Recently, I launched three new clinically effective products in my line, each targeting a distinct skincare need: SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright, a lightweight, hydrating lotion that visibly brightens skin discolorations and dark spots; SUZANOBAGIMD™ Super Antioxidant Serum, designed to defend against free radicals and environmental damage; and SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore which provides comprehensive hydration by targeting multiple layers of skin. During their development, I was meticulous about selecting ingredients that would deliver optimal results, remain gentle enough to be tolerated by all skin types, and exclude any ingredients found on my personal “Do Not Use” list.
The Purpose Behind the Products
In my role as Chief Medical Officer of Obagi®, I’m always looking to formulate result-focused products that fill a specific niche in the brand’s comprehensive portfolio. The inclusion of these three new products allows the SUZANOBAGIMD™ line to serve as a stand-alone daily regimen suitable for most skin types. At the same time, they are versatile enough to swap into other skin care regimens, such as the Obagi Nu-Derm® line, depending on a patient’s particular skincare needs.
While all Obagi® products deliver impressive results, my new products offer patients with sensitive skin the ability to achieve results without sacrificing comfort or tolerability. And though I do not personally have sensitive skin, there are many products on the market that cause my skin to be irritated or break out. I wanted to ensure these products also avoided those issues for any patient.
SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright, the Dark Spot Corrector
In my practice, I see patients with a variety of skincare concerns and diverse skin types. Pigmentation issues—in particular—can pose several hurdles as hyperpigmentation stems from a variety of internal and external factors. While products containing 4% hydroquinone—such as Obagi Nu-Derm® Clear, Obagi Nu-Derm® Blender, and OBAGI-C® FX C-Clarifying Serum—remain highly effective, I have patients who prefer to avoid hydroquinone due to skin allergies or sensitivities. Additionally, patients who have achieved their desired results with hydroquinone products often need to transition to a reliable non-hydroquinone product for maintenance. This was the impetus for developing SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright.
Claribright has a wonderful feel as it goes into the skin that I would describe as a lightweight and hydrating, leaving skin soft and not tacky or sticky. The formula features advanced liposomal technology, which encapsulates key ingredients such as tranexamic acid (TXA), phloretin, silymarin, niacinamide, and polysaccharide from Laminaria digitata. Encapsulation involves packaging ingredients like TXA into microscopic lipid-covered spheres, which improves absorption by allowing increased penetration across cell membranes. Covering each molecule of TXA in a fatty outer layer helps deliver it deeper into the skin. Studies have shown that encapsulated TXA delivers superior results compared to the same concentration of unencapsulated TXA. And while TXA is currently trending as a skincare ingredient, it is truly the combination of powerful ingredients in Claribright that make it so effective, providing visible improvements without the need for a prescription.
SUZANOBAGIMD™ Super Antioxidant Serum, the Anti-Aging Soother
When I formulated SUZANOBAGIMD™ Super Antioxidant Serum, my goal was to develop a stable, synergistic blend of antioxidants in a soothing, hydrating base. Lightweight yet nourishing, the serum is suitable for all skin types—including dry and sensitive skin—and visibly improves skin brightness, evens out the complexion by targeting existing discoloration and dark spots, and prevents the appearance of new pigment formation. Like Claribright, Super Antioxidant Serum relies on an innovative blend of antioxidants, each selected for its ability to protect and rejuvenate skin. The formula features encapsulated silymarin, a powerful antioxidant known for reducing oxidative stress and calming inflammation. Encapsulation increases the stability and absorption of a product by taking active ingredients and encircling them in lipid layers. This allows them to penetrate the skin more efficiently and deliver more precise benefits. The result is a highly effective serum that delivers visible improvements in tone and texture while remaining gentle on the skin.
SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore, the NMF Supporter
Younger skin naturally produces a compound known as Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF). However, as we age, our skin cells make less NMF, which compromises skin hydration and barrier function. With SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore, I created a moisturizer that produces similar results to natural NMF in skin, providing increased hydration and helping to reinforce the skin barrier.
Moisture Restore is surprisingly lightweight, yet highly efficient at providing hydration both immediately and in the long term. The formula’s key ingredients are designed to be absorbed into multiple layers of the skin. These include low molecular weight (LMW) and high molecular weight (HMW) hyaluronic acids, lecithin, plankton extract, palmitoyl tripeptide-37, oat lipids, and squalane.
LMW hyaluronic acid penetrates deeply into the epidermis and upper dermis, where it binds with water to deliver sustained hydration. HMW hyaluronic acid, primarily forms a protective barrier on the skins’ surface to offer temporary hydration and plumping. Lecithin, a naturally occurring substance, penetrates deeply into the skin and encourages the absorption of other ingredients. Plankton extract helps reduce cortisol-related stress on the skin. Palmitoyl tripeptide-37 penetrates through the epidermis into the upper dermis, supporting the synthesis of the skin’s own NMF. This helps increase moisture retention, strengthens the skin barrier, and leaves skin feeling soft.
Thinking Outside the Bottle
Another feature consumers will notice about these three products is that they are all packaged in an airless pump. This packaging is crucial for preserving the effectiveness of the product, especially those containing antioxidants. If the product is exposed to air, the ingredients can oxidize and lose their potency. By using airless chambers for our products, we ensure that every pump of the product—from first to last—maintains its full potency and integrity.
Suitable for All Skin Types
All three products are ideal for younger patients seeking to protect their skin and proactively slow the aging process, those unable to tolerate hydroquinone, anyone transitioning from an Obagi Nu-Derm® regimen to a maintenance routine, and consumers seeking safe, ethically sourced, and cruelty-free ingredients. Every Obagi® product is tested on the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Scale to ensure it is safe and effective across all skin tones and types to further minimize the risk of visible irritation or reactions.
Find Your New Routine
Depending on your specific skin concerns, the following sample routines can serve as a starting point. These are simply general guidelines and may vary based on your individual needs.
PHOTODAMAGE-FINE LINES, FRECKLES & SUNSPOTS:
Morning Routine
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Foaming Cleanser
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Balancing Toner
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Intensive Daily Repair
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore: As needed
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Tinted Physical Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen OR Obagi Sun Shield™ Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen
Evening Routine
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Foaming Cleanser
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Balancing Toner
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright
- Retinol 1.0
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Retivance® Skin Rejuvenating Complex
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore
MELASMA MAINTENANCE:
Morning Routine
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Foaming Cleanser
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Balancing Toner
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Intensive Daily Repair
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore: As needed
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Tinted Physical Defense SPF 50 Sunscreen OR Obagi Sun Shield™ Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Sunscreen
Evening Routine
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Foaming Cleanser
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Balancing Toner
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright
- Retinol 1.0
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Retivance® Skin Rejuvenating Complex for 7 nights OR Tretinoin 0.5% for 2 nights and SUZANOBAGIMD™ Retivance® Skin Rejuvenating Complex for 5 nights per
- SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore
Ready for What’s Next?
Together, this trio of new products fills in the gaps in any sensitive skincare routine, providing comprehensive benefits from hydration and protection to brightening and anti-aging benefits. Beyond sensitive skin, they’re ideal for anyone seeking clinically proven skincare powered by antioxidants and advanced formulas entirely without parabens, synthetic fragrances, or dyes.
I’m thrilled to include SUZANOBAGIMD™ Claribright, SUZANOBAGIMD™ Super Antioxidant Serum, and SUZANOBAGIMD™ Moisture Restore in my line, giving my patients with sensitive skin even more effective options.
