The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · Obagi
$158 · 1 fl oz (30 ml)
A gentle antioxidant serum for sensitive skin built on an oil-soluble vitamin C ester (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate), milk thistle silymarin in a phospholipid carrier, ergothioneine and green tea.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
Vitamin C serum + Argireline
CeraVe
Vitamin C and hydration (AM)
The Ordinary
Expression-line peptide (AM and PM)
Paula's Choice
Adds: Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (oil-soluble vitamin C); Encapsulated silymarin (milk thistle); Ergothioneine; Green tea leaf extract
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split SUZANOBAGIMD Super Antioxidant Serum into 6 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
A stable, gentle vitamin C form for brightening and antioxidant support on sensitive skin.
A plant antioxidant from milk thistle, carried in a phospholipid shell to soothe and protect against oxidative stress.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
A peptide aimed at expression lines.
Phospholipids and glycerin hydrate and help deliver the actives.
An amino acid antioxidant that helps protect skin cells from oxidative damage.
No close retail equivalent: we credit at most 50% of these points.
A polyphenol antioxidant that also calms skin.
Optional
63 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
85 is our ceiling. Encapsulated silymarin (milk thistle) has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit. Ergothioneine has no close retail equivalent, so we cap it at 50% credit.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total $28.99
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Running total $38.69
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)Running total $38.69 + check price
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)The total leaves out the 1 part showing "Check price".
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
Paula's Choice
No close match yet — we show the nearest formulas.
Why it is close. Shares the same oil-soluble vitamin C (tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate) plus green tea EGCG, phospholipids and other polyphenols such as resveratrol. It has no peptide, milk thistle or ergothioneine.
CeraVe
Why it is close. A vitamin C serum with ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It uses 10% L-ascorbic acid, which is stronger but harsher than the gentle vitamin C ester in the Obagi serum.
The Ordinary
Why it is close. Supplies the same peptide, acetyl hexapeptide-8, at a published 10% solution. It covers only the line-softening part of the formula.
CeraVe
Vitamin C and hydration (AM)
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowCeraVe
The Ordinary
Expression-line peptide (AM and PM)
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowThe Ordinary
Paula's Choice
Adds: Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate (oil-soluble vitamin C); Encapsulated silymarin (milk thistle); Ergothioneine; Green tea leaf extract
Running total
Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)No gain nowPaula's Choice
A serum combining ascorbic acid and tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate improved photoaging in a 12-week half-face trial.
Fitzpatrick 2002 · Dermatol SurgArgireline (acetyl hexapeptide-8) 10% reduced wrinkle depth by up to 30% in 30 days.
Blanes-Mira 2002 · Int J Cosmet SciTopical antioxidants including vitamin C and plant polyphenols help limit UV-driven oxidative damage in skin.
Pinnell 2003 · J Am Acad DermatolSilymarin reduced UV-induced skin damage in mainly animal studies.
Vaid 2010 · Int J OncolAqua/water/eau, glycerin, caprylic/capric triglyceride, ethoxydiglycol, tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, lecithin, prunus domestica seed oil, silybum marianum fruit extract, hydrogenated lecithin, oryza sativa (rice) bran extract, xylitylglucoside, phenoxyethanol, ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/ vp copolymer, dimethicone, salicylic acid, anhydroxylitol, caprylyl glycol, xanthan gum, xylitol, helianthus annuus (sunflower) extract, camellia sinensis leaf extract, hexylene glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, glucose, tocopherol, rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) leaf extract, tetrasodium glutamate diacetate, 1,2-hexanediol, hydroxyacetophenone, potassium sorbate, acetic acid, acetyl hexapeptide-8, ergothioneine.
We split SUZANOBAGIMD Super Antioxidant Serum into 6 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 63 of a possible 85. 85 is the most we claim, because some standouts have no close retail equivalent.
RESIST Ultra-Light Super Antioxidant Serum by Paula's Choice is our closest single-product match at 43 out of 100 (1 oz). It shares Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Green tea (EGCG), Phospholipids.
SUZANOBAGIMD Super Antioxidant Serum costs $158 for 1 fl oz (30 ml). The closest dupe has no price we could confirm (see the seller page). Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Silymarin, Acetyl hexapeptide-8, Ergothioneine. See our methodology for how we score.
SkinBetter Science · serum
~$52.98 + check priceour build, 4 partsOriginal ~$195, build ~$52.98 + check price.
CeraVe + The Ordinary + Vanicream + Paula's Choice
Obagi · serum
$28.99our build, 1 partOriginal $115, build $28.99.
CeraVe
SkinBetter Science · exfoliant
~$37our build, 4 partsOriginal $125, build ~$37.
The Ordinary