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?
Obagi is good for dry skin, and Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine High for dry skin. Specifically, products like Hydrate Luxe and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream provide deep moisture, while Lovi rates Hydrate Luxe Superior for dry skin.
Is Obagi worth it?
Obagi is worth considering if you are looking for brightening and anti-aging serums or deep hydration, though reviewers often mention a high price and potential skin irritation. Lovi rates the Obagi routines High for dry skin, oily skin, sensitive skin, combination skin, and acne-prone skin. The Obagi products on this page are generally fragrance-free, except for the Nu-Derm Toner.
Which Obagi moisturizer is best for dry skin?
Hydrate Luxe is the best moisturizer for dry skin, as Lovi rates it Superior for this skin type. 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, as Lovi rates acne-prone skin High for Obagi-focused routines. However, reviewers sometimes note skin irritation and dryness from these products.
Is Obagi fragrance-free?
Most of the Obagi products on this page list no fragrance, except for the Nu-Derm Toner which does contain fragrance.
What are the key ingredients in Obagi products?
Obagi products feature key ingredients such as retinol, tretinoin, and vitamin C. These ingredients help improve mature skin and dark spots.
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, hydrating toner, Hydrate Luxe moisturizer, and SPF 50+. In the evening, use a pre-cleanser, cleanser, Vitamin C Serum, and Hydrate Luxe moisturizer. Once a week, add a nourishing mask into that evening sequence.
Where can I buy Obagi, and how much does it cost?
Obagi is available in Ireland from stores on this page, with prices ranging between €75.50 and €86.50.
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 Superior for oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin compared to Obagi's High fit for those skin types.
Obagi vs CeraVe: which is better?
For dry skin, Obagi fits as well as CeraVe since Lovi rates both routines High. For oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin, CeraVe rates 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 good for sensitive skin, and Lovi rates the brand-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 well-suited for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routine High for this skin type. Reviewers often mention skin irritation and dryness with these products, so users may experience some sensitivity.
Is Obagi good for skin with dark spots?
Yes, Obagi fits skin with dark spots well, as the brand-focused routines highlight mature skin, dry skin, and skin with dark spots. Products like Vitamin C Serum, Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream, and Retinol 0.5 help target uneven skin tone and support brightening effects.
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 Hydrate Luxe Superior for mature skin, while Retinol 0.5 and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream both rate High. Retinol and tretinoin help smooth wrinkles and improve collagen in aging skin.
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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