SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel for dry skin
Sodium Hyaluronate
Vitamin B5 Panthenol
Calcium Pantothenate
PhenoxyethanolHigh
- HighDry Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
A great choice for dry skin; a few moisturizers fit it even better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with dry skin: flakiness, tightness, dehydration, fine lines, and wrinkles. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Highly suitable for your dry skin as sodium hyaluronate and glycerin provide excellent hydration, while urea and trehalose enhance moisture retention.
- The formula offers relevant benefits for your dry or flaky skin, with sodium hyaluronate and glycerin concentrations providing effective moisturization.
- The safety profile is excellent for your dry skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the presence of soothing components like urea and glycerin.
How to apply
- Could be used as part of your AM or PM routine. Start using it 3 times a week and work your way up to daily use.
- Apply your moisturizer after your toner and before your sunscreen in the morning. At night, use it as the final step after your serum.
- Gently press a small amount of the moisturizer into your skin. Avoid rubbing to keep your dry skin happy.
- Apply the moisturizer on slightly damp skin to help lock in extra hydration. This is great for soothing dry and flaky areas .
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your first use .
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 2.8k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently describe this gel as a lightweight, oil-free hydration booster that pairs exceptionally well with Vitamin C serums and retinols. It is frequently praised for plumping dehydrated skin and smoothing texture without clogging pores, making it a staple for those with acne-prone, sensitive, or post-procedure skin.
Highlights
Intense hydration Mostly Mentioned
- “Pure hydration in a bottle”
- “Skin drinks it in instantly”
- “Hydrating but non-greasy”
- “Soaks right into skin”
Excellent layering Often Mentioned
- “Layers well with other products”
- “Foundation does not pill over it”
- “Great base for moisturizer”
- “Perfect after Vitamin C serum”
Improves texture Often Mentioned
- “Leaves skin supple and smooth”
- “Makes face feel soft”
- “Restores radiance and plumpness”
- “Diminishes fine lines”
High price point Often Mentioned
- “Pricey for the size”
- “Expensive for a basic serum”
- “Wish it was cheaper”
- “Cost prohibits repurchase”
Good for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “Doesn't clog my pores”
- “Calms irritated skin”
- “Great for oily complexion”
- “Good for post-procedure recovery”
Runs out quickly Sometimes Noted
- “Bottle only lasts 6 weeks”
- “Goes too fast for the price”
- “Need to restock frequently”
- “Small bottle for daily use”
Lack of results Rarely Noted
- “Didn't notice significant improvement”
- “Not sure it did anything”
- “Just an expensive moisturizer”
- “Saw no difference in hydration”
Sticky finish Rarely Noted
- “Find it a bit sticky”
- “Leaves a tacky residue”
- “Felt sticky/tight after applying”
- “Texture is slightly gummy”
Sources: lovi.care, dermstore.com, lovelyskin.com, skinceuticals.com, bluemercury.com, dermacaredirect.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes SkinCeuticals Hydrating B5 Gel a great fit for dry skin?
This gel is a great fit for dry skin because sodium hyaluronate and glycerin bring deep hydration, while urea and trehalose help lock that moisture in. It has a very safe profile with soothing ingredients and no harsh additives, so it is unlikely to cause irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2024
Which ingredients make this serum a good fit for dry skin?
Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin make this serum a great fit by providing deep hydration, while urea and trehalose help your skin hold onto that moisture. This combination leaves dry skin feeling smooth and comfortable without any harsh irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2024
What does Hyaluronic Acid do for dry skin?
Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into dry skin, giving an immediate and lasting boost in hydration that helps smooth out fine lines and soften rough patches. It is very gentle and unlikely to cause irritation while improving overall skin smoothness and plumpness.
Dermatology and Therapy, 2021Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011
What does Vitamin B5 do for dry skin?
Vitamin B5 helps boost skin hydration, calm redness, and repair dry skin. It supports the skin barrier and improves moisture retention with very high tolerance and a low risk of irritation.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Where does this serum go in a skincare routine for dry skin?
This serum goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before your moisturizer. Using it at night is simple and keeps your skin safe around sun exposure, while ingredients like sodium hyaluronate and glycerin help deeply quench dry skin.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2024
Can I use this serum with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this serum with retinol by applying the serum first to give your dry skin a boost of moisture, followed by your retinol. Using a hydrating moisturizer beforehand is unlikely to cause irritation and may help your skin adjust to the retinol more comfortably.
How often should I use this serum?
This hydrating serum is a great fit for your dry skin and is meant to be used in the evening as part of your routine. Daily application helps boost skin moisture, reduce water loss, and keep your skin soft and smooth without irritation.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Health Science Reports, 2021
Can this serum clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for dry skin?
This serum is unlikely to clog pores, cause breakouts, or lead to purging on dry skin. Its formula avoids harsh ingredients and features soothing components that are well tolerated.
Can I use this serum around the eyes or on my body?
You can use this serum around the eyes and on your body because its safe and gentle formula works well on thin areas and provides effective hydration. Sodium hyaluronate and glycerin help draw in moisture while urea and trehalose lock it in, making it very comfortable for dry skin anywhere.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Skin Research and Technology, 2024
Is this serum fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol.
What the research says
A single application of a moisturizing fluid containing hyaluronic acid 1%, glycerin 5%, and Centella asiatica stem cells extract significantly increased skin hydration by 29% and reduced transepidermal water loss at 24 hours compared to baseline and an untreated control site in twenty healthy women.
Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 2017Sodium trehalose sulfate decreased transepidermal water loss and increased stratum corneum water content in participants with low stratum corneum water content when applied for 4 weeks compared to placebo.
Skin Research and Technology, 2024Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Panthenyl triacetate (PTA) demonstrated skin de-acetylation into panthenol, stimulated energetic and synthesis metabolic pathways, and achieved a statistically significant improvement in wound healing after 72 hours compared to saline treatment in human volunteers, outperforming panthenol in long-lasting wound healing action.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2012A comprehensive topical regimen incorporating niacinamide, Pro-Xylane, and panthenol following PicoWay laser treatment decreased transepidermal water loss, increased hydration and skin elasticity, reduced wrinkles and redness, and improved skin tone in 88 Chinese females compared to a standard care control group.
Lasers in Medical Science, 2026Formulations containing 1.0% and 5.0% panthenol decreased transepidermal water loss after 30-day applications on healthy subjects compared to control and vehicle.
Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2011
Ingredients
Water, Sodium Hyaluronate, Phenoxyethanol, Calcium Pantothenate, Glycerin, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Pca, Urea, Trehalose, Polyquaternium-51, Disodium Edta, Pantothenic Acid
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
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