
Highlights
WHAT IS IT?
Hydrating serum with algae-activated complex
FEATURES
Clinically proven to increase deep skin hydration for up to 72 hours
BEST FOR
Dry, Sensitive, Combination skin
CHECKS
Clean beauty, free of synthetic fragrances or colors, silicones, sulfates, PEGs, parabens, urea, TEA/DEA
Who Is It For?
Adults Both Women And MenWhat Does It Help With?
Dehydration DrynessBudget
Mid-rangeHow To Use
Which routine should it be used in?
Instructions:
Key Information
What REN Clean Skincare Says
Product Description:
Go deeper and get results. Target the root cause of dehydration with a reenergizing algae-activated complex of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, clinically proven to increase deep skin hydration for up to 72 hours.
About the Brand:
Ingredients Overview
Ingredients List
Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Betaine, Propanediol, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Phenoxyethanol, Saccharide Isomerate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Parfum, Erythritol, Sodium Gluconate, Caulerpa Lentillifera Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Hibiscus Sabdariffa Fruit Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Haematococcus Pluvialis Extract, Sodium Citrate, Polyglucuronic Acid, Potassium Sorbate
Key Ingredients
Algae Extracts, Wild Rosella, Hyaluronic acid
Ingredients Details
Betaine
Common Name(s): Trimethylglycine,tmg,natural betaine
CAS Number: 107-43-7
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides osmoprotective humectant conditioning with anti-irritant and mild foam-boosting activity.
Why It's Used: Natural-origin multifunctional osmolyte from sugar beet providing hydration, anti-irritancy, and conditioning in virtually every cosmetic category.
How It Works: Quaternary ammonium betaine provides zwitterionic character for water binding via ionic hydration. osmoprotective function at 100โ500mm as compatible solute protecting cells from osmotic stress. reduces surfactant irritation by competing with sls for protein binding sites. mild foam enhancement.
Typically Found In: Virtually all categories โ moisturisers, shampoos, cleansers
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ humectant
Secondary Functions: Tewl reduction,skin plumping
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.5%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ from beta vulgaris (sugar beet) molasses
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Synthetic or naturally derived. excellent aqueous solubility.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Betaine's anti-irritant mechanism for surfactant systems involves competitive protein protection: betaine at high concentrations preferentially interacts with skin proteins, occupying binding sites that would otherwise be occupied by surfactant molecules causing protein denaturation. this competition reduces available protein binding for irritating surfactants, explaining betaine's well-documented ability to reduce sls irritation when co-formulated.
Last Verified: Cosing database,craig betaine osmoprotective review,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Erythritol
Common Name(s): Meso-erythritol,erythrite
CAS Number: 149-32-6
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides humectant moisture retention with additional antioxidant free-radical scavenging activity.
Why It's Used: Natural fermentation-derived humectant with antioxidant activity in clean beauty and natural formulations.
How It Works: 4 hydroxyl groups enable water binding (humectant). direct free radical scavenging via hydroxyl groups contributes antioxidant activity complementing standard antioxidants.
Typically Found In: Natural moisturizers,clean beauty formulations,antioxidant products
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Functional ingredient โ sugar alcohol humectant
Secondary Functions: Natural humectant,antioxidant
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ fermentation-derived
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Produced by fermentation of glucose using torula yeast. gras food-approved. zero-calorie sugar substitute with excellent safety profile.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Non-irritating; suitable for all skin types.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Excellent safety profile. ewg score: 1.
Works Well With: Ceramides,emollients,occlusives,glycerin,hyaluronic acid
Avoid Combining With: No significant incompatibilities
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Erythritol's free radical scavenging activity (measured by orac assay) is unique among sugar alcohol humectants, providing dual humectant + antioxidant function from a single naturally derived ingredient.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Glycerin
Common Name(s): Glycerol,glycerine,1,2,3-propanetriol
CAS Number: 56-81-5
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Glycerin pulls water from the environment and deeper skin layers into the outer skin layer (epidermis), boosting moisture levels and keeping skin soft, smooth, and plump.
