I’m in the business of making you look good. It’s what I do. A lot of times, though, making you look good means making you look younger. Certainly we can all understand the desire to get rid of unwanted wrinkles, sagging skin and fine lines. To be clear, though, I want everyone to realize that aging itself isn’t a bad thing. On the contrary, it’s quite lovely.
Think about it. The best cars are the classic models. The best music are the oldies but goodies. The best wine is the most aged. The words “antique” and “vintage” instantly make an item more appealing. That’s the way we need to think of ourselves: the older, the better. Like the classic pink Cadillac pictured above. Car connoisseurs covet it. Passersby admire it. We all respect it.
I recently asked my Facebook friends and Twitter followers to tell me what they LIKE about aging. Some of the answers surprised me. Take a look. Perhaps it will make you look at aging a little differently:
Caroline appreciates her age because it’s taught her how to handle men better.
Kristi loves her age because it’s given her confidence. She used to walk into a room wondering if people would like her. Now she wonders if she’ll like the people in the room.
Tammy wouldn’t trade her laugh lines for the memories of joyous times with friends and family that the years have brought her.
Selena may wish she had the same body she did in her 20’s, but not the same resume.
Phyllis’grandchildren make her thankful for her age.
Pam insists the bright side of getting older is not having to LOOKolder, which she credits to the Obagi products.
Danielle never received as many compliments on her chestnut brown hair as she does with her head of silver hair.
Monique wouldn’t trade the good taste and style she’s acquired over the years for fewer wrinkles.
I want you to forget everything you’ve been taught about moisturizing your skin. From the lady behind the cosmetic counter to the dermatologist on your TV — forget what you’ve been told. It’s high time you know the truth about hydrating your skin and I’m going to give it to you.
First, you need to consider where your information has come from. Think about your skincare sources and the key piece of advice they’ve drilled into your head: moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. How many of these people were trying to sell you moisturizer?
It’s not rocket science, friends. They tell you what they have to in order to get the sell. And, you like what you hear — that your skin will look younger — so you oblige.
I’m not trying to sell you anything. I have a bevy of skincare products, yes, but I won’t mention one of them in this writing. I just want you to know the truth. Even if it means purchasing less moisturizer. And, that’s what it will mean because your skin doesn’t need it. That’s right, your skin — get this — hydrates itself.
When the skin cells are strong and healthy, a natural delivery system of hydration takes place. But when the cells recognize an outside source has already hydrated the skin, there’s no need for the natural hydration to take place. They consequently become inactive and stop the moisture production process. That leads to dry, dull, aging skin.
Ever noticed the more moisturizer you apply, the more your skin seems to need it? It dries out, right? That’s because your skin is becoming addicted to the outside source of hydration: the moisturizer you’ve been piling on.
Look, I’m not recommending you swear off moisturizers. I realize tightness and dryness call for it sometimes. But, you need a functional moisturizer to keep your cells active and healthy. Look for moisturizers that contain Retinol so skin is hydrated, but cells are simultaneously stimulated. The higher the concentration of Retinol, the better. Otherwise, you’re creating more problems for your skin, including accelerating the signs of aging.
So, there you have it: The truth about moisturizing. Not quite the same information you’ve been given over the years, I know. But, remember, I’m not selling you anything. I’m giving you something: knowledge. And, knowledge is power.
“Keep your eye on the ball.” It’s such a simple concept, but the words are repeated from the little leagues all the way up to major league baseball. Why? Because focus is crucial, not just with sports, but with any industry in which excellence is sought. So, why trust a skincare company that’s got its eye on five other balls, from fragrances all the way to fashion? Dr. Zein Obagi’s focus is your skin. Always has been, always will be.
You won’t ever find yourself browsing the cosmetic counters and coming across a hot new mascara with the ZO Skin Health logo on it. Nor will you stumble across our new shampoo and conditioner at your corner salon. We respect the two fields, but prefer to play the game for which we’re known. The game Dr. Obagi transformed.
If a skincare company has real integrity we’d think they would want to do the same. That’s why we’re left scratching our heads when we see supposed reputable skincare brands manufacturing makeup brushes, eau de parfums and nail polish.
What’s even more insulting are those who trespass into our territory from a department that doesn’t share a single common denominator with skincare. We can’t count how many fashion designers have woken up one morning and decided to stamp their name on a collection of skincare products. The most comical to date, however, would have to be the luxury jewelry brand that recently put out everything from eye cream to cleansers. We’re still trying to figure out the four C’s of skincare.
If you’d rather not deal with brands that are distracted by potential profits in other industries than you’ve come to the right place. We always have our eye on the ball: your skin.
