Obagi Nu-Derm Clear
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
Versus

Obagi Nu-Derm Clear Versus The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Prescription
Serum
American Brand
Canadian Brand

Updated on May 28, 2025

Overview

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, scar healing and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances or oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

New Comparison

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

Obagi Nu-Derm Clear 18 ingredients

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 15 ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Obagi Nu-Derm Clear 18 ingredients

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 15 ingredients

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Benefits

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Nu-Derm Clear

Hydroquinone

Stabilising
Good for Dark Spots IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Ascorbic Acid

Antioxidant
Vitamin C IconAntioxidant IconHelps reduce Skin Redness IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

BHT

Antioxidant
Antioxidant Icon

Butylparaben

Masking
Preservative IconParaben IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Cetyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Disodium EDTA

Glycerin

Humectant
0 / 0 Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin Icon

Lactic Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconHelps with Anti-Aging IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Eczema IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Methylparaben

Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconNon-Reef-Safe IconMay worsen Eczema Icon

Phenyl Trimethicone

Skin Conditioning
Silicon Icon

PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate

Emollient
3 / 2

Propylparaben

Preservative
0 / 0 Preservative IconParaben IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconNon-Reef-Safe Icon

Saponins

Cleansing

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

Cleansing
0 / 0 Sulfate IconCan worsen Dry Skin IconMay worsen Oily Skin IconMay cause irritation Icon

Sodium Metabisulfite

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconPreservative Icon

Stearyl Alcohol

Emollient
2 / 2 Fatty Alcohol Icon

Tocopheryl Acetate

Antioxidant
0 / 0 Vitamin E IconAntioxidant Icon

Water

Skin Conditioning

Hydroquinone, Ascorbic Acid, BHT, Butylparaben, Cetyl Alcohol, Disodium EDTA, Glycerin, Lactic Acid, Methylparaben, Phenyl Trimethicone, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Propylparaben, Saponins, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Metabisulfite, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Water

Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA

Water

Skin Conditioning

Alpha-Arbutin

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconGood for Dark Spots IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Propanediol

Solvent
Helps hydrate Dry Skin Icon

Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6

Emulsion Stabilising

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Skin Conditioning
Helps hydrate Dry Skin IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Scar Healing Icon

Ergothioneine

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconHelps reduce irritation IconGood for Dark Spots Icon

Polysorbate 20

Emulsifying
0 / 0 Not safe for Fungal Acne Icon

Citric Acid

Buffering
AHA IconGood for Oily Skin IconGood for Skin Texture IconGood for Minimizing Pores IconGood for Scar Healing IconHelps brighten skin IconMay worsen Rosacea Icon

Sodium Citrate

Buffering

Sodium Hydroxide

Buffering

Sodium Metabisulfite

Antioxidant
Antioxidant IconPreservative Icon

Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

Ethoxydiglycol

Humectant
0 / 0

Phenoxyethanol

Preservative
Preservative Icon

Chlorphenesin

Antimicrobial
Preservative Icon

Water, Alpha-Arbutin, Propanediol, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate, Ergothioneine, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Metabisulfite, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Ethoxydiglycol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Sodium Metabisulfite
Antioxidant, Preservative

Sodium Metabisulfite is an antioxidant and is a preservative.

Water
Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Ingredient Ratings

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.

Nu-Derm Clear
10
10
10
liked
mixed
disliked
not rated
Unlock with Premium
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA
10
10
10
liked
mixed
disliked
Unlock with Premium

When to use

Obagi Nu-Derm Clear 18 ingredients

The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA 15 ingredients

23 Routines
61% use in am
39% use in pm
83% use every day
38 Routines
50% use in am
50% use in pm
82% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
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