Started Obagi Clear and Having Problems - Help!
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Mon Dec 31, 2012 8:57 am

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum, and new to using Obagi Nu-Derm Clear (just Clear, not the entire system). I have some acne scarring and dark spots I'm trying to clear up on parts of my face, particularly my chin.

I started using Clear on Friday night, and initially I thought it was working great. However, in just a day or so I noticed that the spots I applied it to (I'm only using it on the affected areas, not my whole face) were turning very red, almost like a sunburn. Those areas FELT raw, dry and sunburned, as well.

While I'm aware you should use some sort of SPF on your face while apply hydroquinone, I was home all weekend and didn't even think about it, being inside. Could this literally BE sunburn, from the ambient light? Or is this a normal reaction to Obagi Clear? I skipped applying it this morning, and plan on religiously using moisturizer with SPF while on Clear from now on... but I'm just wondering if it's normal and NOT sunburn, and if it's safe to continue using at this point. Should I wait for the redness to subside first?

Also, when using moisturizer, does it go on top of the Clear?

Any help is appreciated. I'm a bit of a newbie with this stuff. Thanks!

free skin care · Mon Dec 31, 2012 5:57 pm

If you are applying it 2x a day, I would cut back to 1x since a couple of the ingredients can cause irritation and redness.

http://www.squidoo.com/obagi-clear

If you are using HQ, you have to apply sunscreen EVERY day, whether you are inside or outside. However, the redness is more than likely from irritation than sunburn.

And any moisturizer would go over the Clear. Smile

Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:08 am

Thanks for your reply! The more I think about it, maybe I started off using too much. I was applying a layer, then dabbing more on top of the spots with a Qtip and not rubbing it in. Could that account for the extreme redness?

Even today, the red hasn't calmed much. I moisturized over the Clear last night, and am skipping Clear this morning, so hopefully that will help. I'm terrified I've made the areas worse!

Also, regarding moisturizer, I've read that using it can lessen the effectiveness of Clear... But you're also supposed to wear sunscreen. So is a moisturizer with SPF a bad idea?

I'm trying to decide if I should continue using this (maybe just at night for a few days), or stop completely until the redness goes away.

free skin care · Tue Jan 01, 2013 8:01 pm

I would personally stop until the redness goes away, and then start back up with a very small amount every other day. Then try to work up to once a day.

Most moisturizers do not have SPF 30, and you need that or higher if you are going to use HQ.

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