Certain skincare tips, like drinking plenty of water, are now common knowledge. But, every once in a while you come across a true treasure. The kind of rare tip you haven’t heard before but wish someone told you years ago. They usually come up when you least expect it, but we decided to go looking for them. We asked our Facebook fans and Twitter followers to share the best, rarely-heard-before skincare tips and they answered with some treasures. Take a look:
Liz says DON’T drink with a straw. When you tighten your lips to suck from a straw, you’re using the same muscles it takes to smoke a cigarette. And, we all know what smokers’ lips, and the wrinkles around them, look like.
Victoria recommends you DO use a hands-free headset for your cell phone. Think about it. If your cell phone is ridden with makeup and oils after a long call, guess what transferred to your face? Bacteria, acne’s faithful ally.
Dawn advises you DO apply more sunscreen to the left side of your face and upper body. Not because she has something against your right side, but because she realizes we spend a good chunk of time in our cars. And where does the sun hit us when we’re behind the wheel? You guessed it, our left sides.
Teresa suggests you DO cut your TE Pads in half. The faithful ZO Skin Health customer does this to make them last longer and thus gets more bang for her buck. You know what they say, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Kudos to Teresa for coming up with this one.
Xavier thinks women who DON’T own a magnifying mirror are doing their skin and themselves a favor. Looking at our pores that close-up can cause unnecessary obsession and, in many cases, lead to picking, prodding and popping. Put the magnifying mirror away. Your skin, and sanity, will thank you.
The top two graduates of the 2010 class of US Military Academy at West Point are both tough as nails, and both women. Considering there was a class of 1,002 top-notch students, that’s an enormous accomplishment. They trained in rain and mud, with more inspections and drills than any previous class. Many of those new grads will soon be deployed to Afghanistan.
True, while at ZO Skin Health, we believe in “fighting aging, and fighting hard”, we realize that these cadets are fighting for something much more important. We toss our hats up in the air for Second Lt. Elizabeth Betterbed and Second Lt. Alexandra P. Rosenberg — with appreciation and respect.
Just a little something to remind you about the importance of good skincare. Ladies, if you don’t take care of your skin now, you could be doing this song and dance later. … Enjoy!
Oh, and we love Anita Renfroe’s sense of humor about her aging skin, but — if you’ve used the ZO Skin Health products than you know — IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR WRINKLE PREVENTION!
If you had heard the words “anti-aging” five years ago you probably would’ve thought of protesters outside a retirement home before you thought of the beauty industry. Today, however, it’s a household term. Personal care and cosmetic brands are hailing the anti-aging bandwagon and will do anything to jump aboard. But, how many of them deserve a ride?
We recently came across an anti-aging fragrance — yes, fragrance — that claims to make you SMELL youthful. Like us, you’re probably wondering what youth smells like. Well, pink grapefruit, mango, pomegranate and musk, of course. The same ingredients half the fragrances on the cosmetic counters contain.
There isn’t a personal care or cosmetic item too far-fetched for the anti-aging stamp. Nail polish has thrown its hat into the ring. Mascara wasn’t far behind. We’re waiting for deodorant, lipstick and mouthwash to get in on the game.
Those are just flat-out ridiculous examples, but other products trying to encroach into the niche we’ve mastered make a more convincing case. For instance, toothpaste. We all know teeth lose their strength and whiteness as we get older. Hair care products also have some legitimacy. Your mane slowly becomes a mop over the years. But, guess what? People who have the misfortune of aging teeth and aging hair have the good fortune of veneers and Raquel Welch wigs.
Let’s face it: Skin is the hands-down most telltale sign of aging on your body. Unlike your hair and teeth, you can’t put on a new face. Not even with the best plastic surgeon money can buy. That’s why skincare lines with ingredients recognized by the FDA to fight signs of aging are legitimately entitled to the anti-aging label.
Dr. Zein Obagi and ZO Skin Health can help you fight aging, but we can’t help you sort through all the anti-aging claims. Exercise wise consumerism. Your skin will thank you for it.
The number one ingredient in most skincare products (even the high-priced ones!) is — you guessed it, water!
Water, of course, is excellent for your skin — especially if it is supplied from the food and water that you consume. Water that is applied to the surface has much less value.
Water is a principal ingredient in most moisturizers, and does in fact help to plump the skin (thereby helping to smooth and hydrate the skin). But, of course, it won’t affect a real change in your skin.
And, there are several other problems with water.
Most creams and lotions take up to 30 minutes to be fully absorbed by your skin, and during that time, much of the cream evaporates. So, before your skin can derive any benefit from the active ingredients in the products, the cream has evaporated. (Sorry to tell you this, but it’s the truth!)
