Obagi MICRODERMABRASION POLISH + MASK

Obagi MICRODERMABRASION POLISH + MASK

Efficacy66/100IrritancyMedium

Works for

Anti-aging
Ascorbic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“For a brighter, smoother, and more youthful-looking appearance.”
Source: Obagi Medical

This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.

Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.

Ascorbic acidHeroEffect: HighThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~23–35%
Evens skin tone
Ascorbic acid
Works well
What the product description says
“Formulated with L-Ascorbic Acid to brighten skin”
Source: Obagi Medical

This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.

Keep in mind that you would need to apply any topical skincare targetted at hypigmentation consistently for a couple of months to get a result. No topical skincare product can help get rid of hyperpigmentation (including post-acne marks and age spots) instantly.

Ascorbic acidHeroEffect: HighThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~23–35%
Exfoliation
No ingredient credited for this claim
Not delivered
What the product description says
“MICRODERMABRASION POLISH + MASK”
Source: Obagi Medical

This product does not contain effective exfoliating ingredients. It might be able to deliver physical exfoliation, that is scrub off some of the dead cells on the surface of the skin. We do not recommend physical exfoliation, because it is not uniform (some bits of skin can get exfoliated too much while others not at all). It can also traumatize the skin and aggrevate acne and other skin conditions.

Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Ascorbic acid, Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil
Works well

This product contains antioxidants (ascorbic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).

Ascorbic acidHeroEffect: HighThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging~23–35%
Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oilEffect: LowA plant oil that might somewhat help to neutralize free radicals. It could be irritating~0.35–0.8%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · Helianthus annuus seed wax, Hydrogenated soy polyglycerides + 2 more
Works

This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: helianthus annuus seed wax.

Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).

Helianthus annuus seed waxKey active· EmollientEffect: HighHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency~1.8–2.7%
Hydrogenated soy polyglyceridesKey activeEffect: MediumHelp soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product texture~0.5–1.2%
Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oilKey activeEffect: MediumA plant oil that might somewhat help to neutralize free radicals. It could be irritating~0.35–0.8%
Lauryl laurateEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin~3.7–5.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Ascorbic acid, Parfum
Medium risk
We flagged 5 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ascorbic acidThe most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of agingHigh~23–35%est.
Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oilA plant oil that might somewhat help to neutralize free radicals. It could be irritatingHigh~0.35–0.8%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.1–0.35%est.
Polyhydroxystearic acidUsed to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulationMedium~3.6–5.3%est.
Lauryl laurateHelps soften the upper layer of the skinMedium~3.7–5.6%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Hydrogenated soybean oil—2/5~7–10.5%est.

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Ascorbic acid~23–35%
Hero · Anti-aging, Anti-oxidation, Evens skin toneIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationEvens skin toneAnti-aging

The most well-researched antioxidant that works in skin. Helps neutralize free radicals supporting collagen production, helping to even out the skin tone and preventing early signs of aging

More about Ascorbic acid
Hydrogenated soybean oil~7–10.5%
Comedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
More about Hydrogenated soybean oil
Polyhydroxystearic acid~3.6–5.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation

More about Polyhydroxystearic acid
Lauryl laurate~3.7–5.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin

More about Lauryl laurate
Silica~2.6–3.9%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Alumina~1.8–2.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products

More about Alumina
Helianthus annuus seed wax~1.8–2.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and support skin's barrier function while creating a thicker product consistency

More about Helianthus annuus seed wax
Polyglyceryl-3 laurate~0.9–1.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Polyglyceryl-3 laurate
Hydrogenated soy polyglycerides~0.5–1.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Help soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product texture

More about Hydrogenated soy polyglycerides
Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil~0.35–0.8%
Key activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidationAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that might somewhat help to neutralize free radicals. It could be irritating

More about Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil
C15-23 alkane~0.15–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to help dissolve other ingredients in a formulation

More about C15-23 alkane
Parfum~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Ingredient list view

Ascorbic acid, Hydrogenated soybean oil, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Lauryl laurate, Silica, Alumina, Helianthus annuus seed wax, Polyglyceryl-3 laurate, Hydrogenated soy polyglycerides, Hippophae rhamnoides fruit oil, C15-23 alkane, Parfum

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/7 09:06 GMT
$95.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
ObagiMICRODERMABRASION POLISH + MASKYOUR PRODUCTPSA SkinLIGHT UP Vitamin C & E Flash Brightening MaskPurposeful Skincare by Allies (PSA)Light Up Vitamin C & E Flash Brightening MaskPacifica BeautySuper Green Detox Kale and Charcoal Face Mask
Match—94%85%81%
Price$95.00$26.77−$68.23—$2.85−$92.15
Shared key ingredients—2 of 22 of 21 of 2
Key difference—AstaxanthinAstaxanthinA Type Of Green Tea Extract
Irritancy Medium Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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More alternatives: By Wishtrend Pure Vitamin C 15% with Ferulic AcidCellex-C Advanced C Skin Toning Mask

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 2 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
Obagi MICRODERMABRASION POLISH + MASK
ObagiMICRODERMABRASION POLISH + MASK

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.