Works for
MoisturizingPanthenol, Acetyl octapeptide-3 + 8 moreWorks well
“With plant growth factor, Kinetin, to support skin barrier function and decrease signs of photodamage”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
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. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
sodium hyaluronate, caprylyl glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetyl alcohol.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: acetyl octapeptide-3, panthenol
Anti-agingAcetyl octapeptide-3, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil + 2 moreMay help
“Professional-C Peptide Complex is a lightweight antioxidant serum with Peptides, Plant Growth Factor, and Vitamins C & E to help minimize the appearance of uneven skin tone while helping to improve the appearance of skin’s firmness, fine lines, and wrinkles.”
This product contains acetyl octapeptide-3. This ingredient might be able to help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness, but there is not enough evidence that it actually works.
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate ~0.1–0.3%, below the ~4% it needsUnder-dosed
“Professional-C Peptide Complex is a lightweight antioxidant serum with Peptides, Plant Growth Factor, and Vitamins C & E to help minimize the appearance of uneven skin tone while helping to improve the appearance of skin’s firmness, fine lines, and wrinkles.”
Effective ingredients missing or their concentration is too low
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy2 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Imidazolidinyl ureaMedium risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~40–60%
Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil~4–6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin
More about Prunus amygdalus dulcis oilCaprylic/capric triglyceride~3.6–5.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideStearic acid~2.5–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPeg-12 glyceryl dimyristate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Glyceryl stearate~1.7–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearatePeg-100 stearate~1.5–2.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateSilica~1.4–2.1%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.9–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
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 acetateCetyl alcohol~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A non-drying alcohol that works to soften the skin and stabilize product formulations helping oil and water mix together
More about Cetyl alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolTriethanolamine~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to adjust pH of the product and can help improve the product's smell
More about TriethanolamineCarbomer~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerPanthenol~0.35–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function
More about PanthenolEthoxydiglycol~0.3–0.7%
Polyaminopropyl biguanide~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. There seem to be an increasing number of cases of allergic reactions to it
More about Polyaminopropyl biguanideDisodium edta~0.3–0.7%
Ppg-12/smdi copolymer~0.3–0.75%
Kinetin~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zeatin~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Polyurethane-40~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.15–0.5%
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilCaprylyl glycol~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolSodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps thicken the product formulation and create a gel-like texture
More about Sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucanTetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.1–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateAcetyl octapeptide-3~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of peptide. Peptides are excellent moisturizers and might be able support collagen production reducing fine lines and wrinkles
More about Acetyl octapeptide-3Imidazolidinyl urea~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A preservative. Is more irritating than many other preservatives available
More about Imidazolidinyl ureaSodium hyaluronate~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateCamellia sinensis leaf extract~0.01–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can contain potent anti-oxidant compounds (abbreviated ECG, GCG, EGC, and EGCG) that might help protect the skin from free radicals. Can help calm down inflammation and has some anti-bacterial properties. Unfortunately, these antioxidants are unstable and lose their effectiveness very quickly in products. The concentration of the antioxidant compounds in the extract also tends to be low to be effective in topical formulation
More about Camellia sinensis leaf extractHydrochloric acid~0.01–0.05%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ingredient list view
Water, Prunus amygdalus dulcis oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Stearic acid, Peg-12 glyceryl dimyristate, Glyceryl stearate, Peg-100 stearate, Silica, Tocopheryl acetate, Cetyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Triethanolamine, Carbomer, Panthenol, Ethoxydiglycol, Polyaminopropyl biguanide, Disodium edta, Ppg-12/smdi copolymer, Kinetin, Zeatin, Polyurethane-40, Ethylhexylglycerin, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium carboxymethyl beta-glucan, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Acetyl octapeptide-3, Imidazolidinyl urea, Sodium hyaluronate, Camellia sinensis leaf extract, Hydrochloric acid
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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.
| ObagiProfessional-C Peptide Complex SerumYOUR PRODUCT | IntraceuticalsAtoxelene Daily Serum | SKIN 1004.Poremizing Fresh Ampoule | endota spaPeptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 61% | 61% | 60% |
| Price | $113.00 | $79.80−$33.20 | $9.50−$103.50 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| Key difference | — | Hyaluronic Acid | Copper Tripeptide-1 | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Luzern Laboratories Luzern WE3 Triple Action Serum Wrinkle Correctorfreezeframe Night
Product summary
"Obagi - Professional-C Peptide Complex Serum" is effective for: Moisturizing
This product could be helpful for: Anti-aging, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- Peptides (acetyl octapeptide-3 0.20% - 0.40%). There are many different kind of Peptides and they are naturally present in our skin. They all are a combination of aminoacids. Some of them work as natural antibiotics, promote wound-healing and production of collagen. The science is still not settled on how effective Peptides are in skincare, but it is very likely that they have a benefit. They might help restore the skin barrier and fight the signs of aging. At the very least, Peptides work as humectants: they attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve its hydration.
- An effective concentration of Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) - about 0.60% - 0.90%. Panthenol helps strengthen the skin barrier, improve hydration and reduce inflammation in skin.
- Humectants (panthenol 0.60% - 0.90%, hyaluronic acid 0.15% - 0.25% and acetyl octapeptide-3 0.20% - 0.40%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails for 115.00$ 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 8 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2Skin moisturizing effects of panthenol-based formulationspdfs.semanticscholar.org
- 3
- 4Contact allergy to polyhexamethylene biguanide (polyaminopropyl biguanide)pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6
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