ZO Exfoliating Polish is a physical exfoliant that uses ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals to buff away dead surface cells. ZO recommends it two to three times a week to start, building up only if your skin handles it well. It is $94 for 65 g, and it is not the same product as Dual Action Scrub, which exfoliates chemically as well as physically.
- How often should I use it?
- Two to three times a week is ZO's standard recommendation. Start at twice a week and increase only if skin stays comfortable.
- What is in it?
- Ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals do the exfoliating, with vitamins A, C and E alongside. There is no exfoliating acid in the formula.
- Polish or Dual Action Scrub?
- Polish for most skin types, including normal to dry. Dual Action Scrub for oily, congested or blemish-prone skin, since it adds lactic and salicylic acid.
- Can I use both?
- Not on the same day. They do the same job in the routine, so pick one.
- Where does it go in the routine?
- Step 2 of ZO's Getting Skin Ready system: after cleansing, before Complexion Renewal Pads.
- How much is it in Canada?
- $94 for 65 g, or $33 for the 16.2 g travel size, on our store.
Exfoliating Polish
- Size, price 65 g, $94 · 16.2 g travel, $33
- Exfoliates with Ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals
- Also contains Vitamins A, C and E
- Skin type All skin types, including normal to dry
- How often Two to three times a week to start
- Routine step Getting Skin Ready, step 2
It is the exfoliation step in ZO's standard Getting Skin Ready system, which pairs it with Gentle Cleanser before and Complexion Renewal Pads after. ZO also uses it in its system for dry and sensitized skin. Shop Exfoliating Polish
What Exfoliating Polish does
Exfoliating Polish is a fine-grained scrub. The magnesium oxide crystals lift dead cells and surface debris as you massage, then rinse away clean. What you notice straight away is smoother texture and more light reflecting off the skin, which is why ZO describes it as a polish rather than a scrub.
What it does not contain matters just as much. There is no glycolic, lactic or salicylic acid in the formula. All of the exfoliation comes from the crystals, so the intensity depends on how much pressure you use and how often you use it. That puts you in control, and it is also how people overdo it.
Why ZO puts exfoliation near the start. ZO's approach is that clearing the surface first helps the serums and treatments that follow work more effectively. In a ZO routine, exfoliation is preparation for everything else, not a treatment on its own.
How often to use it
ZO's direction is two to three times a week, or as directed by your skin care professional. ZO also notes that skin already used to regular exfoliation may be fine with daily use, and that dry or sensitized skin may need less. That gives four sensible starting points.
| Your skin | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dry or sensitized | Once or twice a week | Use light pressure, and pair it with Hydrating Cleanser rather than an exfoliating cleanser |
| Normal or combination | Two to three times a week | ZO's standard recommendation. Start at two and hold there for a few weeks |
| Oily, and used to exfoliation | Building toward daily | Only after several weeks without tightness or stinging. Many oily skins do better on Dual Action Scrub instead |
| Using a ZO retinol | The low end of the range | Retinol Skin Brightener and Wrinkle + Texture Repair already speed up surface renewal. Keep polish nights and retinol nights separate |
How to use it
- Cleanse first with your usual ZO cleanser.
- Apply a small amount to damp skin on the face and neck. A little covers the whole face.
- Massage in gentle circles for 30 to 60 seconds. Let the crystals do the work. Pressing harder does not make it work better.
- Rinse thoroughly with water.
- Follow with Complexion Renewal Pads, then the rest of your routine.
ZO says it can be used morning, evening or both, depending on your routine. Most people find the evening easiest, because the rest of the night routine follows on directly.
Exfoliating Polish vs Dual Action Scrub
These two sit in the same slot of ZO's routine and they are easy to confuse. The difference is how they exfoliate.
| Product | How it exfoliates | Best for | How often (ZO) | Sizes, price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exfoliating Polish | Ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals. No exfoliating acids | Most skin types, including normal to dry and sensitized | Two to three times a week to start | 65 g, $94 · 16.2 g, $33 |
| Dual Action Scrub | Lactic and salicylic acid, plus round wax beads | Oily, congested and blemish-prone skin. Also used on the body | Once daily, morning or evening | 58 g, $67 · 116 g, $110 |
Dual Action Scrub is the more active of the two, even though it feels softer. The wax beads are round and non-abrasive, but the lactic and salicylic acid keep working after you rinse. It also contains ZO-RRS2, ZO's plant stem cell complex, which the brand includes to help soothe the look of redness.
