Obagi - Clear FX

Obagi Clear FX is a hydroquinone-free skin-brightening cream formulated with nature-identical arbutin alongside antioxidants including vitamin C and vitamin E. It improves the appearance of uneven tone and supports a brighter, healthier-looking complexion.

Arbutin is a naturally occurring compound that acts on the same enzyme pathway hydroquinone targets, but more gradually and with a gentler tolerability profile. That makes Clear FX suitable for continuous use rather than the limited courses hydroquinone requires.

It sits within the Obagi Nu-Derm FX system as the brightening step, and it also works as a standalone treatment. It suits normal-to-dry, normal-to-oily, and combination skin.

1. Apply twice daily to clean, dry skin.
2. Use a thin layer across the whole face rather than spot-treating. Diffuse pigment responds better to full-face application.
3. Follow with your moisturizer, and a broad spectrum sunscreen every morning.
4. Give it at least 12 weeks before assessing results.

This formula contains an alpha hydroxy acid. Use broad spectrum sunscreen and protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using it and for one week afterward.

Nature-Identical Arbutin: acts on the enzyme pathway involved in pigment production, offering a gentler alternative to hydroquinone that can be used continuously.

Vitamin C and Vitamin E: antioxidants that limit the oxidative stress driving new pigment formation.

Alpha Hydroxy Acid: provides gentle surface exfoliation to help clear pigmented surface cells.

Hydroquinone-free, so suitable for continuous long-term use.

• Helps visibly improve uneven skin tone and discoloration.
• Provides antioxidant support against environmental stressors.
• Hydroquinone-free, so suitable for continuous use.
• Supports a brighter, healthier-looking complexion.
• Works as part of the Obagi Nu-Derm FX system or on its own.
• Suitable for normal-to-dry, normal-to-oily, and combination skin.

Clear FX is the hydroquinone-free counterpart to Obagi's prescription-strength options, and it fills a real need: patients who cannot use hydroquinone, who have completed a course of it, or who want a maintenance product they can stay on indefinitely.

Our providers set expectations around timeline. Arbutin works more gradually than hydroquinone, and twelve weeks is the shortest honest trial. Consistency and sun protection determine most of the outcome.

The alpha hydroxy acid content increases sun sensitivity, so daily broad spectrum sunscreen is required during use and for a week afterwards. If you are treating melasma, choose a tinted mineral sunscreen for the visible-light protection. For pigment that will not shift, L&P Aesthetics can assess whether an in-office treatment would help. Clear FX itself needs no appointment and ships anywhere in the country.