Face Reality hydraBalance Hydrating Gel

Face Reality hydraBalance Hydrating Gel is a lightweight, water-based gel that delivers hydration, calms irritation, and supports barrier health in oily and blemish-prone skin. Face Reality, a professional-grade acne brand trusted by estheticians, formulated this gel to work seamlessly with active acne treatments without clogging pores or adding heaviness. The formula has a subtle botanical scent from essential oils including lavender, rose, and ylang ylang.

Key Benefits

Hydrates without congestion Sodium hyaluronate, the purest salt form of hyaluronic acid, holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water to pull moisture into the skin without clogging pores or contributing to breakouts.

Controls excess oil production Lilac leaf cell culture extract helps regulate sebum production while offering antifungal, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties to support clearer, more balanced skin.

Calms irritation from acne treatments Soothing botanicals including aloe, witch hazel, and honeysuckle extract help reduce dryness and sensitivity caused by benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, and acid serums.

Protects against environmental damage Totarol and Phenyl-t-Butylnitrone (Spin Trap) deliver antioxidant protection by trapping free radicals and converting them into useful oxygen, shielding skin from daily stressors.

Flexible hydration layering Water-based formula works alone as a daily moisturizer for oily skin types or layered under your favorite acne-safe moisturizer to lock in hydration and support barrier resilience.

If your skin is oily or combination and struggles to find hydration that doesn't feel heavy or cause congestion, this gel delivers moisture where you need it without adding weight or clogging pores. It's especially valuable for acne-prone skin using benzoyl peroxide, retinoids, or acid treatments that leave skin feeling tight, dry, or irritated.

Ideal for dehydrated skin that still produces oil, or sensitive, compromised barriers that need calming support without rich textures. If you've avoided moisturizers because they feel too heavy or make you break out, this lightweight gel offers a solution that hydrates and soothes while remaining completely acne-safe and non-comedogenic.

Layer hydraBalance under Face Reality ClearDerma during the day for a hydration boost that won't interfere with your sunscreen or makeup, then use it over your Acne Med or benzoyl peroxide treatment at night to calm any dryness without reducing the effectiveness of your acne-fighting actives.

Prepare: After cleansing and toning, ensure skin is clean and slightly damp.

Apply: Dispense 1 pump and apply to face, neck, and chest morning and evening. Use alone as a moisturizer for oily skin or layer under an acne-safe moisturizer for added hydration.

Technique: For skin experiencing mild irritation from correctives, try the hydraBalance Sandwich: apply a thin layer of gel and allow to dry, apply your corrective treatment and allow to dry for 1 minute, then finish with another layer of gel to buffer actives while maintaining comfort.

Frequency: Morning and evening. Always follow with SPF when used in the AM. Note: airless pump packaging requires 15-20 pumps before product dispenses when first used.

We offer free shipping on every order $50+ (just $7 flat-rate below that). Orders placed before 1pm PST Monday through Friday ship out the same day. Orders placed outside of that window are shipped the very next day!

Changed your mind? We get it. That's why our return window is generous: 30 days even if you've opened and tried it, or a full 60 days if it's still sealed. Some exclusions apply. See our full return policy for details.