What Sets Obagi Medical Skin Care Apart from Other Obagi Products?
This article will explain the unique features and benefits of Obagi Medical skin care, compare it with other Obagi products like Obagi Clinical and Obagi Nu-Derm, and highlight why Obagi Medical is the preferred choice for more advanced skincare treatments.
Obagi has provided science-driven skincare products for over thirty years, voted as the best physician dispensed brand, trusted by skincare experts and dermatologists for its ability to go beyond surface level and deeply transform the skin.
With a range of different products for skin concerns, individuals can find options that work best for things like hyperpigmentation, acne, or signs of aging. Among these product lines is the Obagi Medical line, a professional-grade skincare line designed to treat skin concerns like aging, pigmentation, acne, and more.
What Sets Obagi Medical Apart?
The Obagi medical skin care line is set apart by two key factors:
#1. Higher Concentration of Active Ingredients
The first is the higher concentration of active ingredients which directly translates to a more effective product making it ideal for those who are trying to treat severe skin conditions.
Obagi Medical products use higher concentrations of active ingredients like Vitamin C, Retinol, and Hydroquinone, which work more effectively to treat pigmentation, fine lines, and acne.
Hydroquinone, for example, helps to address pigmentation by inhibiting the enzyme in the skin that produces melanin, helping to fade dark spots and provide a more even skin tone. This lightning agent is very effective in treating things like dark spots or melasma.
The higher concentrations of retinol offer numerous benefits, not least of which are increased collagen production, cell turnover leading to better complexion and exfoliation, repairs for sun damage, and acne treatment.
#2. Customization for Skin Concerns
The second difference in the Obagi medical skin care line is that it's tailored for specific skin concerns, offering treatments for hyperpigmentation, aging skin, acne, and more, with formulas backed by clinical research.
Obagi Nu-Derm vs. Obagi Medical
What is the difference between Obagi Nu Derm vs Obagi Medical?
Within the Obagi Nu-Derm product line, there are two systems:
- Nu-Derm Rx
- Nu-Derm Fx
The Rx system requires a prescription as it contains 4% hydroquinone, making it a much more effective option for treating hyperpigmentation compared to over-the-counter products.
The Fx system is an over-the-counter alternative that uses a gentler alternative to hydroquinone: arbutin. This helps brighten and clarify skin tone but is ideal for someone with sensitive skin or with mild hyperpigmentation.
The Obagi medical product line has similarly powerful concentrations of active ingredients but is suitable to all skin types, with individualized products for individualized needs.
Dehydration and Dullness:
- The Suzan Obagi Intensive Daily Repair moisturizer contains peptides and allantoin to help the skin, with PHAs to exfoliate. It is ideal for repairing uneven texture, blocked pores, or dullness.
- The Obagi Hydrate Light Weightless Gel Cream uses Polyglutamic Acid, Ceramides, and Tara Seed Extract to tackle dullness, fine lines, and dryness.
Acne and Irritation:
The Obagi CLENZIderm MD Therapeutic Moisturizer contains 20% Glycerin to help increase water content so that skin stays moisturized.
The Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel has oat amino acids and aloe to hydrate and calm irritation on the skin.
Overall, the Obagi Nu-Derm system is typically recommended for everyday skin care and for improving skin health over time. By comparison, Obagi Medical contains stronger active ingredients and is designed for more targeted treatments under the guidance of a skincare professional.
The medical-grade formulations in Obagi Medical that offer faster, more noticeable results for serious skin concerns so you get targeted results instead of daily support.
Obagi Clinical vs. Obagi Medical
What is the difference between Obagi medical and clinical​?
When comparing Obagi clinical vs Obagi medical​, one of the things you'll notice in terms of differences are:
- Purpose
- Active ingredients
- Prescriptions
For starters, the Obagi clinical line is there to help maintain healthy skin and target early signs of aging, whereas the Obagi medical product line is there to target severe skin concerns like wrinkles, acne, or hyperpigmentation.
The active ingredients in the Obagi medical line come in much higher concentrations of things like:
- Kojic acid
- Tretinoin
- Hydroquinone
These higher concentrations make for more effective and immediate results compared to the Obagi clinical line which has lower concentrations. That said, the lower concentrations in the Obagi clinical line are less likely to cause irritation or redness and therefore better suited for people with sensitive skin.
The Obagi clinical line is available over the counter, but because of the higher concentrations of active ingredients, the Obagi medical line typically requires a prescription.
The Obagi Clinical line offers a more accessible skin care experience for at-home use with slightly less intensive treatments. However, Obagi Medical offers more potent formulations and treatments so it brings professional strength products compared to the clinical line.
Zein Obagi vs. Obagi Medical
What is the difference between Zein Obagi vs Obagi Medical​?
Zein Obagi, the founder of Obagi, created the Obagi Medical line to provide more effective treatments through stronger ingredients and a more results-driven approach. Zein Obagi's more clinical, results-focused treatments offer a more professional approach to other skincare lines designed for general skin health maintenance.
For example, the founder of Obagi also founded the ZO skin health line with a focus on holistic skin care and prevention, available through skin care professionals and designed for therapeutic treatments from a preventative standpoint.
However, for those who have current skin care issues or conditions and need something beyond prevention, the Obagi clinical line and in particular the Obagi medical skin care line provides medical grade treatments that are prescription-based with a focus on treating skin conditions with scientifically backed formulas.
Summing Up
Overall, Obagi Medical stands apart from other Obagi products, in large part because of the higher concentration of active ingredients and targeted designs for skin concerns. While many of the other Obagi product lines are designed for first time users, those who just want to maintain the health of their skin, or those with sensitive skin, the Obagi medical skin care line is for those who want to target very severe skin concerns and see real results.
Discover the best Obagi Medical treatments for your skin concerns.
At Dermoi, we bring you a unique concept store dedicated to scientifically-verified skincare. Our experienced scientific team carefully studies and selects and each product, ensuring only the most potent and effective options make it to our shelves. With Dermoi, you can be confident in using products that are high-quality and advanced.
For any questions about your skincare routine or product recommendations, ourscientific team is available for support. Feel free to reach us by email at [email protected] or call (0)20 3963 9930, Monday through Friday, between 11am and 4pm.
