Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum Review

Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum
5.0
/ 10
Moisturizing
10.0 Humectancy icon Humectancy
0.0 Occlusivity icon Occlusivity
4.5Anti-wrinkle icon/ 10
Anti-wrinkle
Rich
in Antioxidants
Review

Does Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum Work?

 
According to CreamScan AI's analysis of the ingredient list, here’s what Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum has to offer:
 
  • Strong humectant moisturizing. This lightweight, humectant-rich product, ideal for oily skin, has a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.
  • Considerable anti-wrinkle efficacy: Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum has an anti-wrinkle rating of 4.5 out of 10, indicating a moderate ability to reduce wrinkles.
  • Antioxidant protection.

Key Benefits of Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum

 
These are the key benefits you can expect from using Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum:
 

Lightweight Purely Humectant Moisturizing, Ideal for Oily Skin

According to CreamScan analysis, Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum is quite moisturizing, with a moisturizing rating of 5.0 out of 10.

Is it more humectant or occlusive? It is purely humectant. It has zero occlusivity (we didn't find any occlusive ingredients on the ingredient list) and a maximum humectancy of 10 out of 10, primarily due to the high content of Propanediol (est. ≈6.0%), Glycerin (est. ≈4.0%) and Niacinamide (est. ≈3.0%).

This humectant-rich product, when used alone as a moisturizer, is ideal for oily skin, providing significant hydration in a lightweight, fast-absorbing formula without any occlusive ingredients.

Tip: Certain studies suggest that humectants alone may not effectively moisturize the skin. If you use this product as your only moisturizer, we recommend following it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients.

A Humectant Boost for Any Skincare Routine

But it’s not limited to oily skin - such a humectant boost will also positively contribute to the moisturizing efficacy of any skincare routine when used as a step before applying the main moisturizer. This type of formulation is typically used in serums, where a light, fast-absorbing texture is key.

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the moisturizing rating calculation.

Considerable Anti-Wrinkle Efficacy

According to CreamScan analysis, Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum has a moderate anti-wrinkle rating of 4.5 out of 10.

It contains one ingredient with proven anti-wrinkle efficacy: Niacinamide (est. ≈3.0%), 
 one of the most effective and well-researched anti-wrinkle ingredients. A clinical study involving 30 participants (Kawada et al.) confirmed that a cream with 4% niacinamide reduced the average depth of wrinkles around the eyes by 9% after 8 weeks of use, compared to a vehicle (the same formulation without niacinamide).
 
Moisturizers, when used regularly, are proven to prevent wrinkle formation and even reduce existing wrinkles. Therefore, this product, like any other moisturizer, can deliver some anti-wrinkle effects through its moisturizing action.
 

Please refer to the Ratings section below for details of the anti-wrinkle rating calculation.

Rich in Skin-Protecting Antioxidants

We estimate that Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum is rich (> 3%) in antioxidants, specifically Niacinamide (est. ≈3.0%) and Hyaluronic Acid (est. ≈2.0%).

A key benefit of antioxidants is their ability to reduce oxidative stress caused by free radicals and therefore prevent accelerated skin aging. Studies also show that antioxidants can protect against environmental damage such as UV radiation and pollution, and help reduce inflammation and skin redness.

Please note that this is not a complete list of benefits. We are in the process of enhancing our AI model to incorporate anti-pigmentation, exfoliation and anti-acne ratings.

Things to Be Aware Of: Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum

 
CreamScan AI identified a few things to consider before adding Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum to your skincare routine:
 

If It’s Your Only Moisturizer, It Needs to Be Paired with Some Occlusives

While humectants are highly effective at attracting water to the skin, studies (J. N. Kraft, C. W. Lynde) suggest they may not be efficient when used alone.

One major drawback of purely humectant moisturization is that the water attracted by humectants to the upper layers of the skin can evaporate completely into the environment through transepidermal water loss (TEWL). Adding occlusive ingredients helps seal this moisture into the skin and prevent further water loss.

If you’re using Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum as your only moisturizer, consider pairing it with one that contains at least some occlusive ingredients, such as oils, butters, or silicones. These work alongside humectants to create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and ensuring longer-lasting moisturization. The amount of occlusive needed depends on your skin type - the drier the skin, the more occlusives it requires.

If this product is used not as a standalone moisturizer but as part of your skincare routine, such as a toner or serum, it should be applied before your main moisturizer (unless it's a sunscreen), which will provide the necessary occlusivity on top of it.

