Tsujimoto Market: Our Guarantees
Description
OBAGI Derma Power X Stem Lift Serum — Peptide Serum for Mature Skin, 30 ml
Overview
A fragranced gel-cream serum from Obagi, the skincare line of the Japanese pharmaceutical company Rohto. It sits in the Derma Power X range as the step between lotion and cream, and it is built around peptides rather than retinol — which is the single most useful thing to know about it.
The formula pairs caprooyl tetrapeptide-3 and tetrapeptide-5 with lecithin, niacinamide, and hydrolysed soy protein, plus collagen, elastin and proteoglycan as conditioning agents. The texture is closer to a light cream than to a fluid serum, and it absorbs without tack. If you have been avoiding anti-ageing serums because retinol irritates your skin or because you are pregnant, this is the Obagi step that does not contain it.
See also our Japanese serums and anti-ageing care collections.
Key Benefits
- ✓ Retinol-free — suitable if retinoids irritate your skin or you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- ✓ Peptide-led formula: caprooyl tetrapeptide-3 and tetrapeptide-5 with lecithin
- ✓ Niacinamide (vitamin B3), a well-tolerated ingredient in most skin types
- ✓ Gel-cream texture that absorbs quickly and layers under sunscreen or make-up
- ✓ Made by Rohto Pharmaceutical, one of Japan's established skincare manufacturers
- ✓ Pump bottle — hygienic and easy to dose accurately
Product Details
| Brand | Obagi (Rohto Pharmaceutical) |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | Japan |
| Product type | Face serum / essence |
| Format | Gel-cream, pump bottle |
| Volume | 30 ml |
| Line | Derma Power X |
| Retinol | Not present in this formula |
| Fragrance | Yes |
| Quasi-drug status | Cosmetic (not a quasi-drug, iyakubugaihin) |
| Vendor | Tsujimoto Market, Kobe, Japan |
Who Is This For?
- Skin from the mid-thirties onward, where firmness and texture rather than breakouts are the concern
- Anyone who wants a peptide serum specifically without retinol
- People who are pregnant or breastfeeding and have been told to avoid retinoids
- Normal to dry skin — the gel-cream body suits drier skin better than very oily skin
- Not suitable for anyone with a soy allergy, or avoiding animal-derived ingredients
How to Use
- Cleanse and apply your lotion or toner first — this serum goes on damp, prepared skin.
- Dispense one pump for normal to combination skin, two pumps if your skin is dry.
- Warm the product between your fingertips for a moment.
- Smooth outward from the centre of the face towards the temples and jawline; do not drag.
- Follow with a moisturiser or cream, and with sunscreen in the morning.
Frequency: Twice daily, morning and evening, as the serum step of your routine.
Full Ingredients
Rohto does not publish a full INCI list for this serum in Latin script. The manufacturer declares the following named components and trademarked complexes:
- StemBuild Complex — caprooyl tetrapeptide-3, collagen, marjoram (Origanum majorana) leaf extract
- Collaplus — hydrolysed soy protein
- ElasPro — Asparagopsis armata (red algae) extract
- ElasGlow — tetrapeptide-5
- ElasRich — Kjellmaniella crassifolia (gagome kelp) extract
- Elastin, proteoglycan, lecithin, niacinamide (vitamin B3)
- Fragrance
This formula contains no retinol. The earlier Derma Power serum did; this version replaced it with the peptide complex above.
Origin flags: collagen, elastin and proteoglycan are animal-derived (proteoglycan in Japanese cosmetics is most commonly sourced from salmon nasal cartilage). Hydrolysed soy protein is a soy allergen. The product is fragranced.
Ingredient list as declared by the manufacturer. Formulations are occasionally revised, so always read the list printed on the package you receive.
Cautions
- Contains soy (hydrolysed soy protein). Do not use if you have a soy allergy.
- Contains animal-derived ingredients — collagen, elastin and proteoglycan. Not vegan.
- This product is fragranced, which is a common trigger for contact sensitivity.
- Patch test on the inner forearm before first use, especially if your skin is reactive.
- Discontinue use and consult a doctor if redness, itching, swelling or persistent stinging occurs.
- Avoid contact with the eyes. If the product enters the eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
- Do not apply to broken, sunburned or actively inflamed skin.
- Keep out of reach of children. Store away from direct sunlight and high temperatures.
Package Contents
One 30 ml pump bottle of Obagi Derma Power X Stem Lift Serum in its Japanese retail carton. Labelling is in Japanese.
Shipping & Store Notes
- Ships directly from Japan
- Processing time: 2–6 business days
- Tracking number provided after dispatch
- Import duties and taxes may apply depending on destination country
- Opened cosmetics cannot be returned for hygiene and safety reasons
Authenticity Guarantee
Every product at Tsujimoto Market is sourced directly from Japan and verified for authenticity. We never sell fakes or grey-market goods. Each order is carefully packed in Kobe, Japan and dispatched with full tracking.
FAQ
Does this serum contain retinol?
No. The earlier Derma Power serum did contain retinol; this Stem Lift version replaced it with a peptide complex. That makes it a reasonable option if retinoids irritate you, or if you have been advised to avoid them during pregnancy or breastfeeding. As always, run any product past your doctor or midwife if you are pregnant.
What are StemBuild, Collaplus, ElasPro, ElasGlow and ElasRich?
They are Rohto's trade names for specific ingredients, not separate technologies. StemBuild Complex is caprooyl tetrapeptide-3 with collagen and marjoram leaf extract; Collaplus is hydrolysed soy protein; ElasPro is Asparagopsis armata (a red algae) extract; ElasGlow is tetrapeptide-5; ElasRich is gagome kelp extract. We list them by their actual contents so you can judge the formula yourself.
Is this product halal or suitable for vegans?
No to both. The serum contains collagen, elastin and proteoglycan, all animal-derived — proteoglycan in Japanese cosmetics usually comes from salmon cartilage. The product carries no halal certification — Japanese domestic cosmetics are rarely certified — so if certification itself matters to you, this product does not have it.
How does it differ from the Obagi Derma Power X Lift Cream?
The serum is the lighter, earlier step and goes on before cream; the lift cream is the richer occlusive step that seals the routine. They are designed to layer, not to replace one another. You can see the cream on its own product page in our Obagi range.
Will I pay customs duty or import VAT?
That depends on your country and on the declared value of the parcel, not on us. We ship from Japan with a correct customs declaration and full tracking; any duty or import VAT your country charges is collected by your local carrier or customs office on delivery. Check your national de-minimis threshold before ordering if you want to avoid a surprise.
