Obagi C Serums: Greater Absorption & Stability?
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Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:23 pm

Did anyone else find this surprising?

Obagi Medical Products Presents In Vitro Data Showing its Topical Vitamin C Serums Provide Greater Absorption and Stability than a Leading Competitor

CHICAGO, Jul 31, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Obagi Medical Products, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMPI), a leader in topical aesthetic and therapeutic skin health systems, announced the results of an in vitro study of their Obagi Professional-C and Obagi-C Rx Serums today at the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy Meeting in Chicago. The data show that Obagi-C Rx Serum (4% hydroquinone, 10% L-ascorbic acid) provided a more than 10-fold greater absorption of vitamin C than the leading competitive product, Skinceuticals(R) 20%. The Obagi Professional-C Serum (20%) resulted in a more than 5-fold greater absorption of vitamin C than the leading competitive product.

In addition, both Obagi Medical Vitamin C Serums were proven to have greater stability than the leading competitor, which is important given that topical vitamin C products can be unstable thus potentially making them less efficacious.

"Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and is essential for collagen production, which keeps skin looking young and healthy. It's also very sensitive to numerous external conditions, so it is important to use a formulation that has a high level of penetration and is stable," said Harry Agahigian, lead investigator of the study. "The studies showed that the Obagi Medical vitamin C formulations provide much better absorption and greater stability versus the competitive product."

Key Findings:

Investigators sought to evaluate the absorption and stability of the three serums and the Obagi serums performed better in each objective of the study.

In an in vitro test evaluating absorption of vitamin C, each of the three serums (Obagi-C Rx Serum, Obagi Professional-C 20% Serum and the 20% L-ascorbic acid-based leading competitor product) was tested by being applied to cadaver skin for a period of 19 hours at 37 degrees C. The total absorption of vitamin C in each product was:

-- 148 micro-g with Obagi-C Rx Serum (31% of baseline amount)

-- 66 micro-g with Obagi Professional-C Serum (11% of baseline amount)

-- 12 micro-g with the competitor product (2% of baseline amount).

In a stability test, the serums, Obagi-C Rx Serum (4% hydroquinone, 10% L-ascorbic acid), Obagi Professional-C Serum (20% L-ascorbic acid), and leading competitor 20% L-ascorbic acid, were stored at 40 degrees C and the vitamin C content was measured at 1 and 3 months. An additional stability test was performed by storing the products at 45 degrees C for 1 month. Here, vitamin C content was also measured.

"We are proud that our vitamin C products provide such clinically significant advantages over the competitive product," said Steven Carlson, Chief Executive Officer of Obagi Medical Products. "Obagi Medical's top priority is to provide highly effective differentiated skin care products that are based in real science. We do that by working closely with the top experts in the skin care field."

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/obagi-medical-products-presents-vitro/story.aspx?guid=%7B7F8E2D0C-21CA-491D-A2B3-353A85FC40C4%7D&dist=hppr

free skin care · Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:51 pm

Wow! I been using Obagi C Rx Serum for a few weeks...very good to hear Smile

free skin care · Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:28 pm

WOW is right...those absorption numbers are shocking.

The stability numbers are shocking as well...they tested them at temps of 104 and 113 Fahrenheit. Most of us don't live in those temps on a day to day basis, but trucks that move product around the country definitely get to some high temps inside, and warehouse facilities often have limited or no temperature controls.

My BIL is in warehousing, and they did dry goods storage for a large grocery
chain for a long time...the only things that were stored with ANY a/c at all were products where melting would be visible...like chocolate. (and this is in FL...scary)

free skin care · Sun Sep 07, 2008 7:39 pm

im not surprised i bought the Obagi-C Rx Serum MONTHS ago and its still fresh hasnt turned brown on me the colour is yellow i read that some people say thats when its off but that serum is always that colour from the start

well worth the money i think a pump bottle thought rather than a droplet dispenser would be better

free skin care · Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:37 am

I think the most interesting part of these tests is not the stability but the absorption. The unnamed 20% product only had 2% absorption. This is something none of us know when it comes to Vit C products. However, I do remember someone from Jansen Beckett some time ago, saying that a 10% Vit C product could be highly effective if it was formulated correctly and had the greatest amount of absorption.

free skin care · Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:12 am

londongirl wrote:

im not surprised i bought the Obagi-C Rx Serum MONTHS ago and its still fresh hasnt turned brown on me the colour is yellow i read that some people say thats when its off but that serum is always that colour from the start

well worth the money i think a pump bottle thought rather than a droplet dispenser would be better

I agree with the comments on the bottle!! My droplet dispenser hasn't worked since I received it Mad

It only takes in a tiny bit of serum and then it's almost impossible to get on my face without some mess because you have to hold it on an angle to get it on your face (I guess maybe I could lie blat on my back to apply??? LOL).

free skin care · Mon Sep 08, 2008 3:05 pm

This is very interesting news. Thanks for posting Havana. I have been using the skinceuticals with my obagi, but I definitely will switch back to their C when I am done with my SC bottle. The absorption rate sounds great.

free skin care · Mon Sep 08, 2008 5:53 pm

I would really like to know how this compares to the oil-soluble version of the Vit C. Confused

I try to stay pretty low acid, but this kind of info is pretty compelling if you are looking for results!

free skin care · Tue Sep 09, 2008 3:57 am

I am questioning the reliability of these test results. As far as I can understand, the study is conducted by the Obagi company itself, and this is just an in vitro study which is much less worth than a study on human skin.

