Obagi Exfoderm Forte – What It Does and How to Use It

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If this product is part of your protocol, it’s not optional—it’s essential. It helps your other products work better by removing the dead skin that blocks them. Let’s walk through what it does and how to use it correctly.

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🌟 What Is It?

Obagi Exfoderm Forte is a lightweight exfoliating lotion made with glycolic acid and lactic acid—two powerful ingredients that help remove dead skin cells and speed up your skin’s natural renewal process.

It’s perfect for normal to oily skin types and works while you sleep to give you:

• A brighter, smoother complexion

• Less buildup and rough texture

• Better absorption of your other products

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🔬 What’s In It (And What It Does)

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✅ AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids):

These are skin-safe exfoliating acids that remove dead skin cells and help keep moisture in.

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✅ Lactic Acid:

• Gently exfoliates AND hydrates at the same time

• Great for brightening dull skin

• Fun fact: Cleopatra used to bathe in milk for its lactic acid!

• Helps loosen the “glue” that holds dead skin cells on the surface

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✅ Glycolic Acid:

• Helps with acne, clogged pores, and resurfacing the skin

• Think of it as tiny Pac-Mans eating up dead skin cells while you sleep

• Speeds up cell turnover, helping new skin come to the surface

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Together, these two acids help remove dead skin that’s sitting on top of your skin—making it look dull, dry, or rough. This dead skin can also block your other products from working. Exfoderm Forte clears that layer so your other skincare can actually get where it needs to go.

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⚠️ Important: Use Exactly As Directed

This is one of the few products in your protocol that allows a little flexibility.
While it's incredibly helpful for skin turnover, it also adds to your other active products—and that might cause irritation if overused.

So:

• Follow the dosage in your protocol

• If your skin gets too sensitive or reactive, it’s okay to temporarily reduce your usage

• Once your skin calms, go back to your prescribed schedule

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Don’t stop using it completely unless we tell you to.
It’s a key part of your results.

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🚫 Do NOT Use Around Your Eyes

This is a chemical exfoliant, and it will burn if it gets too close to sensitive areas like the eyes or corners of your nose or mouth.

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☀️ Extra Sun Caution

Exfoliating your skin makes it more sensitive to the sun, so make sure you’re using SPF every single day and avoiding unnecessary sun exposure when possible.

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👕 Using It On the Body

You can use this product on other areas of the body—especially for things like:

• Keratosis Pilaris (KP) behind the arms

• Rough patches

• Little bumps on the thighs or body (often called “chicken skin”)

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But here’s the rule:
If you use it on areas besides your face and under your chin, you need to use extra product.
Do not split your face dosage between your body and face—this will reduce effectiveness.

Also, be sure to pair it with a barrier support cream like:

• Hydrinity Encore

• Obagi Rebalance

• Obagi Moisture Restore

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✅ Quick Summary:

• Helps exfoliate dead skin for brighter, smoother skin

• Contains glycolic acid (for acne and resurfacing) and lactic acid (for brightening and hydration)

• Helps your other products work better

• Use as directed—but if your skin becomes sensitive, it’s okay to cut back temporarily

• Don’t use near your eyes

• Always wear sunscreen

• If used on your body, apply extra product and follow up with a barrier cream

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If this product is in your protocol, it’s required—because without it, your other skincare won’t work as effectively. If your skin ever feels too irritated, take a short break or reduce your use—but always resume your normal protocol as soon as you can.

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We’re doing this to reveal your healthiest, brightest skin—and Exfoderm Forte is a key part of that process!