Obagi skincare
Obagi is an American skincare brand founded in 1988 and owned by Bridgepoint Group plc since 2026.
Skincare enthusiasts revere Obagi for its targeted serums, nourishing moisturizers, and clarifying toners, all elevated by its scientifically advanced formulas. Its products suit skin with dark spots and dry skin best, addressing these common concerns through its carefully measured ingredients. For specific needs, the brand offers standout products, featuring 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 these considered offerings, users can achieve a balanced, radiant complexion with steady daily dedication.
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, and Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine High for dry skin. The brand offers deeply hydrating moisturizers like Hydrate Luxe, which Lovi rates Superior for dry skin.
Is Obagi worth it?
Obagi is worth it for shoppers seeking deep hydration and anti-aging benefits, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routines High for dry, oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin. Reviewers frequently praise the fast-absorbing serums and deeply soothing moisturizers, though some note skin dryness and a high price.
Which Obagi moisturizer is best for dry skin?
Hydrate Luxe is the best choice, as Lovi rates it Superior for dry skin. Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream also fit dry skin well, both rating High.
Is Obagi fragrance-free?
Most of the Obagi products on this page are fragrance-free, as 7 out of 8 listed items do not contain any added fragrance. Only the Nu-Derm Toner includes fragrance in its formula.
What are the key ingredients in Obagi products?
Obagi products feature key active ingredients such as retinol, tretinoin, and vitamin C to help smooth and brighten the skin. Retinol and tretinoin stimulate collagen production in aging skin, while vitamin C helps improve dark spots and signs of aging.
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 gentle cleanser, a hydrating toner, the Hydrate Luxe moisturizer, and an SPF. In the evening, use a pre-cleanser, cleanser, cleansing toner, Vitamin C Serum, and the Hydrate Luxe moisturizer. Once a week, add a nourishing mask into your evening steps before applying your serum and moisturizer.
Where can I buy Obagi, and how much does it cost?
Obagi products are available at stores in the Netherlands. Prices range from €61.00 to €77.50, with most items falling between €61.00 and €77.50.
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. Lovi rates the CeraVe-focused routine Superior for oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin.
Obagi vs CeraVe: which is better?
Obagi is better for dry skin, where Lovi rates the routine High, matching CeraVe. For oily, sensitive, combination, and acne-prone skin, CeraVe rates slightly higher with a Superior routine 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 features several options for sensitive skin, such as Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Hydrate Luxe which Lovi rates High for sensitive skin. However, shoppers often mention skin irritation and dryness with the brand. Most of the Obagi products on this page list no fragrance, though the Nu-Derm Toner does contain it.
Is Obagi good for acne-prone skin?
Obagi is a good match for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the brand-focused routine High for this skin type. Reviewers mostly mention that Obagi offers fast-absorbing serums and lightweight moisturizers, though skin irritation and dryness are often noted.
Is Obagi good for skin with dark spots?
Yes, Obagi is good for skin with dark spots, as the brand-focused routines best fit this skin type. Lovi rates Retinol 0.5 and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream High for skin with dark spots. Topical vitamin C helps brighten the skin and improve signs of aging.
Is Obagi good for mature skin?
Yes, Obagi is good for mature skin, with Lovi rating moisturizers like Hydrate Luxe and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream as Superior and High for this skin type. Topical retinoids such as retinol help stimulate collagen accumulation in 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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