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 elevated by rigorously tested formulas. Its products suit dry skin and mature skin best, offering deep hydration and renewal. For specific concerns, the brand offers standout solutions such as 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 formulation, its ingredients work harmoniously to support a balanced and 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?
Obagi is good for dry skin, as Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine Superior for dry skin. For this skin type, Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream, Hydrate Luxe, and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream each rate High or Superior. Reviewers note that Obagi offers deeply hydrating and soothing moisturizers, though some users experience skin dryness.
Is Obagi worth it?
Obagi is worth it for shoppers seeking specialized care, as Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine Superior for dry skin and High for acne-prone skin, combination skin, oily skin, and sensitive skin. Reviewers often mention deep hydration and fast-absorbing serums, though high prices and skin irritation are also noted. Most of the Obagi products on this page list no fragrance.
Which Obagi moisturizer is best for dry skin?
Hydrate Luxe is the best Obagi moisturizer for dry skin, rating Superior. 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 for most skin types, as Lovi rates acne-prone skin High for Hydrate Luxe and Rebalance Skin Barrier Recovery Cream. However, reviewers often mention skin irritation and dryness, and certain products like Vitamin C Serum carry cautions for acne-prone skin.
Is Obagi fragrance-free?
Most of the Obagi products on this page list no fragrance, except for the Nu-Derm Toner which does contain it. Reviewers often mention that some items may cause skin irritation and dryness.
What are the key ingredients in Obagi products?
Obagi products feature active ingredients like retinol and tretinoin, which help reduce signs of aging and improve skin texture. They also include vitamin C for brightening effects and hydrating components like kinetin.
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, start your morning with a hydrating cleanser and toner, followed by a moisturizer and sunscreen. In the evening, use a pre-cleanser and cleanser, then apply Vitamin C Serum and a moisturizer. Once a week, add a nourishing mask into your evening routine after cleansing.
Where can I buy Obagi, and how much does it cost?
Obagi is available from stores in Singapore. The products on this page range in price from S$61.72 to S$61.72.
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 sensitive skin and acne-prone skin, compared to High for Obagi.
Obagi vs CeraVe: which is better?
Obagi rates Superior for dry skin, while CeraVe rates Superior for sensitive skin and acne-prone skin. Both brands rate High for oily skin and combination skin. Reviewers note that Obagi products may sometimes cause skin irritation and dryness.
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 rates High for sensitive skin, and the brand-focused routine for this skin type reaches a High fit level. The Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Hydrate Luxe moisturizers are well-suited for keeping sensitive skin calm, while 7 of the 8 Obagi products on this page list no fragrance. However, shoppers often mention skin irritation and dryness as a drawback.
Is Obagi good for acne-prone skin?
Obagi is good for acne-prone skin, as Lovi rates the Obagi-focused routine High for acne-prone skin. Reviewers often mention fast-absorbing and improving serums, while noting that skin irritation and dryness may occur.
Is Obagi good for skin with dark spots?
Yes, Obagi fits skin with dark spots well because it is one of the skin types the brand fits best. Lovi rates Retinol 0.5 High and Vitamin C Serum Average for skin with dark spots, and topical treatments containing vitamin C help brighten the skin.
Is Obagi good for mature skin?
Obagi is good for mature skin, as Lovi rates products like Hydrate Luxe Superior, and Kinetin+ Hydrating Cream and Retinol 0.5 High for mature skin. These formulas help smooth fine lines and support collagen accumulation in aged skin. Reviewers often mention these anti-aging serums and deep moisturizers as effective, though some report skin dryness and irritation.
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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