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I was wondering if it's better to use the Exfoliating Polish in the morning or at night? I always take showers at night but I don't know if the combined effect of the Exfoliating Polish and retinoid (Differin/Tazorac) is too harsh? I've been using the Exfoliating Polish every night with a retinoid and I haven't had any adverse reaction (face tingles a little bit). In fact my skin feels very smooth afterwards. Also, I read on one of your blog posts that in the winter, we should exfoliate every day. I've been using your Exfoliating Polish every night, but is it necessary for me to do so especially because I'm using prescription retinoids? Also, I only take a shower every other day. So on days when I don't take a shower, would you recommend me to still use your Exfoliating Polish at night or in the morning? On Dr. Schultz's DermTV.com, he said to apply antioxidants at night and since your Exfoliating Polish does have antioxidants I thought it would be best to use it at night. Also, is it true that I should throw away the Exfoliating Polish 6 months after opening? That's what it appears to me from the Exfoliating Polish container. This is a very long message but thank you so much for your time! I just want to know how to best use your Exfoliating Polish!
The Exfoliating Polish can be used in the morning or evening—we recommend the morning, because that’s when most people shower. Since you don’t have any problem using the Polish before a retinoid—and that’s our other concern, because some people are too sensitive—it’s absolutely OK.
As for daily/nightly use—no, it’s not necessary for you to do it every day, if you’re already using a retinoid. The retinoid will cause your skin to exfoliate—and the Polish will buff off the dead skin. But just your Polish as often as you feel is necessary or desirable. Every other night may be more reasonable for you.
As for the 6 months—no, I don’t think it’s necessary to throw away the Polish after six months. All of our products are labelled that way—and manufacturers do that knowing that some people will contaminate the product with dirty hands or other products, leave the cap off and exposed to sunlight, etc. So it’s really just caution. I definitely would keep on using it. (but is it really lasting you that long?)
Hi! i'm interested in trying your cleanser, Ossential, Ommerse and the Oclipse. do you sell a trial kit that is smaller than the $250 kit? I'd like to try it first because my skin is really sensitive but i don't want to spend $250. please let me know if you have like a sample kit or something. thanks.
We do not have any sample kits, but we can mail you samples of any five products that you like. You can order them from our website -- it is just $4.95 to cover the cost of shipping and handling. It's a great way of seeing if you like the products.
Can you tell me a little more about your Hand Repair products?
Hello Erlina,
Thank you for your interest in ZO Skin Health by Dr. Zein Obagi!
What I would recommend is to find products that have the most potent ingredients, such as retinol, advanced peptides, and powerful antioxidants to help treat the skin on the hands. As you know, the skin on the hands go through it all, washing, exposure to heat, cold, water, drying soaps, and the sun! They're the only part of our body that is continuously exposed to the environment--usually without any kind of SPF protection.
Retinol has been scientifically proven to help fight signs of aging and will help increase collagen and help the fade the appearance of hyperpigmented spots. It will also gently exfoliate the skin by speeding up the rate which you skin cells shed off.
What I would recommend is the following:
1) When you wash your hands, use a soap that has a lotion/moisturizer in it. Always try to keep your hands moisturized.
2) Apply an SPF to your hands EVERYDAY such as ZO’s Daily Hand Repair SPF for that added protection from the sun’s harmful UVA/UVB rays.
3) When you Drive- Try to cover your hands and arms. We don’t think about it much but we still get sun exposure when we are in our cars--although UVB rays (the "burning" rays) cannot penetrate the windshield, UVA rays (the "aging" rays) do.
4) Remember to exfoliate your skin- whether it is your face or hands, it is important to slough off the dead skin cells. This will help keep your skin looking radiant and fresh rather than dull. To exfoliate, I would recommend a polish, such as ZO’s Microderm Hand Renewal. It will make your skin look and feel wonderful!
5) At night, use ZO’s Overnight Hand Recovery. You may want to use some gloves to help lock in moisture while you sleep.
6) Get Paraffin hand treatments, as needed, to help keep your hands hydrated, moisturized and soft.
Let us know how you do! You can buy our hand products separately, but the Anti-Aging Hand Kit (which is available on our website) is a much better value!
I am concerned about sun damage to my chest area from years of tanning as a teen. I have been using sunscreen for the last several years and frequently wear clothing during the summer that covers this area. In the right light I can see the damage to my skin and I would like to reverse as much of that as I can. Any suggestions?
Hello Lisa
Seems like you are doing the right thing by using proper sun protection. The sun can be very unforgiving. Have you looked into products that have glycolic acid or retinol--they can help shed the dead skin cells and accelerate your skin’s cell turnover rate--allowing new, younger and healthier skin cells to emerge..
I would suggest- ZO’s Ossential Daily Power Defense, Hand kit and Body Emulsion. They will help with exfoliation,softening, protecting, restoring, hydrating, evening the skin tone and fighting signs of aging. Regular exfoliation, sunscreen, and wearing clothing with sunscreen (i.e. clothing by Solumbra) will help prevent further sun damage.
If that's not enough--you may want to consult with a physician for other, more invasive, laser treatments or peels. .
I hope this helps!
I am so glad to have someone to ask questions to. My questions are in regards to the ZO Skin Health Ossential products. I started using them about a week ago and am applying the Radical Night Repair 2 nights a week. But, now--and I guess, more importantly, later when I'm using it every night--how do I incorporate the other night products in with it? The Growth Factor Serum, Intense Eye Repair, and Overnight Moisture Recovery. Also should Growth Factor Serum be used AM & PM or only at night? Thank you so much for your time and I am looking forward to hearing your expert advice. Pamela
Hello Pamela!
Congratulations you are on your way to healthier skin! You will definitely see results with the ZO Skin Health Line. Let’s get started-
Here is what I recommend:
AM Regimen:
1) Hydrating Cleanser or Exfoliating Cleanser
2) Exfoliating Polish (twice a week)--you'll especially appreciate this product when you start peeling from the Radical Night Repair!
3) Daily Power Defense or Ommerse Daily Renewal Creme
4) Oclipse sunscreen
PM Regimen:
1) Hydrating Cleanser or Exfoliating Cleanser
2) Radical Night Repair (continue using as you have been- 2x/wk--but increase frequency as your skin becomes more tolerant--the sooner you can begin using the product nightly, the better.
a. Alternate with Growth Factor Serum – Use on the days (or nights) you are not using Radical Night Repair
3) Intense Eye Repair
4) As for the Overnight Moisture--please do not use that on nights that you are also applying the Radical Night Repair--it essentially counteracts the benefits of the Radical Night Repair. If you wish, use it on alternate nights, or in the morning.
Hope that helps; let us know if you have any other questions!
