Obagi Retinol + PHA Refining Night Cream works overnight to visibly refine skin texture and tone, targeting fine lines, wrinkles, and blemish-prone areas for a smoother, more even complexion by morning. What sets it apart from a standard retinol cream is Obagi's slow-release "entrapped" retinol technology — microspheres that shield the retinol from light and oxygen and release it gradually into deeper layers of skin, delivering results with meaningfully less of the redness and flaking typically associated with Vitamin A derivatives. It's paired with gluconolactone, a gentle polyhydroxy acid (PHA) that exfoliates and boosts hydration without the irritation of traditional AHAs, plus a lineup of nourishing ingredients — shea butter, squalane, sodium hyaluronate, and Vitamin E — to keep skin comfortable while it works.
Key Benefits
- Entrapped, slow-release retinol minimizes irritation while still driving skin cell turnover
- Gluconolactone (PHA) gently exfoliates and refines texture without disrupting the barrier
- Helps visibly reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and the appearance of blemishes
- Nourishing ingredient blend (shea butter, squalane, sodium hyaluronate) keeps skin hydrated overnight
- A gentler on-ramp to retinol for those newer to Vitamin A treatments or with reactive skin
Skin Type & Concerns
Skin Type: All skin types
Addresses: Fine lines & wrinkles, uneven texture, occasional blemishes/clogged pores
How To Use
Apply a thin, even layer to clean, dry skin in the evening. Start 2–3 times per week and gradually increase frequency as tolerated. Always follow with sunscreen the next morning, as with any retinol treatment.
Key ingredients
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Retinol (slow-release/"entrapped") — a Vitamin A derivative that accelerates cell turnover and resurfaces skin, delivered gradually to reduce irritation
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Gluconolactone (PHA) — a gentle, larger-molecule hydroxy acid that exfoliates and hydrates simultaneously
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Sodium Hyaluronate — a hyaluronic acid derivative that draws in moisture
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Shea Butter & Squalane — emollients that support the skin barrier and offset dryness from active ingredients