The Fundamental Five by ZO Skin Health: The Ultimate 5 Step Skincare Routine

With A Warm, Caring Staff and Stunningly Natural Results,
Our Approach to Surgery is Anything but Plastic

The Fundamental Five is a skincare routine by ZO Skin Health that comprises five essential steps:

Cleanse
Exfoliate
Tone
Build a Foundation
Protect

These steps work together to ensure your skin is clean, radiant, and protected. Every skin type, challenge, and skin concern is covered in the fundamental five. We recommend that every patient start with these products before incorporating other products into their routine. Below we break down each step in more detail.

Shop Now

Step 1: Cleanse

Cleansing the skin twice a day is an essential step in maintaining good skin health. Cleansing ensures any dirt, debris, oil, makeup, and pollutants are properly removed from the skin, without stripping the skin’s barrier. In the evening when wearing make-up, it’s also important to double cleanse to ensure all make-up is removed thoroughly.

Step 2: Exfoliate

Exfoliating is one of the most important steps in achieving healthy skin, as it removes dry, dead skin cells that lie in the skin’s surface. Regular exfoliation encourages cellular turnover, allows for better product penetration, and leaves the skin glowing. The ZO Exfoliating Polish is a staff and patient favorite here at CARE!

Step 3: Tone

Toning is important for all skin types and skin concerns, as it helps with oil control, restores the skin’s natural pH, and enhances product penetration.

Step 4: Build a Foundation

Build a healthy foundation with Daily Power Defense or Illuminating AOX Serum. Think of these as your daily multi-vitamin. These creamy serums work to repair the skin barrier and set you up for optimal skin health. One thing you’ll quickly notice about ZO’s skincare line is that it doesn’t include a typical moisturizer. This is because Dr. Zein Obagi believes that moisturizers affect your skin’s ability to produce natural hydration, which in turn can lead to dryness, dullness, and overly sensitive skin. Instead of moisturizers, Dr. Zein Obagi created a ‘functional hydrator’ that supports the skin’s natural hydration and restores skin’s function. This product is Daily Power Defense and it suitable for all skin types.

Step 5: Protect with SPF

Regardless of the time of year or weather, it is essential to maintain strict SPF use. UV rays can penetrate clouds and even windows, so daily sun protection is a must!