At dermaSpalogy, we believe that beauty begins with healthy, glowing skin and that glow starts with a skincare routine designed around your unique skin type. Whether you’re dealing with dryness, managing breakouts, or preserving firmness, our expert-backed approach using dermatologist-approved products from ZO® Skin Health ensures you look and feel your best without ever looking overdone.
This guide teaches you how to identify your skin type, choose results-driven ingredients, and avoid common skincare missteps—all while aligning with the luxury and clinical precision that defines the dermaSpalogy experience.
Skin behaves differently for everyone. What works for one person can be ineffective or even irritating for another. By understanding your skin type, you unlock a strategic way to choose skincare that supports, rather than disrupts, your skin’s natural function. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about working with your skin’s rhythm to achieve that effortlessly luminous glow.
dermaSpalogy clients often tell us they want to age beautifully, not artificially. That journey begins with giving your skin what it actually needs, not what’s trending.
At dermaSpalogy, we encourage our clients to get in tune with how their skin behaves without products before customizing a regimen. You can start with these two tried-and-true methods:
The Bare-Face Test
After cleansing with a gentle, non-active cleanser, wait 30–45 minutes without applying anything else.
The Blotting Sheet Test
Press oil blotting sheets across different areas of your face:
At dermaSpalogy, we often perform this evaluation before recommending a curated ZO® protocol for our clients.
There are several myths out there about different skin types; to help you avoid falling into the trap of believing this misinformation, we’ve debunked a few of the most common:
“Oily skin doesn’t need moisturizer.”
Moisturizer is crucial for the health of all skin types, including oily. Depriving the skin of hydration can often lead to more oil production because the skin tries to compensate for the lack of moisture.
“Dry skin doesn’t get acne.”
Even dry skin can experience breakouts. Flaking can trap oil and bacteria, and rich creams or pore-clogging ingredients can contribute to congestion.
“If your skin feels tight after cleansing, it’s clean.”
That tight, squeaky sensation often means your skin barrier has been stripped of essential lipids and moisture. A balanced cleanser should leave your skin feeling refreshed, not parched.
“You’ll always have the same skin type.”
Skin evolves. Hormonal shifts, seasonal changes, age, travel, and stress can all influence whether your skin feels more oily, dry, or reactive over time.
“Sensitive skin acts the same as allergic skin.”
Sensitive skin tends to react to environmental or topical triggers, while allergic skin involves a more specific immune response. The two can overlap, but they’re not interchangeable.
“If your T-zone is oily, you must have oily skin.”
Oiliness in the T-zone paired with dryness on the cheeks or jawline typically points to combination skin. Treating the entire face as oily can lead to unnecessary dryness in other areas.
“More product equals better results.”
Layering too many actives—or applying too much of any one product—can overwhelm the skin, lead to irritation, or cause product buildup. A minimalist, intentional routine is more effective than a cluttered one.
Your skin has different needs depending on the time of day, which is why ZO® Skin Health routines are split into AM protection and PM repair strategies.
Morning: Defend and Hydrate
Your morning routine is your armor. At dermaSpalogy, we recommend starting with a ZO® Gentle Cleanser, followed by an exfoliating polish or toner suited for your skin type. Antioxidant serums (like Vitamin C) protect from pollution and UV damage, while hydrating serums and moisturizers prepare your skin for SPF, the most important anti-aging product in your arsenal.
The ZO® Smart Tone Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 is a favorite among clients who want elegant, adaptive coverage and top-tier sun protection.
Evening: Renew and Rebuild
At night, your skin is in repair mode. This is the ideal time to introduce active ingredients like retinol, growth factors, or brightening serums. Start with a thorough cleanse (we love ZO® Exfoliating Cleanser for acne-prone skin or Hydrating Cleanser for dry types). Follow with a calming toner and apply your performance product—whether that’s the ZO® Daily Power Defense, Wrinkle + Texture Repair, or Brightalive® Skin Brightener.
Finish with a replenishing moisturizer or overnight recovery cream, like ZO® Recovery Crème, to deeply hydrate and support skin barrier renewal.
Let’s refine your approach by understanding which active ingredients work best for your skin.
For Oily or Acne-Prone Skin
Salicylic Acid: Penetrates the pores to reduce breakouts.
Niacinamide: Calms redness and balances oil.
Sulfur & Clay: Purifies and detoxifies without stripping natural moisture.
For Dry or Dehydrated Skin
Hyaluronic Acid: Delivers multi-layer hydration.
Ceramides & Squalane: Strengthen the skin barrier and relieve dryness.
Panthenol (Vitamin B5): Soothes and locks in hydration.
ZO® Hydrating Crème and Daily Power Defense are designed to nourish dry skin while restoring elasticity and smoothness deeply.
