An Honest Review of DRUNK ELEPHANT. Is It Worth The Hype?
- Tieneke
- Jun 28, 2019
- 7 min read

Drunk Elephant has quickly become a household name in the world of skincare, and you’ve most probably spotted their products on the top shelves of every beauty blogger on Instagram, and on the “most popular products” pages on online shopping sites such as Sephora and Cult Beauty. It’s spiraling success is not only thanks to its adorable packaging, and the fact that’s it’s a completely "clean" brand, but these products do what they promise and deliver some serious results (Just ask their 500k Instagram followers!).
Of course Liesl and I couldn’t wait to jump on the bandwagon and try this cult skincare brand for ourselves, and between the two of us have tried (almost) every product the line carries. Below you can see an honest review of all the Drunk Elephant products we’ve used, and find out which of them are worth the hype, and which aren't.
WHAT IT IS:
“A retro-style moisturizer that rescues dry, dull skin while slowly delivering a steady dose of moisture throughout the day and night.”
MY THOUGHTS:
I can’t praise this moisturizer enough! I’ve been using it as a night cream and I can say with all honesty that it truly makes my skin as soft as a baby’s bum. I love the creaminess and thick consistency, and the built-in pump helps me to use just the right amount of moisturizer every night. Also, a little goes a LONG way!
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“B-Hydra is a cool glass of water for your thirsty skin. This ultra-hydrating vitamin B5 gel replenishes nutrients, visibly brightens and improves the appearance of skin texture and tone, while delivering intense skin hydration throughout the day.”
MY THOUGHTS:
I really wanted to love this product, and used it religiously for 5 months, but unfortunately it did nothing for my skin. It’s a watery gel that feels nice and cool when applying it on the skin, but that’s where it stops. It did not absorb into my skin like other serums do, and it didn't make my skin feel any more moisturized or plump as it should. If your skin is super oily and you prefer lighter or watery serums, this might work for you. As Drunk Elephant suggests, it works better if mixed together with one of the brand's other products.
LIESL'S THOUGHTS:
When I tried this product the first time (I got it in a tester size) I also didn't really think much of it, just like Tieneke. I definitely didn't think I'd ever buy the full size! But, I ended up using it in combination with their retinol cream, and I absolutely loved the effect! These two products compliment each other perfectly, and I did end up buying the full size. It is definitely a more lightweight serum, and on its own probably doesn't pack that hydrating punch.
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“Like rehab for your skin, this wonder-working, luxury facial oil, high in critical antioxidants tocopherol (vitamin E), tochotrienol, phenolic compounds and flavinoids, and rich in omegas 6 and 9, helps to moisturize, rejuvenate and nourish skin while restoring a youthful glow. Straight from the “pip” of the marula fruit, our Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic and remains in its purest form.”
MY THOUGHTS:
As you already know, Liesl and I are OBSESSED with facial oils (see our full post about it here) and Drunk Elephant's luxurious oil is one of our absolute favorites. Made from Marula oil, it's great to fight acne and also plumps dry skin with moisture. I've been using this oil for a few months now and it's dramatically changed my skin tone, making it more even and reducing redness, and also leaving it more plump, radiant and hydrated than before. This product is also fragrance-free and mixes well with the brand's moisturizers.
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“A moisturizing, volumizing lip balm that helps nourish super-delicate lips for a noticeably plump, youthful-looking pout”
MY THOUGHTS:
There are some great (and not so great) reviews on Sephora about this lip balm, but unfortunately for me it did not live up to its hype. The moisturizing effects are only temporary and the balm has to be reapplied by the hour for lasting results, which causes the product to run out pretty quickly. The large packaging also had me slightly confused, as it’s near impossible applying it without getting it all over your upper lip and chin. Sadly I won't be repurchasing this product.
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“Slaai is an innovative cleansing balm that melts all traces of dirt, makeup and sunscreen from skin. Gentle enough to be used around the eye area, it quickly transforms from oil to milk upon contact with water. Skin compatible Slaai effortlessly removes even water-resistant formulations and is free of PEGs and essential oils.”
