This is a routine for MTom. It's an alternative to the anti-pigmentation regimen from ZO Skin Health. The combined price tag for the ZO Skin Health products was $300 usd. This routine costs 3x less - around $100 usd. We'd say that this new cheaper routine is more potent than the original ZO Skin health regimen.
The new routine includes:
- 20% Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) from the Timeless serum: a potent antioxidant and pigmentation inhibitor, in the AM
- Niacinamide in around 4% and 2% concentrations, from Boots serums and Olay moisturizer, AM and PM
- Thiamidol, a novel pigmentation inhibitor active in a broad spectrum sunscreen, AM
- 7% AHA + PHA exfoliant to use every other day (before moisturizer) in the PM
- A retinoid (retinol + HPR) treatment from Indeed Labs to use on the alternative nights (before moisturizer)
- A peptide in the moisturizer in the PM
As a comparison, the actives in the original ZO Skin Health routine were:
- About 2% Salicylic acid + about 1.5% Glycolic acid (with a high concentration of drying alcohol) in the peel pads
- Retinol in the Daily Power Defense serum (+ a lot of potentially irritating essential oils that are not a great addition to an anti-pigmentation routine)
- 1% of ascorbic palmitate and ascorbic acid combined advertised as vitamin C (in this concentration these ingredients can't do much for the skin) + peptides and amino-acids, and retinyl palmitate (a less efficacious form of retinoid) in Brightalive Skin Brightener
- Retinol + Bakuchiol+ more peptides in the Retinol Skin Brightener
In summary, the new routine only misses on some peptides and bakuchiol. These are good ingredients, but not essential - especially as we've added niacinamide and kept effective retinoids in the new routine. Instead, the new routine has a potent concentration of ascorbic acid and thiamidol, and uses a higher concentration of PHAs & AHAs (but less frequently).
Unlike the ZO products, the new routine is free from fragrances and essential oils - and it is always a plus when treating dark spots. 💙
