New Obagi Elastiderm at Wellface: Topical Filler and Deep Hydration for Fine Lines
Every so often a skincare launch actually lives up to the excitement around it. The latest additions to Obagi Medical's Elastiderm range fall into that camp, and we are proud to be among the first clinics to have them on the shelf as Obagi ambassadors. Two products, two very different jobs, both aimed at the concerns people mention most often when they sit down for a skin consultation: fine lines that seem to deepen a little each year, and skin that feels tight, thirsty and short on bounce.
The first is the Elastiderm Facial Moisturiser, a hydrating cream packed with antioxidants that sinks in beautifully rather than sitting on the surface. The second is the Elastiderm Advanced Filler Concentrate, a topical treatment inspired by needle-based procedures that visibly plumps and smooths fine lines using patented peptide technology. No injections involved. Both are now available at our Cobham clinic, and if you cannot get in to see us, we are happy to post them to you or to send an order through the online shop for next-day delivery.
Below, I have pulled together what these products actually do, how to fit them into a routine, and how they sit alongside the in-clinic treatments our doctors offer. Skincare and treatments work best as a partnership, and this range is a good example of why.
Meet the Elastiderm range and the science of elastin
Elastiderm is the part of the Obagi line built specifically around elastin, the protein that gives skin its ability to stretch and then snap back. Collagen tends to get all the attention, but elastin is what keeps skin resilient and springy. We are born with plenty of it. As the years pass, and particularly with sun exposure, that supply steadily drops. The visible result is skin that looks a little slacker, a little more crepey, and slower to recover its shape.
What sets Elastiderm apart is the patented Bi-Mineral Contour Complex at its heart. It combines two minerals, zinc and copper, with malonate. Rather than acting on a single point in the process, the complex is designed to support all three stages of building healthy elastin, from creating it through to organising it properly within the skin. Zinc plays a role in skin repair and renewal, while copper is closely linked to the formation of collagen and elastin. Together they give the skin a nudge towards firmer, more resilient behaviour.
The important thing to understand is that these are cosmeceuticals, not miracle creams. They work with consistent use over weeks, not overnight. Obagi's own studies on the range report firmer-looking skin and a reduced appearance of crepiness after a couple of months of daily use. That patience pays off, and it is exactly why I like pairing these products with clinic treatments that address the deeper structural side of ageing.
Elastiderm Facial Moisturiser: hydration with a job to do
Plenty of moisturisers hydrate. Fewer of them try to improve the skin while they do it. The Elastiderm Facial Moisturiser aims for both, delivering a good drink of moisture alongside the Bi-Mineral Contour Complex and a generous dose of antioxidants.
Antioxidants matter more than most people realise. Day to day, skin is exposed to free radicals from UV light and pollution, and these speed up the visible signs of ageing. Antioxidants help mop them up, which supports everything else you are trying to achieve with your routine. So this is a moisturiser that hydrates in the moment while helping to protect against the things that wear skin down over time.
One of the first things you notice is the texture. It is rich enough to feel genuinely nourishing but light enough to disappear into the skin rather than sitting on top of it. If you have tried Obagi's Hydrate Luxe, which is a much thicker, more occlusive cream, this is the lighter cousin. That makes it a sensible choice for anyone who wants proper hydration without a heavy, greasy finish, and it layers well under makeup or SPF. The scent is subtle and pleasant, which sounds like a small thing until you are using something on your face twice a day.
Who it suits
This moisturiser is a strong option if your main complaints are dryness, tightness and a loss of suppleness, and if you want a firming benefit built into a step you were going to do anyway. It works across most skin types. Very oily or acne-prone skin might prefer a lighter gel texture, and if your skin reacts easily, a patch test first is always sensible. As with any active skincare, daily sunscreen is non-negotiable, because protecting your skin from UV is the single best thing you can do to preserve elastin.
Elastiderm Advanced Filler Concentrate: a filler you apply, not inject
This is the product people get most curious about, and understandably so. The idea of a topical filler sounds almost too good to be true, so it helps to be clear about what it is and what it is not.
The Advanced Filler Concentrate is built around Acetyl Hexapeptide-1, a biomimetic peptide known for its smoothing and replumping action, supported by hydrating ingredients such as beta-glucan, glycerin and shea butter that draw in moisture and soften the skin. It comes with a precision tip applicator so you can place it exactly where the lines are, whether that is the forehead, between the brows, the crow's feet at the corners of the eyes, the laugh lines or the fine etched lines around the mouth. In use it feels lightweight, velvety and cooling, and it absorbs quickly.
