Skinceuticals vs Drunk Elephant - Which Luxury Skincare Brand is Better?

Skinceuticals vs Drunk Elephant: Which is the Better Skincare Brand?

With so many skincare brands on the market, it can be tough to know which ones are really worth investing in. Two popular luxury brands that often get compared are Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant. But which one ultimately comes out on top? Here is an in-depth comparison of Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant to help you decide which brand best suits your skincare needs and budget.

Brand Backgrounds

First, lets take a look at the backgrounds of each brand.

Skinceuticals

Skinceuticals was founded in 1996 as a partnership between skincare company LOreal and Dr. Sheldon Pinnell, a dermatologist famous for his research on antioxidants. The brand was created to develop high-performance skincare products to help protect skin from environmental damage using scientifically advanced ingredients.

Skinceuticals focuses specifically on skincare rather than haircare or makeup. Its products are designed to provide both immediate effects and cumulative long-term benefits for skin. The brand is sold in over 60 countries through physicians offices, spas, and authorized retailers.

Drunk Elephant

Drunk Elephant was founded in 2012 by Tiffany Masterson, a consumer who found herself disillusioned by what she calls the Suspicious 6 ingredients in many beauty products. The Suspicious 6 refers to essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical screens, fragrance/dyes, and SLS.

Masterson created Drunk Elephant to focus exclusively on ingredients that either directly benefit the skins health or support the integrity and effectiveness of their formulations. The brand avoids the Suspicious 6 ingredients along with over 2,000 others they deem potentially sensitizing or irritating.

Drunk Elephant is committed to biocompatible formulas that work with the skins pH and natural processes. Their products are designed to be compatible with each other for a Drunk Elephant Smoothie layering method. The brand is cruelty-free, vegan, and committed to eco-friendly packaging.

Key Ingredients

When comparing Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant, one of the biggest differences that stands out is their choice of key ingredients.

Skinceuticals Key Ingredients

Some of Skinceuticals hero ingredients include:

• Vitamin C - Potent antioxidant that helps protect against UV damage and environmental stress.
• Vitamin E - Nutrient-rich oil that hydrates, soothes, and defends against free radicals.
• Ferulic Acid - Plant-based antioxidant that helps stabilize vitamins C and E.
• Hyaluronic Acid - Holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water for intense hydration.
• LHA - Exfoliates dead skin cells and improves radiance without irritation.

Drunk Elephants Key Ingredients

Some of Drunk Elephants hero ingredients include:

• Marula Oil - Rich in antioxidants and omega fatty acids that hydrate and nourish skin.
• Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp - Mushroom extract that hydrates, firms, and plumps.
• Glycolic Acid - Alpha hydroxy acid that exfoliates and improves skin texture.
• Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil - Marula oil blended with antioxidants and omegas for a bright glow.
• T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial - AHA/BHA facial masks that deeply exfoliate and refine pores.

Hero Products

Now lets compare some of the most popular products from Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant.

Skinceuticals

Some of Skinceuticals fan favorites include:

• C E Ferulic Serum - Vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid serum that brightens, smooths, and protects.
• Phloretin CF Serum - Serum with vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin to improve tone, texture, and lines.
• Glycolic 10 Renew Overnight - 10% glycolic acid cream for exfoliation and improved skin clarity overnight.
• Phyto Corrective Gel - Hydrating gel with botanicals to soothe redness and rebalance oily skin.

Drunk Elephant

Some of Drunk Elephants fan favorites include:

• C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum - Potent vitamin C antioxidant serum to brighten, firm, and defend against pollution.
• B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum - Hyaluronic acid serum that quenches dry skin without oil or fragrances.
• T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum - Glycolic acid serum resurfaces and clarifies skin overnight.
• Protini Polypeptide Cream - Signals proteins and peptides blend to firm skin and improve tone.

