Cellbone Moist’seal ($48, cellbone.com) promises to keep skin moist, supple, and soft. While it contains lactic acid and vitamin K, its main ingredients are polymers that can help to hydrate skin and soften skin. Cellbone sent one for us to try and I found that it was moisturizing, but left my skin a bit tacky.

Gamma Polyglutamic Acid

Gamma Polyglutamic Acid helps improve skin elasticity

This hydrophilic biopolymer is often used as a delivery system for medicine because it’s non-toxic, biocompatible, and non-immunogenic. It can be derived naturally from fermented soybeans and is biodegradable (Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, Biosource Technology).

In a 10-volunteer study where creams containing gamma polyglutamic acid, hyaluronic acid, and butylene glycol were rubbed on participants’ arms, the cream containing gamma polyglutamic acid worked best at improving skin elasticity (Journal of the Chinese Chemical Society).

There aren’t studies on whether this ingredient causes irritation or allergies when topically applied. However, there have been studies on gamma polyglutamic acid that show that it’s a potential allergen when ingested (Allergy International).

Hydrogel

Hydrogel has been shown in lab studies to help new skin grow, rather than scar tissue, over burns.

Hydrogels are useful because they’re networks of polymers that can drink up a lot of water (Scientific American). If this hydrogel is similar to the one used in a Johns Hopkins University experiment, it’s made with dextran (a sugar-like polymer) and water. In the Johns-Hopkins experiment, it was shown to help grow new skin over burn wounds, as opposed to scar tissues in tests on mice (John’s Hopkins University).

One of the researchers explained that this hydrogel helps skin and blood vessels grow more quickly, though they don’t understand exactly how it works. However, if this is the same gel, it’s like that it, in part, helps with skin regeneration.

Collagen

Collagen is an excellent moisturizer in skin care products, though putting it on your face won’t do anything to actually boost your collagen production. The molecule is much too large to be absorbed into your skin, which is why your collagen won’t be affected. However, it is able to bind with water to provide skin with moisture (Cosmetic Dermatology).

[Read More: How Can I Rebuild Collagen?]

Personal Use and Opinion

Cellbone Moist’seal has a gel viscosity. The directions say to use two to three drops and that’s definitely enough, anymore and you risk feel like you’re wearing a masque, rather than something to seal in moisture. Overall, while it does leave skin feelings hydrating, it can seem a little tacky for quite some time after application (at least 20 minutes).

Bottom Line

Cellbone Moist’seal is an ultra-hydrating product that promises to seal in moisture to your skin after moisturizer with several polymers as part of its formulation. While it does seal in moisture and keep skin feeling soft, it can be a little tacky. Overall, this is something I would recommend for those who suffer from very dry skin during winter months, but not something I’d necessarily make part of my year-round routine.

Product Rating:  6/10

• High or optimized concentration of key ingredients: 2/3
• Unique formulation or new technology:  2/3
• Value:  2/3
• Sunscreen: 0/1

Ingredients

Water, Gamma Poly Glutamic Acid, Hydrogel, Gamma Polyglutamate, Butylene Glycol, Collagen, Centella Asiatica Extract, Alovera Leaf Extract, Melon Extract, Lactic Calcium, Uva-Ursi Leaf Extract, Glycerin, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Phenoxyethanol , Sodium Hyaluronate, Vitamin K2