Review of Rahul Phate's Hydra-smooth Hydrating Gel - fungal-safe moisturiser with urea and allantoin

I'm SO pleased to share this review for a product that is not only fungal-safe, but also contains urea - a hugely underrated ingredient that is a naturally occurring part of our NMF (Natural Moisturising Factors). Urea is gently exfoliating, deeply hydrating AND strengthens barrier function, which makes it amazing for most sensitive skin conditions, including dermatitis and malassezia-related issues like fungal acne and seborrhea. It strengthens skin in the long-term! See the SimpleSkincareScience page for more info about urea!

It also contains OG ingredient glycerine, which has similarly well-documented benefits for skin (did you know it reduces redness and also mildly exfoliates?? I did not!). More info at the SimpleSkincareScience page for glycerin. Yes, f.c. is a personal skincare hero of mine 😤 It's his info (and new skincare brand Malezia) that got me on the hunt for urea products. Also, credit to u/thesoapmaker_ for letting us know of the existence of Hydra-smooth! ❤

And, finally, it contains allantoin, which is a soothing ingredient, another that's naturally found in humans. It's anti-irritant, helps with itching, wound healing, moisture levels... an amazing ingredient for sensitive skin 😌

TEXTURE SHOTS

🐳 Review type: Rave ❤

🐳 Skin type: Oily, sensitive, fungal+ bacterial acne-prone

🐳 Age: 29

🐳 Current climate: Cool and very humid (Bombay monsoon)

🐳 Usage timeline: for one month exactly

🐳 Price: ₹555 for 100gms on Amazon

🐳 Ingredients: Water, Glycerine, Urea, Allantoin, TEA, Sodium methyl–4-hydroxybenzoate (Sodium methylparaben), Carbopol, Agar agar, Gelatin, Sodium propyl-4-hydroxybenzoate (Sodium propylparaben), Perfume

🐳 User experience: The tube it comes in is a TERRIBLE packaging choice, because the texture is more serum than gel, it's so runny. Trying to get it out of the tube results in a whole ton just streaming out endlessly, causing extreme panic 😂 So heads up to anyone who happens to purchase this! I decanted a small amount into a pump bottle, and it's been ideal.

The fragrance is mild and wears off almost immediately upon application. It's not particularly flowery or powdery, just generic and slightly medicinal.

I mix it with aloe gel in the AM, because the humidity in Bombay is crazy right now, and I don't need much hydration. At night, I use it neat. It's very light and spreadable, and sinks in quite fast. It provides adequate hydration for me by itself, and I don't use anything on top.

The gelatin, agar agar (which is technically seaweed, a much appreciated hydrating ingredient), and carbopol (a polymer) are thickeners and film-forming ingredients, so it's a mildly occlusive formulation. Sufficient for oily skin, maybe even dry skin during summer/monsoon.

🐳 My thoughts: I've seen general skin health improvement since using Hydra-smooth. I was using aloe gel with a drop of MCT oil as moisturiser previously, and it was fine. This was a definite improvement. The mild retinal dermatitis around my mouth improved during this month (although most of that is probably just the passage of time). I had my face shaved for laser hair removal, and it caused slight redness, but Hydra-smooth calmed it right down, and I didn't break out or anything 🙏 Hydra-smooth is now an HG for me ❤

I will say, the lack of sophisticated branding, the less than ideal packaging, the strange website (that lists every product twice, once as is and once as "for women", in the category "Women skin") and the mis-spellings... the sneaky listing of "Sodium methyl–4-hydroxybenzoate", "Sodium propyl-4-hydroxybenzoate", which are just methyl- and propyl-paraben 😂 I've included that in brackets, they haven't... Basically this product isn't marketed well. Doesn't exactly inspire trust. I had to freaking DECANT it to use it in a convenient manner. DESPITE that? It's good stuff ☺

🐳 Suggested for: Anyone looking for an oil-free, HYALURONIC-FREE hydrating product that soothes, and strengthens barrier function. Anyone with fungal acne or seborrheic dermatitis. Works great as a standalone moisturiser for oily skin. Would also work well as a soothing gel for post-shaving or waxing. Anyone who shares my passion for a minimalist routine with products containing minimal ingredients 😉❤

🐳 Special notes: contains gelatin, so it's not cruelty-free or vegan. Contains parabens. Contains fragrance, albeit mild. It's an Indian product, which is always a plus point! The brand is based in Nagpur, the product is manufactured in Nashik.

Dr. Sheth's Aloe & 1% Panthenol Hydrating Gel is a vegan, fungal-safe option that also contains urea (I've got it lined up to use after I'm done with the Rahul Phate one ☺)

🐳 In summation: 4/5. Taking one point off for truly awful packaging, and mild but unnecessary fragrance. WRP forever, though, and I've stopped using all other hydrating serums, including my perfectly fine 5% niacinamide that's just lying there now 😂