MY THOUGHTS
Ever since I rubbed this heavenly butter onto my skin, I’ve been OBSESSED. It’s the gentlest of cleansers and removes every last trace of makeup, leaving my skin feeling smooth and moisturized, just like a professional facial would (I kid you not!). It also comes with a bamboo exfoliating powder which can be mixed with the butter for a daily (or weekly!) exfoliation treatment. I'm stocking up on this cleanser for sure!
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“This breakthrough protein moisturizer combines an unprecedented array and concentration of signal peptides, growth factors, supportive amino acids and pygmy waterlily for visible and immediate improvement in the appearance of skin’s tone, texture and firmness.”
LIESL'S THOUGHTS:
I just recently purchased my third jar of this product, which really speaks for itself. I'm so in love with the lightweight texture, but that it leaves my skin moisturized and nourished. It has also proved to be the perfect combination to use with my serums in my morning and evening skincare routines. I can highly recommend giving this one a try, because it's also a lovely product to use when you have sensitive skin and am prone to breakouts, redness and irritation like I am.
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“A super-potent vitamin C day serum packed with a powerful antioxidant complex, essential nutrients, and fruit enzymes, all working together to firm and and brighten the appearance of skin, while improving the signs of photo aging.”
LIESL'S THOUGHTS:
I do love me a good serum, and after my sister, and the entire beauty community online, really, couldn't stop raving about it, I knew I had to try it for myself. OH MY GOSH! I know it claims to brighten the skin, but this serum is next-level good! I apply it every morning (combined with the moisturizer), and even just after one week's use, my skin tone changed dramatically; for the good! Most of my hyper pigmentation vanished and my skin hasn't been this glowy in ages! I'll be repurchasing it for sure!
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“Retinol reimagined. A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a clean, cutting-edge formula that combines 1.0% vegan retinol with nourishing, superfood-rich ingredients to dramatically diminish the appearance of fine lines, deep wrinkles and sun damage revealing a vibrant, younger-looking complexion.”
LIESL'S THOUGHTS:
I've always been a little nervous about incorporating a retinol cream into my skincare routine; I've heard about dryness, flakiness, acne breakouts and other horror stories too often. But after Drunk Elephant released this product a few months ago, and early adopters raved and raved about it, I decided to give it a whirl. Truth be told, I've only been using this product for a few months, and only applying a small amount once a week. So far I've had no negative reactions to it (thank goodness!), and I think I might be ready to increase my applications to twice a week, soon. So far so good, but I'll tell you guys more about this product after a few more months' use.
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
“Babyfacial is a pro-quality AHA/BHA “facial” that resurfaces to reveal greater clarity, improved skin texture and tone and a more youthful radiance. Think of it as an extra nudge for stubborn, dull skin (in other words, it’ll knock your cells off).”
LIESL'S THOUGHTS:
I remember my face feeling like I had a bad sunburn the day after I used this product for the first time. I read online that it's quite common when your skin isn't that used to AHA/BHA yet. For the first few months, I only used it once a week and gradually increased to twice a week. Every time I use it, my skin feels SUPER soft afterwards; I noticed a dramatic improvement in the texture of my skin, and it definitely makes it look more radiant, too. Yes, yes, yes! This product is totally worth the hype!
Buy it here.
WHAT IT IS:
"A rich and restorative eye cream featuring a brightening combination of eight peptides, five forms of vitamin C, and cucumber extract for firmer, stronger-looking skin around the eye area."
LIESL'S THOUGHTS:
To be honest, I only purchased this product because I had just run out of an eye cream and was on a Drunk Elephant "high"; I didn't read any reviews on it and thus didn't expect too much. I have a quite dry and dark under-eye situation and I'm rarely floored by an eye cream. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I started using it! This eye cream applies so easily, and it sinks in quickly leaving my sensitive under-eye area hydrated and bright. I apply it in both my morning and evening skincare routines, and I believe it has improved the appearance of my delicate under-eye skin. I wouldn't say it's a "holy grail" eye cream, but I'm loving it right now and I would consider repurchasing it if nothing else tickles my fancy.
Buy it here.
We love hearing from you, so please comment below and tell us which Drunk Elephant product you love most, and why! To shop the entire Drunk Elephant range and get FREE shipping, you can click here.
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