It feels like it's already close to Summertime here, I'm in shorts today and yesterday. Makes me think of switching back to lighter skin care products especially as the humidity kicks back up. I prefer to layer my products and I like my serums, followed by some sort of hydrating gel or light textured product, then topped off with a season appropriate lotion for day. Wearing a hydrating gel under lotion allows me to get the extra hydration I need but avoid a heavy cream. It also allows me to use more skin care products. Which means I get to have more fun testing and use more beneficial ingredients than if I used just one product.
I've loved Drunk Elephant line since I first tried the C-Firma Serum. The B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel was a favorite of mine late last summer when it came out. It has this innovative air tight pump where you twist the top to reveal the pump:
Details per Drunk Elephant's site:
B-Hydra™ is a cool glass of water for your thirsty skin. An ultra-hydrating Vitamin B5 gel that replenishes nutrients and visibly brightens and improves the appearance of skin texture and tone, while delivering intense skin hydration throughout the day.
Uniquely formulated with ProVitamin B and Pineapple Ceramide, B-Hydra™ attracts and holds moisture as it works to help improve barrier function, leaving skin looking healthy and illuminated. Watermelon Rind/Apple/Lentil Complex provides 24 hour skin hydration and significantly reduces the appearance of fine lines, while increasing moisture retention. Barberry extract adds soothing and antibacterial properties. Finally, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Hyaluronic Acid’s more absorbable little sister, soaks in easily to quench skin’s thirst, provides unsurpassed moisture through the slow delivery of water and acts as a free radical scavenger and powerful antioxidant. This lightweight, hard-hitting gel is ideal for all skin types and maximizes the benefits of a daily moisturizer. Drabness, dryness, uneven texture and fine lines will appear diminished and the skin will look brighter and more youthful upon every application. B-Hydra™ has an ideal pH level of 5.5 and suitable for all skin types.
This is more than just a hydrating gel, it has fruit extracts and some Alpha Hydroxy Acids for light exfoliation as well. Bonus. It retails for $52 for a $1.69 oz bottle. It a clear gel with no real discernible scent. It wasn't irritating and I experienced no adverse effects while using. It's hydrating, absorbs quickly and is easy to layer as it causes no pilling of products placed on top. My skin felt well hydrated and radiant while using.
It's a great product, well thought out and formulated ingredients wise. Which is one of the things I like about Drunk Elephant so much. I really enjoyed using it and will be pulling it back into rotation shortly for the hot and humid season. This is suitable for any skin care type. Oily skin can use it alone as a moisturizer, combination to dry skins can layer it with whatever cream or lotion above that works for their skin type and climate.
Active Ingredients
Pro-Vitamin B5: Humectant that attracts and holds moisture. Works to improve skin’s barrier function and maintain healthy and firmer looking skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer: Smaller molecular weight than hyaluronic acid) able to penetrate skin, delivers excellent moisturization reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, while promoting firmness.
Pineapple Ceramide: Provides skin brightening and moisturization, and visibly improved appearance of skin texture and tone.
Watermelon Rind/Apple/Lentil Complex: A natural complex that provides 24 hour skin hydration to significantly reduce the appearance of fine lines, while increasing moisture retention.
Barberry Extract: Plant whose primary component, berberine, is an alkaloid that can have soothing and antibacterial properties (particularly against acne-causing bacteria).