Drunk Elephant F-Balm™ Electrolyte Waterfacial for acne-prone skin
Vitamin F
Sodium Pca
Niacinamide
Squalane
Electrolytes
Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- ExcellentSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other nourishing masks fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate hydration and soothing benefits for your combination skin, with squalane and niacinamide providing emollient action and seboregulation, but lacks targeted ingredients to directly address your acne, blemishes, and breakouts.
- The formula provides excellent moisturizing due to squalane and sodium hyaluronate, which hydrate and plump the skin, offering general skincare benefits that are supportive but not primary for your specific concerns.
- The product is safe for your combination skin, with no risks of irritation due to the absence of harsh ingredients and the inclusion of soothing components like squalane and niacinamide.
How to apply
- You can use this creamy mask as part of your PM routine once a week. Start 3×/week if your skin tolerates it well.
- Apply the creamy mask after cleansing and toning, but always before your moisturizer .
- Smooth an even layer of the creamy mask over your face while avoiding any harsh rubbing. Let it sit ⏱ for the recommended time before rinsing.
- Apply the creamy mask on clean and dry skin for the best results against blemishes.
- Avoid the sensitive eye area and do a patch test before your very first use.
People Say
★4.6Overall rating based on 900+ reviewsThis overnight mask is highly effective at providing intense hydration, leaving skin plump, soft, and radiant. While it is generally well-received for its lightweight, non-greasy feel and cooling sensation, some users with very dry skin find it not nourishing enough. A few reviewers noted issues with the pump design and the product's price point, with negligible reports of skin reactions.
Highlights
Deeply hydrating Mostly Mentioned
- “deeply hydrated and noticeably plumped”
- “skin looks healthy and moisturized”
- “literal hydration powerhouse”
- “visibly plumped my skin”
Lightweight and non-greasy Often Mentioned
- “absorbs into the skin beautifully”
- “light and quick-absorbing texture”
- “doesn't feel heavy or greasy”
- “no filmy residue on my skin”
Cooling and soothing Sometimes Noted
- “instantly soothing, cooling and calming”
- “felt quite cool, gentle”
- “gives a bit of a cooling sensation”
- “calming for dry skin”
Improves skin texture Sometimes Noted
- “texture of my skin was baby-soft”
- “skin feels soft, supple”
- “improves the appearance of uneven tone”
- “complexion was noticeably brighter”
Not nourishing enough Sometimes Noted
- “doesn't feel as nourishing”
- “not find the formulation sufficiently conditioning”
- “didn't do much of anything”
- “wasn't anything 'wow'”
High price point Rarely Noted
- “product is very expensive”
- “smaller than expected”
Poor pump design Rarely Noted
- “pump is sooo tiny”
- “cannot reach the product anymore”
- “terrible pump”
Potential skin reactions Rarely Noted
- “experiencing some raised bumps”
- “experiencing a reaction”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, cultbeauty.com, boots.com, samsclub.com, niche-beauty.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Drunk Elephant F-Balm™ Electrolyte Waterfacial work for acne-prone skin?
This mask works reasonably well for acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better. It offers moderate moisture and soothing benefits, but a product of this type needs targeted ingredients like niacinamide and retinol that provide benefits for acne and blemishes without the risk of irritation.
Which ingredients make this mask a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Squalane and niacinamide make this mask a good fit for acne-prone skin by offering moderate hydration and calming benefits that keep the skin comfortable. However, because it lacks targeted ingredients to directly address breakouts, this type of product needs ingredients like niacinamide and retinol that provide effective benefits for acne and blemishes without the risk of irritation.
What does Vitamin F do for acne-prone skin?
Vitamin F helps acne-prone skin by reducing the size of clogged pores and soothing breakouts. This ingredient restores essential fatty acids that are often low in acne-prone skin, which helps keep the skin barrier strong and healthy.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1998Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1986
What does Sodium PCA do for acne-prone skin?
