Obagi

Professional C Serum.

Serums

About this product

A vitamin C serum with 15% or 20% L-ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid, designed to brighten dark spots and hydrate the skin.

Full ingredients

Propylene Glycol, Aqua, Ascorbic Acid, Alcohol Denat, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Parfum, Amyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Extract, Octoxynol-9

Guru Score

74%

Mixed

3 experts · Moderate agreement

3Gurus

2Yay

0Mixed

1Nay

What they liked

Hydrating and elegant texture
Plumping effect from hyaluronic acid
Helps with dark spots

What they flagged

Nothing. None of the experts who reviewed it raised a problem.

What the gurus are saying

This serum's elegant texture and hydrating feel make it stand out when applied, with the vitamin C formulation earning praise for how it works on dark spots and overall skin quality. The 15% strength is the most commonly used, though the 20% option appeals to those wanting a stronger dose. Hyaluronic acid in the formula adds plumping hydration, making it a solid morning choice for anyone looking to tackle discoloration.

Synthesized from 3 expert reviews · most recent take September 2026

Best for

Mature skin

Type

SerumsDrops & dropper

Key actives

Vitamin C

Formula notes

Contains fragranceContains drying alcohol

Where to buy

Amazon → Google →

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What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Daniel Sugai

720k subs

~Yay

"I've been using Obagi's 20% vitamin C Professional C Serum. It's great."

All 2 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

Best Vitamin C Serums of 2025- Dermatologist’s Top Picks

"I've been impressed by this. A couple years ago, I started using Obagi vitamin C products. And man, so impressed by how hydrating, how elegant it feels when you apply the drops. And with this, I would actually bring it down to my neck and chest at times because you don't want to neglect this area. So, the formulation is great. Formulation does matter when it comes to these products. The 15% formulation is the one I've used the most. Recently I've gone into the 20%. Love that as hyaluronic acid is very plumping, hydrating to the skin and overall just really great way to start off the morning to battle those dark spots on the face."

The Best Morning & Night Skincare Routine for Mature, Dry Skin

"I've been using Obagi's 20% vitamin C Professional C Serum. It's great."

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

~Nay

"Unfortunately, this one is probably the most disappointing of the lot so far."

Lab Muffin Beauty Science

861k subs

~Yay

"Obagi's Professional C Serum, containing 15% L ascorbic acid, is another winner."

Top Pick: vitamin c serum

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Vitamin C

Topical vitamin C is an antioxidant with reasonable evidence for dullness and uneven tone. It breaks down in light and air, so how a product is formulated and packaged matters as much as the percentage on the front.

Source: DermNet

Frequently asked.

What is Obagi Professional C Serum?

A vitamin C serum with 15% or 20% L-ascorbic acid and hyaluronic acid, designed to brighten dark spots and hydrate the skin.

Is Obagi Professional C Serum worth it?

The gurus mostly approve it, but with enough reservations to keep it in the middle at a Guru Score of 74%.

What is Obagi Professional C Serum's Guru Score?

Obagi Professional C Serum holds a Guru Score of 74%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 3 expert reviewers we have collected. At least one expert has named it a Top Pick in its category.