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Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

Efficacy100/100IrritancyMedium·67% recommend (3 reviews)
See all ingredients

Works for

Moisturizing
Panthenol, Coconut alkanes + 15 more
Works well
What the product description says
“B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum”
Source: Drunk Elephant

This product contains good ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. These ingredients are called "humectants": glycerin, sodium hyaluronate.

When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. If the air is dry, humectants can speed up the moisture loss from the skin. This is why it is a good idea to use another product on top of this one to help "seal in" the moisture (look for ingredients like dimethicone, squalane, oils and butters).

The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: panthenol

PanthenolHero· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function~0.45–0.7%
Coconut alkanesKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps soften the skin~6.9–8.4%
GlycerinKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant~3.1–3.8%
Sclerocarya birrea seed oilKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: MediumAn emollient that helps to soften the skin. It has a high contetn of oleic acid that might weaken the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be somewhat helpful against hyperpigmentation.~2–2.5%
Lens esculenta fruit extractKey active· HumectantEffect: MediumA plant extract containing sugars that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed by the manufacturer to help reduce pore size but evidence is lacking~0.65–1%
Coco-caprylate/caprateKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumHelps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture~0.55–0.8%
Sodium pcaKey active· HumectantEffect: HighNaturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer~0.45–0.65%
Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerKey active· HumectantEffect: HighAttracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.4–0.65%
Sodium lactateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product~0.25–0.4%
Sodium hyaluronateKey active· HumectantEffect: HighOne of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin~0.25–0.5%
HydroxyprolineKey activeEffect: HighIs helpful in restoring skin barrier function supporting its moisture levels. Is claimed to stimulte collagen production in skin but evidence is lacking~0.2–0.4%
Pentylene glycol· EmollientEffect: LowUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture~2.4–3%
Ananas sativus fruit extractEffect: LowA fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin~1.4–1.7%
Caprylyl glycol· Humectant, EmollientEffect: LowHelps preserve products and creates a nice product texture~0.2–0.35%
Pyrus malus fruit extractUnder-dosedCan have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content~0.55–0.8%
Dipotassium glycyrrhizateUnder-dosedA salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening~0.4–0.6%
NiacinamideUnder-dosedIs proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production~0.3–0.6%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
14 flagged ingredients
Medium risk
We flagged 14 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Coconut alkanesAn emollient that helps soften the skinMedium~6.9–8.4%est.
Pentylene glycolUsed to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product textureMedium~2.4–3%est.
Sclerocarya birrea seed oilAn emollient that helps to soften the skin. It has a high contetn of oleic acid that might weaken the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be somewhat helpful against hyperpigmentation.Medium~2–2.5%est.
Ananas sativus fruit extractA fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skinMedium~1.4–1.7%est.
Citrullus lanatus fruit extractA plant extract that can contain an antioxidant compoundMedium~0.95–1.15%est.
Lens esculenta fruit extractA plant extract containing sugars that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed by the manufacturer to help reduce pore size but evidence is lackingMedium~0.65–1%est.
Pyrus malus fruit extractCan have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar contentMedium~0.55–0.8%est.
Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymerAttracts water into the upper layer of the skinMedium~0.4–0.65%est.
Sodium lactateHelps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the productMedium~0.25–0.4%est.
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateUsed to improve stability of the formulationMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
Citric acidCan work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pHMedium~0.15–0.3%est.
Caprylyl glycolHelps preserve products and creates a nice product textureMedium~0.2–0.35%est.
ChlorphenesinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
EthylhexylglycerinA preservativeMedium~0.1–0.2%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Coconut alkanesAn emollient that helps soften the skin2/5~6.9–8.4%est.
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User reviews

Would you recommend?
67%·yes

2 of 3 community members would buy it again.

67% would33% wouldn't
  • Bumpee· May 2025Recommends

    HG. Feels like nothing on the skin but I definitely notice a difference when I haven’t been using it. Doesn’t irritate my extremely sensitive skin at all.

  • fernfatale· Mar 2023Recommends

    helps way more with brightening overtime vs vit c serums

What reviewers noticed
Marker shows the average response

Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Coconut alkanes~6.9–8.4%
Key activeComedogenic 2/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
2/5
Works for
Moisturizing

An emollient that helps soften the skin

More about Coconut alkanes
Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer~4.5–5.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Increases thickness of a product. Texture enhancer for oil-in-water emulsions

More about Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer
Glycerin~3.1–3.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant

More about Glycerin
Pentylene glycol~2.4–3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture

More about Pentylene glycol
Sclerocarya birrea seed oil~2–2.5%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps to soften the skin. It has a high contetn of oleic acid that might weaken the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be somewhat helpful against hyperpigmentation.