The rule. Use one or the other as your exfoliation step, not both on the same day. If you own both, Dual Action Scrub tends to suit oilier summer skin and Exfoliating Polish tends to suit drier winter skin, so switching with the season is a reasonable approach.
Which ZO exfoliation routine fits your skin
ZO builds exfoliation into a three-step system it calls Getting Skin Ready: cleanse, exfoliate, tone. The exfoliating product changes with skin type.
| Skin type | Cleanse | Exfoliate | Tone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most skin types | Gentle Cleanser, $64 | Exfoliating Polish, $94 | Complexion Renewal Pads, $45 |
| Dry or sensitized | Hydrating Cleanser, $64 | Exfoliating Polish, $94 | Calming Toner, $65 |
| Oily or blemish-prone | Exfoliating Cleanser, $64 | Dual Action Scrub, $67 | Complexion Renewal Pads, $45 |
Exfoliating Cleanser deserves a note. It already exfoliates, with jojoba beads and salicylic acid, and ZO uses it morning and evening as step 1. Pair it with Exfoliating Polish on the same day and that is two exfoliation steps back to back. Oily skin often handles that well. Drier skin usually does better with Gentle Cleanser or Hydrating Cleanser on polish days.
Signs you are over-exfoliating
Over-exfoliation is the most common reason a ZO routine starts to feel harsh, and it usually comes from stacking: an exfoliating cleanser, a polish, renewal pads and a retinol, all on the same night. These are the signs to pull back.
- Skin feels tight, or looks shiny and taut rather than smooth
- Serums or moisturizer sting when they go on
- Patches of redness, flaking or roughness that were not there before
- New sensitivity after you increased how often you exfoliate
If you notice any of these, stop the polish and any exfoliating cleanser for a week. Use a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer, then restart at once or twice a week. If the irritation does not settle, stop the product and speak with a physician or dermatologist.
For where exfoliation fits in a complete regimen, see our step-by-step ZO routine and our ZO Skin Health brand guide.
$94 for 65 g, or $33 for the travel size, shipped from Toronto. Free shipping on orders $99+, and samples with every order.
Shop Exfoliating PolishAll ZO Skin Health · Dual Action Scrub · Complexion Renewal Pads
Frequently asked questions
How often should you use ZO Exfoliating Polish?
ZO recommends two to three times a week as the standard starting point. Begin at twice a week. Skin that is already used to regular exfoliation can build toward more frequent use gradually, and dry or sensitized skin may need less.
What is the difference between ZO Exfoliating Polish and Dual Action Scrub?
Exfoliating Polish is a physical exfoliant that uses ultra-fine magnesium oxide crystals and suits most skin types. Dual Action Scrub combines lactic and salicylic acid with round wax beads, so it exfoliates chemically as well as physically, and ZO positions it for oily and blemish-prone skin.
Can you use ZO Exfoliating Polish every day?
ZO says daily use may be appropriate for skin that is acclimated to regular exfoliation, or when a skin care professional recommends it. It is not where to start. Build up from twice a week, and pull back if skin feels tight or products start to sting.
Can you use Exfoliating Polish and Dual Action Scrub together?
Not on the same day. They fill the same exfoliation step in ZO's Getting Skin Ready system, so choose one. Some people use Dual Action Scrub when skin is oilier in summer and Exfoliating Polish when it is drier in winter.
Can you use ZO Exfoliating Polish with retinol?
Yes, but keep exfoliation at the lower end of the range while you are using a retinol such as ZO Retinol Skin Brightener. Keeping polish nights and retinol nights separate is a simple way to reduce the chance of irritation.
How much is ZO Exfoliating Polish in Canada?
$94 for 65 g, or $33 for the 16.2 g travel size, at Your Skin Solution, an authorized Canadian retailer, with free shipping on orders over $99 within Canada.
Product descriptions, key ingredients and directions are as published by ZO Skin Health. Prices and sizes are as listed on our store on 23 September 2026 and may change. Descriptions refer to visible, cosmetic change in the appearance of skin. Individual results vary. This article is general information, not medical advice. Irritation that does not settle after stopping a product is worth raising with a physician or dermatologist.