If the thought of brighter skin gets you excited, say hello to Obagi’s Professional-C® Collection! This super effective collection features bestselling vitamin C products like Professional-C® Serum and Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask, and we’re sharing all there is to know; what they do for your skin, who they’re best for, how they work, and much more.
Investing in a new skincare routine or product can be a big decision, so our mission is always to give you the facts - good and bad - and empower you to make an informed choice. Whether you’re a fan of Obagi Medical products or have never heard of them, we’re certain you’ll want to learn more about their bestselling vitamin C range. Right this way…
Thinking “you had me at ‘brighter skin’”? Skip straight to booking your free video consultation with one of our Face Dr Skin Experts:
Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:
- What is the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
- What products are in the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
- What do the percentages mean?
- Who would benefit most from this collection?
- What will it do for my skin?
- How do I use it?
- What ingredients feature in the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
- Are there any side effects to be aware of?
- What do reviews say about the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
- How much is the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
- How do I buy it in the UK?
- Summary: Should I try the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
What is the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
Face Dr is an authorised UK stockist of several prescription-only skincare ranges offering superior results to products you’ll find on the high street. One of our most effective brands is Obagi Medical, and their Professional-C® Collection products were created to protect skin by fending off environmental stressors that lead to early skin ageing and a dull complexion.
The whole collection is formulated with L-ascorbic acid, which is considered the ‘gold standard of vitamin C’, and pH levels have been balanced to optimise stability, permeability and efficacy. Clinical studies have found Obagi Professional-C® Serums provide significantly better antioxidant penetration than other vitamin C serums, and the benefits are absorbed up to 5x more effectively. If you’re dying to try out the serums or other products in the range for yourself, you can book a free video consultation with a Skin Expert.
What products are in the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
There are two products from the Obagi Professional-C® Collection that our Skin Experts regularly recommend to clients; Professional-C® Serums and Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask.
Serums
Obagi Professional-C® Serums are available in 10%, 15% and 20% concentrations depending on what your skin needs, and these serums provide powerful antioxidants to fortify the skin barrier and defend against free radicals, minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten skin. You can read more about the benefits of antioxidants in this article; What are antioxidants and what can they do for your skin?
Polish + Mask
Then there’s the Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask, a dual-action face mask promoting a more youthful complexion by exfoliating, polishing and priming skin for 30% vitamin C. With unparalleled levels of L-ascorbic acid, this 2-in-1 product totally transforms skin by removing dead skin cells and revealing smoother, more luminous, youthful-looking skin. It’s dual-purpose, so it can be used as both a leave-on face mask and regular skin exfoliant.
Peptide Complex
Another product from the collection is the Obagi Professional-C® Peptide Complex, a facial serum offering effective ingredients like pro-vitamin B and vitamin E to brighten skin and defend against free radicals, plus synthetic forms of plant growth factors to improve the firmness of skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. If you don’t see this product on our website, speak to your Skin Expert to learn more.
Back to Basics Set
You may also find the Back to Basics set available online in 15% and 20% options (depending on serum percentage inside), which includes the Obagi Nu-Derm® Foaming Gel, Obagi Nu-Derm® Toner, Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50, Professional-C Serum, and Obagi® Retinol 1.0. Again, if you are interested in trying out these product bundles but don’t see them on our website, speak to your Skin Expert.
What do the percentages mean?
Obagi Professional-C® Serums come in 3 different percentages; 10%, 15% and 20%. Your Skin Expert will advise on which percentage is best for your skin, and this may be determined by whether or not you have a skin condition, sensitive skin, or a specific skin goal. They may also take your skin type into account, since each percentage is recommended for the below skin types:
Who would benefit most from this collection?
Those with the following skin issues may find Obagi’s Professional-C® products offer the results they’re looking for:
- Fine lines, wrinkles, and ageing skin
- Surface level hyperpigmentation and dark spots
- Skin damage from environmental stressors
- A dull, lacklustre complexion
What will it do for my skin?
Obagi Professional-C® products offer a range of benefits which make them useful for a number of different skin goals. If you are looking for age-defying properties to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles, you’ll love these products. Similarly, if you are looking to correct mild hyperpigmentation, this could offer the result you’re looking for. And of course, if you are looking to protect skin from environmental damage with added antioxidants and turn up the brightness on skin, this collection should be number 1 on your list. It provides all-round benefits for a fresh, healthy glow.
How do I use it?