Why It's Used: It is used in virtually every moisturizer, serum, and cleanser because it is highly effective at hydrating skin, is well-tolerated by all skin types, and enhances the texture and spreadability of formulations.
How It Works: As a humectant, glycerin forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules, trapping them in the skin. it also reinforces the skin barrier by integrating into lipid structures between skin cells.
Typically Found In: Moisturizers,serums,cleansers,toners,sheet masks,sunscreens,body lotions,shampoos,conditioners
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Humectant
Secondary Functions: Skin barrier support,emollient,solvent
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 1%โ30% (typical: 3โ10%)
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes โ plant-derived (coconut, soy, palm) or synthetic
Halal Status: Yes โ when plant-derived or synthetic; verify source with supplier
Source Notes: Derived from plant oils via hydrolysis or saponification; synthetic versions also available. palm-derived glycerin carries sustainability concerns.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1/5 โ very low; non-irritating at all standard concentrations
Comedogenicity Rating: 0/5 โ non-comedogenic
Sensitivity Concerns: Extremely rare allergic reactions; generally safe for all skin types including sensitive and baby skin
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Widely recognized as safe. ewg hazard score: 1. no significant concerns for irritation, sensitization, or toxicity at typical concentrations (up to 50%).
Works Well With: Hyaluronic acid,ceramides,niacinamide,panthenol,urea,peptides,retinol,ahas/bhas
Avoid Combining With: No known incompatibilities at standard concentrations
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Glycerin is an endogenous skin component found naturally in the stratum corneum. aquaporin-3 channels in keratinocytes facilitate glycerin transport, making it integral to natural skin hydration pathways.
Last Verified: Cosing database,cir safety assessment,ewg skin deep,inci decoder
Primary Sources: 2026-03-12
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Common Name(s): Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer
DESCRIPTION
What It Does: Provides antioxidant protection, soothing anti-inflammatory effects, and skin-conditioning benefits through plant-derived polyphenols and phytochemicals.
Why It's Used: Plant extracts concentrate bioactive phytochemicals evolved for environmental protection โ uv, microbial, and oxidative stressors โ that translate to skin benefits.
How It Works: Polyphenols (flavonoids, phenolic acids) inhibit nf-ฮบb-mediated inflammatory signaling, scavenge reactive oxygen species through electron donation, and chelate pro-oxidant metal ions to reduce oxidative skin damage.
Typically Found In: Lotions,creams,serums,masks
TECHNICAL DETAILS
Primary Category: Minerals
Secondary Functions: Skin-conditioning
Application Areas:
Facial Skincare
Body Care
Hair Care
Beard Care
Color Cosmetics (Makeup)
Dietary/Oral Supplements
Typical Concentration Range: 0.1โ10%
SOURCING & ETHICS
Vegan Status: Yes
Halal Status: Yes
Source Notes: Mineral-derived ingredient; no biological origin.
SKIN COMPATIBILITY
Irritancy Rating: 1
Comedogenicity Rating: 0
Sensitivity Concerns: Low sensitization potential at recommended use concentrations.
Safe for Sensitive Skin: Yes
SAFETY & COMPATIBILITY
Safety Profile: Well-characterized cosmetic ingredient with established safety profile. generally non-irritating at typical use concentrations. suitable for leave-on and rinse-off cosmetics.
Works Well With: Plant extracts,peptides,vitamins
Avoid Combining With: Strong chelating agents (reduce mineral availability)
SCIENTIFIC NOTE
Plant secondary metabolites (flavonoids, terpenes, phenolic acids) are biosynthesized as defense compounds against uv, herbivores, and pathogens. their anti-inflammatory activity typically derives from competitive inhibition of cox-2 and 5-lox enzymes (ic50 1โ50 ยตm), while antioxidant activity involves single electron transfer (set) and hydrogen atom transfer (hat) mechanisms with structure-dependent rate constants.
Last Verified: Cosing eu database; pcpc cosmetic ingredient safety reviews; ingredient-specific safety and efficacy literature
Primary Sources: 2025-01-15