SPF Scout · Product record

Obagi Cosmeceuticals LLC Obagi Medical Back to Basics (Including Obagi Medical Professional-C Serum 15)

U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 21 September 2026

What is listed

The ingredient declaration stored for this formulation, reproduced exactly as it was recorded from the source below.

Homosalate, Octisalate, Zinc Oxide, Water (Aqua), C15-19 Alkane, Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Sorbitan Olivate, Silica, Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Sodium Chloride, Xanthan Gum, Glycerin, Hydroxyacetophenone, Disodium EDTA, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Beeswax (Cera Alba), Dimethicone

25 entries · the stored declaration is recorded as complete.

What each ingredient generally does

Each entry that matched a canonical ingredient, with the function recorded for it. These notes describe the role an ingredient plays in a formulation. They do not assess an ingredient.

  • Homosalate

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also adds scent to the product.

  • Octisalate

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, and doubles as a light stabilizer to keep the formula steady in sun. It also appears on labels as Ethylhexyl Salicylate.

  • Zinc Oxide

    Bulking agent (adds volume)Colorant (adds colour)Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    A mineral UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, the core sun-protection job in this product. It also helps protect the skin surface and can add whiteness or opacity. On some labels it appears as CI 77947 when used for colour.

  • Water

    Antiplaque (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    The base liquid that most of the other ingredients dissolve or spread into. It carries the formula and helps condition the skin surface.

    listed as “Water (Aqua)”

  • C15-19 Alkane

    Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A light liquid solvent that dissolves other ingredients and helps them blend. It supports the formula spreading smoothly.

  • Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    An emollient that softens and smooths skin feel. In practice it gives the product a lighter, easier-to-spread texture.

  • Polymethylsilsesquioxane

    Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)

    This is an opacifier, meaning it makes the product look less see-through. It gives the formula a more solid, opaque appearance.

  • Sorbitan Olivate

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    An emulsifier that helps oil and water stay mixed so the product doesn't separate. This keeps the texture even and stable.

  • Silica

    Abrasive (physically scrubs)Absorbent (takes up oil or water)Anticaking (keeps powder free-flowing)Bulking agent (adds volume)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Silica is a fine mineral powder that soaks up excess moisture and oil, and adjusts how thick the product feels. It keeps powders from clumping, adds bulk, and can make a formula look more opaque. Its chemical name is silicon dioxide.

  • Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is an emulsifier that helps oil and water mix. It holds the oily and watery parts together so the product stays uniform.

  • Sodium Chloride

    Bulking agent (adds volume)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Oral care (CosIng functional class)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Common table salt, used here mainly to adjust the thickness of the formula. It can also act as a bulking agent to add body, and shows up in oral care products. On labels it's simply salt.

  • Xanthan Gum

    Binder (holds the formula together)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Gel forming (sets the formula into a gel)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thickener that adjusts how thick the product is and forms a gel-like texture. It keeps oil and water mixed and stops the blend from separating, giving a stable, even feel.

  • Glycerin

    Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Humectant (holds moisture)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Glycerin draws in and holds moisture while conditioning and protecting skin. It also dissolves other ingredients, adjusts thickness, and can add scent. On labels it may appear as glycerol.

  • Hydroxyacetophenone

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidising)other

    An antioxidant that helps keep the formula from going off over time. In practice it protects the product's other ingredients from breaking down.

  • Disodium EDTA

    Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    An ingredient that binds trace metals that would otherwise spoil the formula, and helps adjust its thickness. This keeps the product stable over time.

  • 1,2-Hexanediol

    Humectant (holds moisture)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A fluid that acts as a solvent, dissolving other ingredients so they blend evenly. It also conditions the skin, leaving it feeling smooth.

  • Caprylyl Glycol

    Deodorant (masks or reduces odour)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A multi-tasker that conditions skin and hair and acts as a deodorant. As an emollient it softens and smooths, leaving skin feeling conditioned.

  • Sodium Hydroxide

    Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)other

    Sodium Hydroxide is a strongly alkaline ingredient used in tiny amounts to fine-tune a formula's acidity (buffering). This keeps the product's pH steady. It can also act as a denaturant, altering another substance so it stays fit for use in cosmetics rather than being consumed.

  • Triethoxycaprylylsilane

    Binder (holds the formula together)other

    A binding ingredient that helps hold the parts of the formula together. It is often used to coat and bind powders in a mix.

  • Polyhydroxystearic Acid

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is an emulsifier that helps oil and water mix. It keeps the oily and watery parts blended so the formula holds together.

  • Disteardimonium Hectorite

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thickener that adjusts how thick or thin the product is. It also works as a light stabilizer, helping the formula hold up against light exposure.

  • Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is an emulsifier, meaning it helps oil and water mix. In practice it keeps the oily and watery parts of the product blended into one smooth, stable lotion or cream.

  • Euphorbia Cerifera Cera

    Astringent (CosIng functional class)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A wax, also known as candelilla wax, that thickens the product and forms a film on the skin. It helps keep the mix stable, conditions the skin, and adjusts how thick the product is.

    listed as “Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax”

  • Cera Alba

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Film forming (leaves a thin coating)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    Cera Alba is beeswax, used to soften skin, form a film, and help oil and water mix. It smooths skin feel, leaves a thin protective layer, and keeps the water and oil parts blended. It's the Latin label name for beeswax.

    listed as “Beeswax (Cera Alba)”

  • Dimethicone

    Antifoaming (stops the formula foaming)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)

    A silicone that softens and smooths skin feel and forms a protective layer on the surface. It also cuts down foam during production, keeping the formula settled.

Checking this against your own list

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In the app you choose the ingredients you already avoid, and every entry in this declaration that matches one of them is shown to you with the alias path that produced the match.

This comparison does not predict whether your skin will react.

Source quality

Source
DailyMed drug label
Source record
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=aa937596-2378-469f-a0e1-9700044e83b3
Retrieved
21 September 2026
Market
United States
Version
v1 of this U.S. formulation
Source tier
Official label document (not independently verified by us)
Entries recorded
25
Record checksum
sha256:608cd3b6c5c90ceaa190b6bd69f410686b7e71130392e0944467a94f5508d3c7

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