All scans / Serums / Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5
Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 ingredients: is it worth it?
A legitimate retinol treatment trapped in a very expensive, not-quite-clinically-transparent cream base.
A legitimate retinol treatment trapped in a very expensive, not-quite-clinically-transparent cream base.
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The efficacy score is 4.1/5: retinol appears unusually high in the INCI and is the only ingredient that meaningfully drives fine-line and texture improvement, while the humectant-rich emollient base improves tolerability. The score is capped because the exact retinol concentration, pH, and claimed slow-release technology are not established by the supplied INCI, while vitamin C appears late and should not be treated as a major brightening driver. The formula contains no fragrance or essential oils, but retinol-related peeling and irritation remain the principal safety concerns. Obagi lists the 0.5 product at $80, and retailer listings also show $80, making it a fair but not exceptional value for a prestige retinol formula.
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DemythSkin rates Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 4.1/5 for efficacy and 4.1/5 for safety.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS BY TIER
Gold Standards
High clinical proof | Skin-transformativeReliable
Proven resultsPotent
Developing evidenceOverhyped | Marketing
Hype | Limited dataDocumented Irritants
Evidence-backed flagFORMULATION BASE (18)⌄
FULL INGREDIENT LIST⌄
water (aqua), caprylic/capric triglyceride, glyceryl stearate, cyclopentasiloxane, butylene glycol, stearic acid, polysorbate 60, butyrospermum parkii (shea) butter, glycerin, stearyl alcohol, cyclohexasiloxane, dimethicone, retinol, calendula officinalis flower extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract, dipotassium glycyrrhizate, sodium hyaluronate, tocopheryl acetate, bisabolol, ascorbic acid, carthamus tinctorius (safflower) seed oil, sorbitol, glyceryl acrylate/acrylic acid copolymer, dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, allyl methacrylates crosspolymer, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, hexylene glycol, polysorbate 20, carbomer, disodium EDTA, triethanolamine, BHT, phenoxyethanol Show More Show Less Safety information PRECAUTIONS When using this product, you may experience mild redness, peeling, or skin irritation. These are normal, temporary indications the product is working. If irritation occurs, limit use to every other night, or as tolerated. When skin has adjusted, revert to daily use. Daily use of a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is highly recommended. Avoid getting into eyes. If contact occurs, rinse thoroughly with water. For external use only. Keep out of reach of children
WHAT EACH INGREDIENT DOES (24)⌄
- Water (Aqua)
- Formula solvent
- Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
- Light emollient
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Emulsifier and emollient
- Cyclopentasiloxane
- Volatile skin conditioner
- Butylene Glycol
- Humectant and solvent
- Stearic Acid
- Fatty acid and thickener
- Polysorbate 60
- Emulsion stabilizer
- Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
- Rich emollient
- Glycerin
- Humectant
- Stearyl Alcohol
- Fatty alcohol emollient
- Cyclohexasiloxane
- Volatile skin conditioner
- Dimethicone
- Occlusive skin protectant
- Retinol
- Topical retinoid treatment
- Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract
- Botanical skin conditioner
- Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
- Antioxidant botanical extract
- Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract
- Botanical skin conditioner
- Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate
- Soothing licorice derivative
- Sodium Hyaluronate
- Humectant skin hydrator
- Tocopheryl Acetate
- Vitamin E derivative
- Bisabolol
- Soothing skin conditioner
- Ascorbic Acid
- Antioxidant vitamin C
- Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil
- Plant-derived emollient
- Sorbitol
- Humectant
- Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer
- Film-forming humectant
EXTERNAL CITATIONS
Retinol: Retinol is a non-prescription retinoid associated with improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, and tone.
Sodium Hyaluronate: Humectant that supports temporary surface hydration.
Glycerin: Well-established humectant that helps reduce water loss from the skin surface.
DISCLAIMER: THIS ANALYSIS IS FOR INFORMATION ONLY. NOT MEDICAL ADVICE. AI-GENERATED DATA BASED ON PUBLICLY AVAILABLE INGREDIENT LISTS. VERIFY WITH A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.
A cheaper serum that scores as high or higher
A different formula for the same concern (anti-aging) that scores at least as high on both efficacy and safety.
Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5: common questions
Is Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 worth it?
Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 scores 4.1 out of 5.0 for efficacy (Effective) and 4.1 out of 5.0 for safety (Gentle) on DemythSkin's independent ingredient analysis. A legitimate retinol treatment trapped in a very expensive, not-quite-clinically-transparent cream base.
What are the key active ingredients in Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5?
Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 contains these gold-standard actives with strong clinical evidence: Retinol, Ascorbic Acid.
Does Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 contain fragrance or known irritants?
DemythSkin's analysis found no flagged irritants in Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5. It scores 4.1 out of 5.0 for safety.
How is Obagi Medical Obagi360 Retinol 0.5 scored?
DemythSkin grades every product on two independent scores: efficacy (whether the ingredients have clinical evidence of working) and safety (irritation and sensitisation risk). Ingredients are graded S through D against a database of over 3,000 compounds. Brand and price are not part of the score, and no brand pays for one.
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