Your skin is more important than you might think it is. From protecting the internal organs to regulating body temperature through sweat glands, it does a lot! Surprisingly, I used to believe that perhaps one needs a long routine to take care of it. However, in reality, it does not have to be that complicated. Gentle cleansing of the skin without robbing its natural oils, using serums and toners will do you enough. Studying facts from various Obagi reviews, including mine, I shall be laying out its features in this article.
The key to the perfect skincare routine is using products that sync well and work for your skin type. If you’re not confident about Obagi’s skincare regimens, I recommend you read till the end to form a solid opinion. Any good skincare set should be a simple, ready-to-go routine. The Obagi skincare line claims to give its buyers prescription-based paraben-free skincare.
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Contents
Obagi Reviews | Is it Worth The Money?
To offer better services to users, Obagi has two branches – Medical and Clinical. Whether you are looking for help with dull and aging skin, or dark spots and scarring, they claim that you are bound to find it in one of these options. However, I notice that the brand does break the bank when it comes to its products. The well-funded research for developing products for all races and skin textures is the root cause of this.
The complete line includes cleansers, toners, moisturizers, serums, and masks. They have specific products for retinoids, eye care, body care, and sun protection as well. You can also purchase them in selected dermatology clinics and through online retailers too. The downside to this, however, is that you may need a prescription to buy certain products. The brand seems to give science-backed ways to improve both the visual appeal and function of your skin. We shall now look if the products really address cosmetic and medical concerns or if it’s just wordplay.
8 Best Obagi Product Reviews
Usually, we link the word skincare to three topics – inflammation, skin cancer, and a long aisle of beauty products at a cosmetics store. However, it’s not as shallow as it might seem. While we may feel that maintaining a skincare regime is a tedious job, in reality, the steps for healthy skin are not as bad. In fact, we can implement and get used to them very easily. Obagi’s troupe of products includes the best-reviewed set of formulas that the creators clinically test and customize based on medical research.
The Obagi line of products channels the resources towards the most prudent areas of skin research. They are transparent about what goes into the making and educate their buyers. There are suggestions on their website that say mornings should be about prevention and protection from the sun, and evenings should be focused on cleansing and repair. As mentioned before, their products include a variety of regular skincare must-haves. Based on the top Obagi reviews, here are their best products.
Obagi Professional C Serum 15%
If skin cancer isn’t enough to convince you, the WHO declares UV and IR exposure as the number one cause of uneven skin tone, wrinkles, loss of firmness, and premature aging. The brand designed this serum to diminish or cut out the effect of sun damage. It has antioxidants such as Vitamin C and organic acids to address skin concerns like uneven, dull skin tone, discoloration, and more. When I used it at regular times, the serum had given me a radiant glow.
It has FDA-approved quantities of ingredients that have medicinal qualities. A good concentration of Vitamin C sinks into my skin easily and softens the outer layer. Moreover, it removes the dead skin cells off my face in a matter of a night. Despite the high content of Vitamin C, it has helped my sensitive skin recover. It must be kept in mind that I had referred an expert before using the product. I recommend you do so, too, as it may dry your skin if you have underlying skin diseases. Many other Obagi Vitamin C reviews say so too.
The Magic Ingredients | Obagi for Pigmentation Reviews
It has alcohol compounds that are humectants at low levels. They lock in the moisture and take it to the outer layer of the skin. This resolves skin dehydration and dullness. Furthermore, they help the other ingredients activate. The Zinc compounds give a tightening or tingling sensation to my skin and help cleanse or prevent odor. That is done by destroying the growth of microorganisms. It also has sugar components that prevent moisture loss by pulling water by osmosis from the air, thus hydrating my skin.
Some chemical compounds control the pH balance of the products and act as excellent absorbents. The glucosides help to fade away the existing dark marks and ward off the production of new ones. Hindering the melanin (color) production process in the skin does the job. I could smell a hint of fragrance which, although it didn’t irritate my skin, was not required.
