Skincare enthusiasts have been pining for Drunk Elephant to make its way to SA shores, and as of last month, we finally have access to this incredible brand locally. Exclusive to ARC stores, Drunk Elephant has already made a significant impact on the local beauty industry in the short time that it’s been available, and – like you – we have quite a few items on our wish list.
What can you expect? There is so much more to Drunk Elephant than its cute logo, bright packaging and quirky brand name. One of the most notable things about Drunk Elephant is their formulations. Each product under the brand is formulated with ingredients that either directly benefit the skin’s health or support the formulation’s integrity.
What does this mean? Essentially, all ingredients in Drunk Elephant products are there because they serve a purpose and have a clear benefit – there are no unnecessary fillers or additives. The brand also focuses on biocompatibility. Instead of opting for natural or synthetic ingredients, they choose biocompatible ingredients, focusing on healthy pH levels, formulations the skin recognises, and small-molecular structures that are easily absorbed.
What does this mean for your skin? Better product penetration (smaller molecules mean ingredients penetrate the deeper layers of skin, yielding better results) and a healthier acid mantle.
But Drunk Elephant is not just concerned about the ingredients they put into their products – they are also very strict about the ingredients they don’t use in their formulas. They’ve identified what they call the “Suspicious 6™” – essential oils, solvent alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes and sulphate surfactants. None of these ingredients are used in any of their products.
While these ingredients are not anything to worry about, they can sometimes irritate the skin, leading to discomfort, sensitivity, and other skin concerns. That’s why Drunk Elephant has chosen to eliminate them completely.
When they’re removed entirely from your regime, the brand likes to call it a “Drunk Break™” – a chance for your skin to completely reset and return to its healthiest, most balanced state.
Sound good? That’s because it is! One of the things we love about this brand is its skin smoothie philosophy. You can mix two or more products in the palm of your hand before applying them to your skin. Because Drunk Elephant products don’t contain any ingredients that block absorption, there’s no reason to use them in a specific order. This means you save time and can mix and match your skin smoothie based on what your skin needs that day.
Drunk Elephant is known for its incredible exfoliators, but it also offers a wide range of high-performance products, including hydration and vitamin C ranges. Two of our favourite products are the B-Goldi™ Bright Drops, an illuminating, barrier-strengthening serum with 5% niacinamide that adds an easy golden finish without being sparkly or glittery, and O-Bloos™ Rosi Drops, a golden peachy-pink wash of colour that wakes up your face (at the same time, a nourishing mix of barrier-replenishing omega oils and essential fatty acids keeps skin soft and soothed).
As skincare lovers, we are really excited to see Drunk Elephant in SA, and we can’t wait to see what all the brand has in store for us. Shop Drunk Elephant products exclusively at Arc stores and online here.
