When I did my ranking of all Beyer & Söhne products from worst to best, I realized that I never had reviewed their Hautgel+ (which means skin gel – it’s basically a gel-like serum). Let’s remedy that immediately – let’s proceed with my Beyer & Söhne Hautgel+ review!
Disclosure: while this review isn’t sponsored (I don’t receive any financial compensation for it), Astrid and I were invited to the brand’s 10-year birthday party in Berlin last year. Occasionally, I do receive products from them for free.
The Brand
This small family-led company with a background in pharmacy was born in 2012. I bought their moisturizer (their first product!) the following year and have raved about it (irl and on the blog) ever since. Their product range is very small and all products are based on the same philosophy: only effective ingredients that you can find already in the skin’s building blocks. They don’t use mineral oil, parabenes, silicones, colouring agents, fragrance and alcohol. They’re vegan and cruelty-free.
Technically, I guess they fall under the ‘clean’/ ‘natural beauty’ label. What I like about them is that fear-mongering actually isn’t their marketing strategy, and that their products are genuinely good. Not good-for-a-natural-brand, but good in their own right.
You can order samples, they ship all over the world, and, in Germany, you can also order their products at pharmacies.
Beyer & Söhne Hautgel+ review: Description
‘Light hyaluronic acid serum with 5% vitamin C, high-dose antioxidants and ceramides. Suitable for every skin type.
Maximum moisture with all hyaluronic acid sizes
Anti-aging with high doses of vitamin C, green tea and resveratrol
Healthy skin thanks to ceramides – the natural building blocks of our skin’
Beyer & Söhne
What it is
Basically, this is three serums in one: a hyaluronic acid serum, a ceramide and an antioxidant serum. In that way, it rivals my absolute fave Paula’s Choice Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer but without the retinol (add retinol, B&S!). It has a gel-like formula (hence the name) and is an astonishingly effective serum to pamper your skin.
Ingredients
Aqua, Pentylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, 3-O Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Glycerin, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ectoin, Sodium Lactate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Resveratrol, Lactic Acid, Panthenol, Tetraacetylphytosphingosine, Ceramide NP, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Folic Acid, Hydroxyectoin, Maltodextrin, Sodium Phytate, Cholesterol, Dehydroxanthan Gum, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Glyceryl Stearate, Sucrose Distearate, Dipropylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Glyceryl Citrate / Lactate / Linoleate / Oleate, Ethyl Oleate
Beyer & Söhne
Notable ingredients
Where to start? We have two very stable and effective Vitamin C derivatives that amount to 5%, which is a decent percentage, especially if you want it for antioxidant action. It sadly very likely won’t do the things that Vitamin C is usually touted for (hyperpigmentation and collagen building). Speaking of antioxidants: we also have resveratrol and green tea extract, both powerful (and well researched) antioxidants. It would absolutely make sense to use this serum under sunscreen!
Also, we have a form of hyaluronic acid and other hydrators.
And finally, a LOT of ceramides. Those are great for a healthy skin barrier: basically, ceramides form a protective layer and prevent water-loss from skin. If you use Retinol and/or a lot of acids, it’ll make sense to extra care for your skin barrier.
Also great for hydration and soothing is Ectoin.
Sustainability
They’re part of the 1% pledge (at the end of every year, customers can vote where the money goes to), ingredients are COSMOS-certified and packaging materials are either biodegradable or recyclable.
Application
This slightly orange gel-like serum works best for me when I use it sandwiched between more liquid textures. In my routine, I often use one or two pumps after a spritz of the Eucerin Hyaluronic Acid Mist (which I use directly after cleansing) and mix it into another watery toner (right now, it’s Scinic’s). Then, I just add sunscreen. In the evening, it works well mixed into another serum or moisturizer.
Texture
If you’re thinking ‘but why mixing?!’ – that’s because of its texture. It tends to form a film that leads to pilling when used on its own. This is honestly its most annoying feature that can, though, alleviated by mixing it into another product.
Effect
I’ve recently started to dabble in Tretinoin, and I credit the Hautgel for my skin to stay calm and content during those first four weeks.
Comparison
It doubles as a retinol-less alternative of my fave PC Ceramide-Enriched Firming Moisturizer at a similar price.
The Ordinary’s Beta-Glucan Moisturizer is rather similar: it just comes without the antioxidants. The texture (gel), though, is similar, but Hautgel comes with more ceramides – at a steeper price.
Beyer & Söhne Hautgel+ review: Rating
I think this serum could benefit a wide range of skintypes. Also, the relatively steep price is put into perspective when you think of it as three serums in one: when usin this one, you can ditch your hyaluronic acid serum, your antioxidant serum and your ceramide treatment and use only this one. For the sake of a streamlined routine, I’m all for it.
Availability & Price
50 ml are 49,90€. You can order their products in German pharmacies, too. They only ever do one sale per year: that’s Black Friday (which is coming soon!).
1 Comment