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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Topicals Like Butter versus Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial .

Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on February 02, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid and niacinamide

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, 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 need an update? Let us know.

Wash Off Mask American Brand United States
Overnight Mask American Brand United States

Wash Off Mask

Wash off masks are used to treat skin concerns: large pores, dryness, dullness, acne, and much more. They are applied preferably after cleansing (depending on the product’s instructions) and usually have to be removed within a specific time period.

Overnight Mask

Overnight masks are usually used after the whole nighttime skincare routine (check your product’s instructions). Overnight masks are used to treat a variety of skin concerns and boost moisture in the skin.

Price

Shop

Buy Like Butter

Starts at $34.00
Shop

Buy F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial

Starts at $54.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides (5)
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (9)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (8)
Reduces Irritation (8)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (6)
Dark Spots (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (2)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Ceramides (5)
Hyaluronic Acid (2)

Benefits

Hydrating (12)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (8)
Reduces Irritation (5)
Skin Texture
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (8)
Dark Spots (2)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (4)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 1.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 4.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 4.

3
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Squalane 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".

Learn more about Squalane

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 6.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 2.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 10.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 10.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 11.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 25.

6
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium PCA is the sodium salt of pyroglutamic acid and is naturally occurring on human skin.

The PCA stands for pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, a natural amino acid derivative.

Sodium PCA is a has conditioning, anti-inflammatory, and humectant properties. Humectants help hydrate your skin by drawing moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin moisturized.

Learn more about Sodium PCA

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 19.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 14.

7
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Sodium Hyaluronate is hyaluronic acid's salt form. It is commonly derived from the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid.

Like hyaluronic acid, it is great at holding water and acts as a humectant. This makes it a great skin hydrating ingredient.

Sodium Hyaluronate is naturally occurring in our bodies and is mostly found in eye fluid and joints.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 24.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 41.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide EOP is a type of Ceramide. EOP stands for a linked Ester fatty acid, a linked Omega hydroxy fatty acid, and the Phytosphingosine base.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide NP

Learn more about Ceramide EOP

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 30.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 35.

9
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NS is a type of Ceramide. Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramide NG,Ceramide NS,1,3-Hexadecanediol, 2-Hexadecanamide,Palmitoyl-C16-Dihydrosphingosine,1-Stearoyl-C18-Sphingosine

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 32.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 31.

10
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 33.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 34.

11
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide AP is a type of Ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. Having a strong skin barrier leads to more firm and hydrated skin.

They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide NP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide AP

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 35.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 32.

12
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning, Stabilising
Community Rating: Liked

Cholesterol is a class of organic molecules called lipids. It helps hydrate your skin and is essential to having a healthy skin barrier.

Our skin naturally contains cholesterol in the outermost layer. Besides cholesterol, it also contains ceramides and fatty acids. Cholesterol makes up about 1/4 of your skin's outer layer and barrier. Your skin barrier is responsible for keeping allergens and microbes out. Having a healthy skin barrier is also responsible for keeping your skin firm and plump.

Our bodies use cholestrol to create vitamin D, steroid hormones, and more.

Learn more about Cholesterol

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 36.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 30.

13
What it does: Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Gel Forming, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Xanthan gum is used as a stabilizer and thickener within cosmetic products. It helps give products a sticky, thick feeling - preventing them from being too runny.

On the technical side of things, xanthan gum is a polysaccharide - a combination consisting of multiple sugar molecules bonded together.

Xanthan gum is a pretty common and great ingredient. It is a natural, non-toxic, non-irritating ingredient that is also commonly used in food products.

Learn more about Xanthan Gum

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 48.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 42.

14
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 52.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 51.

15
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Topicals Like Butter contains this as ingredient number 53.

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial contains this as ingredient number 57.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

57% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
23% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet
43% are loved or liked
14% have mixed ratings
27% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Topicals Like Butter 53 ingredients

2.0 /5
from 1 rating

Drunk Elephant F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial 56 ingredients

4.8 /5
from 5 ratings
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1) Hydrating (1) No Scent (1) Works Well (1)
Lapaki's avatar

Lapaki

1 year ago · Dry Skin
Review

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...

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.

KyleighWallace_646's avatar

KyleighWallace_646

11 days ago · Sensitive Skin
Review

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...

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

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