I received a sample of Hydrate B Concentrate with an order of other YBF Skincare products I purchased. This was a good size for a sample and I got a couple weeks’ use. This product only has a few ingredients. It can be used morning or night and helps other products work better. You can blend it or layer it with other products.

Ingredients: reverse osmosis water, vitamin B5 (dl-Panthenol), Syn^®-Hycan (tetradecyl aminobutyroylvalylaminobutyric urea trifluoroacetate, magnesium chloride, glycerin), sodium hyaluronate, vitamin B3 (niacinamide), vitamin B8 (inositol), sodium PCA, Leucidal^® (leuconostoc/radish root ferment filtrate) 

 This contains vitamin B5, B3 and B8. Vitamin B5 is used to moisturize, soothe, regenerate and heal the skin. Vitamin B5 is known as a humectant, a water-binding substance that can attract and bind water.  Vitamin B3 supports the skin’s barrier from pollutants and irritants and can help keep the skin hydrated. Vitamin B8 (inositol) is a humectant and can help skin and hair feel healthier and better moisturized. Syn-Hycan is a tetrapeptide aimed at lifting sagging skin and stimulates hyaluronan synthesis. Hydrate B contains sodium hyaluronate that can hold up to 1000 times its weight in water and when put on the skin can maintain and attract water. This results in smoother and softer skin that can temporarily reduce the appearance of wrinkles by providing a fuller appearance. The intense moisturizing helps the skin be able to provide a better defense against environmental factors and aging. Sodium PCA is a humectant with the ability to absorb moisture from the air. The preservative here is leucidal.

This a clear gel, not too runny, that absorbs fast with no stickiness after a couple seconds. This has no smell. It seems like it would be very moisturizing considering the moisturizing and humectant ingredients, but according to the YBF Skincare website, it works best with other moisturizers and products; however, if the climate is humid, this may be sufficient as a moisturizer. I was a little hesitant to use this on my oily skin, but since the weather is colder and my skin isn’t as oily as usual, I thought I’d give it a go. Oily skin needs moisture and nourishment too (especially if you go through cycles of chemical and physical exfoliation) and this was perfect for my skin; not too moisturizing and didn’t feel like it sat on my skin making it feel heavy like I’ve experienced with other moisturizers. During the time I used Hydrate B my skin didn’t break out, which is pretty unusual when I use a moisturizer. I also tried blending this with Retin-A to make the Retin-A more easily spreadable which worked quite nicely, and didn’t seem to negate the effects of the Retin-A. I used this on my neck layered with a skin cream and think this would really benefit the thinner more sensitive skin on the neck as it ages. I bet this would also provide a healing effect after a skincare treatment like a chemical peel, microdermabrasion or IPL (photofacial), and could be used on the hands as well.

I can’t comment on long term effects as I only had a sample, but my skin started to feel softer and look better overall. This seems like a promising moisturizer for oily skin. When I make my next purchase at YBF Skincare, Hydrate B Concentrate will be on my list.