Actually, Drunk Elephant F-Balm Mask is better than I thought it would be. With my dehydrated skin (and propensity for my body to get actually dehydrated), I was already sold months ago based on the “electrolyte” and “waterfacial” reference. But I still couldn’t imagine what it would feel like? I was hoping for Josh Rosebrook hydration boost concentrate.
Yes, sometimes Drunk Elephant products seem over-hyped. And while they are very choosy with their ingredients, their plastic dispensers are not recyclable. BUT all of their products are worth trying upon launch because 1/3 times or so you find a gold mine!
My first Drunk Elephant holy grail has to be their Sukari Babyfacial AHA and BHA mask. Drunk Elephant Babyfacial has helped to significantly improve my melasma and is a top product in all of my melasma treatment guides.
I was excited to try their A-Passioni retinol in 2019 but it was both underwhelming and caused me to develop a new dark spot. PS: I love the way Caroline Hirons describes it.
I approached their latest launch F-balm cautiously but was then pleasantly surprised!
What is F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Mask?
Drunk Elephant describes the new F-balm as a hydration mask, but it absorbs so quickly into my skin and seamlessly balances my skin, I think of it more like a serum treatment? I’ve even been using it as a makeup primer! My skin loves this hydrating treatment. I would bathe in it if I could. It’s hard to compare it to another product. Maybe a Josh Rosebrook vital balm cream? It is a non-greasy, mattefying consistency. But it absorbs and treats my skin until it is incredibly soft and balanced before I realized.
Drunk Elephant describes it as a “water break” balm. The best way I can describe it: a subtle thirst-quenching cream that blends more like a serum and hydrates better than a cream.
My biggest issue with F-Balm? I’m afriad I will go through this bottle too quicky!
After I realized a few years ago that my skin is more regularly dehydrated (and not dry), I’ve been working to restore and balance my natural moisture barrier. It has been damaged from trying too many physical scrubs years ago for my melasma. While I found some improvement over time, my dark spot and melasma healing skyrocketed after I started improving my ‘secondary’ dehydration issue.
Why is F-Balm called an Electrolyte Waterfacial?
Drunk Elephant F-Balm is an “electrolyte cocktail” that helps to strengthen the “skin’s acid mantle”. It also claimes to have “tiny beads” filled with antioxidants. Ok ok so what does this really mean? It’s loaded with hydrating ingredients my skin loves. (also FYI I haven’t been able to feel these “beads”.)
- Niacinamide – love Vitamin B3 – so great for skin brightening, and not just acne!! It’s a superstar in one of my favorite brightening treatments.
- Coconut water
- Sodium PCA – I love INCI Decoder by the way and how ti helps to categorize ingredients. It classifies both this and Squalane as skin-identical ingredients.
- Linoleic Acid – the Vitamin F fatty-acid omega-6 component to this cocktail (similar to Sunday Riley ICE). This actually a frequently used ingredient by Biossance, Ole Henriksen, Dr. Dennis Gross and Paula’s Choice.
- Ferulic Acid – known for its power combo with Vitamin C, this is a key ingredient to one of my favorite serums of all time – Kypris Antioxidant Dew
- 5 Types of Ceramides! – That’s even more ceramides than my beloved Sunday Riley ICE Cream
- Sodium Hyaluronate – my favorite humectant!
- Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil – anyone recognize this? Marula oil 🙂
- Hydroxytyrosol – I’m going to pay closer attention to this brightening ingredient that’s also featured in some Murad scar products
Drunk Elephant F-Balm vs B-Hydra
It’s hard to compare these items but these are both hydrating, thirst-quenching treatments for my skin. B-hydra is my favorite hyaluronic acid. I use this daily for maintenance. F-Balm is a creamy consistently but still absorbs just as fast as B-Hydra. I use them both daily! The F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial is a more intensive treatment.
Both Drunk Elephant F-Balm and B-hydra have some similar ingredients
- Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (marula)
- Coconut Alkanes
- Niacinamide
- Sodium PCA
- Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
But in my book the linoleic acid (Vitamin F) and 5 types of ceramides make this product stand out. These are superstars in my anti-aging skin health and plumping routine.
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