The skin care industry has always been competitive, but the battle for market share has been escalating in recent years.  Now for Obagi Medical Products, that battle has found its way into the courthouse.

Dr. Zein Obagi, founder of ZO Skin Health, is now suing his former company, Obagi Medical Products (OMP), for anti-competitive practices. According to the complaint filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Obagi Medical allegedly interfered with the distribution of Dr. Obagi’s new “ZO” line of anti-aging products. According to reports, the disagreement stems from a non-compete agreement between the two parties, and whether that agreement should stop ZO Skin Health from distributing its new line directly to consumers over the internet. Obagi Medical denies any wrongful conduct in the matter, and says it will vigorously defend the suit.

The demand for anti-aging skin care products is expected to increase as baby-boomers continue to take advantage of advances in skin care science. Between 2006 and 2008, U.S. sales alone rose 13% to 1.6 billion dollars, and the trend shows no sign of weakening. Skin health is affected by a number of variables, including the environment (sun, wind, pollution), lifestyle (diet and exercise) and genetics. As a person ages, the process of skin-cell-rejuvenation is also slowed. Topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health products on the market today are specifically designed to address these issues.

Read more about anti-aging skincare and Obagi products in Eugene, Oregon.