This is what to buy from Drunk Elephant, according to your skin type
Drunk Elephant skincare is something of an outlier. In a world of hardworking products that delivers on results but is super budget-friendly (think the Inkey List, The Ordinary and Beauty Pie) it's a more expensive brand that's still lit a fire in the beauty world.
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Yep, even though the people behind online retailer CultBeauty have reported that 73% of skincare purchases made last came from lower value makers, these guys' wares routinely dominate the #SkinShelfies of the great and good. The fact that the company's founder, Tiffany Masterson, was able to sell the business for $845 Million tells you all you need to know about its cultural cachet.
So, is it really worth the hype? Here we deep dive into Drunk Elephant skincare and reveal the best Drunk Elephant products you need to know about…
Why is Drunk Elephant so popular?
Want to know why Drunk Elephant is so popular? Essentially, it's because their products work. Launching nearly twelve years ago, Drunk Elephant skincare has earned plaudits amongst beauty editors and celebrities alike for its unrivalled results that are the outcome of clever formulations that don’t lose their potency.
One of the main reasons for the brand’s growing popularity is their "clean" credentials. Every product is free from what the brand call “the suspicious 6” so essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, fragrances and dyes, SLS and chemical SPF.
Customer reviews are generally around the five-star mark, and although this isn’t the be all and end all, the packaging is cute and minimal, giving it that wow factor on your IG and your dressing table.
Is Drunk Elephant ok for 12 year olds?
While Drunk Elephant is a favourite among beauty editors and celebrities alike, it's also started to gain a huge fan base of younger consumers – thanks to its colourful packaging and cult TikTok following.
But is Drunk Elephant ok for teenage and tweenage skin? While some products – like the new Bora Barrier Repair Cream is perfectly fine for younger skin types, many Drunk Elephant products should be avoided by those under 16, as they contain active ingredients that may be irritating and unnecessary for younger skin types.
Best Drunk Elephant Skincare Products: Ranked
We’re not going to lie, figuring out which is the best Drunk Elephant skincare product is hard. Why? Because this really depends on your skin type and the results you’re trying to achieve (more on that later).
However, that being said, a favourite for its glow inducing abilities is the T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial. It contains a potent blend of acids that speed up skin cell turnover at lightening speed. This means all the new and healthy cells can make their way to the skin's surface and are able to reflect the light, thus making your complexion look brighter.
If you're really not sure where to start, the brand have just released The Littles, a starter kit that contains a set of five travel-friendly essentials that can be used day and night. There's a cleanser, serum, moisturiser, eye treatment and acid. A perfect starter kit if you need a skin reset, or just want to give the brand a go.
1/ Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Kim Kardashian is a fan, along with Drew Barrymore, who sang it praises via her IG revealing 'I see such instant results from this product. The packaging is fun and pretty. But, you know, how does it function? Well, let me tell you, this Babyfacial mask literally looks like you are a baby by the time it's done.'
As for how to use it, Barrymore offers a tip we can get onboard with. 'What's interesting is, as we see, the pigment of the mask - it kind of actually looks a little bit like a tinted moisturiser. So, what I'm going to do is I'm going to use my 20-minute commute to work by wearing this.'
For those not au fait with the product, it blends so well that no one would spot you’re wearing a mask. She finishes by adding 'And then when I get there, I'm going to wash it off and I'm going to look like a baby.'
Drunk Elehphant do recommend this a product best used before bed so you can maximise your skin's overnight repair process.
2/ Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream
Did you know the skin around the eye can have a biological age of up to 22 years older than other parts of the face? If your peepers are in need of a something a little stronger than cucumber slices, then reach for the eye cream to end all eye creams.
Drunk Elephant C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream contains an impressive blend of eight peptides with five (yep, five!) forms of vitamin C. The result? A multi-tasking cream that firms up crepe-y skin and brightens dark circles. It's super hydrating, too. Use it both and morning night and you'll quickly stop looking for the perfect eye cream.
3/ Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil
One of the first products DE launched, this also inspired the brand’s iconic name. This is because when African elephants eat the fruit from marula trees, they appear a little on the sloshed side.
The oil is cold-pressed so hasn’t lost any of its precious antioxidants, meaning it can nourish skin and beef up its defences so that it’s better equipped at batting off environmental damage. Not to mention it smells divine, and sinks into skin rapidly so you don’t end up looking or feeling greasy. It's particularly brilliant when used immediately after the Baby Facial.
