Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% for combination skin
Ascorbic Acid
Propylene Glycol
Propylene Carbonate
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- Low RiskSafety
Works for combination skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with combination skin: an oily T-zone, enlarged pores, and dry cheeks. 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 effectively evens skin tone and provides antioxidant benefits that support collagen synthesis.
- While it offers general skincare benefits like hydration, the primary ingredient's antioxidant properties are not directly targeted at managing oily shine, which is your main concern.
- The formula is generally safe for your combination skin, though Ascorbic Acid may pose a slight risk of irritation.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and move to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply the serum after cleansing and toner, and right before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and wait a minute ⏳for it to soak in.
- Apply the serum on clean and dry skin since your skin is not sensitive.
- Always do a patch test before using the serum for the first time, and avoid the eye area .
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 combination skin?
Obagi Professional-C Serum 10% works moderately well for combination skin because it helps even skin tone, though it is not directly targeted at managing oily shine. A treatment for combination skin needs effective ingredients like niacinamide and zinc PCA that provide significant benefits for managing oily shine without any associated risks of irritation.
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for combination skin?
Ascorbic Acid makes this serum a fit for combination skin because it helps brighten your skin tone and provides antioxidant benefits. Because it does not target oily shine, combination skin needs a treatment with ingredients like niacinamide, propolis, and zinc PCA to regulate oiliness and keep skin balanced.
What does Vitamin C do for combination skin?
Vitamin C helps brighten dull areas and smooth out uneven texture on combination skin while protecting against daily environmental stress. It may also help keep pores clear and skin firm by supporting collagen production, though drier spots may need an added moisturizer to stay comfortable.
What does Propylene Glycol do for combination skin?
Propylene glycol helps combination skin by drawing moisture into dry areas and helping other ingredients sink in better. It is unlikely to cause irritation on normal skin, though it can make other active ingredients absorb deeper.
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for combination skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing toner and before moisturizer, or it can be used weekly after a cleansing mask and hydrating toner. Combination skin also needs ingredients that manage oily shine.
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying your retinol at night and this serum in the morning, since using them separately helps lower your risk of irritation. A product of this type for combination skin also needs ingredients that help manage oily shine.
How often should I use this serum?
You can use this treatment in the evening as part of your routine, or once a week to see how your skin reacts before using it more often. Ascorbic Acid may pose a slight risk of irritation, though the formula is generally safe for combination skin. Combination skin needs products that help brighten skin tone while also managing oily shine.
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for combination skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts on combination skin because its ingredients are lightweight and do not typically block pores. However, Ascorbic Acid may cause a slight risk of irritation for some users.
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, 2020Topical 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 combination skin better
Niacinamide 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, 2022A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
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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Co-founder, Medical Director
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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