SkincareSamantha Saravana-Bawandrunk elephantComment

A Month of Drunk Elephant

SkincareSamantha Saravana-Bawandrunk elephantComment
A Month of Drunk Elephant

We all have that brand which triggered our interest/love in something. For me Drunk Elephant was that brand which drew me into skincare. Before Drunk Elephant I never had a skincare routine or owned many skincare products.

If you do not know much about Drunk Elephant they are a considered a clean brand at Sephora. They are also vegan and cruelty free. As a skin care beginner I found their products easy to navigate and create a routine with. Over the years I have used their products on and off. Recently I was lucky to be send some PR from the brand. I thought this would be a good chance to try a month of their products and see how they compare to my currently holy grails!

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Morning Routine

Lets start with the changes I made to my morning skincare. I am starting this skincare month right after my month using products from my Holt Renfrew Advent Calendar. Click here for that post.

I will not be comparing the changes in my routine to what I was previously using. I will just discuss my routine over the month.

Cleanse:

  • Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

    • Thoughts: I have used this cleanser in the past and it was one of my least favourite DE products. Surprisingly I actually enjoyed using it this time. The cleanser is fragrance free and foams nicely.

    • The reason I previously disliked this cleaner is that it did not do a great job removing my makeup alone. They do claim this can dissolve stubborn makeup but I disagree. Now with double cleansing I find this cleanser worked for me both morning and evening.

    • I would re-purchase this cleanser.

    • Key Ingredients:

      • Mild cleansing agents, including coconut-based surfactants rich in fatty acids that work together to create a gentle lather.

      • Glycerin is a humectant that replenishes hydration levels normally lost during the cleansing process.

      • Cantaloupe Fruit Extract is rich in antioxidants and helps to soothe and hydrate.

Toner:

Essence:

  • La Mer The Treatment Lotion I have previously used this product but it is new since my prior post

Serums:

  • Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum

    • Thoughts: I used one pump of this product every morning. I mixed it with one pump of the B-Hydra (discussed below) because they recommend mixing and applying them.

    • I had used the DE Vitamin C for years before recently transitioning over to SkinCeuticals. This has a slightly thicker and stickier consistency than the SkinCeuticals Phloretin CF which I had been using. This is more similar in texture to the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic Vitamin C.

    • The DE C-firma has been called a dupe to the SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. Personally the SkinCeuticals Vitamin C (either formula) absorbs into my skin better. Although I used the DE Vitamin C for only a month I feel like the Skinceuticals products brighten my skin better.

    • The DE Vitamin C feels a bit oilier and heavier so those who are acne prone may was to use with caution.

    • While the DE Vitamin C is good the SkinCeuticals products are my winner. However, for half the price the DE Vitamin C is a good alternative.

    • Key Ingredients:

      • Potent Antioxidant Complex (15% L-Ascorbic Acid and Ferulic Acid and 1% Vitamin E): Firms and brightens the look and feel of skin while minimizing the visible signs of photoaging.

      • Pumpkin Ferment and Pomegranate Extract: These work together to enzymatically dissolve dead surface skin cells, minimizing the appearance of pores.

      • Chronocyclin: A chronopeptide that mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D for more youthful-looking skin.

  • Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum

    • Thoughts: This product has been a part of my morning skincare routine for a while and I have discussed it in further detail previously. Please click here.

    • It leaves my skin feeling hydrated. This is a great skincare addition during the winter and drier months.

    • I will repurchase this product.

    • Key Ingredients:

      • Pineapple Ceramide: boosts luminosity and improves the appearance of skin‘s texture and tone

      • Provitamin B5: as a humectant this product attracts hydration to the skin

      • Sodium Hyaluronate: with a smaller molecular weight than hyaluronic acid this is able to penetrate the skin and deliver intense hydration to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promote visible firmness

Eye Serum:

Eye Cream

  • Drunk Elephant C-Tango™ Vitamin C Eye Cream

    • Thoughts: I have previously used this eye cream and my opinion on it has not changed.

    • While I like the thicker texture, aside from hydration I find that this eye cream does nothing much for my under eye area. I started off by using this product alone but had to add my eye serum back in to get some brightening.

    • I would not repurchase this.

    • Key Ingredients:

      • Power 5C Vitamin Complex: Five forms of vitamin C work together to brighten the look of uneven tone and visibly firm the skin. Paired with peptides and antioxidants like vitamin E and superoxide dismutase, this complex offers unparalleled defense against damaging UV rays, pollution, and other free radicals.

      • Eight-Peptide Blend: Rebuilds, strengthens, and improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

      • Cucumber: An antioxidant-rich, non-sensitizing plant extract.

Face cream:

  • Drunk Elephant Protini™ Polypeptide Moisturizer

    • Thoughts: This cream is said to visibly improve skin‘s tone, texture, and firmness.

