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ZO Getting Skin Ready (GSR): The Daily Cleanse, Exfoliate and Tone Routine
Every ZO routine starts with Getting Skin Ready, or GSR: cleanse, exfoliate and tone. It is the step most people skip with drugstore skincare, and it is a big reason the rest of a ZO routine works as well as it does. For patients new to ZO, the GSR program kit is where I usually start.
$1104-piece kit
What is ZO Getting Skin Ready (GSR)?
GSR is ZO’s three-step prep routine: cleanse, exfoliate with Exfoliating Polish, then tone with Complexion Renewal Pads. ZO’s Daily GSR + Skin Barrier Defense Program packages travel sizes of Gentle Cleanser, Exfoliating Polish and Complexion Renewal Pads with a kit-only size of Daily Power Defense.
The Daily GSR Program at a Glance
- What’s inside
- Gentle Cleanser (60 mL), Exfoliating Polish (16.2 g), Complexion Renewal Pads (30 pads), Daily Power Defense (15 mL, kit only)
- Best for
- All skin types, anyone starting a ZO routine
- What it helps with
- A more youthful-looking complexion, more even tone, finer-looking pores, hydrated skin
- When to use
- Cleanse and tone morning and night; exfoliate 2 to 3 times a week to start
- What comes next
- Treatment serums such as Growth Factor Serum, then sunscreen in the morning
- Formerly called
- ZO Daily Skincare Program
The Three Steps of Getting Skin Ready
Gentle Cleanser
A gel-to-foam cleanser for all skin types that lifts oil and makeup without leaving skin tight. Oat amino acids help prevent post-cleansing dryness.
Exfoliating Polish
Ultra-fine magnesium crystals buff away dull, dead skin, and a stable vitamin C helps with the look of dark spots. Start 2 to 3 times a week.
Complexion Renewal Pads
Glycolic and salicylic acid pads that clear leftover oil, refine pores and prep skin for your serums.
Other ZO Options for Each Step
- Cleanse, oily or breakout-prone skin: Exfoliating Cleanser, with biodegradable jojoba beads and salicylic acid.
- Cleanse, normal to dry or sensitive skin: Hydrating Cleanser, with hyaluronate, panthenol and glycerin.
- Tone, sensitive skin: Calming Toner, a gentler toning option.
- Tone, acne-prone skin: Oil Control Pads.
How to Start a GSR Routine
- Cleanse morning and night with the cleanser that fits your skin.
- Exfoliate with Exfoliating Polish 2 to 3 times a week, then increase gradually if your skin handles it well. Some people build up to daily use.
- Tone with one Complexion Renewal Pad, once nightly at first, then morning and night.
- Follow with Daily Power Defense and any treatment products we recommend.
- Finish with sunscreen every morning.
A brief tingle from the pads can be normal. If your skin stays red, raw or flaky, cut back and call us. Around lasers, peels and microneedling, follow the instructions we give you for when to pause and restart exfoliating products.
Why Prep Comes First
When a patient tells me their skincare isn’t working, the first thing I ask about is prep. Serums can only do so much on skin covered in oil and dead cells. Getting Skin Ready fixes that, and the Daily GSR program is an easy, complete way to start.
Dr. Shervin Naderi, MD, FACSPairs Well With
Daily Power Defense
Included in the kit in a small size. The full size is the natural next step.
Growth Factor Serum
Add it after Daily Power Defense for firmness and texture.
Getting Skin Ready FAQs
What does GSR stand for in ZO skincare?
Getting Skin Ready. It is ZO’s first step: cleanse, exfoliate and tone, so the treatment products that follow work on clean, smooth skin.
What comes in the ZO Daily GSR + Skin Barrier Defense Program?
Travel sizes of Gentle Cleanser (60 mL), Exfoliating Polish (16.2 g) and Complexion Renewal Pads (30 pads), plus a 15 mL kit-only size of Daily Power Defense.
Which ZO cleanser should I use?
Gentle Cleanser suits all skin types. Exfoliating Cleanser is better for oily or breakout-prone skin, and Hydrating Cleanser suits normal to dry or sensitive skin.
How often should I use Exfoliating Polish?
Start 2 to 3 times a week and increase gradually based on how your skin responds. If your skin is used to regular exfoliation, daily use may be appropriate.
Is the GSR program a good way to start ZO?
Yes. It gives you all three prep steps plus a starter size of Daily Power Defense, which makes it a simple, complete starting point.
Where can I buy the ZO Daily GSR program?
Order it through our link to ZO’s official store and it ships to your door, or ask us at your next visit.
Ready to Order?
Order on ZO’s official store through our link, and ZO ships it directly to you.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Shervin Naderi, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon. Last updated October 2026. ZO Skin Health product details and study results are from ZO Skin Health. Orders placed through our links are fulfilled by ZO Skin Health and connected to The Naderi Center.
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