"Obagi - Nu-Derm Clear Fx" could be helpful for: Evens skin tone and Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

This product contains acids (lactic acid 1.20% - 1.90%). Their concentration is low, and they will not have a strong exfoliating effect. Instead, they work to support the skin natural acid mantle and to attract water (as humectants). Lactic acid is particularly good in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin and improving the skin barrier.
This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid). It can be an effective active for anti-aging and evening out the skin tone, but in this product it is used for stabilizing other ingredients in the formulation. In this concentration (0.55% - 1.35%) it cannot have a noticeable benefit for the skin.
Humectants (glycerin 2.70% - 4.10%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

Price

The product retails for 113.00$ in the United States.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

What can the product work for?

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Obagi Clear Fx lightens the skin, tackling melasma, dark spots and sun damage.

Source: N/A

The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually works: arbutin.

arbutin 5.9% - 8.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin

lactic acid 1.2% - 1.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)

ascorbic acid 0.55% - 1.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

Moisturizing

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

glycerin 2.7% - 4.1%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

cetyl alcohol 3.5% - 5.2%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

lactic acid 1.2% - 1.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

Anti-oxidation

This product contains antioxidants (arbutin) that might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin to lessen the damage it gets from the UV light (sun). There is not enough evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin though.

arbutin 5.9% - 8.9%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Effectiveness: MEDIUM

Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin

ascorbic acid 0.55% - 1.35%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

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

tocopheryl acetate 0.85% - 1.3%

Irritation risk:

Concentration: Insufficient!

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

lactic acid 1.2% - 1.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Exfoliation, Moisturizing, Evens skin tone, Anti-aging

ascorbic acid 0.55% - 1.35%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Evens skin tone, Anti-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

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Potential irritants

sodium lauryl sulfate 2.3% - 3.4%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Cleansing

A cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating

ascorbic acid 0.55% - 1.35%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Anti-oxidation, Evens skin tone, Anti-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

Comodogenic ingredients

sodium lauryl sulfate 2.3% - 3.4%

Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High

Works for: Cleansing

A cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating

All ingredients

water 40% - 60%

Irritation risk:

Plain old water

arbutin 5.9% - 8.9%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Evens skin tone, Anti-oxidation

Beta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutin

cetyl alcohol 3.5% - 5.2%

Irritation risk:

Works for: Cleansing, Moisturizing

A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together

Ingredient list view

Water, Arbutin, Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Stearyl alcohol, Lactic acid, Tocopheryl acetate, Ascorbic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium metabisulfite, Disodium edta, Bht, Saponins, Ethylhexylglycerin

	Obagi - Nu-Derm Clear Fx	BRTC - Vitamin C-20 Antioxidant Ampoule Sponsored	Dr Dennis Gross - Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum	MyChelle Dermaceuticals - Perfect C PRO Speed Peel	iS Clinical - Super Serum Advance Plus	Cos De BAHA - Vitamin C Facial Serum with L-Ascorbic Acid 15% with Vitamin B5 - for Fades Age Spots, Smoothing Fine Lines + Dark Spots, Pore Refining, Resurfacing	NuFace - Lifter Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum S3	TIA'M - Refre-C Toner	NourishMax - VITAMIN C + B + E + FERULIC & RETINOL SERUM	Herbal Essentials - Rescue Revive Sheet Mask With 10% Moisture Complex and Chamomile Extract - Single Sachet	Dime Beauty Co - Hyper Glow Serum	Tarte - Youth or Dare Multi-Acid & C-Serum
Price
WIMJ similarity score		64%	79%	74%	72%	71%	70%	70%	70%	70%	70%	70%
Key ingredients	ascorbic acid lactic acid +2 more	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin +1 more Other: niacinamide ferulic acid +11 more	Common: ascorbic acid lactic acid +2 more Other: azelaic acid glycolic acid +8 more	Common: ascorbic acid lactic acid +1 more Other: retinal helianthus annuus seed oil +5 more	Common: ascorbic acid arbutin +1 more Other: tripeptide-1 urea +4 more	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin +1 more Other: panthenol camellia sinensis leaf extract +3 more	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin Other: glycolic acid dimethicone +3 more	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin Other: niacinamide allantoin	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin Other: ferulic acid panthenol +3 more	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin Other: panthenol argania spinosa kernel oil +3 more	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin Other: ferulic acid hyaluronic acid +4 more	Common: ascorbic acid glycerin Other: aminopropyl ascorbyl phosphate glycolic acid +1 more
Irritancy	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY MEDIUM	IRRITANCY HIGH	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW	IRRITANCY LOW
Potential Irritants	ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? sodium lauryl sulfate Has skin benefit? +7 more	glyceryl oleate Has skin benefit? centaurea cyanus flower extract Has skin benefit? +14 more	glycolic acid Has skin benefit? morus alba bark extract Has skin benefit? +12 more	alcohol Has skin benefit? citrus grandis peel oil Has skin benefit? +19 more	zinc sulfate Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +4 more	sambucus nigra flower extract Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +4 more	zinc sulfate Has skin benefit? glycolic acid Has skin benefit? +6 more	laurylpyridinium chloride Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +5 more	propylene glycol Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +4 more	paeonia suffruticosa root extract Has skin benefit? chamomilla recutita flower extract Has skin benefit? +9 more	phenylpropanol Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +6 more	glycolic acid Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +8 more
All ingredients	water Has skin benefit? arbutin Has skin benefit? +13 more	water Has skin benefit? propanediol Has skin benefit? +41 more	water Has skin benefit? ethoxydiglycol Has skin benefit? +30 more	water Has skin benefit? citrus limon peel oil Has skin benefit? +31 more	water Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +14 more	propanediol Has skin benefit? aloe barbadensis leaf extract Has skin benefit? +12 more	water Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +11 more	water Has skin benefit? ethoxydiglycol Has skin benefit? +13 more	water Has skin benefit? glycerin Has skin benefit? +21 more	water Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +22 more	water Has skin benefit? ascorbic acid Has skin benefit? +15 more

PRODUCT REVIEW

Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx

Works for:

Can it cause trouble?

Key actives

Cheaper alternatives

Product summary

Ingredient callouts

Price

What can the product work for?

Works for

Evens skin tone

What does the product description say?

Moisturizing

Anti-oxidation

Honesty check

How honest is this product?

Buy now

US Retailers

N/A Retailers

Can it cause trouble?

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

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Ingredients & concentrations

All ingredients

Key Actives

Potential irritants

Comodogenic ingredients

All ingredients

Ingredient list view

Sources