Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% for oily skin
Ascorbic Acid
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Carbonate
Average
- HighOily Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for oily skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with oily skin: shine, enlarged pores, blackheads, and blemishes. 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 moderate brightening for your oily skin due to the presence of ascorbic acid, which helps to manage excess sebum and promote cell turnover.
- The formula provides general skincare benefits and antioxidant protection, though its primary function is not directly targeted at reducing oily shine.
- The product is generally safe for your oily skin, with a low risk of irritation from the ascorbic acid.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week and build up to daily use if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toning, but right before your moisturizer for the best results.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin. Let it absorb ⏱ for a minute before applying the next product.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive and you want to target oily shine. This helps control excess oil throughout the night.
- Avoid the delicate eye area and do a patch test before using the serum for the very first time.
People Say
★4.7Overall rating based on 600+ reviewsThis serum is highly favored by users with sensitive or dry skin for its ability to brighten the complexion and smooth texture without causing irritation. While many report a noticeable "glow" and faded dark spots, some users are disappointed by the high price point and occasional issues with the product oxidizing (turning orange) or having faulty packaging.
Highlights
Brightens skin Often Mentioned
- “instantly brightens”
- “skin is glowing”
- “radiant”
- “more vibrant”
Gentle formula Often Mentioned
- “perfect for sensitive skin”
- “no irritation”
- “gentle on my skin”
- “no burning”
Absorbs quickly Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs super quick”
- “goes on smoothly”
- “fast-absorbing”
- “no residue”
Fades dark spots Sometimes Noted
- “improved my dark spots”
- “fades hyperpigmentation”
- “sun spots faded”
- “even skin tone”
Improves texture Sometimes Noted
- “skin feels like silk”
- “super smooth”
- “soft”
- “refined pores”
High price Sometimes Noted
- “expensive”
- “pricey”
- “too expensive”
- “high cost”
No results Rarely Noted
- “don't see any improvement”
- “just ok”
- “did not see difference”
- “average serum”
Packaging problems Rarely Noted
- “dropper detaching”
- “cheap packaging”
- “bottle leaks”
- “cap issues”
Product oxidation Rarely Noted
- “turning orange”
- “turned dark yellow”
- “oxidized”
- “brown liquid”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “bad smell”
- “chemical-y”
- “cannot tolerate scent”
- “smells like hot dog”
Sources: lovi.care, lovelyskin.com, dermstore.com, obagi.com, walmart.com, skincareessentials.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% work for oily skin?
This serum works moderately well for oily skin by offering some brightening and managing excess oil, though other products fit this skin better. Treatments that fit oily skin better need ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, and zinc PCA to control shine and pores, alongside barrier-supporting hydrators that keep the skin comfortable without clogging pores.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for oily skin?
Ascorbic acid makes this serum an average fit for your oily skin because it offers moderate brightening and helps manage excess sebum. To fit oily skin even better, a treatment of this type needs ingredients like niacinamide, ferulic acid, zinc PCA, and soothing extracts to control shine, reduce enlarged pores, and support hydration without clogging pores.
What does Vitamin C do for oily skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin tone and smooth texture while providing antioxidant protection that prevents sebum oxidation. For oily skin, this type of product typically needs to be paired with oil-controlling or pore-clearing ingredients like salicylic acid or plant extracts.
What does Propylene Glycol do for oily skin?
Propylene glycol helps other ingredients soak deeper into your skin and works well as a light moisturizer that leaves skin soft without feeling greasy. It is safe for most people, though it is unlikely to cause irritation unless your skin is already sensitive or broken.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for oily skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine for oily skin, specifically after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. Oily skin works best with products that provide targeted oil control ingredients and lightweight, balancing hydration to keep shine under control.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying your retinol at night and using this vitamin C serum in the morning to protect your oily skin. This combination is generally safe, though separating them into different times of day helps avoid any extra irritation on your skin.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine, or carefully work up to using it more often if your skin tolerates it well. This serum provides moderate brightening and antioxidant protection for oily skin, though an oily skin type typically needs products that focus more directly on controlling excess shine and oil.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for oily skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for oily skin, as it has a low risk of irritation and helps manage excess oil. However, because other products may fit oily skin better, an oily skin type needs lightweight formulas with ingredients that deeply balance oil and shine.
What the research says
A 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, 2020Vitamin C mesotherapy produced a significant and earlier reduction in gingival pigmentation and higher patient satisfaction compared to topical gel in twenty healthy non-smokers with hyperpigmented gingiva, with both methods reducing the mean area fraction of melanin-forming cells at 6 months without causing pain.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2021Topical 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, 2003Ascorbic 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 VC-IP cream twice daily for 8 weeks reduces periorbital wrinkles in female subjects compared to a placebo cream.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2022Treatment 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, Propylene Carbonate, Ascorbic Acid
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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