Innbeauty Project’s New Gel Moisturizer Supercharges Your Skin’s Luminosity

Founded in 2019, the impetus of Innbeauty Project has always been to provide products that are both effective and affordable. To this day, the brand delivers skincare with great active ingredients and without a long list of no-gos.

It’s truly hard to pick favorites from the brand, but team Byrdie is a big fan of their Extreme Cream Moisturizer (it was “love at first swatch” upon launch). Now, they have a new moisturizer for us to obsess over: Recharge Gel Cream.

“Recharge is the next product introduction in our portfolio of high performance skincare solutions and our continued commitment to create the highest efficacy formulas that deliver transformative results backed by final formula clinical measurements,” explains brand co-founder and head of formula innovation Jen Shane.

Made to visibly plump, smooth, and improve radiance, the moisturizer features a “water-burst texture” that combines potent emollients with suspended water droplets “to deliver a beautiful and refreshing water break on skin.” It deeply penetrates, leaving no greasy feeling or oily finish on your precious face.

Cue the (happy) waterworks and keep reading to discover everything there is to know about the launch.

The Inspiration

Shane’s vision when formulating Recharge was to make the most high-performance gel cream on the market. It was important for the product to do more than simply “hydrate.”

“Most gel creams are basic moisturizers, providing surface-level hydration and not targeting any specific skin concerns or customer needs,” she explains. “Recharge goes above and beyond to plump wrinkles, improve radiance and texture, and deeply penetrate to strengthen the skin barrier.”

It was also important to the brand that Recharge felt just as sophisticated and effective as Extreme Cream. Even though gel creams are often targeted at younger demographics for their lightweight textures, they didn’t want this to feel entry-level in any way shape or form.

The Formula

According to Shane, if a formula “doesn’t outperform what’s already on the market” and can’t be offered at an unmatched value, “it doesn’t make it past the lab.”

“Most gel creams on the market are formulated with basic ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, for surface level hydration. Recharge is formulated with more than eight powerhouse ingredients at clinically effective levels that work together like a symphony to deliver transformative results,” she says. “We take it one step further with a refreshing textural experience that feels incredible to use. The texture is so important to me.”

The Ingredients

Naturally, the Innbeauty Project team is excited about all eight actives in the new product. But if Shane had to pick a few, sustainable orchid stem cells, an LCE6A protein-mimicking peptide, and their patented mineral complex are standouts. These gems work alongside patented barrier repair technology and hydrators like 7% glycerin and 9% ginseng water to supply that major moisture.

“The sustainable orchid stem cells are a true powerhouse ingredient that supports long term hydration, luminosity, smooth texture, and plumping up wrinkles for a noticeable visible reduction,” notes Shane.

When clinical results first started to come in for the product, results involving skin luminosity were “staggering.” That had a lot to do with the flower power.

“You typically need an acid to see these types of results in radiance and luminosity,” adds the founder. “The orchid stem cells are a breakthrough in achieving a level of luminosity that typically only an acid can, which often come with sensitivity or irritation. I am really excited about this ingredient in particular.”

Then, there’s the patented Hexapeptide-9, one of many peptides in the gel formula. This one mimics the LCE6A protein activity (these proteins “are expressed in the outer layers of the epidermis and become cross-linked to form a resilient, insoluble skin barrier”) to help rebuild the skin barrier in seven days.

“Last, another standout is the patented mineral complex, Hydrasphere, a cutting edge hydration shell technology encapsulating liquid magnesium and trace minerals like potassium, sodium, sulfur, boron, zinc, calcium, copper, selenium, and more,” says Shane. “This innovative ingredient aids in absorption and helps boost skin cell health for visibly plumper, smoother, more hydrated skin.”

The Review

“I usually love a rich cream, but this summer has been so hot I’ve swapped my go-tos out for a lighter texture. When gel creams are good, they’re so good, but so many of them don’t pack enough of a hydrating punch. Not Recharge though. Yes, it’s a gel formula, but it still has a lovely cushy texture that instantly quenches my thirsty skin. It sinks in quickly but leaves moisture and a glow behind, and has sort of a smoothing effect on the skin. It feels so light, especially in the heat, and makes a great base for makeup. At night I layer it over a hydrating serum for a little extra boost, and my skin has been so bouncy and happy. I’m happy to report that it’s just as good as Extreme Cream—and if you’re on the oily side, it might even be better.” —Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor