What's In My Jar
Obagi SERUM 15%
Obagi

Obagi SERUM 15%

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone
Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside
Works well
What the product description says
“Professional C® Serum 15% is formulated with L-Ascorbic Acid to help brighten and even skin tone, strengthen skin's antioxidant defenses, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Source: Obagi Medical

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.

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~5.5–8.2%
Ascorbyl glucosideKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~2.6–3.9%
Anti-aging
Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside
Works well
What the product description says
“Professional C® Serum 15% is formulated with L-Ascorbic Acid to help brighten and even skin tone, strengthen skin's antioxidant defenses, and improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.”
Source: Obagi Medical

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.

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~5.5–8.2%
Ascorbyl glucosideKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~2.6–3.9%
Anti-oxidation
Not advertised by the brand · Ascorbic acid, Ascorbyl glucoside
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).

The following ingredients - ascorbyl glucoside also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.

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~5.5–8.2%
Ascorbyl glucosideKey activeEffect: MediumA 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~2.6–3.9%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
8 strong irritants: Alcohol denat., Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract + 6 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Propylene glycolHelps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritatingHigh~23–35%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~5.5–8.2%est.
Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~3.5–5.3%est.
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extractUsed as a fragranceHigh~1.8–2.6%est.
Citrus paradisi fruit extract—High~1.2–1.9%est.
ParfumAn aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredientsHigh~0.55–1.25%est.
Benzyl benzoateFragrance with sweet balsamic smell. Help to preserve products and dissolve other ingredients. Could trigger allergic reactions and be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.65%est.
Amyl cinnamal—High~0.05–0.25%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Hexyl cinnamalA fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritantHigh~0.01–0.1%est.
Ascorbyl glucosideA 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 productsMedium~2.6–3.9%est.
Caprylyl/capryl glucosideHelps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agentMedium~1.1–1.6%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.35–0.85%est.
Comedogenic
Clean of flagged comedogenic ingredients
None flagged
Alternatives
Cheaper, or higher on efficacy
Intensive Vitamin C Dual Concentrate Brightening Booster-Serum
Institut Esthederm Intensive Vitamin C Dual Concentrate Brightening Booster-Serum
Cheaper98% match
$48.85
C Perfection - Anti-wrinkle Serum
Eveline Cosmetics C Perfection - Anti-wrinkle Serum
Cheaper96% match
$14.04
View all alternatives

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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Propylene glycol~23–35%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating

More about Propylene glycol
Water~12–19%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Ascorbic acid~5.5–8.2%
Hero · Anti-aging, Anti-oxidation, Evens skin toneIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-agingAnti-oxidation

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
Alcohol denat.~3.5–5.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve products

More about Alcohol denat.
Ascorbyl glucoside~2.6–3.9%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Evens skin toneAnti-oxidationAnti-aging

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 glucoside
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract~1.8–2.6%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance

More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract
Citrus paradisi fruit extract~1.2–1.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Citrus paradisi fruit extract
Caprylyl/capryl glucoside~1.1–1.6%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Cleansing

Helps oil and water mix together. Can be used as a cleansing agent

More about Caprylyl/capryl glucoside
Parfum~0.55–1.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

An aromatic blend of unspecified and possibly irritating ingredients

More about Parfum
Citric acid~0.35–0.85%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Benzyl benzoate~0.15–0.65%
Irritant · high
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 benzoate
Amyl cinnamal~0.05–0.25%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Amyl cinnamal
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Hexyl cinnamal~0.01–0.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A fragrance with jasmine smell. A likely irritant

More about Hexyl cinnamal
Ingredient list view

Propylene glycol, Water, Ascorbic acid, Alcohol denat., Ascorbyl glucoside, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel extract, Citrus paradisi fruit extract, Caprylyl/capryl glucoside, Parfum, Citric acid, Benzyl benzoate, Amyl cinnamal, Limonene, Hexyl cinnamal

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Amazon USPrice as of 11/6 12:15 GMT
$75.00
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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
ObagiSERUM 15%YOUR PRODUCTInstitut EsthedermIntensive Vitamin C Dual Concentrate Brightening Booster-SerumEveline CosmeticsC Perfection - Anti-wrinkle SerumJUMISOAll Day Vitamin Pure C 5.5 Glow Serum
Match—98%96%95%
Price$75.00$48.85−$26.15$14.04−$60.96$6.97−$68.03
Shared key ingredients—2 of 22 of 22 of 2
Key difference—Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideAscorbyl TetraisopalmitateAlpha-Arbutin
Irritancy High Medium High Low
Drying alcohol Contains drying alcohol ———
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More alternatives: Dermaceutic Tri Vita C30iS Clinical C & E Serum Advance+

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Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 5 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  4. 4
    The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Healthncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  5. 5
    Stability, transdermal penetration, and cutaneous effects of ascorbic acid and its derivativesncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Obagi SERUM 15%
ObagiSERUM 15%
Buy on Amazon$75.00 · as of 11/6 12:15 GMT

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

Buy on Amazon$75.00 · as of 11/6 12:15 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.