    • I have used this moisturizer before and remember really enjoying it. It was my go to for years. However this time I found it felt quite thick on my skin and would not sink in nicely initially. I was actually quite shocked when I used it the first few times because it was so different from how I remember it being. Honestly I wanted to stop using it after about a week but felt committed to finishing the month. Luckily I did because I did grow to love this cream again. With some trial and error I learnt if my skin was too wet from my other products this moisturizer would feel like it was just sitting on top of my skin. The La Mer treatment lotion is thicker than other essences so I used less and let it absorb well. I also gave the C-Firma a bit more time to absorb before my moisturizer was applied.

    • I do have other face creams I prefer at this time. I would repurchase this.

    • Key Ingredients:

      • Signal Peptide Complex (Growth Factors): Nine signal peptides (made up of amino
        acids, which form proteins in the skin) bind moisture to skin—visibly plumping, firming,
        and restoring bounce.

      • Pygmy Waterlily Stem Cell Extract: An excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients to replenish the skin; extremely moisturizing, soothing, and calming; and effective in supporting healthy-, youthful-looking skin.

      • Soybean Folic Acid Ferment Extract: This B vitamin plays a central role in maintaining youthful-, elastic-looking skin. Skin is thirsty for folic acid, especially after exposure to sun.

      • I would not repurchase this.

      • Key Ingredients:

        • Sunflower Shoot Extract: A powerful ingredient that helps neutralize free radicals and exhibits strong anti-glycation properties.

        • Astaxanthin-rich Algae Extract: A potent antioxidant that provides defense from oxidative damage.

        • Raspberry Seed Oil: Offers antioxidant protection from damaging environmental aggressors.

Sunscreen:

  • Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer™ Physical Daily Defense SPF 30

    • Thoughts: This is said to be a sheer sunscreen that delivers powerful broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and aids in the prevention of free radical and oxidative damage.

    • I have to say this is probably my least favourite product from them that I tried. It may even be my least favourite sunscreen of all time (harsh I know)

    • I found this sunscreen quite heavy feeling on my skin and it had a noticeable white cast.

    • I also found that there where these tiny white beads in the sunscreen that would not rub in. I do not know what they are but I did see other reviews with the same issue

    • I would not repurchase this.

    • Key Ingredients:

      • Sunflower Shoot Extract: A powerful ingredient that helps neutralize free radicals and exhibits strong anti-glycation properties.

      • Astaxanthin-rich Algae Extract: A potent antioxidant that provides defense from oxidative damage.

      • Raspberry Seed Oil: Offers antioxidant protection from damaging environmental aggressors.

Evening Routine

Double Cleanse:

Toner:

Essence:

  • La Mer The Treatment Lotion

Serums:

  • T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum

    • Thoughts: This serum is an AHA/BHA night serum that resurfaces congested skin by lifting away dead skin cells to visibly improve skin tone, texture, fine lines, wrinkles, and pores.

    • I have used this product before and enjoyed it. I did notice some tingling with the first few uses. When I used this product before it was 12% AHA now it is 10% AHA.

    • This helped to even out my skin tone and texture. I preferred the old formulation of this product and noticed more of a difference when I used it in the past. While a good product I noticed more results from the SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renew.

    • The SkinCeuticals product has 6% added glycolic acid at a pH of 3.5 to deliver a 4% active level. Drunk Elephant has 10% AHA (glycolic acid is the second ingredient on the ingredient list) at a pH of 3.5 however I could not find the free active acid level.

    • I would not repurchase this at this time.

    • Key Ingredients: -

      • T.L.C. Framboos™ AHA Blend: Resurfaces and exfoliates skin for a smoother-, more even-looking complexion.

      • Salicylic Acid (BHA): Loosens sebum to unclog pores while soothing skin.

      • Raspberry Fruit Extract: Rehydrates and soothes skin with antioxidants.

Eye Treatment:

  • Peace Out Retinol Eye Stick

Eye cream

Night cream

Face Oil:

  • Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil

    • Thoughts: This face oil is said to be rich in critical antioxidants and omegas 6 and 9 that moisturizes, nourishes, and visibly balances while restoring a youthful-looking glow.

    • Love the texture of this oil. It has a slightly thicker consistency and is thicker than my pixie oil. It nicely sinks in and when I wake up my skin looks glowy. I am not sure if in the warmer months when my skin is not as dry if this oil will be too thick.

    • I would repurchase this.

    • Key Ingredients:

      • Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil: This super-absorbable oil—rich in critical antioxidants such as tocopherol (vitamin E), tocotrienols, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and omegas 6 and 9 fatty acids—moisturizes, nourishes, and visibly rejuvenates skin for a youthful-looking glow.

WINNERS

MAYBES

PASS

Products kindly sent in PR, opinions my own.

Photos: Paige Owen

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