Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% for combination skin
Ascorbic Acid
Sodium Hyaluronate
Zinc Chloride
Propylene GlycolHigh
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
A great choice for combination skin; a few serums fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers excellent brightening and antioxidant protection for your combination skin, as ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside work to even skin tone and shield from environmental stressors.
- The formula is highly suitable for your oily shine concerns, with these key ingredients also supporting collagen synthesis.
- The product is safe for your skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.9k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users with normal to oily skin report this high-potency serum provides a significant glow and brightens the complexion while improving skin texture. Many reviewers praise its effectiveness in fading hyperpigmentation, acne scars, and sun spots. Some users note it can be drying or irritating for sensitive skin types.
Highlights
Brightens complexion Mostly Mentioned
- “skin looks radiant”
- “gives an instant glow”
- “complexion is brighter”
- “skin looks vibrant”
Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
- “lightened my sun spots”
- “helped with hyperpigmentation”
- “acne scars are fading”
- “evened out skin tone”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “sinks right in”
- “not greasy at all”
- “absorbs instantly”
- “layers well under makeup”
Smoothes skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels softer”
- “texture is much smoother”
- “pores look smaller”
- “face feels like silk”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “very expensive”
- “pricey for the size”
- “wish it was cheaper”
- “cost is a downside”
Oxidizes quickly Sometimes Noted
- “turned orange fast”
- “arrived already yellow”
- “color changed in weeks”
- “unstable formula”
Reduces fine lines Rarely Noted
- “softened my wrinkles”
- “lines are less visible”
- “skin looks firmer”
- “plumps the skin”
Causes dryness/irritation Rarely Noted
- “dried out my skin”
- “stung upon application”
- “caused peeling”
- “too strong for me”
Poor packaging Rarely Noted
- “cap doesn't seal tight”
- “leaked in transit”
- “dropper is flimsy”
- “bottle design causes spills”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, obagi.com, walmart.com, oprahdaily.com, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% a great fit for combination skin?
This serum is a great fit because it offers excellent brightening and antioxidant protection, using ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside to even skin tone and shield your skin from environmental stressors. The formula is also well suited for oily shine concerns while supporting collagen synthesis, and it is safe for your skin without risks of irritation.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Ascorbic acid and ascorbyl glucoside make this serum a great fit by brightening your skin, evening out your skin tone, and shielding against daily environmental stress. Sodium hyaluronate also helps support your skin while keeping it smooth and balanced.
What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten dull areas and smooth out uneven texture on combination skin while protecting against daily environmental stress. It may also help keep pores clear and skin firm by supporting collagen production, though drier spots may need an added moisturizer to stay comfortable.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2023
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for combination skin?
Hyaluronic acid is a great fit for combination skin because it quenches dry areas with a boost of hydration while keeping oily zones balanced. Regular use helps smooth out fine lines and makes your skin feel soft and plump without causing irritation.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
Where does it go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine for your combination skin, used after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. Putting it in the evening helps keep things simple and offers extra safety around sun exposure, though some treatments like this can also be used in the morning or twice a day.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying this vitamin C serum in your morning routine and your retinol at night to avoid overwhelming your skin. This spacing helps prevent irritation while still giving you the brightening and smoothing benefits of both ingredients.
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, and some of them may also be used in the morning or twice a day. Antioxidant treatments like this serve as a low-risk mainstay intervention for skin rejuvenation.
Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin. It features a gentle formula that steers clear of harsh ingredients, keeping your skin safe from irritation.
Is it fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
Treatment with ascorbyl glucoside-arginine complex lotion significantly decreased pigmentation scores and melanin index while increasing lightness in solar lentigos of Japanese females compared to placebo over 24 weeks.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2024A topical serum containing vitamin C, vitamin E, and raspberry leaf cell culture extract improved skin color, elasticity, radiance, smoothness, scaliness, and wrinkles compared to the untreated contralateral side in fifty female volunteers.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.
Journal of Periodontology, 2009Topical application of 5% vitamin C cream significantly improved global clinical scores, increased skin microrelief density, and induced elastic tissue repair in photoaged skin compared to excipient control in healthy female volunteers.
Experimental Dermatology, 2003Topical application of VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Topical treatment with 5% vitamin C and 0.1% madecassoside significantly improved clinical scores for wrinkles, suppleness, firmness, roughness, and skin hydration, along with functional and structural remodeling of the elastic fiber network in 20 female volunteers with photoaged skin after 6 months compared to baseline.
Experimental Dermatology, 2008Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019An aloe-alginate film dressing showed no statistical difference in wound contraction but demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, stimulated angiogenesis, and increased collagen type I fibers while decreasing type III fibers compared to sterile gauze in rats with incisional skin wounds.
Acta Cirurgica Brasileira, 2020Treatment with a combination of propylene glycol, ethanol, water, and shampoo was found effective, easy to use, and cosmetically attractive with no observed side effects in patients with dandruff.
Cutis, 1988A moisturizer containing glycerol and propylene glycol reduced transepidermal water loss, decreased epidermal thickness, increased stratum corneum thickness, and reduced dermal inflammatory infiltrate compared to untreated disrupted skin in six healthy beagle dogs.
Veterinary Dermatology, 2020
Ingredients
Propylene Glycol, Water, Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sorbitol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Zinc Chloride, Calcium Hydroxide
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the 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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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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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
How does it fit your skin?
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