Supposedly, the study has to fulfil some criteria to be presented on the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy. Still, I would like to see an unbiased review of this study before I believe that the vitamin C serums from Obagi are superior to other C serums on the market.

free skin care · Tue Sep 09, 2008 4:30 am

Septembergirl wrote:

I am questioning the reliability of these test results. As far as I can understand, the study is conducted by the Obagi company itself, and this is just an in vitro study which is much less worth than a study on human skin.

Interestingly, one thing mentioned by Justin Morgan, VP of Development at ZO Skin Health Inc., in this thread (about possible cytotoxicity in cells from lavender extract) kind of has the same theory:

"...With regard to lavender oil / essential oils and cytotoxicity it's very important to keep in mind that in-vitro cytotoxicity does not take into account absorption rate through intact stratum corneum."

Septembergirl wrote:

Supposedly, the study has to fulfil some criteria to be presented on the American Academy of Dermatology's Summer Academy. Still, I would like to see an unbiased review of this study before I believe that the vitamin C serums from Obagi are superior to other C serums on the market.

Good point. And like Bethany brought up, it would be nice to get a real handle on the absorption rate and strength of the oil-soluble vitamin C, too!

I have to admit, initially this study had me thinking of going with their brand when/if I bring a vit C serum into my skin care routine. Still mulling it over. I tried Cellex-C years ago and IIRC, I think I got more blackheads and my skin didn't like it, but tempted lately after reading here at EDS to try one again.

free skin care · Tue Sep 09, 2008 5:12 am

caboodle wrote:

Septembergirl wrote:

I am questioning the reliability of these test results. As far as I can understand, the study is conducted by the Obagi company itself, and this is just an in vitro study which is much less worth than a study on human skin.

Interestingly, one thing mentioned by Justin Morgan, VP of Development at ZO Skin Health Inc., in this thread (about possible cytotoxicity in cells from lavender extract) kind of has the same theory:

"...With regard to lavender oil / essential oils and cytotoxicity it's very important to keep in mind that in-vitro cytotoxicity does not take into account absorption rate through intact stratum corneum."

That is a good catch, caboodle. I wonder if there have been any studies on human skin that have been performed?

Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:16 am

rileygirl wrote:

caboodle wrote:

Septembergirl wrote:

I am questioning the reliability of these test results. As far as I can understand, the study is conducted by the Obagi company itself, and this is just an in vitro study which is much less worth than a study on human skin.

Interestingly, one thing mentioned by Justin Morgan, VP of Development at ZO Skin Health Inc., in this thread (about possible cytotoxicity in cells from lavender extract) kind of has the same theory:

"...With regard to lavender oil / essential oils and cytotoxicity it's very important to keep in mind that in-vitro cytotoxicity does not take into account absorption rate through intact stratum corneum."

That is a good catch, caboodle. I wonder if there have been any studies on human skin that have been performed?

the article says it was tested on cadaver which I assume is human skin? or no?

free skin care · Tue Sep 09, 2008 8:56 am

havana8 wrote:

rileygirl wrote:

caboodle wrote:

Septembergirl wrote:

I am questioning the reliability of these test results. As far as I can understand, the study is conducted by the Obagi company itself, and this is just an in vitro study which is much less worth than a study on human skin.

Interestingly, one thing mentioned by Justin Morgan, VP of Development at ZO Skin Health Inc., in this thread (about possible cytotoxicity in cells from lavender extract) kind of has the same theory:

"...With regard to lavender oil / essential oils and cytotoxicity it's very important to keep in mind that in-vitro cytotoxicity does not take into account absorption rate through intact stratum corneum."

That is a good catch, caboodle. I wonder if there have been any studies on human skin that have been performed?

the article says it was tested on cadaver which I assume is human skin? or no?

Sorry, Havana, I missed that sentence completely. I would assume that you are correct.

free skin care · Tue Sep 09, 2008 9:34 am

Septembergirl wrote:

rileygirl wrote:

havana8 wrote:

rileygirl wrote:

caboodle wrote:

I am questioning the reliability of these test results. As far as I can understand, the study is conducted by the Obagi company itself, and this is just an in vitro study which is much less worth than a study on human skin.

Interestingly, one thing mentioned by Justin Morgan, VP of Development at ZO Skin Health Inc., in this thread (about possible cytotoxicity in cells from lavender extract) kind of has the same theory:

"...With regard to lavender oil / essential oils and cytotoxicity it's very important to keep in mind that in-vitro cytotoxicity does not take into account absorption rate through intact stratum corneum."

That is a good catch, caboodle. I wonder if there have been any studies on human skin that have been performed?

the article says it was tested on cadaver which I assume is human skin? or no?

Sorry, Havana, I missed that sentence completely. I would assume that you are correct.

Pig skin or skin from other animals are often used in these kinds of tests, but they might also use skin from human cadavers. We don't know for sure what was used in the Obagi study, although I believe animal skin is most common and most easily accessible for research.

Anyway, my main point is that the most reliable method for testing topical skin care ingredients is without doubt in vivo studies with punch biopsies from living human beings. The Obagi study is an in vitro study that does not have the same clinical relevance.

In vitro
(Latin: Within the glass) refers to the technique of performing a given experiment in a controlled environment outside a living organism, f. ex. in a test tube. Many experiments in cellular biology are conducted outside of organisms or cells because the test conditions may not correspond to the conditions inside of the organisms, this may lead to results that do not correspond to the situation that arises in a living organism.

In vivo
(Latin: Within the living) means that it takes place inside an organism. In science, in vivo refers to experimentation done in or on the living tissue of a whole living organism, as opposed to a partial or a dead one or a controlled environment. Animal testing and clinical trials are forms of in vivo research.

Source: Wikipedia

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