Obagi is a pharmaceutical grade skincare company that manufactures powerful solutions to your skin’s most pressing concerns. Founded in 1988, Obagi skin care products have become a pioneer in the space where medical meets skin care. Obagi products are designed to treat common skin concerns through a medical lens with pharmaceutical grade formulations that are highly effective. Some of the common skin conditions that Obagi products treat are fighting the signs of age in the skin, reversing sun damage, neutralizing hyperpigmentation, healing acne, and more. All of the Obagi skin care products must be prescribed by a physician due to their 4% hydroquinone component. Many dermatologists, physicians, medical spas and licensed skincare professionals can prescribe Obagi skin care products to patients who have more stubborn skin conditions that require medical treatment.

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Things to Know Before Trying Obagi Skin Care

As with any prescription grade skincare product, the high dose of hydroquinone that exists within Obagi products come with a bit of risk so it’s important to be well informed before making the decision to use them. Hydroquinone is a skin lightening additive that has been the source of much controversy in the skincare space. Hydroquinone is known to work very well to combat skin discoloration, lighten dark spots, and even the complexion when used in formulations like Obagi products. However, if not formulated correctly or used excessively, it can cause harmful effects to the skin. When used efficiently, hydroquinone is safe and effective to use and if you are considering using products like Obagi which carefully formulates their products with hydroquinone you should always follow up with sunscreen. Due to the hydroquinone content inside the Obagi skin care products, even the smallest exposure to sunlight can cause excessive damage to the skin.

While Obagi skin care can be a great solution for many people with troublesome skin, there are some who should avoid using them altogether. For starters, some Obagi products also contain ingredients that are known to cause allergic reactions like sodium metabisulfite. If you have any type of sulfite sensitivity, you should not use Obagi. Likewise, women who are pregnant and nursing should avoid using Obagi products due to the limited research of hydroquinone which can possibly cause harm to unborn children and infants.

Obagi Products & Skin Care Systems

If you’re in the clear for using Obagi products, you’ll likely be impressed with the brand’s extensive offering of anti-aging skincare systems. Obagi currently has four main systems designed to solve many skin care concerns.

Obagi Nu-Derm System: The Obagi Nu-Derm system is the most recommended medical skincare solution by physicians and dermatologists to reverse the appearance of aging in the skin. The Obagi Nu-Derm system is available in two main formulations curated for normal to dry skin and normal to oily skin. When used consistently over the course of a few months, the Obagi Nu-Derm system is able to dramatically improve the appearance of the skin by reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and evening the complexion. Inside the Obagi Nu-Derm System are seven anti-aging skincare products. The Obagi Gentle Cleanser is the first step in the system and works to clean the skin without drying it out. Follow up with the Obagi Toner which is designed to restore your skin’s natural pH balance and the Obagi Exfoderm which provides a gentle exfoliating aspect to your skincare routine by helping to remove dead skin cells to make room for healthier skin. After toning and exfoliating, the Obagi Nu-Derm system calls for moisturizing with the Obagi Hydrate that works to add moisture to dehydrated skin while following up with the Obagi sunscreen formulated with SPF 50 to offer a robust dose of sun protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays of the sun. The hydroquinone products inside the Obagi Nu-Derm System include Obagi Blender and Obagi Clear which work to neutralize skin discoloration due to age like sun spots and dark marks.

Obagi 360 System: Where Nu-Derm is the Obagi skin care system for anti-aging skin, the Obagi 360 system is the medical grade skincare system for those with more youthful skin. This system is best for those who are looking to protect the skin and fight the signs of age as long as possible. This Obagi skin care system includes three products that work to prevent the typical signs of age from appearing like fine lines, wrinkles, dry skin, and discoloration. The first step in the Obagi 360 system is the Obagi Exfoliation Cleanser which works to gently exfoliate the skin while deep cleaning the skin. The Obagi Retinol 0.5% is a powerful skin treatment that helps to clear the skin and revitalize the complexion in a slow release formulation to reduce the chance of irritation–which is common with retinol based products. The Obagi sunscreen for the 360 system is the HydraFactor Broad Spectrum SPF 30 which functions as both a moisturizer and a sunscreen adding hydration to the skin while protecting it from both harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Obagi has three other skincare systems that are not as popular as the Obagi Nu-Derm and Obagi 360 but are still solid systems within the brand. The Obagi C-Rx System is another anti-aging skincare system that operates similarly to the Nu-Derm system in that it works to reduce the signs of age in the skin. The Obagi products inside this line contain the normal content of hydroquinone, however, they are also formulated with the addition of vitamin C giving them more antioxidant protection and an extra boost to improve the complexion of the skin. The Obagi Gentle Rejuvenation System is the most gentle system of the Obagi medical skincare line with options that offer the same results the brand is known for in formulations that work well for those with sensitive skin. And the Obagi Clenziderm M.D System is the brand’s skincare system designed specifically for those with acne prone skin as it works to fight acne and prevent new breakouts from occurring.

Along with the Obagi system, the brand also offers a few additional services that can be done in-office by Obagi dermatologists for those who need more advanced treatments. The Obagi Blue Peels are a popular Obagi chemical peel that works to dramatically improve the appearance of the skin. Obagi also offers facials tailored to your individual skin needs to help improve your skin as well.

Obagi Reviews

As a heavily recommended medical skincare brand, it’s no wonder that Obagi is home to some of the most impressive reviews in the pharmaceutical skincare space. For dermatologists, the Obagi reviews note that the Obagi products are essential for those who have troublesome skin and need more intense treatments. Obagi reviews from people who have suffered intense sun damage seem to be the most favorable with users extremely impressed with the reduction of skin discoloration and the evening of the complexion. Other Obagi reviews applaud the products for helping to smooth the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while helping with hyperpigmentation. If you are someone who has a more serious skin concern, Obagi may be a great option for you.