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Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% for dry skin

Rated by Lovi · Unbiased, science-based skincare AI trained on real user outcomes

Obagi Professional-C Serum 10%

Average

  • HighDry Skin Fit
  • AverageEffectiveness
  • HighSafety

Works for dry skin; other serums fit it better.

This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. 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 dry skin due to ascorbic acid, which helps even skin tone and provides antioxidant benefits, but it lacks sufficient emollient and humectant ingredients to fully address dryness.
  • The formula provides general skincare benefits like hydration and cleansing, which you would notice, but these are mostly supportive and not directly targeted at your dry or flaky skin concerns.
  • The safety profile is excellent, with no risks of irritation for your dry skin due to the absence of prohibited or harsh ingredients.

How to apply

  • Apply this serum PM, starting 3×/week and working up to daily use as your skin adjusts.
  • Place the serum after cleansing and toner, but right before your moisturizer.
  • Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
  • Apply the serum on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra moisture.
  • Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.

People Say

★4.7Overall rating based on 600+ reviews

This 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 dry skin?

This serum works moderately well for dry skin by brightening your skin tone, but it lacks enough moisturizing ingredients to fully address dryness. A treatment for dry skin needs rich, soothing ingredients like ceramides, propolis, or niacinamide to provide deep hydration and support the skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?

Ascorbic acid makes this serum a fit for your dry skin by providing moderate brightening and antioxidant benefits, though it lacks enough softening and moisture-binding ingredients to fully address dryness. Treatments that fit dry skin better need ingredients like propolis, niacinamide, ceramides, peptides, and ferment extracts to deliver deep hydration and support the skin barrier.

Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

What does Vitamin C do for dry skin?

Vitamin C helps dry skin by boosting moisture and keeping the surface smooth and soft. It may also improve skin hydration and support the outer protective barrier over time.

Skin Research and Technology, 2008Experimental Dermatology, 2008

What does Propylene Glycol do for dry skin?

Propylene glycol helps dry skin by holding in moisture and supporting skin barrier recovery, which leaves skin feeling soft and smooth. It carries a low risk of irritation on healthy skin.

International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013Veterinary Dermatology, 2020

Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?

This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. To work well for dry skin, this type of product needs extra softening and moisture-trapping ingredients.

Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?

You can use this serum with retinol by applying the retinol first and following with this serum, or by using retinol at night and this serum in the morning to avoid irritation. This product has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients, but dry skin needs extra rich moisturizers and soothing hydrators to stay soft and smooth.

How often should I use this serum?

You can use this serum in your evening routine, applying it after cleansing and before moisturizing. Because it lacks ingredients to fully address dryness, dry skin needs a product of this type that also includes rich moisturizing oils and moisture-locking ingredients to keep skin soft and smooth.

Facial Plastic Surgery, 2014Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020

Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?

This serum is unlikely to cause breakouts or clog pores on dry skin. It has a very safe formula with no harsh ingredients, though a product for dry skin also needs rich softening and moisture-attracting ingredients to fully care for flaky areas.

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, 2020

  • Topical 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, 2003

  • Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside gel significantly reduced gingival melanin pigmentation after 4 weeks compared to placebo in 73 subjects with symmetric pigmentation.

    Journal of Periodontology, 2009

  • Topical 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, 2022

  • Treatment 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, 1988

  • A 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

Why other serums fit dry skin better

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.

  • Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Nadia Kapleva, MS

    Co-founder, Medical Director

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer

  • Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Alexey Shagraev, PhD

    Co-founder, CEO and CTO

    PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex

  • Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc

    Medical Board

    Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine

  • Aishani Shah, MD

    Aishani Shah, MD

    Medical Board

    Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD

  • Asya Zubkova, MS

    Asya Zubkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member

  • Hanna Kurets, MD

    Hanna Kurets, MD

    Medical Board, Medical Advisor

    Dermatology MD

  • Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Elina Nazarenko, MD

    Medical Board

    Dermatology and diagnostic consultant

  • Victoria Derkova, MS

    Victoria Derkova, MS

    Medical Board

    Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist

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How does it fit your skin?

Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.

QR code: get the Lovi app
Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play