When it comes to skincare, Drunk Elephant is often regarded as one of the leading luxury brands. With bright packaging, a focus on “clean” ingredients, and a price tag that can make anyone’s wallet wince, it’s no wonder people have high expectations. But like every skincare line, not all products are created equal. After trying a handful of Drunk Elephant products, there are some that I simply wouldn’t purchase again—and here’s why.
The Allure of Drunk Elephant Products
What Sets Drunk Elephant Apart
Drunk Elephant has built its brand around a philosophy of using biocompatible ingredients, meaning the ingredients they include are believed to work harmoniously with skin. They avoid what they call the “Suspicious Six” (essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, and SLS). Sounds good on paper, right?
Why Some Products Miss the Mark
But just because a product avoids certain ingredients doesn’t automatically mean it’s effective for everyone. Skincare is highly personal, and what works wonders for one person might wreak havoc on another’s skin. In my experience, some Drunk Elephant products didn’t live up to their hype, and here’s a breakdown of the ones that missed the mark for me.
Product 1: Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
Hype vs. Reality
The C-Firma Day Serum is a vitamin C serum that promises to brighten the complexion, improve firmness, and combat environmental damage. However, I found that it oxidized quickly, leaving a tacky feeling on my skin. Instead of delivering a radiant glow, it left my skin looking dull and even irritated at times.
Why I Wouldn’t Repurchase
Vitamin C is notoriously tricky to stabilize, and while Drunk Elephant’s formula tries to address this, it just didn’t work for me. For the price, I expected more longevity and visible results. There are better vitamin C serums on the market that offer similar benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Product 2: T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial
Exfoliation Overload?
T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial is one of Drunk Elephant’s cult favorites, known for its 25% AHA and 2% BHA blend that promises baby-soft skin. While it certainly exfoliates, the high percentage of acids can be far too harsh for sensitive skin. After a few uses, I noticed my skin was more prone to redness and irritation.
Why It Didn’t Work for Me
Despite its claims of delivering smoother, glowing skin, I found it overly aggressive. It’s like using a sledgehammer when you only need a gentle touch. For those with sensitive skin, this level of exfoliation can do more harm than good.
Product 3: Lala Retro Whipped Cream
Richness Gone Too Far?
Lala Retro Whipped Cream is marketed as a deeply moisturizing cream, which should be perfect for dry skin types. However, the texture was overly rich for my combination skin. Instead of feeling nourished, my skin felt heavy and greasy, leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
My Skin’s Reaction
A moisturizing cream should sink in and hydrate, not sit on top of the skin like a thick layer. Lala Retro was just too much for me, and I wouldn’t reach for it again, especially at that price point.
Product 4: A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Too Harsh for Sensitive Skin?
Retinol is a superstar ingredient for anti-aging, but it can be harsh. A-Passioni Retinol Cream, with its 1% retinol, seemed like a promising addition to my routine. Unfortunately, it left my skin red, peeling, and uncomfortable.
Reasons to Skip This One
If you’re new to retinol or have sensitive skin, A-Passioni might be too strong. I found that the side effects outweighed the benefits, and there are gentler retinols available that give similar results without the intense irritation.
Product 5: B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
A Hydrating Letdown
This serum promises to deliver a big boost of hydration, but I found it underwhelming. The texture was light, almost too light, and it didn’t provide the deep hydration my skin needed. After applying it, my skin felt like it needed more moisture almost immediately.
My Thoughts on the Formula
For a serum that’s supposed to be hydrating, it felt like it was missing the mark. A good hydrating serum should leave your skin plump and refreshed, but B-Hydra didn’t deliver that for me.
Product 6: Protini Polypeptide Cream
Overpriced for What It Offers?
Protini Polypeptide Cream boasts an impressive ingredients list, including signal peptides, growth factors, and supportive amino acids. But for the price, I expected transformative results, and instead, it felt like an average moisturizer.
Why I’m Not Reaching for It Again
While it’s a decent moisturizer, there are many similar products available at a lower cost that offer the same benefits. For the price of Protini, I anticipated more visible improvements in my skin texture and hydration, but it fell short.
Other Misses in the Drunk Elephant Line
Besides the major products I’ve listed, there are other Drunk Elephant items that didn’t quite work out for me. Whether it was the Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Sunscreen that left a white cast or the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser that stripped my skin, these products also didn’t live up to their claims.
Common Reasons Why Drunk Elephant Products Can Disappoint
Skin Type Differences
One major factor is that Drunk Elephant’s formulas, while clean and well-intentioned, don’t cater to every skin type. What works for one person might not work for another. This is a common issue in the skincare industry, and it’s important to find what suits your individual skin needs.
High Expectations Due to Hype
The other issue is the massive hype surrounding Drunk Elephant. When you’re spending top dollar, you expect top-tier results. Unfortunately, not every product lives up to those sky-high expectations.
Are Drunk Elephant Products Worth the Hype?
When the Name Overshadows the Quality
In some cases, it seems like the Drunk Elephant brand name is doing more heavy lifting than the products themselves. While some of their items are solid performers, others fall short when compared to less expensive alternatives.
Skincare Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
Understanding What Works for Your Skin
The key takeaway here is that skincare is personal. Just because a product is popular doesn’t mean it’s going to work for you. Whether it’s Drunk Elephant or another brand, always listen to what your skin is telling you and choose products based on its needs, not just the hype.
Alternatives to Drunk Elephant
Affordable and Effective Options
If you’re looking for effective skincare without the high price tag, brands like The Ordinary, CeraVe, and La Roche-Posay offer excellent alternatives. These brands provide similar benefits without the luxury price tag, making them worth considering.
Final Thoughts: Is Drunk Elephant Worth the Investment?
At the end of the day, Drunk Elephant has some standout products, but others fall flat. Skincare is a personal journey, and what works for one person might not work for another. If you’re considering splurging on Drunk Elephant, do your research and perhaps try a few sample sizes before fully committing.
FAQs
- Is Drunk Elephant good for all skin types?
- While many people love Drunk Elephant, its products don’t always work for everyone. Be sure to match your skin type to the product.
- Why do some people dislike Drunk Elephant?
- Some find the products overpriced for the results they get, and certain formulations can be too harsh for sensitive skin.
- Are Drunk Elephant products natural?
- Drunk Elephant focuses on clean ingredients, avoiding essential oils and other potential irritants, but “natural” is subjective.
- Is the C-Firma Day Serum effective?
- It can be for some, but others find it oxidizes quickly and isn’t worth the high price tag.
- Can I use Drunk Elephant if I have sensitive skin?
- Some products, like the A-Passioni Retinol Cream, may be too strong for sensitive skin.
- Are there better alternatives to Drunk Elephant?
- Brands like The Ordinary and La Roche-Posay offer more affordable and effective options.
- Is Lala Retro good for oily skin?
- No, it’s too rich for oily or combination skin and may cause breakouts.
- How long does a Drunk Elephant product last?
- This depends on the product, but many users find certain products oxidize quickly, like the C-Firma Serum.
- Is Protini Polypeptide Cream worth the price?
- It’s a decent moisturizer, but many find that it’s overpriced for what it offers.
- Can Drunk Elephant be used with other brands?
- Yes, but be mindful of how the formulations interact with other skincare products.