Sodium PCA helps keep acne-prone skin hydrated without feeling heavy or greasy, making it a gentle option for daily moisture. It supports the skin barrier and works well in lightweight formulas that are unlikely to clog pores.
Biomaterials Advances, 2026International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 1981
Where does this mask go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This mask works well for your acne-prone skin, though other products fit it better because it lacks targeted ingredients to directly address breakouts. To best support this skin type, products need soothing ingredients like niacinamide and squalane to balance oil and hydrate without causing irritation.
Can I use this mask with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this nourishing mask alongside retinol, applying the mask after your retinol treatment to help soothe and moisturize dry skin. This type of routine works best for acne-prone skin when it includes targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and oil-balancing components.
How often should I use this mask?
You can use this mask daily or a few times a week as part of your regular moisturizing routine. It helps keep skin soft and hydrated, though acne-prone skin needs targeted blemish-clearing ingredients to properly address breakouts.
Health Science Reports, 2021Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020
Can this mask clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
This mask is unlikely to cause irritation on your acne-prone skin because it lacks harsh ingredients and includes calming components like squalane and niacinamide, though it may not actively address breakouts. A product of this type needs targeted blemish-fighting ingredients and balancing agents to properly manage acne-prone skin.
Is this mask fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical hyaluronic acid filler serum combined with Botulinum toxin type A lengthened the duration of the toxin's effect in reducing wrinkles compared to Botulinum toxin type A alone.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Optimized transfersomes loaded with epigallocatechin-3-gallate and hyaluronic acid increased cell viability while reducing lipid peroxidation, intracellular ROS, and MMP expression in HaCaT cells, and exhibited higher skin permeation and deposition compared to plain EGCG.
Drug Delivery, 2017Squalane at 0.005-0.015% counteracts UVA-induced oxidative stress, inflammation, and collagen metabolism inhibition while stimulating fibroblast migration in human dermal fibroblasts.
Molecules, 2025Application of squalene/phosphotungstate calcium nanowires (Sql/PWC) oleogel on UVB-irradiated skin decreased epidermal thickness, increased dermal thickness, and promoted the expression of elastin, collagen, and skin barrier markers through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.
Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2025Topical application of linoleic acid achieved an almost 25% reduction in the overall size of follicular casts and microcomedones over a 1-month treatment period in patients with mild acne compared to no change at placebo-treated sites.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology, 1998Topical conjugated linolenic acid significantly reduced edema on post-procedure Day 3 and itching on Days 1 and 3, and improved wrinkling at Day 14 compared to 1% dimethicone ointment in 34 subjects undergoing fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing of the face.
The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2017Liposomal formulation of linoleic acid significantly enhances its skin whitening effect compared to non-liposomal forms in UV-stimulated guinea pig and human skin.
Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 2004A novel natural carrier-free assembled gel composed of sodium pyrrolidone carboxylate and baicalin alleviates UVB-induced skin photodamage by scavenging reactive oxygen species, protecting mitochondria, restoring oxidative homeostasis, inhibiting inflammatory responses, and regulating collagen-related proteins.
Biomaterials Advances, 2026Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005Plant-derived squalane protected human dermal fibroblasts against UVA-induced damage by counteracting ROS formation, suppressing apoptosis-related proteins p53, caspase-3, caspase-9, and PARP, and restoring the pro-survival p-Akt/mTOR pathway.
Antioxidants, 2025
Why other nourishing masks fit acne-prone skin better
Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023A panthenol-enriched mask improved skin hydration, regulated sebum, and reduced redness and TEWL across dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin subgroups with excellent tolerance and no adverse reactions.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2024
Ingredients
Water, Squalane, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Olive Glycereth-8 Esters Oil, Coconut Alkanes, Coconut Water, 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 Seed Oil, Sorbitol, Quercetin, Trehalose, Zea Mays 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, 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
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
-
Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
-
Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
-
Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
-
Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
-
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
-
Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
-
Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
-
Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
How does it fit your skin?
Scan your face, then any product: Lovi shows how well it fits you and what fits even better.