- Supercharge Your Glow: Harness the power of L-ascorbic acid, the industry's gold standard of vitamin C, to brighten skin tone, reduce signs of past skin damage, and minimize the appearance of fine lines & wrinkles
- 15% Vitamin C Serum: Known as the purest form of Vitamin C, L-ascorbic Acid is formulated at pH levels shown to optimize stability, permeability, and efficacy to help neutralize free radicals and fortify the skin barrier defenses
- The ABCs of Skincare: An easy way to achieve healthy skin is by implementing the ABCs of skincare to your routines; Retinol (vitamin A) in the evening, and Broad Spectrum Sunscreen (vitamin B) & vitamin C as part of your morning routine
Why should you invest in Obagi Professional C Serum?
- It reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
- Moisturizes dry skin.
- Reverses loss of elasticity.
Drawbacks
- It has an artificial fragrance.
- Pretty Expensive.
Alternative to Obagi Professional C Serum
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin C Serum for Face - 10% Vitamin C with Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E - Vegan & Clean - Anti... | Check Price |
Obagi Hydrate Facial Moisturizer
Moisturization is a crucial step to maintain your skin’s topmost cells and to protect them from sensitivity. People who moisturize generously in their youth are much more likely to have beautifully textured skin when they’re older. Moisturizers are important to help avoid further breakouts. When my skin is irritated and devoid of moisture, it actually causes breakouts and acne. Many Obagi moisturizer reviews show that you can reduce your chances of any skin problems arising by using it regularly.
This moisturizer helps prevent dry skin, calm sensitive skin, and improve the smoothness and texture of the skin. It is hypoallergic and does not leave me with an oily imprint. I noticed that it left my skin feeling dewy for eight hours. It has greatly reduced the oil production on my face.
What goes into this cosmetic recipe?
This buttery product includes the richness of shea butter, mango butter, and avocado to fight skin dryness. It has ingredients derived from fatty acids of vegetable oil that stabilize it, reduce water evaporation, and avoid forming surface crusts. Low molecular weight silicones absorb excess oil and give a mattifying effect to the skin. Moreover, it has soy extracts that provide a smoothing effect for diminishing roughness and wrinkles.
- All Day Moisturization: Obagi Hydrate Facial Moisturizer provides all day moisturization with an innovative hydration technology and natural ingredients such as shea butter, mango butter, avocado and glycerin, which further help combat dryness
- For All Skin Types: Gentle, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, Obagi Hydrate is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin
- Advanced Hydration: Tara Seed Extract matrix molecules help achieve and retain moisture and enhances your skin’s appearance and texture by allowing the epidermis to remain hydrated and to retain moisture
Certain polymers are effective as skin protectants that have notably increased my skin flexibility. It has plant extracts that penetrate deep into the skin and rejuvenate it from within. I find my skin a lot softer after using this product every day. The thickening agents help in making the product solid enough to apply easily. The ingredients are all well laid out so that they don’t cut each others’ benefits.
What is good about Obagi Hydrate Facial Moisturizer?
- It has the goodness of fruit butter.
- Easy to apply.
- Shelf life is long.
- Has a good amount of humectants.
Why should you be careful with this product?
- Contains silicones.
- It takes time to get completely absorbed.
Alternative to Obagi Hydrate Facial Moisturizer
| Preview | Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion for Face, With Hyaluronic Acid, 3 fl oz, Lasting 24 Hour Hydration,... | Check Price |
Obagi Medical Nu-Derm Foaming Gel Cleanser
Facial cleansers are designed to remove pollutants, germs, dirt, and makeup that irritate the skin. When cleansed too often, skin can lose its natural moisture. As suggested by many Obagi nu derm reviews, the solution to this is using a gentle gel cleanser. I practice the double cleansing approach of Japanese tradition, where I use two facial cleansers to remove impurities while maintaining a healthy pH for my skin’s natural moisture barrier.
