Review (4/5): A beauty industry expert's professional opinion
Not all Obagi products are made at the same place -- but i found out that this formula is made by one of the top skincare labs in the US--one that manufactures high-end dermatologist and clinical skincare brands on the market today. So knowing this, i knew there would be *some* efficacy to this product. I actually LIKE that ingredients are straightforward and not full of fluff:
Water (Aqua), Dipropylene Glycol, Ethoxydiglycol, Caffeine, Malonic Acid, Zinc Carbonate, Arginine, Laureth-9, Copper Carbonate Hydroxide, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin
To be honest--if you're looking to reduce eye puffiness and dark circles, this won't do much. If found no visible evidence of that in my use. BUT--it's really good at minimizing fine lines, plumping up the skin, and returning elasticity to the skin. That's why it's called "Elasti-derm", to help coax the skin into being more hydrated, refined, and pliant, thus reducing the signs of lines. Obagi's main active to do that is malonic acid, and I give a big thumbs up to the addition of arginine-- a powerful delivery vehicle to help drive the malonic acid further into the skin for more efficacy. As many in the skincare industry know, anything with arginine helps make the active ingredient even more "active".
The stainless steel ball is not just a "feel good" gimmick -- it actually helps to massage this serum into the delicate eye skin, further pushing the ingredients into the dermis. After using an entire bottle of this product, i definitely experienced a reduction in the signs of my fine lines. the skin was plumped up and the lines less visible, plus the texture more refined. Used in conjunction with a good eye cream and alternating with Vitamin C serum, this is a great addition to any anti-aging regimen. I would surely purchase again.
I take off one star because I do not like the plastic packaging, as glass is the safest material for stability, and plastic has a tendency to shorten the shelf life of a formula. Plus plastics are not as safe we think.