Works for
Anti-agingAscorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
“Improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains ascorbic acid.
These ingredients in the product can also be helpful, even though there is less evidence for their effectiveness: ascorbyl glucoside.
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.
Evens skin toneAscorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks well
“Combat dull, uneven skin tone and texture.”
This product can help reduce hypepigmentation and even out the skin tone because it contains the following effective ingredients: ascorbic acid.
The following ingredient (ingredients) in this product might be helpful, but there is no evidence to confirm that it actually can help even out the skin tone: ascorbyl glucoside.
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.
MoisturizingSodium hyaluronate, Propylene glycol + 1 moreWorks
“This potent daily antioxidant serum, fortified with 20% pure L-ascorbic acid, supports the skin barrier's defenses against free radicals and environmental stressors that can cause the skin to appear dry, dull and lackluster, and discolored.”
This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": sodium hyaluronate, propylene glycol.
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).
Anti-oxidationSide benefit · Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucosideWorks 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).
The following ingredients - ascorbyl glucoside also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 strong irritants: Ascorbic acid, Alcohol denat. + 7 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Ascorbic acid~23–34%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidPropylene glycol~4.7–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- High
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
More about Propylene glycolWater~4.2–6.3%
Ascorbic acid~3.2–4.8%
- Irritation risk
- High
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 acidAlcohol denat.~2.4–3.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products
More about Alcohol denat.Ascorbyl glucoside~1.8–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A vitamin C derivative that is more stable but less potent than pure form of vitamin C. Has a potential to boost collagen production, nutralise free radicals and reduce hyperpigmentation, but the required concentration is likely to be much higher than for the pure form of vitamin C, limiting the ingredient's effectiveness in products
More about Ascorbyl glucosideEthoxydiglycol~1.5–2.3%
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium hyaluronate~1.1–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateSorbitol~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improves the product texture
More about SorbitolCitrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~0.9–1.3%
Citrus paradisi fruit extract~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Parfum~0.5–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients
More about ParfumCaprylyl/capryl glucoside~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent
More about Caprylyl/capryl glucosideCalcium hydroxide~0.4–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Zinc chloride~0.3–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Citric acid~0.2–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidBenzyl benzoate~0.15–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- High
Fragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritating
More about Benzyl benzoateAmyl cinnamal~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Limonene~0.1–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneHexyl cinnamal~0.1–0.35%
Ingredient list view
Ascorbic acid, Propylene glycol, Water, Ascorbic acid, Alcohol denat., Ascorbyl glucoside, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium hyaluronate, Sorbitol, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Citrus paradisi fruit extract, Parfum, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Calcium hydroxide, Zinc chloride, Citric acid, Benzyl benzoate, Amyl cinnamal, Limonene, Hexyl cinnamal
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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 Serum 20%YOUR PRODUCT | Eveline CosmeticsC Perfection - Anti-wrinkle Serum | La Roche-PosayPure Vitamin C12 Serum | Eczema Honey CoEczema Honey 15% Vitamin C + Ferulic Acid Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 96% | 94% | 94% |
| Price | $155.00 | $14.04−$140.96 | $41.77−$113.23 | $23.95−$131.05 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 |
| Key difference | — | Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate | Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester | Ferulic Acid |
| Irritancy | High | High | Medium | Low |
| Drying alcohol | Contains drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: NourishMax VITAMIN C + B + E + FERULIC & RETINOL SERUMSeoul Ceuticals Day Glow Serum
Product summary
"Obagi - Professional-C Serum 20%" is effective for: Anti-aging and Evens skin tone
This product could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.
Ingredient callouts
- This product also contains Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 5.40% - 8.00% It can be helpful in stimulating collagen production, neutralizing free radicals in skin and improving pigmentation marks. We recommend to use up this product quickly after opening: Ascorbic Acid degrades fast when it gets in contact with air and light. The moment the product turns orange, it is a sign that a significant share of the vitamin C in it is no longer effective.
- Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.40% - 0.90%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.
Price
The product retails from 115.00$ up to 142.00$ in the United States and from 103.00£ up to 128.00£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 7 studies and safety reviews.
- 1Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 2Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 3Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 4The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 5
- 6Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin agingncbi.nlm.nih.gov
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