September’s brand of the month at Cult Beauty is Drunk Elephant (get a free Protini Duo with any £55 spend on the brand) and since over the past few years I have used many of their skincare products, I will try to share my thoughts on everything I have tried so far. And the first reviewed product is one of my favourite overnight face masks to use with acids, Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial.
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial claims and ingredients
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial is a cooling and hydrating overnight face mask, which improves elasticity and regenerates skin through a cocktail of electrolytes while strengthening its acidic mantle.
In addition to electrolytes, this mask contains a range of revitalising ingredients including niacinamide, squalane, five forms of ceramides, omega fatty acids and powerful antioxidants that effectively restore the skin’s moisture level and calm it. While microbeads with vitamin F, which burst during the application, provide extra nourishment and hydration.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Squalane, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Olive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Coconut Alkanes, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer, Glycerin, Mannitol, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter, Sodium PCA, Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Quercetin, Trehalose, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol, Sucrose, Creatine, Inositol, Pentylene Glycol, Ferulic Acid, Hydroxytyrosol, Behenic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Cholesterol, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOS, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOP, Phospholipids, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Magnesium PCA, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Adenosine, Sodium Hyaluronate, Xanthan Gum, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Ceteareth-25, Citric Acid, Glyceryl Caprylate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Tocopherol, Chlorphenesin, Potassium Sorbate, Ethylhexylglycerin
The Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial ingredients list is quite impressive and interesting. The main actives are as follows:
- a mix of electrolytes – think of Sodium PCA, Magnesium PCA, coconut water and prickly pear extract. I tried to find hard evidence that electrolytes in skincare products actually work, but there is not much independent scientific research on the subject. From what I could find, electrolytes (particularly magnesium) prevent the evaporation of moisture from the skin surface, minimize redness and roughness, improve skin barrier function, accelerate the natural exfoliating processes and help the skin retain moisture, acting as a natural moisturizing factor. In addition, electrolytes can boost the effectiveness of other skincare ingredients, such as AHAs and retinoids, and work as an anti-inflammatory ingredient. Therefore, it is very good for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin
- vitamin F – contains linolenic and linoleic fatty acids, which improve skin texture, increase its density, fight inflammation and strengthen the protective barrier
- niacinamide – one of the most effective ingredients in skin care aimed at preventing the signs of ageing, improving colour and texture, regulating sebum production, and stimulating the synthesis of ceramides, which are part of the skin’s protective barrier
- a mix of ceramides – these ingredients protect the skin from moisture loss, improve skin elasticity and enhance its protective properties
- squalane – locks in moisture overnight and protects against free radicals
- quercetin, ferulic acid and tocopherol – three powerful antioxidants that not only fight free radicals but also soften the skin, reduce inflammation, stimulate collagen production and repair damaged skin
- glycerin and hyaluronic acid – both work to deliver hydration
- numerous emollients – including coconut alkanes, jojoba seed oil, marula oil, and linseed oil, which moisturize and soften the skin, keep it smooth and reduce redness
And like all Drunk Elephant products, this mask is free of drying alcohol, fragrances, essential oils and silicones.
Packaging and texture
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial is packed in a plastic airless bottle with a pump dispenser so this facial mask can be used till the last drop due to the mechanism that pushes the product up. The only drawback for me is that you can’t see how much product is left inside.
Texture-wise, it’s a thick but not too heavy cream with a few microcrystalline cellulose microbeads containing vitamin F. Those small particles are very soft and instantly dissolve when applied to the skin.
Consistency-wise the product is very nice – it’s non-greasy, very spreadable and does not overload the skin. Plus, it absorbs very quickly leaving no greasy trail behind. Unlike some other overnight treatments that are too heavy for my combination, and prone to enlarged pores skin, this one does not block pores and does not cause them to swell up and appear larger the morning after.
And my impressions
I have used Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial 2-3 times per week on top of serums and have always left it overnight for the best results even though it is said that you can use it as an express mask.
And my combination skin fell in love with this mask from the very first application, that’s how cooling, refreshing and soothing it is. In one of the brand’s press releases, this mask is described as a sip of cool water for a dehydrated body, and it very accurately describes what the treatment does to the skin. The results are especially noticeable when the Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial is applied after masks/serums with a high percentage of AHAs.
Overnight results are great as well because Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial is excellent at moisturizing the skin, smoothing fine lines, softening and making the skin way more healthy-looking. However, what I lack in this mask is the feeling of firmer, more nourished, tight and velvety skin that gives me another beauty favourite of mine, the Summer Fridays Jet Lag Mask. Furthermore, Drunk Elephant doesn’t deal as well with flakiness and isn’t as effective at reducing skin sensitivity as Summer Fridays’ mask. Although the ingredients responsible for supporting the skin barrier are very similar in both masks.
But in general, the mask is very pleasant to use, I like how it’s formulated and how effectively it calms down and refreshes the skin.
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial costs £45.00 for 50ml and is available at:
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