Water, of course, dilutes. So the more water you put in a cream or lotion, the less effective the product will be.
The addition of water to a skincare formula requires adding a micro/bio preservative system. That’s why parabens are frequently used, in very low concentrations. Are parabens OK? Yes, I believe they are. But we can live without them.
Those three reasons are why I’m partial to developing anhydrous (water-free) formulas — like in Oclipse sunscreen and my new Radical Night Repair Plus. Water-free formulas deliver a much greater punch.
Should all skincare products be made without water so they’re extra-potent?? No. Over-stimulating your skin will cause irritation. Give your skin cells time to rest and recover.
**Remember to be careful applying Radical Night Repair Plus — it is much more potent that other products that you have tried. Please follow label instructions, and begin gradually.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. To celebrate, we asked our Facebook fans and Twitter followers to tell us how “aware” they’ve become over the years. Yes, we wanted to hear all the great habits they’ve adopted to prevent skin cancer, but we also wanted to hear all the stuff they look back on with regret, too — just to show how far we’ve all come.
Let’s just say we have a very honest group of followers. Take a look. And, remember: Dr. Zein Obagi insists that SPF is your best defense against aging, too. Apply it liberally for its many benefits.
PAYING THE PRICE: Becky regrets spending more money on her tanning salon passes than her skincare products in the early ’90s.
STYLE SOLUTIONS: Karen is proud to carry umbrellas and sport trendy hats to protect herself from the sun’s damaging rays.
THAT’S (NOT) AMORE: Tanji can’t believe she once told friends she didn’t have to worry about skin cancer because her Italian skin wasn’t susceptible burning.
GREASE ISN’T THE WORD: Liz can’t believe sheused baby oil in place of sunscreen as a teenager.
WHAT’S UP, DOC?: Felicita is glad she knows enough about skin cancer to schedule a dermatologist appointment whenever she or one of her kids gets a strange mole or spot on their skin.
BURNING BED: Kirsten wishes she didn’t believe the people who told her tanning beds were safe because they didn’t have UVB rays. Forget about the powerful UVA rays to which she was exposing her skin!
CHECK PLEASE: Elizabeth wears her SPF with pride and visits a dermatologist once a year for a mole check, just to be safe.
FAIREST OF THEM ALL: Lea is thrilled that she learned to love her fair skin and no longer needs a tan to feel pretty.
**Join the conversation! Follow us on Twitter here and become our Facebook fan here. Or just leave us a comment right here and let us know how you’ve increased your Skin Cancer Awareness over the years.
We recently asked our Facebook fans to share with us their ONE skincare wish. The “wishes” were as diverse as the women themselves. What many of them didn’t realize is that they can easily make their own skincare wish come true.
ZO Skin Health’s founder, Dr. Zein Obagi, thinks of skin like algebra. Every problem has a solution. Here, we follow-up where we left off Friday, and show the ladies who replied to our Facebook post the cause and solution to their skincare wishes. Take a look. And, to participate in our future Facebook conversations, follow us here.
ARLENE’S WISH: To find one moisturizer for combination skin (super oily and super dry).
Cause: Other than the weather, this can be caused by aging and hormonal changes. Some people start out with dry skin and then develop combination skin when puberty hits. Others start with oily skin and develop combination skin when hitting their 30’s.
Solution: We want to create a balance, to dry out the oily parts and hydrate the dry ones. Ommerse Daily Renewal Crème might just be your answer. It provides the excellent hydration your dry areas need, but the Hyaluronic Acid controls the oiliness, too.
KATHLEEN’S WISH: To get rid of dark spots.
Cause: You can usually blame sun exposure for age spots that aren’t brought on by a medical condition, like melasma.
Solution: SPF will help ward off new ones (the beauty experts never stop raving about Oclipse), but to work on existing age spots, our Daily Power Defense helps to fade their appearance. Its two forms of Vitamin-C make it work overtime, even lightening up unwanted freckles.
KATHLEEN’S SECOND WISH: To get rid of wrinkles.
Cause: The older we get, the more inactive our skin cells become. When they go dormant, the signs of aging emerge.
Solution: Wake up those skin cells! The best weapon you’ve got against dormant skin cells is Retinol, the only ingredient the FDA recognizes for stimulating collagen and elastin. It’s a hero ingredient, which is why Radical Night Repair Plus is a superhero product. It contains 10 times more Retinol than the competition.
**A special shout-out to Teresa, who had a wish, but has found what looks to be the solution in the ZO products. Glad your dark spots are improving, Teresa!
Dr. Zein Obagi
ZO Skin Health