The first facial cleanser is a silky, oil-based cleanser. I gently massage it into my face to lift the sebum trapped in my pores to the surface. After rinsing thoroughly, I use the second cleanser – the Obagi Nu-Derm foaming gel cleanser. When gently massaged into my skin again, it envelops the gunk with lather and, with a dabble of water, rinses them away. It leaves my skin feeling nourished and gets the blood flowing to the surface. In fact, collagen production is regulated as well.
The Key Ingredients | Obagi Testimonials
Colloidal oats in the product are good for hydration as they seal the moisture. These compounds are effective in reducing the fine lines on the forehead. It has plant extracts that have a cooling, anti-inflammatory, and saline effect on my skin. I have noticed its effectiveness in reducing redness and treating damaged & irritated skin tissue. The chamomile extract has wound healing properties and natural skin moisturizing benefits.
- Rinses clean while soothing delicate skin
- Ideal for dry and delicate skin
- Specially formulated to calm skin as it cleanses
Moreover, it has chemical compounds that increase the viscosity of the other ingredients so that my skin absorbs them better. Normal water can make the skin feel tight, itchy, or dry. We usually strip away the natural oils while using them. Hence, they use purified water to make the product soluble. The downside to this product is the usage of parabens. They prevent the growth of bacteria and molds in the product, but they can cause hormone imbalances.
Pros
- Gets rid of dirt and sebum.
- Treats rough and dull skin.
- Reduces inflammation.
Cons
- It is way more expensive than its competitors.
- Contains Parabens. In fact, a good non-paraben substitute for this would be Paula’s Choice Hydrating Cleanser.
Obagi Reviews for Dark Spots | Clear Fx
This antioxidant-rich cream clarifies and brightens my gloomy complexion for a more radiant, healthier-looking complexion. As someone who suffers from melasma, brightening products are a must in my arsenal. I know that certain brightening products do not work as well on darker skin tones. I am cautious about not ending up over-correcting my dark spots and make them brighter than my base skin tone. That only makes the patches look more clear.
This Obagi skin brightening cream review confirms that it is a fair product in neutral active ingredients. They don’t highlight my darks pots only. The correction takes place on an overall scale. However, it must be kept in mind that certain dark spots may be slow to respond to topical treatments. In that regard, this product actually benefits me by penetrating the skin more deeply and exfoliating it. A lot of Obagi skin brightening cream reviews agee on the same.
Ingredients
It uses the goodness of Arbutin, a compound that fights hyperpigmentation, meaning it fades age spots, acne scars, sun spots, and melasma. Also, it prevents further freckles and hyperpigmentation from developing, even after a case of sunburn. Moreover, it is said to even and brighten your complexion and give you healthy, glowing skin. The arbutin blends out the actual skin and reveals the new underlying collagen fibers.
It also has some wonderful natural proteins found in plants that give more skin surface activity. These are a great way to clean the skin. They are known to boost skin hydration and treat razor burns and sunburns. Furthermore, Lactic acid exfoliates by breaking the bonds between dead skin cells to reveal more radiant skin. In fact, a combination of these ingredients has the ability to soften and smooth flakiness on my skin.
- Skin-brightening cream formulated with arbutin to enhance the appearance of your skin for a brighter complexion
- The Obagi Medical Nu-Derm Fx System helps transform the skin’s appearance by brightening the complexion
- Complete skin care system specially formulated for normal to dry skin that includes arbutin-based skin brighteners
Why is Obagi Nu-Derm Skin Brightening Cream worth your money?
- Exfoliates your skin to reveal new collagen.
- Has the goodness of Vitamin E.
- Gives the skin a smoother texture.
Why is this product not worth it?
- Contains sulfates and parabens.
- It costs a fortune when bought with the kit.
Alternative to Nu-Derm Skin Brightening Cream
Obagi Sunscreen Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50
UVA and UVB rays prematurely age skin and burn your skin. They can both cause skin cancer. Even if you don’t jump in for a swim, a water-resistant sun protection cream will stay on longer while you’re sweating. In fact, it is wise to pick an SPF of 50 or higher in extensive outdoor activity to stay protected. This is where Obagi sunny screen sun shield broad-spectrum SPF 50 comes to the rescue.
