To optimise your ZO Skin Health routine and ensure maximum efficacy, it’s essential to understand the principles of product layering. ZO Skin Health emphasises a simple 3-Step Approach: Getting Skin Ready® (GSR®), Prevent + Correct, and Protect. Within this framework, the order in which you apply your products can significantly impact their absorption and overall results.
Here are some key guidelines and considerations for layering your ZO Skin Health products, drawing from the sources:
General Application: As a general rule, apply your ZO Skin Health products to your fingertips, not your palms, and massage them into the skin until fully absorbed before proceeding to the next step.
The 3-Step Approach Order: Always follow the sequence of the ZO 3-Step Approach:
Getting Skin Ready® (GSR®): This is your foundational step, involving cleansing, exfoliating, and toning. The order within GSR typically follows this sequence.
Prevent + Correct: This is where you address your specific skin concerns with serums and targeted treatments.
Protect: Finish your morning routine with your ZO sunscreen.
Layering within Prevent + Correct: Within the Prevent + Correct step (Step 2), the general principle is to apply products in order of thinnest to thickest consistency, and also considering their molecular weight and intended action. However, ZO provides specific guidance for certain products:
Apply Certain Serums Last: ZO recommends that the following products, which have higher molecular weights and extended skin penetration times, should generally be applied last in Step 2: Prevent + Correct to maximise the penetration of other treatment products applied beforehand:
Growth Factor Serum
Radical Night Repair
10% Vitamin C Self-Activating
Pigment Control + Brightening Crème
Separating Vitamin C and High-Potency Retinols: To maximise their strength and minimise potential irritation, it is generally recommended to separate the daily application of 10% Vitamin C Self-Activating (typically in the AM) and high-potency retinols (such as Radical Night Repair, Wrinkle + Texture Repair, Complex A+, and Retinol Skin Brightener, typically in the PM) when they are included in your routine.
Consider Product Formulation: The Complexion Clarifying Serum is a light, water-gel formula that layers easily. ZO specifically advises applying it to clean, dry skin after Daily Power Defense.
Individual Product Instructions: Always refer to the specific usage instructions provided for each ZO product. These instructions often indicate whether a product should be used in the AM or PM and any specific layering advice. For example, for Retinol Skin Brightener, the instructions advise gradual introduction after cleansing, applied to clean, dry skin.
In summary, a typical ZO Skin Health routine layering might look like this:
Morning:
Cleanse (from GSR®)
Exfoliate (from GSR®)
Tone (from GSR®)
Daily Power Defense (Prevent + Correct)
Other thinner serums (Prevent + Correct)
10% Vitamin C Self-Activating (Prevent + Correct – often applied last in AM)
Eye Care
Protect (Sunscreen)
Evening:
Cleanse (from GSR®)
Exfoliate (from GSR®)
Tone (from GSR®)
Daily Power Defense (Prevent + Correct)
Other thinner serums (Prevent + Correct)
Retinol product (e.g., Radical Night Repair, Retinol Skin Brightener, Wrinkle + Texture Repair, Complex A+) (Prevent + Correct – often applied last in PM, if 10% Vitamin C is used in the AM)
Growth Factor Serum (Prevent + Correct – often applied last in PM)
Pigment Control + Brightening Crème (Prevent + Correct – if part of your routine, consider applying last in PM)
Eye Care
Hydration + Calming product (if needed) Remember that this is a general guideline, and your specific ZO Skin Health professional may recommend a different layering order based on your individual skin concerns and the specific products in your routine. Always follow their guidance for the most optimised results.