as gracefully as I possibly can.

The un-nerving thing about the inital skin renewal process is that you aren’t aware that your face free-molting in front of everyone you meet. Then, someone or somehow light is “shed” upon the fact that your are indeed flaking, peeling, whatever and there you are. You live through it and the cycle moves on.

I am glad to know that I will love the way my eyelids are going to look because the skin really needs exfoliating. I knew the usual methods of exfoliation weren’t an option for that area of the your face.

My welcomed discovery of ZO Skin Health was in began in early June using NuDerm Obagi for the 2nd time. Having ZO products to incorporate into my maintenance program was exactly what my individual skin type needed. I am English,just turned 58, fair, freckles,red hair and dry skin (it was combo before the menopause, now everything’s dry). I would like to thank you for creating Body Emulsion and Oraser Hand Creme with SPF protection too by the way!!!

I was a medical technologist for 30 years but hung up my lab coat in order that I could devote more of my time to other interests. I do want to learn how to use both the NuDerm and ZO Skin Health skin care products as they were created to be used.

Thank you for your prompt response to my email and for your learned advice. I can’t believe what I am about to say but I look forward to my “eyelids peeling”…

Much Thanks,

Anne

You are correct in describing the proper application of Tretinoin and Blender. A little skin anatomy lesson is in order before we proceed, because the outcome (but temporary side-effects) will be quite pronounced for you since you haven’t done this in the one year you have been on the program:

The skin around the eyes is quite thin. The epidermis in this area is much thinner than it is on the forehead and cheeks. The skin around the mouth and neck is similar in structure. That is the reason the forehead and cheeks can tolerate the application of Tretinoin & Blender, with less peeling, irritation, redness, etc., in comparison to the mouth area (that peels a lot). The same benefits of applying the Tretinoin & Blender around the eyes as you have achieved on the rest of your face, will be achieved with less frequency around the eyes. It is only necessary to apply the Tretinoin and Blender (T & B), twice a week to the neck and eye area to get the same benefits as applying daily on the rest of the face.

Since you already use Olluminate and the ElastiDerm, there is no need for any other eye cream. The Olluminate contains Retinol to support the formation of collagen and elastin. I don’t want to you dilute the benefits, by using a non-functional eye cream that is purely for emollient purposes. I still want you to use ElastiDerm every morning and the Olluminate in the evening. These two should be used on your lower and upper lids. Yes, start at the outer corner of your eyes and work inwards towards your nose, for the under eye application. Always apply in one direction, from outer eye towards the nose. Don’t pull skin the other direction. For the upper lids and the area just under your eye brows, move from the inside of your eye area towards the outside. Follow the pattern of applying eye-shadow.

Two days a week, apply the (T & B) in a very thin layer to both upper and lower lids as described above, BEFORE the ElastiDerm. Use only a thin layer, removing excess with a tissue if necessary. Avoid the corners of your lids, where creases form with expression to minimize irritation. As you build more tolerance (approximately 4 weeks) you can increase use to 3 days… Remember, fine lines and wrinkles may appear worse in the beginning as the skin in that area dries to prepare to peel. Once the eye area exfoliates and new skin regenerates, you will love the way eye-shadow applies to your skin.

YES.. Definitely use the GFS in the evening regardless of whether or not you apply the (T & B). It is a great product to enhance results. Thank you for your kind feedback with respect to my responses. I have been an Esthetician for 18 years next month. I first obtained my license when I was 18-years old. I have worked for several surgery centers, plastic surgeons, enhancing my knowledge of medical aesthetics and obtaining that distinction. I worked as Special Projects Manager and Sales Rep. for corporate Obagi for 8 years, and have been with Dr. Obagi and his clinics for another 7 years. I am always happy to answer your questions.
Best,
Sandra Obagi, MBA
Medical Esthetician

I began using another eye product upon the recommendation of an esthetician over a year ago. It was then that I started back on NuDerm as well but never was I told to stop using the other product nor have I ever been told to apply Tretinoin/Blender around my eye area.In fact, the first time I ever saw that was in one of blogs you had written.

I noticed you made a comment regarding the product such as retin-c micro earlier, everyone has his or her own opinion…It’s just that we go to people we trust to give us correct, accurate, knowledgeable advise in the use of your products, in particular.

The skin on my eyelids, when I put a creme eye shadow/primer on looks horrible. It enhances this uneven scaly, dry, flaky look to them and I am sorry I ever applied the creme, so I pat it lightly with a translucent powder and proceed.

I have NEVER used Tretinoin/Blender around my eye area because no one ever informed me that I should. When I apply the combination, do I pat it gently around the eye area in a “C” shape around the orbital bone from under the brow, continuing around the outer corner of my eye and the under my eye following the orbital bone. Do I avoid getting any on the eyelid area?

I do apologize for the extensive run through, all in the efforts of getting it right. Of course, You are probably thinking what I would be thinking if I were you… just use it the same way you have been, just it will be the Tretinoin/Blender instead. Just helps to think out loud.

I see you use and suggest using GFS in the PM with or without Tretitnoin/Blender. I sense that you are very pleased with the results that you are seeing in your skin.

I definitely thank you and Dr. Obagi for enlightening me as to what I should be using around me eyes or not. Some items are hitting the curb as we close.

I look forward to hearing from you Sandra. I have read a number if your other responses and have found them to be very informative.

Thank you for your time.

Anne

First things first, why are you mixing different product lines? We do not advocate this, because it would be impossible to pinpoint the source of a chemical reaction (mixing product lines). Also, how do you know the effects and benefits of your program are not being negated by adding the application of another product line?

If you have been using Tretinoin and Blender around your eyes approximately 2 days a week (as recommended in our standard protocol), then stopping use for about a week, should induce the exfoliation you desire. Ironically, I am sure you have noticed, when you first STOP Tretinoin and Blender, you peel more the first 2 days.

If you haven’t been using the Tretinoin and Blender step around your eyes, then begin with a very thin layer about 2 days a week, followed by your application of ElastiDerm Eye Cream. Still use ElastiDerm Eye Cream in the evening and the Olluminate in the morning, regardless of whether you are putting the Tretinoin and Blender step. This should give you the desired results. Thanks!
Best,
Sandra Obagi, MBA
Medical Esthetician

PS: Great job on increasing your concentration of Tretinoin from the 0.05% to 0.1% cream. This will definitely boost your collagen synthesis.