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The Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel Cream has a few surprises that might make it interesting for you despite the abundance of lightweight and hydrating gel moisturizers out there. One of them is that despite the texture it is completely free of silicones – of course nothing wrong with silicones in skincare, I am a huge fan, but sometimes they increase the risk of your products pilling if you layer them, or you are allergic to some of them and thus can’t use them, and for these people it is nice to have alternatives among the lighter creams. (More info: Everything you need to know about silicones in skincare)
Hydration Station is one of two moisturizer releases from the brand and the one aimed at normal to oily skins, while the other one, Happier Barrier, is aimed at norma to dry and irritated skin. I discuss both in the video linked underneath, but for todays review want to focus on Hydration Station and the unexpected finish it has.
What the Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel Cream claims
A light and refreshing gel-cream with hydrating gold standard Glycerin and skin-protecting superstar Ectoin for dewy, plump & healthy skin.
Facts about the Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel Cream
Prize and size
It comes in a white tube with a turquoise line around the bottom. Although it somehow looks small, it contains 50 ml and is available for 8,80 € on the website here.
Texture and smell
Hydration station is white and feels very light, almost like a gel formula, despite having the appearance of a cream. There is no immediately noticeable scent, but if you go real close to sniff you’ll get a whiff of something a little earthy, probably the ingredients own scent as the product is fragrance-free.
How to use the Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel Cream
Well, you probably don’t need me to tell you when to use moisturizer – it is the last step before sunscreen in the mornings and the last step in your routine at night. People with more oily skin using a hydrating sunscreen will get away with not using any moisturizer when it is warmer, which is what I usually do.
So during the year I would use Hydration Station at night from around May to September and then switch it to the mornings.
It spreads easily and sinks in quickly, but what I enjoy the most is the fact that it has a very natural finish and does not add additional glow, before and after application my skin looks exactly the same. It also isn’t prone to pilling or leaves the skin tacky, probably because of the lack of Hyaluronic Acid.
(More info: How to layer your skincare products)
Ingredients of the Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel Cream
sii|h 0 0, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride emo, PEG/PPG/Polybutylene Glycol-8/5/3 Glycerin h, Isosorbide Dicaprylate 
cci|h, Ectoin aox|so|h, Xylitylglucoside h, Bisabolol so, Allantoin so 0 0, Anhydroxylitol h, Xylitol h, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer vc, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer vc, Glucose h, Citric Acid buff, Tocopherol aox 0–3 0–3, Ethylhexylglycerin pres, Phenoxyethanol presHover the mouse over an ingredient for short explanation. Read more on INCIDecoder.
It uses Glycerin as main humectant, has no Hyaluronic Acid, which is rare and combines that Glycerin with a complex made from Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol and Xylitol that according to the manufacturer helps to increase the water binding capacities of the skin and strengthen the skin barrier. I am not sure by which mechanism it does the latter, but as Xylitol is a sugar that works as a humectant, it will surely increase water in the skin. It also acts as a prebiotic. (More info: Prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics in skincare)
The Isosorbide Dicaprylate is also supposed to increase Glycerin efficiency by increasing Aquaporin 3, through which Glycerin is transported into the cell. In addition to that we have Allantoin and Bisabolol for soothing and Ectoin. I wasn’t familiar with Ectoin as ingredient when I first tested the product, but since then I did a deep dive into the claims and actual data, as it seems to be one of the new and emerging ingredients of 2023 as it is supposed to be hydrating, soothing, protect from UV radiation and premature aging. (More info: The benefits of Ectoin in skincare explained)
The formula is basically focused on hydration and nothing else, as the name would suggest.
Does it live up to its claims?
Yes.
It is lightweight yet hydrating and keeps my skin looking plump, but not dewy. The lack of extra dewiness is something I actually enjoy, I love it when products offer a natural finish to the skin as it makes it easier to pair them.
How does it compare to…
Murad Nutrient Charged Gel Cream
The most obvious difference is that Murad has a silicone base, so it is not for those that have an allergy, and contains dye and fragrance. The next important difference is the price, with Murad being about seven times as much for the same amount of product. Murad is similarly hydrating, but has a few additional benefits that might make it worth it for you: It contains Ceramides, peptides, amino acids and Niacinamide that are beneficial for skin health and might appeal to a more mature audience. (More info: Benefits of Ceramides in skincare, Benefits of peptides in skincare and Benefits of Niacinamide in skincare)
I personally am a huge fan of Murads Gel Cream, despite the price, and think I will stick to it over the Geek and Gorgeous offer, mainly because I am in my mid-40s and take every help I can get to keep my skin healthy.
You can read my full review of the Murad Nutrient-Charged Gel Cream here.
The Inkey List Omega Water Cream
Let’s start with the similarities here: Both do not contain silicones or Hyaluronic Acid, but focus on Glycerin as main humectant, and both are similar in price, with The Inkey List being a little more expensive. The main difference here is in texture – both are lightweight, but the Omega Water Cream truly feels like nothing and can be used as serum step for extra hydration – and in additional ingredients. While Geek and Gorgeous puts the entire focus on supporting Glycerin and increasing hydration, The Inkey List has added Niacinamide and what they call Ceramide Complex alongside Omega fatty acids.
In the end both are amazing and it comes down to which one is easier available to you.
You can read my full review of The Inkey List Omega Water Cream here.
Would I repurchase and which skin types do I recommend the Geek and Gorgeous Hydration Station Gel Cream to?
While I enjoy it a lot, there are so many amazing gel moisturizers already that I am not sure I will repurchase this particular one, seeing that I am in my 40s and usually want a little more than hydration. If you are someone that prefers their skincare to not look or feel like skincare though, like my husband, you should definitely check this one out, as the natural finish is something many hydrating products are missing.
Shop the Geek and Gorgeous moisturizers here
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