Drunk Elephant has been causing quite a stir in the beauty world for a little while now. As a Boots Beauty Specialist, I remember the counter coming in, late 2021. A counter filled with a lot of colour, creative packaging, and big price tags. We got the training we needed for the brand and honestly, the counter didn't do very well the first few months it was in store. Until, a surge of teenagers and pre-teens started to fangirl over the counter and countless selfies were being took beside the testers. Why?
The power of social media can be a wonderful thing. Get the right audience and the sky is the limit. This happened for Drunk Elephant's CEO Tiffany Masterson is 2013. This successful business woman created her brand with frustration after being unable to find skincare that agreed with her skin and that was formulated without any toxic ingredients. The brands ethos is that they are strongly 'Committed to using only ingredients that will directly benefit the health of the skin or support the integrity of our formulations.' The brand is certified cruelty-free by PETA and Leaping Bunny.
Behind the phenomenon of the brand's name. Why is it called Drunk Elephant? The answer is simple. Elephants walk in a drunken way after they eat fermented Marula beans, an ingredient that is in some of the best sellers, such as the 'Lala Retro Whipped Cream'. A lot of research put into that name I guess!
If you work in Boots, Sephora, Ulta or any store that houses a Drunk Elephant counter, you may shiver when you think of the Drunk Elephant counter. The anger I had during the period of time when teenagers wanted to try out the viral 'Smoothies' with our testers. Products were wiped across the stand, along the floor and flooding their own lids. It was disgusting and very difficult and tedious to clean. It was an epidemic in the beauty halls. We as a team had to strip the counter of it's testers and you needed a member of staff to gain access to the products. Yes, a bit like cigarettes.
Now, don't get me wrong. The brand is exceptional and I adore the products that I have tried and used. However, the majority of it is not for kids. I have had so many kids, as young as five. Yes! As young as five, wanting retinol. I hate being the bear of bad news, telling a child they are too young. Especially when they cry. Unfortunate for the child, fortunate for the parent who isn't losing £70 on something that is only going to break their child's face out. Stick around to the end and I will show you what is safe for kids if you have that persistent teen who won't take no for an answer.
As a 21-Year old, there are some products in the brand that I still wouldn't use yet as my skin is not at that stage. I worked as a No7 Beauty Advisor when I was still in school and was taught that skin starts to age at the age of 17. This statistic put the fear of God into me, and I started using glycolic acid. If you're not cringing yet, let me explain. Glycolic acid can be used in moderation, there is no real harm to it. However, I used to use the glycolic facial pads every night to get rid of dead skin build up that your face doesn't produce for another few years. I won't be touching retinols or retinoids until I am at least 25. That is the age intended for those types of products.
(Personal Note- I am currently in love with the Protini Polypeptide Cream.)
Product | What It Is | What It Does | Price |
 | C-Firma Fresh Day Serum | Made with powerful ingredients. Vitamin C serum creates an incredible radiance and luminosity in the skin. Formulated with pumpkin ferment extract and sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, to hydrate and get rid of dead skin cells.. | £70 |
 | C-Tango Multivitamin Eye Cream | Made with potent antioxidants, replenishing ceramides and plant oils. This eye cream is designed to refresh the eyes and gentle enough to use both night and day to improve stubborn signs of damage. | £57 |
 | Protini Powerpeptide Resurf Serum | Made with 11 peptides, this serum plumps your skin, targeting a dull, uneven complexion. The appearance of fine lines and sun damage is improved after the first use. This serum gives your skin a beautiful glow. | £74 |
 | Bouncy Brightfacial | Made with the blend of azelaic and salicylic acid. These two acids working together, correct the appearance of blemishes and discoloration whilst improving skin's texture and tone. Also made with moisturising plant oils to strengthen and support a healthy skin barrier. All of which adds up to brighter skin. | £62 |
 | T.L.C Framboos Glycolic Night Serum | Made with glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric and salicylic acid. This night serum refines, uneven texture, targets breakouts and stops any excess oiliness, creating a clear complexion. | £116 |
 | A-Passioni Retinol Cream | Made with retinol and supportive peptides, which help restore the bounce of your skin. This produce protects skin tone and texture while keeping it hydrated and protected from environmental stresses. | £68 |
 | Protini Polypeptide Cream | 'Protini's proprietary formula restores younger, revived-looking skin, almost from the first application. Appearance of lines, wrinkles and signs of sun damage appear reduced. | £84 |
So, that was the list of products that were not intended for kids but we all know when we were that age, if everyone had it, we must have it too. Peer pressure is still a real thing, and with social media being a part of life now, the pressure levels to have the latest trends are higher than ever. Back in my day, the must have product was the Nivea Watermelon lip balm that was £2.49 in Superdrug.
Drunk Elephant issued a statement late last year of a list of products that are proven safe for teenagers and tweens. Here are the list that is for the teens who are adamant they want stuff from this brand. (Vote on the poll at the bottom, if you want some cheaper options!) Parents/Guardian's/Older Siblings I am sorry!
Product | What It Is | What It's Used For | Price |
 | Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser | This gentle formula rinses away without an ounce of residue, leaving skin clean and soft. | £15 |
 | Lala Retro. Whipped Creme Fouettee | For dry , tired skin. Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer easily soaks in to release intense hydration, Loaded with omega acids, Lala helps skin retain long-lasting moisture, forming a protective layer. | £58 |
 | Bora Barrier Repair Cream | This is a nourishing formula that encourages the natural production of collagen. Made with hyaluronic acid this cream delivers powerful moisture, firming skin and reducing visible redness while returning your skin barrier to a healthy state. | £62 |
 | F-Balm Electrolyte Waterfacial Masque Hydratant | Made with niacinamide, plant squaline and other ceramides. This F-Balm rehydrates dry skin by making it soft and like a baby's bum. | £48 |
 | Wonderwild Miracle Butter Beurre Miracle | Made with restorative plant butters; marula, cupuaca, mango and shea. This helps protect skin from environmental stresses like pollution. | £35 |
 | Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil | Untouched by any chemical or fragrance. Appropriate for all skin, including the most sensitive. This is a powerful antioxidant defense against pollution and damaging environmental stressors. | £64 |
 | D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops | A skincare infused makeup. Product that mimics the benefits of Vitamin D, giving you that 'I've just got back from holiday' glow. | £34 |
 | B-Goldi Bright Drops | Made with niacinamide and mulberry leaf extract. This blend fades hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and post- breakout marks. This product has light-reflecting pigments that revive dull skin. | £34 |
 | O-Bloos Rosi Drops | The 'O' in the name stands for omegas, that will give the skin a flattering flushed look. This product is beautiful on the skin and gives an effortless rose glow. | £34 |
 | Pekee Bar Cleansing Bar | A totally fragrance and soap-free and formulated with only skin-friendly ingredients designed to cleanse and soothe the skin. | £26 |
 | Sili Whipped Body Lotion | Made with a 3-ceramide blend, the product softens and intensely nourishes dry skin. The different extracts used reduces the appearance of redness and calms down stressed skin. | £32 |
There we have it, drunk elephant for adults and for teenagers. Drunk Elephant is a great, innovative brand for all skin types and concerns. There is something for everyone.
WARNING- DO NOT DESTROY THE BEAUTY COUNTER!- BEAUTY STAFF!
I sincerely hope you have enjoyed this article about Drunk Elephant. What would you like to see next? Vote on the poll below. Don't forget to heart & rate this post!
Much Love,
Amy-Teresa xox
What Would You Like To See Next?
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A Skincare Regime For Teens!
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