Caldera + Lab

The Hydro Layer

4.8/5·171 reviews

Lightweight anti-aging moisturizer

The Hydro Layer jar floats among translucent glass forms.

Less visiblefine lines.

Best Anti-Aging Moisturizer2026
Best Face Moisturizer2026

In a 4-week consumer perception study, 100% agreed fine lines and wrinkles looked reduced.*

60-day satisfaction guarantee.

Now available atNordstrom

*In a third-party, 4-week consumer perception study with 30 male participants using The Hydro Layer with provided cleanser and SPF products.

“I’m one order in and already see less fine lines and better skin tone”
Matthew M. Verified buyer

Five growth-factor peptides. One soothing peptide.

The open Hydro Layer jar with its actual cream texture and current label.
“It doesn’t feel greasy or overly rich, which makes it ideal for underneath my SPF.”
Jason S. Verified buyer
Tony Gonzalez applying skincare to his cheek
“I'm off the field now and in front of the camera more than ever — and looking sharp matters. Caldera + Lab keeps my skin ready for it.”

Tony Gonzalez

Pro Football Hall of Famer

Caldera + Lab ambassador

The Hydro Layer

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After one application

Hydration.Measured.

The Hydro Layer jar beneath rippling water, with bubbles above its lid.

One application. Measurably more hydrated skin at 24 and 48 hours.*

Change in measured skin moisture versus baselineAfter one application
At 24 hours+28%*
At 48 hours+16%*

*Third-party instrumental study: 30 men. Moisture measured at 24 and 48 hours.

“After I apply it to my face in the morning, I can still feel that it's keeping my face moisturized by late afternoon.”
Chris T. Verified buyer

The Hydro Layer

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The Hydro Layer

Inside the formula

The Hydro Layer brings together peptides, water-binding ingredients, skin-conditioning lipids and botanicals in one lightweight moisturizer.

6 peptides · 2 forms of hyaluronic acid · Ceramide NP

Visible aging + firmness

Niacinamide, an amino-acid derivative and five growth-factor peptides bring a visible-aging focus to the formula.

  • Niacinamide

    Also known as vitamin B3, niacinamide is used in skincare for uneven-looking tone, barrier care and the appearance of aging.

  • Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine

    An amino-acid derivative used in skincare formulated for a more even-looking complexion.

  • EGF

    sh-Oligopeptide-1

    The cosmetic ingredient corresponding to epidermal growth factor, a naturally occurring signaling protein. EGF is one of the growth-factor families explored in visible-aging skincare.

  • IGF-1

    sh-Oligopeptide-2

    The cosmetic ingredient corresponding to insulin-like growth factor 1. It belongs to the formula’s group of five growth-factor peptides.

  • FGF2

    sh-Polypeptide-1

    Also called basic fibroblast growth factor, or bFGF. FGF2 is one of two members of the fibroblast growth-factor family included in the formula.

  • FGF1

    sh-Polypeptide-11

    Also called acidic fibroblast growth factor, or aFGF. It sits alongside FGF2 in the formula’s peptide blend.

  • VEGF

    sh-Polypeptide-9

    The cosmetic ingredient corresponding to vascular endothelial growth factor. It completes the formula’s five growth-factor peptide ingredients.

Hydration

Water-binding ingredients help keep skin feeling hydrated, with two forms of hyaluronic acid alongside glycerin and polyglutamic acid.

  • Glycerin

    A humectant: an ingredient that attracts and holds water. A familiar foundation of moisturizing formulas.

  • Hyaluronic acid

    Sodium Hyaluronate

    The salt form of hyaluronic acid, used for its ability to bind water and support a hydrated skin feel.

  • Crosslinked hyaluronic acid

    Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

    A linked form of hyaluronic acid that forms a water-binding network. It complements sodium hyaluronate in the moisturizer.

  • Polyglutamic acid

    A water-binding, film-forming ingredient used to help hold moisture at the skin’s surface.

Soothing + barrier care

A soothing peptide, skin-conditioning ferment and moisturizing lipids bring softness and comfort to the formula.

  • The soothing peptide

    Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8

    A skin-conditioning peptide used in soothing skincare. This is the sixth peptide in The Hydro Layer.

  • Squalane

    An emollient that helps skin feel soft and smooth. It contributes to the moisturizer’s comfortable spread.

  • Ceramide NP

    A ceramide from the family of lipids naturally found in the skin barrier. Used in formulas designed for barrier care.

  • Bifida ferment

    Bifida Ferment Lysate

    A fermentation-derived skin-conditioning ingredient. It is part of the formula’s blend of ferments and moisturizing ingredients.

  • Beta-Sitosterol

    A plant sterol used as a skin-conditioning lipid, complementing the formula’s ceramide and emollients.

  • Sunflower seed oil

    Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil

    A plant oil that contributes emollient lipids for a softer, smoother skin feel.

Antioxidants + botanicals

Vitamin E and a range of plant-derived ingredients add antioxidant and skin-conditioning roles to the formula.

  • Vitamin E

    Tocopherol

    An antioxidant used in skincare formulas, including to help protect their oils from oxidation.

  • Rice bran extract

    Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract

    A rice-derived ingredient used for skin conditioning, alongside the formula’s other plant extracts.

  • Red clover

    Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract

    A flower extract included in the formula’s botanical skin-conditioning blend.

  • Lingonberry

    Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract

    An extract of lingonberry fruit, part of the formula’s botanical antioxidant and conditioning blend.

  • Sea fennel

    Crithmum Maritimum Extract

    An extract from a coastal plant, included as a botanical skin-conditioning ingredient.

  • Eurycoma Longifolia

    Eurycoma Longifolia Root Extract

    A root extract included in the formula’s botanical skin-conditioning blend.

  • Fenugreek

    Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract

    A seed extract that rounds out the formula’s botanical skin-conditioning blend.

Testing + formulation

  • Dermatologist tested.*
  • No added fragrance.

*In a third-party human repeat insult patch test with 77 subjects enrolled (58 completed).

Full ingredient list (INCI)

Aqua/Water/Eau, Squalane, Bifida Ferment Lysate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coconut Alkanes, Glycerin, Isosorbide Dicaprylate, Niacinamide, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Sodium Levulinate, Capryloyl Glycerin/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Isopentyldiol, Sodium Benzoate, Propanediol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Cetearyl Olivate, Acetyl Glutamine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Lecithin, Sorbitan Olivate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Mannitol, Phosphatidylcholine, Pentylene Glycol, Ceramide NP, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-10 Laurate, Butylene Glycol, Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Bacillus/Folic Acid Ferment Filtrate Extract, Polyglutamic Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea Fruit Extract, Crithmum Maritimum Extract, Beta-Sitosterol, Acetic Acid, Eurycoma Longifolia Root Extract, Methylpropanediol, Lactic Acid, Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone, Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Seed Extract, Phenylpropanol, Dextran, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-8, Calcium Gluconate, sh-Oligopeptide-1, sh-Oligopeptide-2, sh-Polypeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-11, sh-Polypeptide-9