Obagi

Obagi Vitamin C Arbutin Brightening Serum

Name: Obagi - Vitamin C Arbutin Brightening Serum
Brand: Obagi

Efficacy62/100IrritancyMedium

See all ingredients

Works for

Evens skin tone

Arbutin, Ascorbic acid

May help

What the product description says

“Vitamin C Arbutin Brightening Serum”

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~0.85–1.3%

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~1.7–2.5%

Anti-aging

Ascorbic acid

Not delivered

What the product description says

“A serum that helps minimize the signs of skin aging and uneven skin tone for a brighter complexion.”

Source: Obagi Medical

This product contains arbutin. This ingredient might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin and help it fight off some of the sun damage.

Anti-oxidation

Side benefit · Arbutin, Ascorbic acid

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.

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy

1 strong irritant: Alcohol denat.

Medium risk

We flagged 6 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~4.2–6.2%est.

Alcohol denat.Produces temporary toning effect. Can help dissolve other ingredients or preserve productsHigh~3.6–5.3%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~1.7–2.5%est.

Sodium lauryl sulfateA cleansing agent (SLS). It can be irritatingHigh~0.5–1.2%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~0.85–1.3%est.

HydroxyacetophenoneUsed to increase effectiveness of preservativesMedium~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 irritating3/5~0.5–1.2%est.

Alternatives

Cheaper, or higher on efficacy

iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance Plus

Higher efficacy · 93/10097% match

$127.19

Dr Dennis Gross Clinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum Deluxe

Higher efficacy · 100/10093% match

View all alternatives

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Ingredients

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Water~40–60%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Plain old water

More about Water

Propylene glycol~4.2–6.2%

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

Alcohol denat.~3.6–5.3%

Irritant · high

Irritation risk: High

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

More about Alcohol denat.

Dipropylene glycol~2.4–3.6%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Helps to dissolve other ingredients in a formulation. Slows down the rate of product drying

More about Dipropylene glycol

Ascorbic acid~1.7–2.5%

Under-dosedIrritant · high

Irritation risk: High

Works for

Anti-agingAnti-oxidationEvens 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

Arbutin~0.85–1.3%

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

Propylene carbonate~0.45–1.1%

Formula

Irritation risk: Low

Works for

Moisturizing

Is used to dissolve other ingredients and create nice product texture

More about Propylene carbonate

Sodium lauryl sulfate~0.5–1.2%

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

Hydroxyacetophenone~0.1–0.45%

Irritant · medium

Irritation risk: Medium

Used to increase effectiveness of preservatives

More about Hydroxyacetophenone

Ingredient list view

Water, Propylene glycol, Alcohol denat., Dipropylene glycol, Ascorbic acid, Arbutin, Propylene carbonate, Sodium lauryl sulfate, Hydroxyacetophenone

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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
	ObagiVitamin C Arbutin Brightening SerumYOUR PRODUCT	iS ClinicalPro-Heal Serum Advance Plus	Dr Dennis GrossClinical Grade IPL Dark Spot Correcting Serum Deluxe	SkinCeuticalsSilymarin CF Vitamin C Salicylic Acid Antioxidant Serum
Match	—	97%	93%	93%
Price	—	$127.19	—	$185.00
Shared key ingredients	—	2 of 2	2 of 2	1 of 2
Key difference	—	Retinol	Azelaic Acid	Salicylic Acid
Irritancy	Medium	Medium	Medium	Medium
Drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	Contains drying alcohol	—	Contains drying alcohol
	View product	Shop	Shop	Shop

More alternatives: Reform Skincare Vitamin C 20% Serum NourishMax VITAMIN C + B + E + FERULIC & RETINOL SERUM

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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
Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitisncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2
Propylene Glycolpubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3
Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycolonlinelibrary.wiley.com
4
Arbutin - Commentatymdedge.com
5
TOPICAL TREATMENT OF MELASMAncbi.nlm.nih.gov

ObagiVitamin C Arbutin Brightening Serum

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