4/ Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops
One of the most talked about Drunk Elephant products in existence? It's got to be the D-Bronzi drops… and for good reason. These little beauties add a warmth to the skin while also drenching your skin barrier in hydrating ingredients like omega-rich marula oil and vitamin F fatty acids. The result? Glowy, bronzed and radiant skin that looks as though it's lit-from-within. But be warned: this stuff is golden and sells out quickly. If you're able to stock up, don't let the opportunity pass you by.
5/ Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream
Talking of skin barrier repair, the Bora Barrier Repair Cream is also a brilliant product if you've maybe overdone it with exfoliating acids or have been guilty of having an overzealous skincare routine and want to strip things back to basics. It's buttery soft and ceramide-rich and designed to restore the health and hydration of your skin barrier leaving it bolstered with protection.
6/ Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops
For an instant boost of brightening hydration, these skincare-packed drops are brilliant. Blended with 5% niacinamide, diglucosyl gallic acid, and mulberry leaf extract they work to fade hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and post-breakout marks over time to improve skin’s clarity and glow. While the glistening pigments and replenishing omega oils, they work as the perfect makeup skincare hybrid to instantly to nourish, soothe and add radiance in one.
Best Drunk Elephant Products: According to your skin type
1/ For Combination Skin: Best No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
Cleansers are tricky if you have dry patches or are prone to hormonal breakouts because you need a formula that can rid your face of make-up, SPF and sweat without leaving it irritated, tight and shiny looking. It's a tall order but DE have nailed it with this hardworking formula.
Coconut based foaming agents create a rich lather that dissolves everything in its wake, while; virgin marula oil and cantaloupe fruit extract deliver antioxidants and omegas 6 and 9, into the skin to replenish, hydrate and maintain the skin barrier. And, a non-stripping pH level of 5.5 means zero tightness post use. It's a win for all skin types no matter what it’s going through.
2/ For Dry Skin: B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
True story. Hyaluronic acid isn't for everyone. For example, if you apply it to a dry face it can end up drawing moisture out from the deeper levels of your skin, which can actually end up doing your skin more harm than good, leaving your complexion feeling sore and tight. If that sounds familiar, then you need to give this ago. It's packed with provitamin B5 watermelon rind, apple and lentil to provide 24-hour hydration and dial down the appearance of fine lines.
It’s other hero ingredient is ceramides, which are particularly abundant in the outermost layers of the skin and play a vital role in determining how your skin looks, ages and how it responds to environmental stress. They help to improve your skin’s barrier function and also reduce chances of rosacea flair ups, if you suffer from them. Whilst its suitable for all skin types, you’ll really benefit from its powers if your skin is on the dry / dehydrated side.
3/ For Mature Skin: Protini Polypeptide Cream
This hero moisturiser helps to restore tired looking skin back to its former glory thanks to a potent dose of amino acids, growth factors and signal peptides. Together, this holy trinity of actives maintain collagen levels (the scaffolding that keeps skin firm) so that it doesn’t breakdown, meaning you skin keeps hold of its bounce for longer.
4/ For Dull Skin: T.L.C. Frambroos Glycolic Night Serum
Formulated with a 12 percent glycolic acid, this serum is a total powerhouse when it comes to exfoliating skin, riding it of dirt, sebum and anything else that causes it to look pallid and dull. It works by dissolving the glue-like bonds that hold dead cells to the surface of your skin. By loosening the bonds, it allows them to fall away more easily, revealing healthier and newer skin underneath.
That’s not all, glycolic acid also boosts hyaluronic acid in the lower skin layers and helps to initiate collagen synthesis in the skin. This reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the long term. Added raspberry extract in this formula ensures you skin isn’t irritated by the potent dose of glycolic.
Best Drunk Elephant morning routine
Given the price point, it's understandable that you'd buy a couple of hero products from the brand, and then use more wallet-friendly alternatives to pad your routine out. But in the event that you want to go wild, here's what an AM regime might look like.
Your order: Cleanse, vitamin C, moisturiser, SPF.
Best Drunk Elephant night time routine
And nighttime. Order goes: cleanse (double up by using the jelly cleanser from the morning routine as well, to dial up the elimination of the day's debris), serums, moisturiser.
More cult skincare this way...
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