Obagi-C Duo: Brighten + Hydrate

Two Obagi products that together form a morning routine: the Professional-C Serum 15% and the Hydrate Light gel cream.

Why these two together

Vitamin C is the antioxidant workhorse: the Professional-C Serum 15% contains pure L-ascorbic acid, which neutralizes free radicals, evens out and brightens the complexion, and helps make fine lines less visible. It is the serum to which Obagi owes its reputation.

But a vitamin C serum in a high concentration can leave the skin feeling a bit dry. That is where Hydrate Light comes in: an airy gel cream with ceramides, glycerin, and polyglutamic acid that locks in moisture instead of adding a heavy layer. Oil-free, non-comedogenic, and light enough to wear makeup over.

One does the corrective work, the other ensures your skin can handle that work.

For whom

For a dull or uneven complexion with normal to combination skin. Also great for those who have been using vitamin C for a while but notice that their skin feels tight by the afternoon.

How to use them

In the morning, after cleansing: apply five to seven drops of serum to dry skin, let it absorb for a minute, then apply the Hydrate Light. Always finish with sun protection. You can simply use the Hydrate Light again in the evening; the serum is a morning product.

Store the serum in a dark, cool place and close the cap tightly.

What I would like to pass on

Two things I keep repeating in the clinic.

A vitamin C serum will oxidize, that is part of it, but you can slow it down by not placing the bottle on the windowsill. If it turns a dark orange color, it has lost its potency. Count on three to six months after opening, and it is better to restock in time than to leave a bottle sitting for a year.

And do not layer active products. If you use retinol or acids in the evening, this is your morning routine — not both in the same application. Your skin also needs rest to be able to do something with what you put on it.

Are you unsure if this duo suits your skin? Feel free to send me a message.