More about Sclerocarya birrea seed oil
Wheat amino acids~1.5–1.8%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Wheat amino acids
Ananas sativus fruit extract~1.4–1.7%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

A fruit extract that might help to attract water to the upper layer of the skin, but there is no evidence for any other benefits to the skin

More about Ananas sativus fruit extract
Berberis vulgaris root extract~1.2–1.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Berberis vulgaris root extract
Citrullus lanatus fruit extract~0.95–1.15%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A plant extract that can contain an antioxidant compound

More about Citrullus lanatus fruit extract
Lens esculenta fruit extract~0.65–1%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

A plant extract containing sugars that might help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is claimed by the manufacturer to help reduce pore size but evidence is lacking

More about Lens esculenta fruit extract
Pyrus malus fruit extract~0.55–0.8%
Under-dosedIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

Can have some moisturizing properties due to its sugar content

More about Pyrus malus fruit extract
Coco-caprylate/caprate~0.55–0.8%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture

More about Coco-caprylate/caprate
Panthenol~0.45–0.7%
Hero · Moisturizing
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Reduces rednessMoisturizingReduces irritation

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help improve skin barrier function

More about Panthenol
Sodium pca~0.45–0.65%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

Naturally present in skin and helps to attract water to its upper layer

More about Sodium pca
Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer~0.4–0.65%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer
Dipotassium glycyrrhizate~0.4–0.6%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-inflammatoryEvens skin tone

A salt derived from licorice. Works as an emollient to soften the upper layer of the skin and can help calm down inflammation. Might be helpful for skin lightening

More about Dipotassium glycyrrhizate
Niacinamide~0.3–0.6%
Under-dosed
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-agingEvens skin toneMoisturizingAnti-blemishReduces irritationAntibacterialReduces rednessAnti-inflammatory

Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production

More about Niacinamide
Cyclodextrin~0.3–0.55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A type of sugar that is used to support delivery of active ingredients and can enhance their penetration into the skin without disrupting the skin's barrier

More about Cyclodextrin
Sodium hyaluronate~0.25–0.5%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin

More about Sodium hyaluronate
Sodium lactate~0.25–0.4%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Is often used to adjust the pH level of the product

More about Sodium lactate
Phenoxyethanol~0.2–0.4%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products

More about Phenoxyethanol
Hydroxyproline~0.2–0.4%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingCleansingAnti-aging

Is helpful in restoring skin barrier function supporting its moisture levels. Is claimed to stimulte collagen production in skin but evidence is lacking

More about Hydroxyproline
Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Used to improve stability of the formulation

More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate
Citric acid~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH

More about Citric acid
Caprylyl glycol~0.2–0.35%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture

More about Caprylyl glycol
Chlorphenesin~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Chlorphenesin
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium

A preservative

More about Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredient list view

Water, Coconut alkanes, Ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Sclerocarya birrea seed oil, Wheat amino acids, Ananas sativus fruit extract, Berberis vulgaris root extract, Citrullus lanatus fruit extract, Lens esculenta fruit extract, Pyrus malus fruit extract, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Panthenol, Sodium pca, Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, Dipotassium glycyrrhizate, Niacinamide, Cyclodextrin, Sodium hyaluronate, Sodium lactate, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyproline, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Citric acid, Caprylyl glycol, Chlorphenesin, Ethylhexylglycerin

Compare prices

Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.

Drunk Elephant1.7 oz
$48.00
Buy
Sephora
$48.00
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SpaceNK US
$54.50
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Amazon USPrice as of 11/12 15:10 GMT
$56.00
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Yesstyle
$92.00
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Worth comparing, line by line.

Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.

Side-by-side comparison of this product against its closest alternatives
Drunk ElephantB-Hydra Intensive Hydration SerumYOUR PRODUCTMadeca DermaHydra Boosting Microbiome AmpouleThe Purest SolutionsVitamin B Complex Serumendota spaPeptide 8 Hyaluronic Serum
Match—94%93%92%
Price$48.00$29.98−$18.02——
Shared key ingredients—6 of 96 of 96 of 9
Key difference—AdenosineFerulic AcidAcetyl Octapeptide-3
Irritancy Medium Low Low Low
Drying alcohol————
View product Shop Shop Shop
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Product summary

"Drunk Elephant - B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum" could be helpful for: Moisturizing, but its actives are not the most effective or are not well-studied.

Ingredient callouts

  • Humectants (sodium hyaluronate 0.20% - 0.75%, sodium pca 0.35% - 0.80%, hyaluronic acid 0.50% - 1.15%, glycerin 0.95% - 1.45%, glycerin 2.70% - 4.00%, sodium pca 3.30% - 5.00% and sodium lactate 4.20% - 6.30%). These ingredients help attract water to the upper layer of the skin and improve the skin hydration.

What our users say

Based on 3 reviews 67% recommend this product
  • When it comes to comedogenicity, two out of three reviewers didn't notice clogged pores after using this sunscreen, but the third reviewer found that it clogged pores.
  • When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, two out of two reviewers report that the product does not pill under makeup.
They find the product's texture to be light and In terms of the smell, our users report that no smell - light fragrance.

About the brand

According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Drunk Elephant" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.

Price

The product retails from 40.00£ up to 48.00£ in the United Kingdom, from 48.00$ up to 92.00$ in the United States, for 63.00CA$ in Canada and for 410.00HK$ in Hong Kong.

For a detailed price comparison: click here.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 16 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functionsncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. 2
    Anti-aging potential of extracts from Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst and its chemical profiling by UPLC-Q-TOF-MSncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  3. 3
    Physico-chemical composition and characterisation of the seed and seed oil of Sclerocarya birreapubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  4. 4
    Assessment of the potential irritancy of oleic acid on human skin: Evaluation in vitro and in vivosciencedirect.com
  5. 5
    Analyzing Lycopene Content in Fruitssciencedirect.com
  6. 6
    Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
Drunk ElephantB-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
Buy at Drunk Elephant$48.00$56.00as of 11/12 15:10 GMT

Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.

Buy at Drunk Elephant$48.00$56.00as of 11/12 15:10 GMT

As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.