Stick sunscreens require at least four strokes on each part of the skin to get the job done. However, this lotion sunscreen is easy to apply generously and evenly. This is crucial for any sunscreen to work effectively. While some Obagi sunscreen reviews say it feels lightweight on the skin and won’t clog pores, many do not agree. I find that it may leave your skin feeling oily after a few hours. The good thing is it is free of parabens, meaning no hormone issues.
Obagi Sunscreen Ingredients
It contains chemical isolates as active ingredients. These prevent direct skin exposure to the sun’s harmful rays by absorbing ultraviolet and infrared light.
The plant wax gives the product a smooth application and glossy finish. Also, it keeps the product in pliable yet solid form. In fact, it has emollients that act as wonderful support to SPF-containing products and help them work better. Additionally, the beeswax locks in the moisture and bounces back the UV rays effectively.
- Sun Protection for All Skin Types: Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50 sunscreen combines UVB and UVA protection in an elegant, matte finish that is non-comedogenic and dermatologist-tested
- Broad Spectrum Protection: The active ingredients (homosalate 10%, octisalate 5%, zinc oxide 16.5%) sit on top of the skin and deflect the sun’s harmful rays, providing full UVA and UVB protection
- Your First Line of Defense for Healthy Skin: Obagi Sun Shield products are ideal to provide daily protection from the sun to help prevent signs of skin aging and preserve skin health
What’s good about this Obagi Sunscreen SPF 50?
- It gives you a matte finish after application.
- Moreover, it prevents skin cancer.
- It keeps the skin hydrated without leaving a white cast on.
- Fragrance-free and non-clogging.
What are the cons of this product?
- It does not work when taking swims.
- Children under the age of six need skin expert prescription.
Obagi Medical 360 Retinol 0.5
Retinols are one of only two proven ways to prevent the signs of aging, the other one being sunscreens. Retinol, one of the forms of vitamin A, works by stimulating skin cells shedding from below, leading to smoother skin and a reduction in both signs of aging and acne. Many Obagi reviews for retinol say that it breaks the old collagen and allows new fibers to form immediately. The Obagi medical retinol gives me a plumped skin effect that reduces the appearance of fine lines, enlarged pores, and wrinkles.
Additionally, it has an exfoliating effect on the skin’s surface. This can further improve texture and tone. Although, it must be noted that retinol should not be applied when going out in the sun as it can cause burns. Pregnant women are advised not to use it. It may increase the risk of congenital disabilities and miscarriages.
Key Ingredients
The safflower seed oil contains good fatty acids that can help reduce signs and the occurrence of dry skin. Calendula oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that might make it easy to heal wounds, soothe eczema, and relieve skin rashes. Natural glycerides unclog the pores and give me a fresh look.
Perks Of Obagi Medical 360 Retinol 0.5
- Reduces dark spots and fine lines.
- Increases collagen production.
- Exfoliates at a cellular level.
- Regulates oily skin and minimizes breakouts.
- Renew Your Skin: Minimize visible signs of skin aging with our highly effective retinol cream designed with an entrapped retinol delivery system that gradually and gently releases ingredients with minimal irritation
- Highly Effective Retinol: Our unique formula features Retinol, a retinoid that has been shown to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, smooth skin texture, and improve overall skin tone
- Safe for Sensitive Skin: Our cream-based formula is suitable for all skin types
What are the unavoidable drawbacks of this product?
- Pregnant women must stay away from it.
- It may cause burns if worn out in the sun.
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Medical Nu-Derm Exfoderm | Obagi for Acne
At times, dead cells don’t shed in full capacity. This leads to dry, flaky patches and clogged pores. Exfoliating can help prevent this. However, if performed incorrectly, exfoliation can irritate your skin and may result in water loss. In fact, applying a humectant oil or serum later can help minimize irritation and lock in moisture. Many Obagi reviews for acne say that using Exfoderm prevents future breakouts but may cause cystic acne if used regularly.
