I Found a Promising Doctor-recommended Vitamin C Serum and Tested It Out — the Results Are Shocking!

Dreaming of a brighter visage, more even skin tone, and a youthful glow? Well, I am and always will.

That’s why I was intrigued when I came across an article about different types of vitamin C in serums and learned that L-ascorbic acid is ranked at the very top of the list!

L-ascorbic acid is a well-researched active ingredient known for its antioxidant properties. Despite being unstable, it is easily absorbed and highly esteemed in the cosmetic industry.

It’s even endorsed by dermatologists as the vitamin C form that actually works on the skin!

After browsing for a good L-ascorbic acid product to try and analyse, I settled on a really promising vitamin C serum from Obagi.

Read to the end to find out whether the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% is worth the purchase and how you can claim a FREE sample!

Obagi Professional-C Serum 20%: A Potent Weapon Against Ageing

If you’re looking for a potent, doctor-recommended vitamin C serum to address ageing concerns and achieve a radiant, youthful complexion, the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% is a powerful option to consider.

It boasts a whopping 20% concentration of L-ascorbic acid, the purest and most effective form of vitamin C. This ingredient goes beyond just brightening — it’s a true anti-ageing powerhouse.

The high potency of L-ascorbic acid in this serum allows it to effectively neutralise free radicals, unstable molecules that damage skin and accelerate ageing.

By combating these free radicals, Obagi’s Professional-C Serum 20% helps prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin, the building blocks of firm, youthful skin. This translates to a visible reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, leaving you with a smoother, more radiant complexion.

But that’s not all. This fast-absorbing serum also contains hyaluronic acid, a magnet for moisture. This plumps the skin from within, further reducing the appearance of wrinkles and leaving you with a healthy, hydrated glow.

What sets the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% apart from other vitamin C serums:

• Unmatched potency: The 20% L-ascorbic acid concentration is a leader in the market, delivering visible results quickly.
• Doctor-trusted: As the leading physician-dispensed skincare brand in the US, with over 35 years of experience, Obagi Medical is a brand dermatologists trust for their patients.
• Scientifically backed: With over 80 patents, Obagi’s formulations are not just raved about — they’re clinically proven to work.

How Powerful is Obagi’s Vitamin C Serum?

The Iodine Test

You might have seen this on TikTok. According to dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky (@dermguru), this test tells us whether our vitamin C serum neutralises free radicals.

In this experiment, we compared the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% with another leading vitamin C serum to see how fast one drop of each vitamin C serum can break down the iodine in water.

We poured 50ml of water into each beaker and added 15 drops of iodine before stirring it. After cleaning the stirring rod, we added a drop of both vitamin C serums into their respective beakers.

As we stirred the mixtures in each beaker, we concluded that Obagi’s serum was able to turn the iodine water clear, faster than its competitor.

The Oxidation Test

Another hot topic on TikTok is vitamin C oxidation. Qualified dermal therapist @libby.skin shared that “freshly made vitamin C is usually a light yellow colour, and once it oxidises, it becomes darker (amber or dark orange)”.

“There’s nothing wrong with using oxidised vitamin C on your face. It just won’t do anything because the vitamin C molecule has completely changed — it’s not going to have the same function or active effect as it did in the first place, so you’re not reaping any of the benefits”, she explained.

To test just how resistant the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% is to colour change, we left a full dropper of the serum in the corner of our studio for 14 days.

Based on our experiment, Obagi’s vitamin C serum doesn’t oxidise easily as there was only a minimal change in colour from a light yellow to amber on the 14th day.

That means one bottle can probably last for a long time and still be as effective, especially when it’s stored properly!

Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% Reviews: What People Are Saying

According to a survey analysis, 91% of participants noticed a brighter and/or more hydrated** complexion after incorporating Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% into their skincare routine.

Compared to the top competitor, Obagi’s L-ascorbic acid serum has five times higher absorption rates. Clinical studies have demonstrated an impressive 83% potency retention after three months of use.

**Obagi survey analysis, Vitamin C products; April 28, 2010. Obagi Cosmeceuticals LLC. Data on file.

Writer’s Review

I dove into the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% with high hopes, thanks to the glowing reviews, the science behind it, and the experiments conducted above.

My skin definitely felt clearer and less dull after using it. Even dark spots and blemishes seemed to fade, resulting in a more even tone.

It does have a heftier price tag, but it’s cost-effective considering the visible results and its oxidation resistance. Instead of buying a couple of vitamin C serums, one Obagi serum can probably last you throughout the year.

Now, the texture is a bit on the oily side for my preference. While it’s not the lightest serum I’ve used, it’s important to note that it’s significantly less oily than other options I’ve tried. Overall, this is a potent vitamin C serum that delivers on its promises.

Endorsed by Doctors, Loved by Customers

“Obagi’s L-ascorbic acid formulations are renowned for their stability, allowing for maximum potency and effectiveness in delivering vitamin C to the skin. This stability is crucial for maintaining the antioxidant properties of vitamin C, ensuring optimal skin health and rejuvenation.

Additionally, Obagi’s formulations exhibit minimal colour change over time, indicating their high level of stability and sustained efficacy,” said Dr Delong Zeng, Founder and Medical Director of Halo Clinic.

Jan, who has been using the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% for several years shared that the anti-ageing results show on her skin as people would never believe her when she told them her age.

Paula considers this Obagi vitamin C serum to be her secret weapon for brighter, tighter, and glowing skin, saying that the product “is in a league of its own”.

Meanwhile, Heather, who bought the serum after a friend suggested it, noticed how her face looked younger in just three weeks. The results were so good that her husband even thought she got work done on her face!

Where to Buy the Obagi Professional-C Serum 20%

Obagi’s Professional Vitamin C range is available at www.obagi.sg, Halo Clinic, and Tan Tock Seng Retail Pharmacy.

The Obagi Professional-C Serum 20% (30ml) retails for S$209. There is also a 10% variation for dry, sensitive skin and a 15% option for normal to combination skin.

Follow Obagi’s global and Singapore Instagram accounts to keep up to date on their products!

Featured image credits: Daily Vanity

All images taken by Daily Vanity unless stated otherwise.

This article is brought to you by Obagi Medical.