Apothem Labs Recharge Cream-Gel

Apothem Labs Recharge Cream-Gel

Efficacy100/100IrritancyHigh
Edit

Works for

1 of 1 advertised claim delivered

Moisturizing
6 ingredients credited for this claim
Strong support

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: glycerin.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: helianthus annuus seed oil, rosa canina fruit oil.

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis

Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabisHeroEffect: HighCBD. Can bind to skin cell receptors and can reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier function~0.85–1.25%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~1.8–2.7%
Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~0.15–0.65%
Rosa canina fruit oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating~4.1–6.1%
Cetearyl alcoholKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture~5.4–8.1%
Glyceryl stearate· EmollientEffect: LowAn emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together~0.15–0.65%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
8 strong irritants: Arnica montana extract, Menthol + 6 more — patch-test recommended
High risk
We flagged 13 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Arnica montana extract—High~2.7–4.1%est.
Salix alba bark extractA plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effectHigh~1.1–1.7%est.
Menthol—High~0.45–1.1%est.
Mentha arvensis leaf oilUsed as a fragrance and can be irritatingHigh~0.45–1%est.
Menthyl lactateUsed as a fragrance. Can be irritatingHigh~0.4–0.9%est.
Rosmarinus officinalis extract—High~0.35–0.8%est.
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oilA plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skinHigh~0.3–0.75%est.
Eucalyptus globulus leaf oilAn essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial propertiesHigh~0.15–0.55%est.
LimoneneA common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heatHigh~0.05–0.15%est.
Rosa canina fruit oilA great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritatingMedium~4.1–6.1%est.
Coffea arabica seed oilMight be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skinMedium~1.5–2.2%est.
Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabisCBD. Can bind to skin cell receptors and can reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier functionMedium~0.85–1.25%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.35%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Cetearyl alcoholA non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture2/5~5.4–8.1%est.
Edit

User reviews

Would you recommend?
No community reviews yet.

Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.

Write a review · ~30s

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~40–60%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Cetearyl alcohol~5.4–8.1%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5
Irritation risk
Low
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture

More about Cetearyl alcohol
Rosa canina fruit oil~4.1–6.1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A great emollient. Contains vitamin E (tocopherol) which may give it some anti-oxidant properties. Can contain volatile compounds and can be irritating

More about Rosa canina fruit oil
Arnica
Not recognized
Arnica montana extract~2.7–4.1%
Irritant · high
Xanthan gum~2–3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Cleansing

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Xanthan gum
Glycerin~1.8–2.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Green coffee
Not recognized
Coffea arabica seed oil~1.5–2.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

Might be helpful in neutralizing free radicals in skin

More about Coffea arabica seed oil
White willow
Not recognized
Salix alba bark extract~1.1–1.7%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-inflammatoryAnti-blemishExfoliation

A plant extract that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. It contains a compound salicin that can theoretically be converted into salicylic acid that, in turn, helps reduce inflammation in skin, but the evidence of effectiveness in skin is lacking and the extract is usually not used in a concentration that would enable an exfoliating effect

More about Salix alba bark extract
Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis~0.85–1.25%
Hero · MoisturizingIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Reduces irritationMoisturizingAnti-blemishAnti-oxidation

CBD. Can bind to skin cell receptors and can reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier function

More about Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis
Menthol~0.45–1.1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
More about Menthol
Mentha arvensis leaf oil~0.45–1%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance and can be irritating

More about Mentha arvensis leaf oil
Menthyl lactate~0.4–0.9%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

Used as a fragrance. Can be irritating

More about Menthyl lactate
Rosmarinus officinalis extract~0.35–0.8%
Irritant · high
Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil~0.3–0.75%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Anti-oxidationAntibacterial

A plant oil with high content of volatile compounds that can irritate the skin. Can be used as a fragrance. Has anti-bacterial properties and might help neutralize free radicals on the surface of the skin

More about Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil
Juniperus communis fruit oil~0.15–0.7%
Formula
Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil~0.15–0.55%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Antibacterial

An essential oil that can be very irritating. Has some anti-bacterial properties

More about Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil
Helianthus annuus seed oil~0.15–0.65%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Glyceryl stearate~0.15–0.65%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
CleansingMoisturizing

An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together

More about Glyceryl stearate
Vanillyl butyl ether~0.1–0.45%
Formula
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Sodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to adjust the product's pH

More about Sodium hydroxide
Maltodextrin~0.05–0.3%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Mattifying

Used to stabilize the product formulation and can help absorb oil

More about Maltodextrin
Chlorophyllin-copper complex~0.05–0.2%
Formula
Limonene~0.05–0.15%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat

More about Limonene
Ingredient list view

Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Rosa canina fruit oil, Unknown, Arnica montana extract, Xanthan gum, Glycerin, Unknown, Coffea arabica seed oil, Unknown, Salix alba bark extract, Phenoxyethanol, Cannabidiol - derived from extract or tincture or resin of cannabis, Menthol, Mentha arvensis leaf oil, Menthyl lactate, Rosmarinus officinalis extract, Rosmarinus officinalis leaf oil, Juniperus communis fruit oil, Eucalyptus globulus leaf oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Glyceryl stearate, Vanillyl butyl ether, Ethylhexylglycerin, Sodium hydroxide, Maltodextrin, Chlorophyllin-copper complex, Limonene

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Cultbeauty
≈ $73.71
Buy

Affiliate links · prices updated regularly

Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Apothem LabsRecharge Cream-GelYOUR PRODUCTPaula's choiceCBD Skin Transformative Treatment Milk Full SizeIgniteCBD Moisture Day CreamNaturecan UKRose Water CBD Moisturiser
Match—86%84%83%
Price$50.90$33.60−$17.30$33.04−$17.86$33.04−$17.86
Shared key ingredients—3 of 43 of 43 of 4
Key difference—PanthenolOatmeal ExtractCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Irritancy High Medium High High
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
Cheaper alternatives? See how this stacks up against similar formulas.
We compare ingredient profiles across our catalog — pick the closest match for your budget.
Open dupe finder

Product summary

"Apothem Labs - Recharge Cream-Gel" is a well-rounded moisturizing product. This moisturizer uses a good combo of humectants and emollients. These both types of ingredients are essentials for improving the skin hydration and keeping the skin barrier healthy. Glycerin in this product (humectants) attract water molecules to the upper layer of the skin (the water comes from the outside air or from the deeper layers of the skin if the air is dry). Rosa canina fruit oil, helianthus annuus seed oil, cetearyl alcohol and glyceryl stearate in this product help decrease the water evoporation from the skin, so that it stays hydrated for longer. These ingredients also soften the skin and take away the feeling of tightness and dryness.

Ingredient callouts

  • We are excited that this moisturizer contains Cannabidiol, or CBD (0.85% - 1.25%). CBD is a new active in cosmetic products, and the studies on its effect in skin are still going on. CBD is one of the compounds in the cannabis plant. It does not have any psychotropic effects. When used topically, CBD can bind to skin cell receptors and "change their behavior". It can help reduce inflammation, itching, and help support skin barrier function. It also might be able to reduce acne.

Irritation risk

This moisturizer contains a bunch of common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide any known benefit for the skin. It might not be the best choice if your skin is sensitive. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.

Price

The product retails for 38.50£ in the United Kingdom.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6
Apothem Labs Recharge Cream-Gel
Apothem LabsRecharge Cream-Gel

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.