Does Drunk Elephant Skincare Cause Acne Breakouts?

Examining the Drunk Elephant Skincare Line and Acne

Drunk Elephant is a popular skincare brand that uses high quality ingredients and formulations free of what they call the Suspicious 6 - essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, fragrance/dyes, and SLS. With clean products and a focus on skin health, can Drunk Elephant products cause acne?

Quick Overview of Drunk Elephant

The Drunk Elephant skincare philosophy is centered around using biocompatible ingredients that work in harmony with skin. They exclude common irritants and inflammatory ingredients that can worsen skin issues like acne. A few key things to know:

• Formulas at the ideal pH for skin health
• Free of essential oils, fragrance, silicones, SLS
• Uses high concentrations of antioxidants
• Omega fatty acid-rich oils nourish skin
• Several products contain AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate skin

Acne-Fighting vs Pore-Clogging Ingredients

When evaluating skincare for acne, its important to understand differences between acne-fighting ingredients and ones that can clog pores and create breakouts:

• Acne-fighters: AHAs, BHAs, benzoyl peroxide, tea tree oil
• Potential pore-cloggers: comedogenic oils, thick moisturizers or creams

Drunk Elephant uses AHAs and BHAs rather than harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide. Their moisturizers rely on lightweight, non-comedogenic oils like marula and jojoba.

Can Drunk Elephant Products Cause Breakouts?

With careful formulations excluding common acne triggers, Drunk Elephant products are unlikely to directly cause blemishes. However, everyone's skin can react differently. Some potential reasons you might experience breakouts:

• Purging - Using AHAs/BHAs leads to increased cell turnover, pushing out debris and impurities within the skin. This process can initially cause acne as gunk is brought to the surface. Its temporary.
• Irritation - Over-exfoliating or using too many actives can compromise your moisture barrier, especially if you have sensitive skin already.
• Clogged pores - Any thick, oil-based product could still clog pores for some. Discontinue use if you suspect this.

Tackling Acne While Using Drunk Elephant

If you do experience acne breakouts while using Drunk Elephant, there are a few things to try:

• Cut back to basic gentle cleanser, moisture and SPF until skin calms
• Add acne serum with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or tea tree oil
• Use targeted acne spot treatments on emerging blemishes
• Apply a clay mask once or twice a week to deeply cleanse pores

The Best Drunk Elephant Products for Acne

While everyones skin can respond differently, these Drunk Elephant treatments are typically suitable and helpful for blemish-prone skin:

Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser

• Contains nourishing, non-comedogenic oils
• Gently dissolves makeup, SPF, dirt, oil
• Rinses cleanly without stripping skin

T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Serum

• A blend of AHA and BHA acids fights acne
• Helps clear congested pores and blackheads
• Balances sebum production

B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum

• Deeply hydrates without clogging pores
• Calms inflammation

Umbra Sheer Sunscreen SPF 30

• Lightweight, non-comedogenic SPF
• Uses zinc oxide for powerful UVA/UVB protection

Can Drunk Elephant Cause Closed Comedones?

Closed comedones form when dead skin and oils become trapped in pores. Drunk Elephant is unlikely to directly cause clogged pores and closed comedones due to its clean formulations.

However, pore-clogging could occur if:

• You dont properly remove all products, leaving residue in pores
• You have congested skin and use multiple thick oils or creams
• The product simply doesnt work well with your individual skin

Using glycolic/salicylic acid products along with clay masks can help keep closed comedones away.

Caring for Acne-Prone Skin

A Gentle, Consistent Skincare Routine

Consistency is key if you have persistent acne breakouts. Follow a regular, simple routine focused on gentle cleansing, moisturizing and exfoliating:

• Wash morning and night with a sulfate-free cleanser
• Use lightweight, non-comedogenic moisturizer free of oils
• Exfoliate 2-3 times a week with acids and use masks with soothing and anti-bacterial ingredients like oatmeal, honey and tea tree

Lifestyle Factors to Consider

While lifestyle triggers wont directly cause breakouts, managing them can help control acne flare-ups:

• Diet - Limit dairy, high-glycemic foods and excessive sugar
• Stress - Develop self-care practices like meditation, yoga, journaling
• Hormones - If hormonal, consult your doctor about options like birth control pills or spironolactone

When to Seek Help From A Dermatologist

See a doctor promptly if you experience:

• Moderate to severe acne unresponsive to over-the-counter treatments
• Deep cysts or nodules that are painful
• Acne primarily along the jawline, indicating hormonal imbalance

A dermatologist can develop a tailored acne treatment plan involving prescription topicals or medications, procedures like cortisone injections and tips for better acne self-care.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.