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Beauty is all about balance, finding the right mix of products that work together to keep your skin looking and feeling its best. For years, my routine was pretty low-maintenance since my skin is generally normal—not too dry, not too sensitive, and I rarely deal with breakouts. But, when I was recently diagnosed with melasma, everything changed. To combat the new (and very stubborn) dark patches on my forehead, I revamped my entire skin care routine and introduced the inevitable: tretinoin. This powerhouse retinoid is incredible for fading hyperpigmentation, but it also brings dryness, peeling, and sensitivity—things my skin wasn’t used to. Almost overnight, my once-balanced skin felt tight, flaky, and in desperate need of hydration. My usual go-to moisturizers just weren’t cutting it, and I knew I required something that could also keep up with my constantly-on-the-go lifestyle as a beauty and travel journalist. Considering how much time I spend on airplanes (i.e. flying moisture vacuums), finding the right product became even more of a priority.
That’s when I decided to try the Obagi SuzanObagiMD Moisture Restore Moisturizer. I was drawn to it because of its formula—it’s designed to deeply hydrate, strengthen the moisture barrier, and support overall skin health, which is exactly what I needed while adjusting to tretinoin. But the key ingredients were what really sold me: low- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acids for deep, long-lasting hydration; shea butter for nourishment; and lipids to support my skin barrier and help it retain moisture. It promised to be intensely moisturizing yet fast-absorbing—two things that don’t always go hand in hand. With my skin drier than ever, tons of travel on the horizon, and colder weather creeping in, I wanted to see if this could be the hydrating hero I needed. After using it for 12 weeks, here’s how it stacked up.
Before incorporating this moisturizer into my routine, I spent a lovely three weeks soaking up the warmth and humidity of the Caribbean, where my skin thrived in the balmy, tropical air. Returning to New York, however, was a shock to the system—overnight, my dewy, hydrated complexion gave way to tightness and dryness. It was my first week using the Obagi moisturizer, and I immediately liked its thick texture and how nicely it hydrated upon application. But while it provided instant relief, I have yet to see any major changes.
Heading into week two, I reintroduced tretinoin into my routine, which, combined with the chilly New York air, really dried out my skin. I was hoping this moisturizer would help balance things out, especially since its thick texture had initially felt so hydrating. By this point, I liked how the moisturizer helped provide some relief to my skin, but I wasn’t noticing any drastic changes yet. While I wasn’t seeing the major improvements I was hoping for, I have noticed that my skin isn’t as tight or flaky as I would have expected given the added dryness from tretinoin and the weather.
Week three was filled with travel, and as expected, it took a toll on my skin. After a long flight, like my 13-hour journey to Germany, my skin felt dry and lackluster. The recycled air on the plane seemed to suck all the moisture out, leaving me needing hydration the moment I stepped off. This time, I made sure to slather on the moisturizer before heading into a full day of meetings, and I immediately noticed a boost in hydration. While I did need to reapply another layer before applying makeup, I was surprised to find that my skin wasn’t as dry or uncomfortable as it usually was after a travel day.
After using the Obagi moisturizer for one full month, I could definitely tell my skin was much more hydrated than usual. Unlike lighter moisturizers that would usually leave my skin dry by the afternoon, this one was able to keep my skin smooth and hydrated, at least until after work. I also noticed my skin had a nice dewy glow, which was a welcome change from the typical dry, flaky patches I’d get in the winter. The glycerin and shea butter combo really seemed to do the trick—my skin felt nourished without feeling greasy.
Courtesy of Obagi
After a whirlwind of back-to-back travels (Germany, France, the U.K., and back to the U.S.), my skin was definitely feeling the dryness. Thankfully, this product really stepped up to the plate. After using it for the past few weeks, I found that my favorite thing was how easily I could layer the moisturizer without it ever feeling heavy.
By week six, I had gotten really picky about what I was putting on my skin, especially with the drying effects of tretinoin. Between my travels—constantly hopping from one place to another—and the winter weather, my skin needed extra care. I kept the Obagi moisturizer in my routine, and it turned out to be a solid choice. Even with tretinoin, my skin stayed relatively hydrated. At this point, I decided to double-layer it every night before bed to really lock in that moisture. It made a noticeable difference in how my skin felt in the morning, but I started going through the moisturizer faster than I expected. Still, it was worth it for the extra hydration.
I stuck with the same routine I started in week six—double-layering the Obagi moisturizer every night before bed. Honestly, my skin felt pretty much the same as it did the week before, and best of all, the extra layer never felt suffocating. Even with all the traveling and the drying effects of tretinoin, my skin stayed soft, and I didn’t see as many dry patches.
The Obagi moisturizer has been a real lifesaver for the past two months. I’ve stuck with the double-layering routine I started in week six. With the added moisture, my skin felt smoother, even with the harsh winter air and tretinoin in the mix. Plus, I noticed my melasma was slowly starting to fade, and my skin looked a bit more plump than it did before.
Courtesy of Obagi
By week nine, my skin was pretty much in the same place as it was the week before, and honestly, that was a good thing. When it comes to skin care, no news is often good news, and my skin felt balanced and hydrated. I stuck with the double-layering routine, and I didn’t notice any issues, which felt like a win.
At this point, my skin had really settled into a groove with the Obagi moisturizer, even though I had switched up my routine a bit. I had introduced a new toner and switched to a different daytime vitamin C serum, which can sometimes throw my skin off, but this moisturizer kept everything in check.
I know I probably sound like a broken record at this point, but by week 11, my skin had been holding up really well. The combination of low- and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acids seemed to hydrate my skin without any issues, and despite the dryness from tretinoin and the harsh winter weather, my skin felt smoother and more balanced. Overall, it looked healthier and stayed moisturized, which was exactly what I’d hoped for.
By week 12, I was genuinely impressed with how well the Obagi moisturizer had performed, especially with the changes I’d made to my routine. Between introducing a new toner, switching up my vitamin C serum, and consistently using the tretinoin, my skin had every reason to feel off balance. However, this moisturizer kept it hydrated and smooth. The difference was noticeable—my skin felt and looked healthier, and much more moisturized.
Design Courtesy of Leah Romero; Photo Courtesy of Lauren Harano
The author before and after testing the Obagi SuzanobagiMD Moisture Restore Moisturizer.
Final Thoughts
After three months of using this Obagi moisturizer, I can confidently say it’s a staple in my routine now. Even though I was using tretinoin and swapping out a few other products, my skin stayed consistently hydrated, which isn’t always the case. The formula’s mix of hyaluronic acids helped lock in moisture without feeling heavy, and I never had to worry about irritation or dryness getting out of control.
Looking back, what impressed me most was how well it adapted to everything I threw at my skin—seasonal changes, new actives, tons of traveling, and the ups and downs of tretinoin. Some moisturizers feel like a quick fix, but this one has kept my skin in a good place for longer than expected. I’ll definitely be keeping it in my routine because, at the end of the day, finding a moisturizer that actually delivers is a win.
