Obagi vs SkinCeuticals — side by side, no bias.
Our pick
Phloretin CF
9/10 · SkinCeuticals
| Daily Hydro-Drops Facial Serum | Phloretin CF | |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Obagi | SkinCeuticals |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Editor Rating | 8.2/10 | 9/10 ★ |
| Category | serum | serum |
| Texture | Oil-infused serum drops | Lightweight watery serum |
| Finish | Plump, dewy | Quick-absorb |
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| Verdict | Obagi's hydration serum bridges the physician-dispensed brand into approachable daily skincare — hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and squalane in an oil-serum hybrid. Abyssinian oil (Crambe abyssinica) adds omega-9 fatty acids in a lightweight, fast-absorbing profile. The brand that dermatologists trust for prescription-adjacent products proves it can do gentle hydration as well as it does aggressive retinoids and vitamin C. | The CE Ferulic for combination/oily skin. Phloretin CF replaces tocopherol with phloretin (an apple-derived antioxidant), keeping the 10% L-ascorbic acid + 0.5% ferulic acid backbone but with a lighter, less oil-leaning texture. Better for oily, combination, and acne-prone skin where CE Ferulic feels heavy. Same antioxidant network in the basket — vitamin C primary, phloretin secondary, ferulic stabilising — and the same 4 a.m. orange-mid-tone shift that signals oxidation when it's gone too far. Not cheaper than CE Ferulic but worth it if your skin pushes back against the original. |