Here is the honest version of how it works. It gives an instant smoothing and softening effect as it settles, with Obagi reporting the strongest visible results around eight hours after application, and a cumulative improvement in the look of fine lines with continued daily use. It is doing this on the surface and within the upper layers of the skin. It is not filling deep folds the way an injectable hyaluronic acid filler placed by one of our doctors does, and it will not replace anti-wrinkle injections for dynamic movement lines. What it does very well is refine the fine, superficial lines that skincare can genuinely influence, particularly in that delicate area around the eyes.
How to use it
Apply it to clean, dry skin, morning and evening. Use the precision tip to place small amounts directly onto the areas that bother you, then gently pat or tap it in with your fingertip using a light upward motion rather than dragging. Let it settle for a minute before moving on to moisturiser, and before makeup if you are applying it in the day. A little goes a long way, so resist the urge to be heavy-handed. Follow with SPF every morning.
Standalone or alongside treatments
One of the reasons Obagi designed this product is to complement in-clinic work, and that is exactly how I tend to think about it too. Used on its own it is a capable daily treatment for fine lines. Used alongside injectable treatments, skin boosters, Profhilo or energy-based devices like Morpheus8, it becomes part of a bigger picture, maintaining and extending the results you get in the chair. Our doctors are always happy to advise on where it fits for your particular skin and which treatments it pairs best with.
Building a simple, effective routine
Good results come from a routine you will actually stick to, not from owning every product on the shelf. A straightforward morning order looks like this: cleanse, apply the Filler Concentrate to your areas of concern, follow with the Elastiderm Facial Moisturiser, then finish with a broad-spectrum SPF. In the evening, cleanse, apply the Filler Concentrate again, then seal everything in with the moisturiser.
If you already use other actives such as retinoids, vitamin C or exfoliating acids, there is usually room to include them, but the sequencing matters and some ingredients are best kept to alternate days to avoid irritation. This is where a quick conversation with one of our team saves a lot of trial and error. I would rather help you build something considered than watch you buy products that fight each other. Consistency over several weeks is what turns a nice cream into a visible change.
Common questions about the new Obagi Elastiderm products
Is the Filler Concentrate really a replacement for injectable filler?
No, and I would never present it that way. It is a topical treatment that smooths and softens the look of fine, surface lines and hydrates the skin. Injectable dermal filler placed by a doctor restores volume and addresses deeper folds, and it works in a completely different way. Many people happily use both, with the Concentrate maintaining and refining results between appointments.
How quickly will I see a difference?
With the Filler Concentrate you can expect an immediate smoothing effect as it settles, becoming most noticeable around eight hours after application. The firming and elasticity benefits of the Bi-Mineral Contour Complex build more gradually, so give both products consistent daily use over six to eight weeks to judge them properly.
Can I use these if I have sensitive skin?
Elastiderm is formulated to dermatological standards and suits most skin types, but sensitive or reactive skin should always patch test first. If you are prone to reactions, or you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a word with one of our doctors before starting anything new so we can check the whole routine is right for you.
Do I still need to wear sunscreen?
Absolutely, every single morning. UV exposure is one of the biggest drivers of elastin breakdown, so wearing daily SPF protects the very thing these products are working to support. Skincare aimed at firmness and fine lines only makes sense alongside proper sun protection.
How do I get hold of them if I can't come into the clinic?
Both products are fully stocked at our Cobham clinic and available to pick up. If you cannot make it in, we can post them directly to your home, or you can register with our online shop, browse the whole Obagi range and place an order for next-day delivery.
Come and see the range at Wellface
Skincare is always easier to choose when you can feel the texture, smell it and, most usefully, get honest advice on whether it is right for your skin. Our team can talk you through the new Elastiderm Facial Moisturiser and Advanced Filler Concentrate, help you slot them into a routine that makes sense, and flag where an in-clinic treatment would take things further.
If you would like to try the new Obagi arrivals or plan a fuller skin consultation, you are welcome to visit me at our Cobham, Esher or Wimbledon clinics, or to get in touch to arrange delivery. Give us a call on 01932 690800 and we will point you in the right direction.
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