Depending on which products from the collection are recommended by your Skin Expert, you may have a unique combination and therefore will be required to use them in the way that best suits your skin type and goals. In general, though:
Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask
Massage this multi-purpose polish into the skin to scrub away dead skin cells, and leave on as a face mask for 10-15 minutes. Wipe off and rinse with warm water. You will likely be recommended to use this product 2-3 times a week, however listen to your Skin Expert’s advice for best results.
Professional-C® Serums
After cleansing and toning, apply 5-7 drops and massage into skin daily, as directed by your Skin Expert. They may suggest using it only in the evening, or both morning and evening.
If you’re wondering when to apply these products in relation to other products in your skincare routine, you can find out here; The correct order to apply your skincare routine
What ingredients feature in the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
The shining star ingredient in this collection is L-ascorbic acid, renowned as the purest form of vitamin C. When used daily, L-ascorbic acid is known to:
- Help neutralise free radicals to increase the skin’s defences against environmental damage
- Restore skin after previous environmental damage
- Minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Replenish the skin’s antioxidants
- Even and brighten skin tone for a healthy glow
You can read more about the benefits of vitamin C for skin in this article; Top 5 skincare benefits of Vitamin C
Are there any side effects to be aware of?
The products in this collection are considered very safe to use on skin, however it’s important to keep in mind vitamin C is acidic, and some serums that use a high concentration of this ingredient can cause skin irritation for some people. That’s why your Skin Expert may encourage you to apply only a thin layer every other day to begin with, and slowly increase your application over time. Some side effects you may experience with a vitamin C serum include:
- Irritation
- Itchiness
- Redness
- A slight tingling sensation when applying (if a more severe burning reaction occurs, contact your Skin Expert)
It’s also handy to know that combining vitamin C with retinol can lead to further skin irritation, and the two ingredients essentially cancel each other out. Combining the two is not advised for this reason, so your Skin Expert may suggest using your vitamin C serum in the morning and any retinol products at night.
What do reviews say about the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
We like to keep things unbiased around here, which is why when we include reviews in our articles we don’t just cherry pick the best ones. We like to know the pros and cons, so let’s take a look at two products from the Professional-C® Collection:
Serums
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
Pros: Effectively brightens and smooths skin.
“I began using the Obagi Professional C serum recently and really like it… It makes my face feel smooth and gives it a dewy finish. I love having a nice glow on my face!” - Janie, Obagi customer using Professional-C® Serum 20%
Cons: The serum won’t provide the desired results for everyone, and the percentage may need to be adjusted accordingly.
“I have been using the product on a consistent basis, but I have not seen any change”
- Nika, Obagi customer using Professional-C® Serum 20%
Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
Pros: Leaves skin brighter, smoother and feeling fresher.
“My face felt clean, soft and looked brighter.”
Corrina47, Obagi customer using the Obagi Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask
Cons: The consistency of the product is thick, and won’t suit everyone.
“... Thick like beeswax and difficult to spread…”
- Lee, Obagi customer using the Obagi Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask
Want a professional opinion? Obagi Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask is also a 2021 Shape Magazine Award Winner. These award winners are chosen with the help of leading dermatologists, and when tested, a staggering 88% of people experienced a more luminous glow after a single use.
“It makes my skin and soul better.” - 2021 Shape Magazine Awards
How much is the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
At Face Dr all Obagi products we stock are sold at RRP, and for the serums each has its own price point due to the differing amounts of L-ascorbic acid:
- Professional-C® Serum 10% by Obagi costs £91
- Professional-C® Serum 15% by Obagi costs £97
- Professional-C® Serum 20% by Obagi costs £120
- Professional-C® Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask costs £97
How do I buy it in the UK?
There are a number of Obagi stockists who can help, but if you choose to discuss your skincare needs with our team at Face Dr, we offer a simple process of purchasing the products you need. When you have set up your active Face Dr account, you can browse the store, view more product information, and buy any items recommended by your Skin Expert. To set up your account, speak to one of our Skin Experts:
Summary: Should I try the Obagi Professional-C® Collection?
If brightening your complexion has been on your to-do list, then this collection could be the best way to tick it off. You’ll also want to chat to a Skin Expert if your skin goals include reducing fine lines, protecting against environmental damage, and fading mild hyperpigmentation. They may recommend this collection as an all-rounder to treat all of these issues and promote a healthier, glowing complexion.
If you want a commitment-free, friendly chat with one of our Skin Experts, our team always provide free advice for your specific skin concerns, and since we are product-agnostic we aim to give you the most up-to-date, unbiased advice on both the products we stock and the ones we don’t, so you always get exactly what your skin needs.
Ready to treat your skin to some vitamin C?
