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Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops Brightening Serum

Serum

Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops Brightening Serum — Reddit Reviews

by e.l.f.

76nextscore5 verdicts

Updated October 10, 2026

Niacinamide serum for hydrated, glowy layering; plays nicely under makeup.

What the community says

Backed by 57 studies

Reddit users report this as a morning hydrating serum that layers easily and leaves a natural, glowy finish. It suits dehydrated skin and people who like letting each layer settle before makeup. Some users say it can annoy acne-prone or rosacea skin.

From Reddit

Backed by 9 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 2 more.

Read the threads ↓

What people love

  • Niacinamide plus humectants
  • Gives a natural, glowy finish
  • Layers well before makeup

Watch out for

  • Some acne-prone users blame it for breakouts
  • Rosacea folks report it’s a bad fit
  • Needs dry-down time or it can feel too wet under makeup

Product details

Key Ingredients

Skin type data limited

Where to buy

What the science says

  • Acne

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 6 studies tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • Most studies found niacinamide helped acne
    • It often cleared acne about as well as clindamycin when put on the skin
    • Some studies found it helped reduce red, sore spots and pimples
    • Some evidence is still uncertain because some studies found no clear difference
  • Hyperpigmentation

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 5 studies tested it on its own. See all 20 studies

    What the studies found
    • All 5 studies that tested it on its own found it helped fade dark spots
    • On its own, it reduced facial darkening and made skin look lighter than a placebo
    • It also improved dark spots linked with sun damage in one clinical trial
  • Anti-Aging

    Some evidence

    Niacinamide: 3 studies tested it on its own. See all 9 studies

  • Skin Barrier

    Not proven yet

    Few or mixed studies. This claim isn't established.

    Niacinamide: 1 study tested it on its own. See all 17 studies

    What the studies found
    • The one study that tested it on its own found it helped the skin barrier
    • It lowered water loss through the skin
    • It increased the thickness of the outer skin layer

Research context, not treatment advice. Studies are about the ingredient, not necessarily this exact product.

Real Reddit threads — 13 mentions across 9 threads

e.l.f. Holy Hydration! Thirst Burst Drops Brightening Serum on Reddit, in one place — 9 threads from r/30PlusSkinCare, r/SkincareAddiction and 2 more, summarized.

“I apply it overtop elf thirst burst drops”

Mentioned

“the end result looks so natural and glowy.”

Mentioned

“I just let each layer settle for a minute or so”

Mentioned

“I would’ve guessed elf thirst burst drops”

Mentioned

“Is this New Trader Joe's Dew Serum a Dupe? 👀”

Mentioned

“If anyone does, please let us know what it's like.”

Mentioned

“Morning: no cleanse just rinse, byoma eye cream, elf thirst burst drops (contains niacinamide), and the cocokind electrolyte water cream”

Positive

“elf thirst burst drops (contains niacinamide)”

Positive

“Current routine:”

Positive

“elf thirst burst drops serum”

Cautionary

“Elf is also really not good for acne prone or rosesca skin.”

Cautionary

“i was using alllllll the things at first”

Cautionary

“Milky toner, elf thirst drops, and good moisturizer”

Mentioned

“let sit for 10 mins before makeup”

Mentioned

“Milky toner, elf thirst drops, and good moisturizer, let sit for 10 mins before makeup”

Mentioned

“-elf thirst burst drops (also not every day, maybe every other day)”

Positive

“elf thirst burst drops”

Positive

Dupes & Alternatives

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