Ingredients
It contains phytic acid that helps me fight signs of aging by shedding off dead skin cells. Also, it works against menace-creating molecules that damage my body and skin. These are what we call the free radicals. It has chemicals that help to boost the Sun Protection Factor of UV filters.
- Advanced Lightweight Exfoliating Lotion: Exfoliates and removes old, dull skin while revealing fresh skin for a brighter, more radiant complexion
- For Normal to Dry Skin Types: Formulated with Phytic Acid an antioxidant offering mild exfoliating properties helping to brighten and even the look of skin
- A Complete Skin Brightening System: The Obagi Nu-Derm Fx System helps transform the look of your skin by noticeably evening out and brightening your complexion
Furthermore, Canola oil has certain properties which help in preventing skin infections. Moreover, it not only treats the redness of the skin but also prevents eczema.
Why is Obagi Medical Nu-Derm Exfoderm the right choice for you?
- Work for sensitive skin as well.
- It has a pleasant consistency.
- Gives you a brighter complexion.
Forfeits of buying this product
- It contains PEGs. Here’s a vegan option for the same – Beauty By Earth Face Scrub Exfoliating Face Wash
Obagi ELASTIderm Eye Cream
Constant squinting and touching of the eyes also fasten the appearance of lines and wrinkles. In fact, some fluids get collected under the eyes and cause puffiness and dark circles. Also, Obagi reviews on Reddit show that the Elastiderm eye cream can address some of these major issues skillfully. It has ingredients that can help circulation under the eyes, which could reduce puffiness. In fact, I applied the eye cream twice a day and noticed a change.
The Ingredients In The Mix
It uses a bio-mineral complex that has zinc and copper, which develops the healthy elastin needed. This makes the under-eye skin look smooth and firm. Moreover, it has vitamin C and proteins that build new collagen bonds and give rise to a youthful glow. In fact, 97% of the volunteers said that these compounds made their undereye skin more elastic and resilient. The paraffin coats and seals the moisture, allowing the thin skin to recover.
- Obagi Medical ELASTIderm Eye Cream helps revitalize the skin around eyes and rejuvenate your appearance
- Formulated with a unique bi-mineral complex and malonic acid for smoother, firmer-looking skin around the eyes
- Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging, but with good skin care and smart lifestyle choices, you can help minimize the visible appearance of aging
What about Obagi Elastiderm Eye Cream is worth the pay?
- Minimizes puffiness.
- It prepares the under-eye skin for makeup.
- Reduces the appearance of dark circles and wrinkles.
Drawbacks
- It is an expensive choice that Revive Science Eye Cream can very well replace.
FAQs | Obagi Reviews
Does Obagi Skincare Really Work?
The line has customers who come back to buy the products repeatedly due to the good quality.
How Long Does It Take For Obagi To Work?
Consistency is key. The result timings may vary from person to person. However, it usually takes 21 days to see results properly.
Is Obagi a Good Product?
Most of the products have very impressive reviews and ratings. They have target-oriented skincare solutions. However, many dupes for it may con you.
Is Obagi Medical Grade?
All of Obagi’s products are dermatologically tested, and some are given out on prescription.
Closure | Obagi Reviews
Gathering facts from many Obagi reviews, I can say that the line has a great eye for quality and inclusivity. However, the prices may be a tough call to make for some people. The dupes are also a major cause of concern. The products’ effectiveness is, regardless, highly commendable if used properly.
All of their products are designed with deep medical research to leave no scope for less quality. They offer exchanges and refunds in the case of customer dissatisfaction. Furthermore, they have a set of examination quizzes to find out your skin’s needs. All in all, it can be deemed a good skincare brand.
If you have any queries or suggestions, do not hesitate to write to us in the comment section.