Wave Serum — Reddit Reviews
by Regimen Lab
Updated November 10, 2026
10% hydroxyethyl urea and panthenol deliver barrier hydration; tacky finish divides users.
What the community says
A thin gel-serum built around 10% hydroxyethyl urea, 10% glycerin, panthenol, and centella triterpenes for sustained hydration and barrier support. It shines under retinoids and on redness-prone skin, though the tacky dry-down and occasional breakouts make it YMMV.
What this means for you
What people love
Watch out for
- Sticky, tacky dry-down
- Not enough alone for lasting plumpness
- Can trigger severe overnight breakouts
Product details
Skin Type
Product Traits
Key Ingredients
Where to buy
What the science says
Panthenol has some evidence for supporting the skin barrier, as all five direct studies found it helped skin hold water and lose less of it through the surface 1. Panthenol also has some evidence for dehydrated skin, with studies reporting more moisture and a smoother feel 2. Centella/cica for redness and irritation is not proven yet, since only one study tested it directly and it reduced redness more than a placebo after laser treatment 3.
- Panthenol for skin barrier Some evidence · 20 studies
- Panthenol for dehydration Some evidence · 7 studies
- Centella/Cica for redness/irritation Not proven yet · 2 studies
Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.
How we grade researchFull ingredient list · 21
Regimen Lab Wave Serum ingredients
Aqua, Acetamidoethoxyethanol, Glycerin, Hydroxyethyl Urea, Pentylene Glycol, Methylpropanediol, Betaine, Panthenol, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol, Xylitol, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Xanthan Gum, Sclerotium Gum, Lecithin, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Triethyl Citrate, Lactic Acid
Listed in label order, highest concentration first. Linked ingredients have their own page.
Real Reddit threads — 52 mentions across 27 threads
Regimen Lab Wave Serum on Reddit, in one place — 27 threads from r/tretinoin, r/koreanskincare and 4 more, summarized.
“Trying out regimen labs's wave serum to help give some extra moisture in these winter months”
Positive
“What’s really underrated is the Wave serum from Regimen Lab”
Mentioned
“Wave serum from Regimen Lab”
Mentioned
“What’s really underrated is the Wave serum”
Mentioned
“I use WAVE Serum by Regimen Lab and then the Aestura.”
Positive
“It locks in the hydration from the serum”
Positive
“the two together are perfect for me.”
Positive
“Regimen Lab Wave serum”
Positive
“AM … Regimen Lab Wave serum”
Positive
“PM … Regimen Lab Wave serum”
Positive
“I had to return Regimen Lab's beloved WAVE serum for that same reason.”
Cautionary
“I don't like topicals that feel remotely sticky or tacky.”
Cautionary
“couldn't get past how insanely tacky it felt on my skin”
Cautionary
“Try regimen lab CREAM and their wave serum.”
Positive
“I’ve been using the CREAM for 2 months”
Positive
“Once my barrier felt better, my derm prescribed 15% azaelic acid”
Positive
Dupes & Alternatives
Often paired with
Products Redditors use alongside this one
Regimen Lab
High Ceramide Barrier Moisturizer C.R.E.A.M.
Mentioned together in 7 threads
“Wave serum with C.R.E.A.M by Regimen Lab”