Obagi Professional-C® Polish + Mask Review

Obagi Professional-C® Polish + Mask is a two-step, at-home microdermabrasion treatment: a physical exfoliating polish combined with a 30% L-Ascorbic Acid vitamin C mask, used two to three times a week rather than as a daily leave-on. You buff first, then leave the vitamin C to sit on freshly exfoliated skin for 10–15 minutes before rinsing off — a weekly-use format, not a serum you'd reach for every morning.

What is Obagi Professional-C Polish + Mask?

This is an 80g dual-action treatment from Obagi's Professional-C line, pairing ultra-fine exfoliating crystals with the highest concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid in the range — 30%, well above the 10%, 15% and 20% strengths found in Obagi's leave-on Professional-C Serum line. The idea is to exfoliate first so the vitamin C mask that follows has better access to the skin surface, rather than layering vitamin C onto skin that hasn't been prepped. It's a treatment step, sitting alongside (not replacing) a daily skincare routine.

Key ingredients

• L-Ascorbic Acid (30%) — the mask's headline antioxidant, at the highest strength Obagi uses anywhere in the Professional-C range, included to help protect against environmental and UV-related free radical exposure and help improve the appearance of dullness and uneven tone
• Silica and Alumina — ultra-fine physical exfoliating crystals that give the polish its texture, used to buff away surface dead skin cells before the mask phase
• Sea Buckthorn Fruit Oil (Hippophae Rhamnoides) — a botanical oil included to help condition and support skin comfort alongside the exfoliating and vitamin C steps
• Botanical conditioning oils — Obagi's formulation includes further plant oils intended to offset the drying effect that a physical exfoliant and high-strength vitamin C combination can otherwise have

How to use it

Obagi's own guidance for this product is to use it two to three times a week, not daily — it's formulated as a treatment step rather than a leave-on serum. Stir the product before first use and warm a small amount between your fingers to soften it, then massage onto damp skin using the crystals to gently buff the surface. Leave in place for 10–15 minutes as a mask; a slight tingling sensation during this stage is a normal response to the high vitamin C concentration. Rinse thoroughly afterwards. DATA GAP: Obagi's precise step-by-step directions (e.g. whether to apply to wet vs damp skin, exact rinse-off cues) weren't independently re-confirmed against a live metafield pull this session — check the product packaging or ask our team before starting.

Who it's for

• Skin that's dull, rough in texture, or unevenly toned and would benefit from an occasional deeper treatment step
• Anyone already using a daily vitamin C serum who wants a weekly add-on rather than a replacement
• Normal-to-oily, normal-to-dry and combination skin, per Obagi's stated suitability for this product
• Skin that already tolerates both physical exfoliation and higher-strength vitamin C reasonably well — combining the two in one step is more stimulating than either used alone, so if you're new to either, patch test first

It isn't the right starting point if you want a daily leave-on vitamin C step: for that, Obagi's Professional-C Serum 10%, 15% or 20% are built for everyday use, at gentler strengths than this weekly mask.

How it fits with Obagi's vitamin C serums

Polish + Mask and the Professional-C Serum line share the same headline active — L-Ascorbic Acid — but serve different jobs. The serums (10%, 15% and 20%) are daily leave-on steps designed to build tolerance and deliver antioxidant support over time. Polish + Mask is a once- or twice-weekly treatment that combines exfoliation with a much higher, short-contact vitamin C dose. Most routines use one of the daily serums as the everyday vitamin C step, with Polish + Mask layered in occasionally for texture and a treatment boost. For a full look at how Obagi's vitamin C options compare against each other and against the wider market, see our guide to the best Obagi vitamin C serums. If you want vitamin C serums across every brand Skintique stocks rather than staying inside the Obagi range, our broader guide to the best vitamin C serums in the UK covers that instead. For the wider Obagi range, see our Obagi brand overview.

Safety, sensitivity and pregnancy

A slight tingling during the mask phase is normal with this concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid; persistent stinging, redness or discomfort is a reason to rinse off early and seek advice rather than push through. As with any physical exfoliant, avoid using it over broken skin, active breakouts or recently treated/sensitised areas. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, please contact our team for advice before use.