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 dry skin?
Yes, Obagi is well suited for dry skin, and Lovi rates the brand-focused routine High for dry skin. For deep moisture, the Obagi products include Hydrate Luxe, which rates Superior for dry skin. Reviewers often mention that the moisturizers are deeply hydrating and soothing, though skin irritation and dryness may sometimes occur.
Is Obagi worth it?
Obagi is worth considering for mature and dry skin, where the brand-focused routines achieve a High fit and moisturizers like Hydrate Luxe offer a Superior fit. Shoppers should note that the range comes with a high price and may occasionally cause skin irritation and dryness. Reviewers frequently mention that the brand provides deeply hydrating moisturizers and fast-absorbing serums.
What are Obagi's best products?
Obagi's best products for the highest skin fit are Hydrate Luxe for dry and mature skin, and the Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream for dry and sensitive skin. Reviewers also frequently mention the brand's deeply hydrating and soothing moisturizers alongside its fast-absorbing serums.
Which Obagi moisturizer is best for dry skin?
Hydrate Luxe is the best moisturizer for dry skin, where Lovi rates it Superior. Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream also rate High for dry skin.
Does Obagi cause breakouts?
Obagi is unlikely to cause breakouts for most users, as the brand-focused routine rates High for acne-prone skin. Reviewers sometimes note skin irritation and dryness, but fast-absorbing serums and deep moisturizers help keep skin balanced.
Is Obagi fragrance-free?
Most of the Obagi products on this page are fragrance-free, as 7 out of 8 items list no fragrance. Only the Nu-Derm Toner includes fragrance.
How do I build a Obagi skincare routine?
To build an Obagi routine for dry skin in the morning, apply the Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Advanced Replenishing Toner, Hydrate Luxe moisturizer, and a sunscreen. In the evening, use the Ultra Hyalon Cleansing Cream, Hydrating Facial Cleanser, Vitamin C Serum, and Hydrate Luxe moisturizer. Once a week, add the Rice Probiotics Overnight Mask into this evening routine.
Where can I buy Obagi, and how much does it cost?
Obagi is available in Spain through stores featured on this page. Prices typically range from €59.50 to €107.00.
What are good alternatives to Obagi?
Good alternatives to Obagi with pages on Lovi include CeraVe, Cetaphil, Paula's Choice, Neutrogena, Kiehl's, and Dermalogica. For dry skin, CeraVe offers a routine that matches Obagi with a High fit level.
Obagi vs CeraVe: which is better?
For dry skin, Obagi and CeraVe both rate High for their brand-focused routines, making them equally good choices. However, for oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin, CeraVe rates slightly better with a Superior fit compared to Obagi's High fit.
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 sensitive skin?
Obagi is a good match for sensitive skin, as Lovi rates Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Hydrate Luxe High for sensitive skin. Reviewers often mention that the moisturizers are deeply hydrating and soothing, though skin irritation and dryness are also noted.
Is Obagi good for skin with dark spots?
Obagi is well-suited for skin with dark spots, featuring brightening serums and treatments that help fade discoloration. Lovi rates Retinol 0.5 and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream High for skin with dark spots, while Vitamin C Serum and Clear rate Average.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000
Is Obagi good for mature skin?
Yes, Obagi is good for mature skin, which the brand fits best along with dry skin and skin with dark spots. Lovi rates Retinol 0.5 and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream High for mature skin, and Hydrate Luxe Superior. Topical retinol helps stimulate collagen accumulation and improve naturally aged skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
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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