Obagi skincare
Obagi is an American skincare brand founded in 1988 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2026.
Skincare enthusiasts love Obagi for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, and clarifying toners, all driven by advanced scientific formulas. Its products suit mature skin and dry skin best, providing deep replenishment and targeted care. For specific concerns, the brand offers the Hydrate Luxe for acne-prone skin, the Retinol 0.5 for skin with dark spots, and the Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream for mature skin. Through thoughtful daily use, its well-formulated range helps individuals achieve a balanced, radiant, and healthy complexion.
This page covers some of the most popular Obagi products; for the whole Obagi range, with a fit score for every product, use the Lovi app.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 6.3k+ reviewsReviewers most often praise Obagi for improving skin texture, deep hydration, and reducing fine lines. The most common complaints are irritation and high price points.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating and soothing moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
- “hydrating for super-dry skin — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
- “Users report it "stops flaking," "quenches dry skin," and provides "moisture that lasts all day." — Hydrate Luxe”
- “reduces redness — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
Fast-absorbing and improving serums Mostly Mentioned
- “smooth as a baby — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
- “Does seem to keep my skin smooth. — Retinol 0.5”
- “keeps pores cleared — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
Lightweight and textured moisturizers Mostly Mentioned
- “absorbs instantly — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
- “Described as "whipped butter," "rich but non-greasy," and "silky," absorbing well despite its thickness. — Hydrate Luxe”
- “skin younger looking — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
Brightening and anti-aging serums Mostly Mentioned
- “instantly brightens face — Vitamin C Serum”
- “lightened age spots — Vitamin C Serum”
- “diminished fine lines — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
High price Often Mentioned
- “very expensive — Vitamin C Serum”
- “expensive — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
- “Users note it is "expensive," "pricey," or a "splurge" compared to other moisturizers. — Hydrate Luxe”
Skin irritation and dryness Often Mentioned
- “shedding like a snake — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
- “redness and burning — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
- “sucked moisture out — Tretinoin Cream 0.05%”
Packaging and dispenser issues Sometimes Noted
- “pump does not work — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
- “dropper leaks — Vitamin C Serum”
- “Complaints about the "unhygienic jar" and a preference for a "pump dispenser." — Hydrate Luxe”
Texture and formula complaints Sometimes Noted
- “turned orange fast — Vitamin C Serum”
- “feels tacky — Vitamin C Serum”
- “too thick — Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, walmart.com, skincareessentials.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
Is Obagi good for oily skin?
Obagi is a good match for oily skin, with Lovi rating the brand-focused routines High for this skin type. Reviewers frequently mention that Obagi offers fast-absorbing serums and lightweight moisturizers, though some users note skin irritation and dryness.
Is Obagi worth it?
Obagi is worth considering for mature and dry skin, as Lovi rates the brand's routines High for these types and reviewers often mention its deeply hydrating moisturizers and brightening serums. However, shoppers should note the high price and the potential for skin irritation and dryness.
What are Obagi's best products?
Obagi's best products for dry skin and mature skin include Hydrate Luxe and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream, both rating Superior on Lovi. For sensitive skin and skin with dark spots, Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Hydrate Luxe rate High.
Which Obagi moisturizer is best for dry skin?
Hydrate Luxe is the best moisturizer for dry skin, with Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream also providing strong options. Lovi rates Hydrate Luxe as Superior for dry skin, while Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream both rate High.
Is Obagi fragrance-free?
Most of the Obagi products on this page are fragrance-free, as 7 out of 8 products list no fragrance. However, the Nu-Derm Toner does contain fragrance.
What are the key ingredients in Obagi products?
Obagi products frequently use ingredients such as retinol, tretinoin, and vitamin C to target signs of aging and dark spots. Lovi notes that retinol helps improve mature skin, while tretinoin supports oily and acne-prone skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993
How do I build a Obagi skincare routine?
To build an Obagi routine for dry skin, start your morning with a cleanser, a hydrating toner, the Hydrate Luxe moisturizer, and an SPF. In the evening, use a pre-cleanser, a cleanser, the Vitamin C serum, and the Hydrate Luxe moisturizer. Once a week, add a nourishing mask into your evening steps before applying the serum and moisturizer.
Where can I buy Obagi, and how much does it cost?
Obagi is available through stores in Canada. Prices on the page range from CA$41.99 to CA$103.73.
What are good alternatives to Obagi?
Good alternatives to Obagi include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica. Lovi rates CeraVe-focused routines as Superior for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.
Obagi vs CeraVe: which is better?
CeraVe rates higher than Obagi for all main skin types, with CeraVe-focused routines reaching a Superior fit compared to Obagi's High fit across dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Obagi products on this page are priced from CA$41.99 to CA$103.73.
Who owns Obagi, and where is it from?
Obagi is an American brand founded in 1988, owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2026.
Is Obagi cruelty-free?
PETA, Leaping Bunny, and Cruelty Free International, the registries Lovi checks, do not list Obagi as cruelty-free.
Is Obagi good for dry skin?
Yes, Obagi is good for dry skin, as the brand features deep moisturizers and its routines fit dry skin well. Lovi rates Hydrate Luxe and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream High for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that the moisturizers are deeply hydrating and soothing, though skin dryness and irritation are sometimes noted.
Is Obagi good for sensitive skin?
Yes, Obagi fits sensitive skin well with moisturizers like Hydrate Luxe rating High on Lovi for sensitive skin, though some users report irritation. Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine High for sensitive skin.
Is Obagi good for acne-prone skin?
Obagi is a good match for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routine High for this skin type. Reviewers frequently mention that Obagi offers deep moisturizers and fast-absorbing serums, though some users note skin irritation and dryness.
Is Obagi good for mature skin?
Yes, Obagi fits mature skin well, as the brand features several highly rated moisturizers and anti-aging serums for this skin type. Lovi rates Hydrate Luxe Superior, and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream High for mature skin.
Research behind Obagi's key ingredients
Molecular basis of retinol anti-ageing properties in naturally aged human skin in vivo
Topical tretinoin for treating photoaging: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Preparation and evaluation of anti-wrinkle cream containing saffron extract and avocado oil
Kinetin Improves Barrier Function of the Skin by Modulating Keratinocyte Differentiation Markers
Anatomical site differences of sodium lauryl sulfate-induced irritation: randomized controlled trial
Saccharide isomerate ameliorates cosmetic scalp conditions in a Chinese study population
Targeting Circadian Rhythm for the Regulation of Skin Collagen Metabolism
Behind these ratings
Lovi rates every product from its full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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