Versus

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops Versus e.l.f. cosmetics Hydrating Booster Drops

Serum
Serum
American Brand United States
American Brand United States

Updated on November 11, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 7 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin and scar healing

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Humectant, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:

Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.

Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.

Learn more about Butylene Glycol
Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin
Buffering, Masking

Tromethamine helps balance the pH and improve the texture of a product. It is synthetically created.

As an emulsifier, Tromethamine prevents oil and water ingredients from separating. This helps stabilize the product and elongate a product's shelf life. Tromethamine also makes a product thicker.

Tromethamine helps balance the pH level of a product. Normal pH level of skin is slightly acidic (~4.75-5.5). The acidity of our skin is maintained by our glands and skin biome. Being slightly acidic allows our skin to create an "acid mantle". This acid mantle is a thin barrier that protects our skin from bacteria and contaminants.

Oral Tromethanmine is an anti-inflammatory drug but plays the role of masking, adding fragrance, and/or balancing pH in skincare.

1,3-Propanediol, 2-amino-2-(hydroxymethyl)-

Learn more about Tromethamine
Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming

Carbomer is a polymer of acrylic acid. Its main role is to create a gel consistency.

A high amount of carbomer can cause pilling or balling up of products. Don't worry, most products contain 1% or less of carbomer.

Skin Conditioning

This ingredient is created by putting sodium hyaluronate through hydrolysis.

You might know this as 'mini' or 'ultra low-molecular weight' hyaluronic acid. The small molecule size means it is able to travel deeper in the skin.

According to studies, low molecular-weight hyaluronic acid can:

One study from 2011 found ultra-low weight HA to show pro-inflammatory properties. Another study from 2022 found it to downregulate UV-B induced inflammation.

Hydrolysis is a process of changing a molecule using water or enzymes.

This ingredient is water-soluble.

Learn more about Hydrolyzed Sodium Hyaluronate

Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.

It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.

Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.

Learn more about Disodium EDTA

When to use

54 Routines
76% use in am
26% use in pm
96% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
9 Routines
33% use in am
67% use in pm
100% use every day

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

e.l.f. cosmetics Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops 23 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Hydrating (2) Absorbs Well (1) Doesn't Work (1)
ClaireEstelle's avatar

Claire L.

12 days ago
Review

I want to love this product but I just don't love it. I like it, but I'll probably try something else once I use up the bottle. I kind of wonder if maybe I'm not the right audience? I tried it as the last step after sunscreen (like a primer) and my skin felt tacky all day. No discernible glow. Mixed with my moisturizer, before sunscreen, my face still feels a little tacky but not terrible. My skin Show more

#hydrating
#sticky
#no scent
meagansutherland's avatar

Meagan Sutherland

4 days ago
Review

The product wasn’t bad by any means, I just didn’t notice much of a difference. Yes it gave me a nice glow after using, but in terms of its niacinamide and skincare effects I didn’t notice a difference in my skin. It’s just meh in my opinion and for the price ($20 Canadian) I can definitely find better for cheaper

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#doesn't work

e.l.f. cosmetics Hydrating Booster Drops 29 ingredients

4.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Hydrating (1) Light (1)
courtneyhall2's avatar

Courtney

1 month ago
Review

Hydrating & leaves my skin feeling smooth. Does its job, just nothing to write home about!

#hydrating
#light
#absorbs well
#works well