The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F Versus Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial
Updated on July 18, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan, cruelty-free, and reef safe . They have a total of 4 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain Vitamin C
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for dry skin, brightening skin, reducing pores, scar healing and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and 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
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F 7 ingredients
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial 57 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
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F 7 ingredients
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial 57 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningSqualane
Emollient
Propanediol
Solvent
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Olive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters
Emollient
Coconut Alkanes
Emollient
Cocos Nucifera Water
Masking
Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
Emollient
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Vp Copolymer
Glycerin
Humectant
Mannitol
Humectant
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
Humectant
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter
EmollientSodium PCA
Humectant
Opuntia Tuna Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningLinum Usitatissimum Seed Oil
Perfuming
Sorbitol
Humectant
Quercetin
Antioxidant
Trehalose
Humectant
Zea Mays Oil
Emulsifying
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Sucrose
Humectant
Creatine
Skin ConditioningInositol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningFerulic Acid
Antimicrobial
Hydroxytyrosol
Bleaching
Behenic Acid
Cleansing
Linoleic Acid
Cleansing
Cholesterol
Emollient
Ceramide Ns
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide AP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide Eos
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Ceramide EOP
Skin Conditioning
Phospholipids
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer
Humectant
Magnesium PCA
Humectant
Microcrystalline Cellulose
AbsorbentAdenosine
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Xanthan Gum
EmulsifyingCaprooyl Phytosphingosine
Skin Conditioning
Ascorbyl Palmitate
Antioxidant
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingCaprooyl Sphingosine
Skin ConditioningCoco-Caprylate/Caprate
Emollient
Ceteareth-25
CleansingCitric Acid
Buffering
Glyceryl Caprylate
EmollientPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Benzoate
Masking
Tocopherol
Antioxidant
Chlorphenesin
Antimicrobial
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningWater, Squalane, Propanediol, Niacinamide, Olive Oil Glycereth-8 Esters, Coconut Alkanes, Cocos Nucifera Water, Simmondsia Chinensis 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, 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
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Coconut Alkanes is created from the fatty-acids of coconut oil. It is volatile, meaning it evaporates from the skin.
This ingredient is an emollient and solvent. As an emollient, it helps keep skin soft and hydrated. Solvents help distribute and mix other ingredients. This ensures a more even consistency.
Coconut Alkanes may not be fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Coconut AlkanesCoco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.
It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.
Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.
Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/CaprateThis oil comes from the seeds of the desert shrub called Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil, a non-comedogenic oil.
Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient.
It also contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant and protects your skin against oxidative damage.
This ingredient humectant properties, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.
While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some strains of bacteria.
Studies also show it helps in wound healing. In fact, Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns for centuries.
Fun fact: Jojoba oil similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. It is also promising with helping to regulate sebum production.
Due to its fatty acid content, Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.
Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSqualane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan?
This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Is squalane an oil?
Squalane is often called an oil, but it’s technically not; it’s a hydrocarbon, meaning it’s only made of carbon and hydrogen, unlike true oils which are triglycerides made of fatty acids and glycerol.
The term “oil-free” isn’t regulated, so companies can define it however they want. Some exclude all oils, while others just avoid mineral oil or comedogenic oils.
While some people avoid oils thinking they cause breakouts, the right kind of oil (or oil-like ingredient like squalane) can actually help balance and hydrate your skin. It’s worth testing out simple oils or squalane to see what works best for your skin.
Learn more about SqualaneIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F 7 ingredients
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial 57 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F 7 ingredients
It works very well! If you're looking for a Vitamin C derivative serum this is a good option if you like an oil formulation. It could give a bit of initial flushing though but that goes away quite quickly.
Rating it 4 stars instead of 5 because for me it's quite hard to incorporate into my routine as it layers very badly under the sunscreen. Unfortunately, because of that, I won't repurchase Show more
Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial 57 ingredients
Super hydrating overnight mask
This is such an amazing product. It's filled with various goodies that are very beneficial for the skin, and can be used as an overnight mask or be mixed with other (preferably DE) products into a smoothie. I've been using it since few years, mostly during the colder months or when my skin needs a big boost of hydration and moisture. Love it.
Super hydrating without being gross feeling on the skin, it’s one of the few really hydrating moisturizers that doesn’t break out my reactive and acne prone skin. I wish it wasn’t so expensive because I would use it every night, but I just use it every other night and use a cheaper moisturizer in between instead
