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Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
Obagi

Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx

Efficacy75/100IrritancyLow
See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone
Arbutin, Ascorbic acid + 1 more
May help
What the product description says
“Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx is a skin-brightening cream specially formulated with nature-identical arbutin and antioxidants that helps improve the look of skin for an even, healthier-looking complexion.”
Source: Obagi Medical

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

ArbutinKey activeEffect: MediumBeta-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~5.7–8.6%
Ascorbic acidUnder-dosedThe 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~1.1–1.7%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.15–0.65%
Anti-oxidation
Side benefit · Arbutin, Tocopheryl acetate + 1 more
May help

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.

ArbutinKey activeEffect: MediumBeta-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~5.7–8.6%
Tocopheryl acetateEffect: LowA 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.~1.2–1.8%
Ascorbic acidUnder-dosedThe 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~1.1–1.7%
Moisturizing
Side benefit · Cetyl alcohol, Glycerin + 1 more
Works

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).

Cetyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together~3.5–5.2%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~2.7–4.1%
Lactic acidUnder-dosedAn 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)~0.15–0.65%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
8 flagged ingredients
Low risk
We flag 8 ingredients with irritancy potential; the product's overall irritancy is low. The table lists each ingredient's own rating.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Sodium lauryl sulfateA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritatingHigh~2.3–3.4%est.
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~1.1–1.7%est.
ArbutinBeta-arbutin. Can help to reduce hyperpigmentation and has an anti-oxidant effect when used in high enough concentration. Is less effective compared to alpha-arbutinMedium~5.7–8.6%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA 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.Medium~1.2–1.8%est.
Sodium metabisulfiteA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
BhtA preservativeMedium~0.35–0.8%est.
Lactic acidAn 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)Medium~0.15–0.65%est.
Disodium edtaStabilizes the product formulationMedium~0.1–0.45%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
Sodium lauryl sulfateA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating3/5~2.3–3.4%est.
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Glass Skin Finishing Glaze
K republiq Glass Skin Finishing Glaze
Higher efficacy · 91/10084% match
Everyday Moisturiser
Reform Skincare Everyday Moisturiser
Higher efficacy · 87/10084% match
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Arbutin~5.7–8.6%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-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

More about Arbutin
Cetyl alcohol~3.5–5.2%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

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

More about Cetyl alcohol
Glycerin~2.7–4.1%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

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

More about Glycerin
Sodium lauryl sulfate~2.3–3.4%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Cleansing

A cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritating

More about Sodium lauryl sulfate
Stearyl alcohol~1.7–2.6%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Stearyl alcohol
Tocopheryl acetate~1.2–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

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.

More about Tocopheryl acetate
Ascorbic acid~1.1–1.7%
Under-dosedIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingEvens skin tone

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
Saponins~0.8–1.25%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing
More about Saponins
Sodium metabisulfite~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Sodium metabisulfite
Bht~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Bht
Lactic acid~0.15–0.65%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
ExfoliationEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-aging

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)

More about Lactic acid
Disodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Stabilizes the product formulation

More about Disodium edta
Butylparaben~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Butylparaben
Methylparaben~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Methylparaben
Propylparaben~0.05–0.15%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative

More about Propylparaben
Ingredient list view

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

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Bluemercury
$125.00
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Amazon US
Price unavailable Out of stock
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Obagi Medical
Price unavailable
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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
ObagiNu-Derm Clear FxYOUR PRODUCTReform SkincareEveryday MoisturiserK republiqGlass Skin Finishing GlazeImage skincareIluma Intense Brightening Creme
Match—84%84%81%
Price$125.00——$69.59−$55.41
Shared key ingredients—2 of 32 of 32 of 3
Key difference—Ferulic AcidButyrospermum Parkii ButterTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Irritancy Low Low Low Medium
Drying alcohol————
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Product summary

"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.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 6 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Arbutin - Commentatymdedge.com
  2. 2
    TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Final report on the safety assessment of sodium sulfite, potassium sulfite, ammonium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, ammonium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite and potassium metabisulfitencbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Epidermal and dermal effects of topical lactic acidncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  6. 6
    Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skinpdfs.semanticscholar.org
Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Fx
ObagiNu-Derm Clear Fx
Buy at Bluemercury$125.00Amazon

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

Buy at Bluemercury$125.00Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.