Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% for acne-prone skin
Ascorbic Acid
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Carbonate
Average
- AverageCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. 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 combination skin due to 10% Ascorbic Acid, which provides antioxidant protection but is not targeted for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- While Ascorbic Acid offers some general skincare benefits, it lacks sufficient ingredients to optimally address all areas of your combination skin concerns.
- The formula is generally safe for your skin, with a low risk of irritation from Ascorbic Acid.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
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 acne-prone skin?
Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% is an average fit for acne-prone skin because its vitamin C offers antioxidant protection but is not targeted for breakouts and blemishes. The formula is generally safe with a low risk of irritation, though a product for this skin needs effective ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to manage oiliness and breakouts while keeping skin balanced.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for acne-prone skin?
This serum works for acne-prone skin mainly because of Ascorbic Acid, which offers moderate brightening and antioxidant protection. However, it lacks targeted ingredients for breakouts, so a better fit for this skin needs helpful additions like niacinamide, propolis, or zinc PCA to clear blemishes, control oiliness, and balance combination skin.
What does Vitamin C do for acne-prone skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten skin, smooth out uneven tones, and fade dark spots left behind by breakouts. It is also packed with antioxidants that may help protect acne-prone skin from everyday environmental stress.
What does Propylene Glycol do for acne-prone skin?
Propylene glycol helps deliver active ingredients deeper into the skin and is unlikely to clog pores, but it can occasionally cause irritation on sensitive skin. A product for acne-prone skin needs lightweight, non-clogging ingredients that help keep pores clear without causing redness.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This serum goes in your evening routine, applied after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing. This fits acne-prone skin safely with a low chance of irritation, though caring for this skin properly also needs ingredients that specifically target blemishes and breakouts.
Can I use it with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum in your morning routine and your retinol in the evening. This spacing helps prevent irritation while allowing both products to work effectively. To better fit acne-prone skin, a treatment product of this type needs targeted ingredients that specifically clear breakouts and blemishes.
How often should I use it?
Use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine, as it has a low risk of irritation and is generally safe for your skin. If you want a better fit for acne-prone skin, look for products that include targeted blemish-fighting ingredients alongside antioxidants.
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This serum is unlikely to cause purging or breakouts since it does not speed up skin cell shedding, but it is not targeted for clearing acne. Acne-prone skin needs products with ingredients that actively target blemishes, soothe redness, and help keep pores clear.
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
Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better
Topical nicotinamide plus an antibacterial adhesive agent and zinc-pyrrolidone carboxylic acid combined with adapalene significantly reduced noninflammatory acne lesions by the second week of therapy compared to placebo with adapalene in patients with moderate acne vulgaris.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2020A cream combining propolis, tea tree oil, and Aloe vera reduced erythema scars, acne severity index, and total lesion count better than erythromycin cream in sixty patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris compared to placebo.
Clinical Pharmacology, 2018Niacinamide and ferulic acid incorporated in a stable multiple emulsion successfully reduced melanin, sebum, and skin erythema while improving skin elasticity and hydration in human skin compared to a placebo.
BioMed Research International, 2022
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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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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How does it fit your skin?
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