Dr. Zein Obagi is a board-certified dermatologist who founded the Obagi skincare line. This medical-grade brand features products that are designed to reduce fine lines, diminish dark spots, and prevent premature aging.
Key Ingredients
The Obagi line is formulated with ingredients proven to be effective, such as the following:
# Vitamin C - a powerful antioxidant to help protect the skin from damage caused by the environment, evens tone, helps diminish dark spots, and promotes radiance. It also influences collagen and elastin production.
# Peptides - as the building blocks of protein, peptides help collagen and elastin absorb deeper into the skin because they are very small and can penetrate easier.
# Retinol - to help improve skin texture, reduce fine lines, decrease pore size, and restore some firmness.
# Glycolic Acid - works to exfoliate the skin, help retain moisture, and aid in natural regeneration.
In this review, we will discuss the top Obagi products, along with both positive and negative comments from people who have used the products, to provide a more accurate review.
What Are The Top Obagi Skin Care Products?
The Obagi skincare line is designed to help counter the skin’s natural aging process, as well as improve damage and hyper-pigmentation. Below is a list of Obagi’s most popular products.
MOISTURIZER
Obagi Hydrate Moisturizer
Created to nourish dry skin, this moisturizer is creamy and emollient, yet it’s non-greasy. Shea butter, glycerin, and mango butter are added to seal in moisture. Hydromanil is added to lock in the moisture that is released as the product is applied to the skin, and promises to provide 8 hours of hydration protection.
Customer Reviews: 69 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “Great product scent free light feel with lots of hydration!”
Negative: “wish it came in a bigger size”
SERUMS
Obagi Vitamin C Serum
There are 3 different strengths available of Obagi Vitamin C Serum, at 10%, 15%, and 20%. In all of these available strengths, vitamin C comes in the form of L-ascorbic acid. Vitamin C plays an important role in skincare to help with tone and texture, as well as reduce fine lines.
All 3 formulas also contain a synthetic fragrance, which can be problematic for sensitive skin.
Customer Reviews: no ratings on DermAvenue, reviews found elsewhere averaging 4.5
Favorable: “After only few days started to see brighter skin with fewer dark spots on my face. Have used for over a year and believe it is worth the cost.”
Negative: “I have very sensitive skin and have used Obagi products in the past. I decided I wanted to try the Vitamin C serum again and purchased the Vitamin C 20. Sadly after one application, it appeared to dry my skin (several dry patches). Perhaps I should have started with a lower concentration (10) and worked my way up to achieve the results all of the other reviewers have received.”
Obagi Professional-C Serum 20%
This potent serum has a high concentration of L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and antioxidants to help neutralize free radicals, as well as protect the skin from the environment. It also boosts collagen production for better elasticity and minimizes the appearance of fine lines. The serum is also created to stimulate the skin to repair itself from previous damage.
Customer Reviews: 91 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “I love Obagi vit c serum. I've been using it for a few years now. I truly believe it makes a difference in my skin.”
Negative: “Had hoped this would take away my dark spots. It has lightened them but they are still there.”
EYE CREAM
Obagi Elastiderm Eye Cream
There is a high concentration of humectant, emollients, and silicone in this eye cream, giving it a silky and lightweight feel. The emollients work together to soften and provide moisture to the skin around the eye, whereas the humectant work to increase moisture and temporarily plump the skin and diminish the appearance of fine lines. The silicone work as a protectant to temporarily seal in the moisture from the emollients and humectant.
The levels of key ingredients in this particular product indicate that the results you might see are temporary for the duration of using the cream.
Customer Reviews: 67 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “I have been using this cream for years now and I love it! I am now 75 and I will use it as long as I can.”
Negative: “This eye cream has a nice feel to it, but I do not feel it has any many of the beneficial properties it says it has. It isn’t exactly meeting my expectations.”