Pros & Cons of Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum

 
Here’s an overview of the pros and cons of Face Gym Hydro-Bound Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide Serum to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your skincare routine:
 

Pros:

  • When used alone: Provides humectant-rich moisturizing ideal for oily skin
  • As part of a routine: A humectant moisturizing boost, beneficial for any skin type
  • Lightweight texture
  • Provides considerable anti-wrinkle efficacy thanks to Niacinamide
  • Rich in antioxidants that combat oxidative stress associated with accelerated skin aging and defend against environmental damage

Cons: 

  • Only if used as a standalone moisturizer - it needs to be paired with occlusives to seal in humectants

Ingredients

Est. % Ingredient Origin Functions
80
6
4
3
2
1.5
1.3
1
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
0.3
Est. %
Water
Function:
Origin:
Propanediol
Function:
Origin:
Glycerin
Function:
Origin:
Niacinamide
Function:
Origin:
Hyaluronic Acid
Function:
Origin:
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Function:
Origin:
Potassium Hydrolyzed Polygamma-Glutamate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Polyglutamate
Function:
Origin:
Bacillus Ferment
Function:
Origin:
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Glucuronate
Function:
Origin:
Magnesium Sulfate
Function:
Origin:
Carbomer
Function:
Origin:
Hydroxyacetophenone
Function:
Origin:
Phenoxyethanol
Function:
Origin:
Sodium Hydroxide
Function:
Origin:

Ratings

All humectants
17.8
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Raiting
Humectancy All humectants 17.8 10
10.0
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
Occlusivity All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
None
Moisturizing rating
5.0
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Humectancy
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
All humectants 17.8 10
10
All humectants
17.8
6
4
3
2
1.5
1
0.3
Benchmark
10
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark Occlusivity
None
All occlusives 0.0 20
0.0
All occlusives
0.0
None
Benchmark
20
Ingredient
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
when present at, %
in this formula est. %
Rating
6 /10 4 3 4.5
Total
4.5
Niacinamide
4.5
Ingredient anti-wrinkle power
6 /10
when present at, %
4
in this formula, est. %
3
Anti-wrinkle rating
4.5
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Antioxidants
3
2
1.5
0.3
All antioxidants 6.8 3 Rich in antioxidants
All antioxidants
6.8
Niacinamide
3
Hyaluronic Acid
2
Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
1.5
Hydroxyacetophenone
0.3
Benchmark
3
Ingredient Est. % Benchmark
Rich in Soothing
3
All soothing 3 5 No
All soothing
3
3
Benchmark
5

Ingredients explained

Water
Est. %80
Function
Origin
WaterThe most used ingredient in skincare. Its concentration defines the product texture: rich creams may have about 50% of water while a light jelly about 90%. Water doesn’t moisturize the skin by itself and is used in skincare as a solvent for other ingredients.
Propanediol
Est. %6
Function
Origin
PropanediolAn excellent solvent capable of mixing water with normally water-insoluble ingredients. It also functions as a humectant due to its water-loving alcohol groups. Propanediol can control the viscosity of a product by reducing its thickness.
Glycerin
Est. %4
Function
Origin
Glycerin

The most popular moisturizing ingredient in the world. It is a powerful humectant – cheap yet very effective.

Niacinamide
Est. %3
Function
Origin
Niacinamide

Also known as vitamin B3, this ingredient is a true superstar with confirmed moisturizing, anti-acne, hyperpigmentation, and antioxidant benefits. Two studies confirm its significant anti-wrinkle efficacy.

Hyaluronic Acid
Est. %2
Function
Origin
Hyaluronic Acid

A potent, skin-identical humectant moisturizing ingredient that is able to bind water 1000 times its own weight. The anti-aging benefits of hyaluronic acid are due to its ability to stimulate the synthesis of collagen in the skin.

Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate
Est. %1.5
Function
Origin
Hydrolyzed Sodium HyaluronateA very small-molecule version of regular sodium hyaluronate. It is a powerful humectant skin-identical ingredient that absorbs into the skin and offers plumping, smoothing, and anti-wrinkle effects.
Potassium Hydrolyzed Polygamma-Glutamate
Est. %1.3
Function
Origin
Potassium Hydrolyzed Polygamma-Glutamate
Sodium Polyglutamate
Est. %1
Function
Origin
Sodium Polyglutamate
Bacillus Ferment
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Bacillus FermentAn exfoliating mixture of fermentation products made by Bacillus subtilis. Its main active compound is a set of enzymes called proteases – which provide gentle exfoliation.
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Disodium Acetyl Glucosamine Phosphate
Sodium Glucuronate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Glucuronate
Magnesium Sulfate
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Magnesium SulfateA naturally occurring mineral that is commonly used in skincare products as a bulking agent. It helps to control the viscosity of products by making them thicker.
Carbomer
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
CarbomerA synthetic ingredient with the ability to gel water. When used in emulsions, such as lotions and creams, carbomer can also act as an emulsion stabilizer.
Hydroxyacetophenone
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
HydroxyacetophenoneAn antioxidant compound that can be found in many plants, although it is manufactured synthetically for skincare purposes. It can boost the preservative action of other conservants.
Phenoxyethanol
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
PhenoxyethanolThe most frequently used preservative in skincare. It is a clear, oil-like liquid synthetic substance that protects products from harmful bacteria and yeast, whilst still leaving skin microflora unharmed. It is confirmed by research to be harmless.
Sodium Hydroxide
Est. %0.3
Function
Origin
Sodium Hydroxide

An ingredient that is able to bring the pH of a product up, thereby making it less harsh on the skin.