Aloe vera, glycerin, and oat extract: Calm redness and minimize irritation.
Growth Factors: Help repair the skin barrier and reduce reactivity.
Fragrance-Free Formulas: Always essential for reactive skin.
dermaSpalogy often recommends a gradual introduction to actives, pairing calming products like ZO® Calming Toner with soothing hydration.
For Aging Skin
Retinol (Vitamin A): Speeds up cell turnover, refines texture, and boosts collagen.
Peptides: Found in anti-aging serums to firm and support elasticity.
Vitamin C: Brightens skin tone and neutralizes free radical damage.
ZO® Skin Health is a standout in anti-aging care with clinical-grade solutions like Wrinkle + Texture Repair and Growth Factor Serum that offer visible improvements without compromising skin health.
Breakouts aren’t just a teenage concern. They affect many of our adult clients, especially those with hormonal imbalances or sensitive skin. The key is consistency and restraint. In addition to good skincare, there are several ways you can help prevent breakouts.
Avoid Touching Your Face
Manage Stress
Elevated cortisol levels can increase the skin’s oil production and inflammation.
Incorporate stress-reducing habits like meditation, yoga, or consistent sleep.
Limit Heavy Makeup & Remove It Thoroughly
Opt for non-comedogenic, breathable formulas.
Always double-cleanse at night to thoroughly remove makeup, SPF, and pollution.
Watch Your Diet
For some individuals, high glycemic foods and dairy may trigger breakouts.
Focus on antioxidant-rich, anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, and omega-3s.
Avoid Overusing Acne Products
Too many actives (like salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide, and retinol) can lead to irritation and more breakouts.
Introduce one new treatment at a time and allow 4–6 weeks to evaluate results.
Consider Professional Treatments
Monthly facials, LED therapy, or chemical peels under professional care can help maintain clarity.
A dermaSpalogy consultation can help you choose treatments that complement your home routine.
The Complexion Clearing Program by ZO Skin Health is an excellent option for an acne-clearing skin routine. This program is designed to treat acne and blemishes while refining your skin’s texture and balancing oil production.
This routine is simple, with just a few easy steps:
Tip: Our founder, Margaret Haley, frequently shares acne product layering tips on the dermaSpalogy YouTube channel—check it out to watch step-by-step routines.
At dermaSpalogy, we take a preventive luxury approach to aging. You don’t need to wait for wrinkles to begin; you can strengthen, hydrate, and protect your skin from your mid-20s onward.
Start with antioxidant-rich serums and SPF in your 20s. In your 30s and beyond, introduce low-dose retinol like ZO® Retinol Skin Brightener and gradually advance to clinical-grade formulations for more targeted correction.
Our anti-aging routines often pair retinol with hydrating actives like ceramides and peptides, creating a balanced system that smooths fine lines while keeping your skin soft, supple, and calm.
Even with quality products, a few missteps can interfere with your skin’s success story:
Over-Exfoliating: Stick to ZO® exfoliators 2–3 times a week unless directed otherwise. Too much exfoliation weakens the skin barrier.
Skipping SPF: Sun damage isn’t just about burns. It’s the leading cause of premature aging and melasma.
Ignoring Your Neck and Chest: Treat your décolletage with the same care as your face—this area often reveals age first.
Not Adjusting Seasonally: Skin needs richer products in winter and lighter ones in summer. Let us help you rotate seasonally.
Inconsistent Use: Skincare works best when it becomes a habit. Aim for daily consistency, not perfection.
Managing Melasma: A Specialized Approach
Melasma is a common concern among our clients, especially those with past sun exposure or hormonal changes. It presents as patchy pigmentation, often on the cheeks, forehead, or upper lip.
Treatment begins with strict sun protection. ZO® Skin Health offers advanced SPF options that protect against UVA, UVB, and HEV (blue light) exposure. Next, we recommend products like Brightalive® Skin Brightener or Retinol Skin Brightener to gradually fade discoloration without triggering irritation.
Consistency and professional guidance are key—our team at dermaSpalogy often pairs at-home regimens with in-office facials or LED therapy to accelerate results.
At dermaSpalogy, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all regimens. We partner with you to create a skincare plan that supports the way you want to look—refined, healthy, and confidently radiant.
With ZO® Skin Health’s science-backed formulations and our personalized approach, you can get great results for an improved you!
Ready to build your ideal skincare ritual? Shop now and glow with confidence.
One of our Patient Care Coordinators can assist you in creating a custom treatment plan to help you reach your goals.
BOOK NOWThere is no charge for a consultation with a Coordinator. If you request a consultation with one of the Nurse Practitioners, a deposit will be collected at the time of booking. The deposit can be applied toward any product or service. We require 24 hours’ notice to reschedule or cancel.