SPECIALTY TREATMENTS
Obagi Nu-Derm FX System (Normal to Dry)
This starter system is for normal to dry skin, working to clarify, brighten, improve texture, and even out the overall complexion and surface. It should be noted that arbutin is an ingredient added as a natural source and alternative to chemical skin lighteners found in other products. The system includes the following:
# Gentle Cleanser #1 (6.7 oz.)# Toner #2 (6.7 oz.)
# Clear Fx #3 (2 oz.)
# Exfoderm #4 (2 oz.)
# Blend Fx #5 (2 oz.)
# Hydrate Moisturizer #6 (1.7 oz.)
# Sun Shield SPF 50 (3 oz.)
Customer Reviews: 16 reviews, 5 star
Favorable: “Great! I have been using the Obagi products for a few years and it is the best active skin care and works well for me.”
Negative: None
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx is a moisturizer, exfoliate, and brightener in one. It is designed to correct hyper-pigmentation, smooth complexion, and moisturize in one product. Full of antioxidants, as well as Arbutin for skin brightening, it is gentle enough to use on most skin.
Customer Reviews: 106 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “I wrote a review just now on another product I always use with Clear. Would never be without the both of them. I am 76 and have no wrinkles or dark spots on my face or neck. They are the best. Recommend to me by a plastic surgeon over twenty years ago.”
Negative: “Love the product hate the cost”
Suzan Obagi Retivance Skin Rejuvenating Complex
This complex contains retinaldehyde, which is a vitamin A derivative. It also contains peptides and antioxidants, which work together to help improve texture, reduce signs of aging, and reduce redness.
Customer Reviews: 2 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “I really love Obagi Retivance. It goes on so smooth and feels good on my face. My face did peel after using it for several weeks. The new skin was soft and less wrinkled looking.”
Negative: None
Obagi Professional C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask
This specialty mask exfoliates with ultra-fine crystals, while also providing a good dose of vitamin C (30%). Removing debris and build-up from older skin cells allows the newer skin to absorb vitamin C better.
Customer Reviews: 12 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “Great product. I’ve struggled to find something to minimize my pores. This does it beautifully. So happy I tried it. My skin looks great. I use it 3 times a week in warm weather. Only twice a week in the winter.”
Negative: “I do not like this product.. it feels like a film of wax. Very difficult to rinse off.”
SUNSCREEN
Obagi Nu-Derm Healthy Skin Protection Broad Spectrum SPF 35
This sunscreen from Obagi contains both mineral and chemical protection. The mineral is zinc oxide, with the chemical coming from octinoxate. They work together to provide broad-spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. It is an SPF 35 sunscreen. However, it does contain parabens as a preservative.
Customer Reviews: 7 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “I’ve used this sunscreen for years with great results. I highly recommend this product.”
Negative: None
Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50
This SPF 50 sunscreen by Obagi contains minerals (zinc oxide) and chemicals (octisalate and homosalate), making it broad-spectrum, protecting it from UVA and UVB rays. It’s a lightweight and non-greasy formula, with a nice matte finish.
Customer Reviews: 47 reviews, 5 stars
Favorable: “Very good.excellent coverage.great for sensitive skin. Very protective”
Negative: “It’s OK”
Where Can You Buy Obagi Skin Care Products?
Obagi skincare products can be purchased on their website, through a physician’s office, in some medical spas, or from an authorized online skincare company. You can go to Obagi’s website to use their locator and enter your zip code. That will guide you to locations that carry Obagi near you or online.
What is The Obagi Return Policy?
If for some reason you need to return a product, it’s best to know the return policy of where you choose to purchase it before you invest. The return policy of Obagi states, “If you are dissatisfied with any purchase you have made through this Site, you have the option of returning any unopened product for a refund within 30 days of the shipment date stated on the invoice.”
Is Obagi Cruelty-Free?
The Obagi company states on its website, “Unless mandated by the FDA for drug safety purposes, Obagi does not test its products on animals. Non-prescription Obagi products have not been tested on animals.”
Are Obagi Skincare Products Vegan?
The Obagi website states, “We cannot guarantee that any of our products are vegan”
The Bottom Line
The overall view is that the products contain key and quality ingredients. But, they also contain some preservatives, which help each product’s shelf life. The consumer should be the judge on whether that is a pro or con for them.
Customer reviews are mostly of highly favorable opinions from several long-term users.
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