Can I Use Obagi Skin Care Products Without a Doctor's Prescription?

Obagi is incredibly effective when used correctly. In my practice, we prescribe and carefully follow our patients to achieve wonderful results. There are Obagi products that do not require a prescription. Those with medically regulated ingredients or products that the FDA has deemed require physician supervision are prescription-based. Using prescription products without physician input is inherently dangerous. Don't take short cuts on your health! I hope this helps.

Obagi Medical Products, the parent company of the Obagi Nuderm line has a very thorough website, www.obagi.com, which defines the various skincare lines and the necessity for a prescription. The Nuderm product line is generally dispensed in a physician's office but there are several products in the line that do not require a prescription, like the Foaming gel, Obagi Toner, and Obagi Exfoderm.

There are parts of the Obagi line that should be overseen by a physician, particularly the hydroquinone and retin-a.  Both of these have side effects and should not be used in pregnancy.  Trying to save a few dollars in exchange for increased risk is not worth it. 

The Obagi Nuderm system is a skin care program that is medical grade and as such requires supervision by a physician. Some of the products have over the counter active ingredients, and others have prescription strength components. Used properly, the system is a powerful tool to improve sun damage and aging of the skin. If not properly supervised, the changes in the skin early in the program can be profound and sometimes difficult for patients to tolerate. Also be aware that Obagi is only... more

I have used the Obagi Product line for 18 years. They are extremely effective and powerful. Having said that, to use them without a trained physicians supervision would be doing yourself a diservice.