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 high-performance formulas. Its products suit mature skin and skin with dark spots best. For particular concerns, the standout products are 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 consistent use, the brand helps maintain a refined, radiant 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 good for dry skin because it offers deeply hydrating moisturizers that help restore softness. Lovi rates the brand-focused routine High for dry skin, and Lovi rates Hydrate Luxe Superior for dry skin.
Is Obagi worth it?
Obagi is worth it for shoppers seeking effective anti-aging and brightening treatments, as Lovi rates its brand-focused routines High for dry skin, sensitive skin, and other types. Reviewers frequently note that the serums improve skin and the moisturizers feel deeply hydrating and soothing, though some mention high prices and occasional skin irritation. The Obagi products on this page are mostly fragrance-free.
What are Obagi's best products?
Obagi's best products for dry skin include Hydrate Luxe and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream, which Lovi rates Superior and High for dry skin. For mature skin and dark spots, Retinol 0.5 and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream are top choices, as Lovi rates both High for mature skin.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Which Obagi moisturizer is best for dry skin?
The best moisturizer on this page for dry skin is Hydrate Luxe, as Lovi rates it Superior for dry skin. Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream are also good choices, as Lovi rates both High for dry skin.
Does Obagi cause breakouts?
Obagi may cause breakouts or skin irritation, as reviewers often mention skin dryness and irritation. Lovi rates the acne-prone skin fit for most Obagi moisturizers and serums as Average or High.
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.
What are the key ingredients in Obagi products?
Obagi products feature active ingredients such as retinol, tretinoin, and vitamin C that help improve mature skin and dark spots. Reviewers often note that these serums and deep moisturizers leave skin feeling smooth and hydrated. Additionally, 7 of the 8 Obagi products on this page list no fragrance.
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 in the morning, apply 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 this evening routine.
Where can I buy Obagi, and how much does it cost?
You can buy Obagi at stores in France. Prices range from 52.90 euros to 83.50 euros.
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. These brands offer similar skincare options, with CeraVe scoring a superior fit for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin.
Obagi vs CeraVe: which is better?
For dry skin, Obagi rates High and CeraVe also rates High. For oily skin, Obagi rates High while CeraVe rates Superior.
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 good for sensitive skin, and Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine High for sensitive skin. Reviewers mostly mention that the moisturizers are deeply hydrating and soothing, though skin irritation and dryness are often noted.
Is Obagi good for acne-prone skin?
Obagi is good for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routines High for this skin type. Reviewers frequently note that the products help improve and smooth the skin.
Is Obagi good for skin with dark spots?
Yes, Obagi fits skin with dark spots well because the brand focuses its routines on brightening this skin type. Reviewers often mention its brightening and anti-aging serums, and Lovi rates the Obagi Retinol 0.5 High for skin with dark spots.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000Archives of Dermatology, 2007
Is Obagi good for mature skin?
Obagi rates High for mature skin, making it a strong choice for reducing signs of aging. The brand offers effective serums and moisturizers that help smooth lines and improve firmness.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2000The New England Journal of Medicine, 1993
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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