Cost Comparison

As luxury clinical brands, both Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant sit at a higher price point than drugstore skincare. However, Skinceuticals products are generally pricier per ounce than Drunk Elephant products. Some example prices:

• Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum: $166 for 1 oz
• Drunk Elephant C-Firma Serum: $80 for 1 oz
• Skinceuticals Blemish + Age Defense: $92 for 1.7 oz
• Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum: $90 for 1 oz
• Skinceuticals Daily Moisture: $62 for 1.7 oz
• Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream: $68 for 1.69 oz

Of course, prices may vary by retailer. But in general, Skinceuticals products retail for about 1.5 to 2 times more than Drunk Elephant for the same volume of product.

Accessibility

In terms of accessibility, Drunk Elephant products are significantly easier to purchase than Skinceuticals.

Drunk Elephant is carried at Sephora, Ulta, and department stores like Macys and Bloomingdales. The brand also sells directly through their website, often offering discounts and specials.

Skinceuticals, on the other hand, is primarily sold through physicians offices, med spas, and other authorized retailers. Very few third-party retailers like Sephora carry Skinceuticals. This makes the brand less convenient for consumers to purchase.

Skin Types

Here is how Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant compare for different skin types:

Dry Skin

Both brands offer excellent options for dry skin, like hyaluronic acid serums and rich creams. Skinceuticals Phyto Corrective Gel and Drunk Elephant Protini Cream are great moisturizers.

Oily/Acne-Prone Skin

Skinceuticals has more product options tailored to oily and acneic skin types. Their blemish + age defense serum and clarifying exfoliators help minimize breakouts and shine. Drunk Elephants T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is great for purging pores.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin may fare better with Drunk Elephant, as the brand avoids common irritating ingredients. Their antioxidant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil soothes easily aggravated skin. Skinceuticals still offers some gentle products like the Phyto Corrective Gel.

Mature Skin

Both Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant have products designed to target aging skin concerns like fine lines and loss of firmness. Skinceuticals has peptides and A.G.E. Interrupter to stimulate collagen and minimize wrinkles while Drunk Elephants Protini Cream uses signal proteins for a lifting effect.

Packaging

Skinceuticals opts for sleek, minimal packaging often accentuated by teal or silver colors. Their products have a clinical, scientific look and feel. Drunk Elephant favors chic pink and white packaging with fun details like elephant sketches and font. Their branding feels comparatively playful and feminine.

Cruelty-Free Status

Drunk Elephant is certified cruelty-free by Leaping Bunny. Their products are 100% vegan. Skinceuticals, however, is owned by LOreal, which does conduct animal testing where required by law.

Reviews

Both Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant receive overwhelmingly positive reviews across the web. Some pros mentioned for each brand:

Skinceuticals

• Clinically-proven results
• Specialist formulas for specific concerns
• High concentration of active ingredients
• Trusted by dermatologists
• Transformative results over time

Drunk Elephant

• Clean, non-toxic formulas
• Effective but gentle on skin
• Minimal ingredients for compatibility
• Instagram-worthy packaging
• Trendy brand ethos

Negative feedback for both brands revolves around the pricing being quite high for the average consumer. Some people also find Skinceuticals ineffective for their skin or dislike Drunk Elephants strong fragrances.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, both Skinceuticals and Drunk Elephant make highly effective skincare. Which brand is better depends largely on your skincare priorities and budget.

Skinceuticals offers a very clinical, scientific approach to skincare. Their products are packed with proven anti-aging ingredients like vitamin C and retinol. The brand is ideal for targeting specific skin concerns like acne, hyperpigmentation, or loss of firmness.

Drunk Elephant emphasizes clean, non-toxic formulas free of suspicious ingredients. Their products layer together seamlessly for a simple skincare routine. The brand excels at basic hydration and antioxidant protection for healthy skin.

Overall, Skinceuticals provides more targeted solutions for anti-aging and acne treatment while Drunk Elephant focuses on clean, fuss-free skincare compatible for all skin types. Both deliver high quality products with premium active ingredients. Pick the brand that best aligns with your skincare philosophy and needs.

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.