Obagi Nu-Derm Blender and Obagi Nu-Derm Clear, which are part of the Obagi Nu-Derm System, each contain 4% hydroquinone. A prescription is required for those two products.
However, the full system also includes these products, which don't require a prescription:
- Obagi Nu-Derm Gentle Cleanser, a mild facial cleanser, or Obagi Nu-Derm Foaming Gel, a gel-based cleanser for oily and combination skin
- Obagi Nu-Derm Toner, an alcohol-free toner that balances skin’s natural pH
- Obagi Nu-Derm Exfoderm Forte, an lightweight lotion that exfoliates dead skin with a combo of alpha hydroxy acids, including lactic acid and glycolic acid, and reveals new skin cells
- Obagi Nu-Derm Hydrate facial moisturizer
- Obagi Sun Shield Matte Broad Spectrum SPF 50, a sunscreen that defends against sun damage caused by UVA/UVB rays with zinc oxide. (Sun protection is key for treating skin discoloration and lightening dark spots, as sun exposure is one of the biggest factors in their formation.)
The Obagi Nu-Derm System comes in two versions—one for normal to oily skin and another for normal to dry skin. You can consult your physician to determine which is the right one for your skin type.
“By itself, Obagi Clear is no better than any other hydroquinone,” Dr. Robert Buchanan, a plastic surgeon in Highlands, North Carolina, says in a RealSelf Q&A. “However, when combined with the other ingredients in the Obagi Nu-Derm System, it is two to three times more effective in correcting pigmentary problems than anything else on the market.”
For those concerned about hydroquinone, Obagi offers the Obagi Nu-Derm FX System, which features Obagi Nu-Derm Blend FX and Obagi Nu-Derm Clear FX. Hydroquinone-free versions of the original formulas, they feature arbutin—a powerful skin brightening ingredient in its own right—as the active ingredient, as well as antioxidants and lactic acid.
