‘I’m a Dermatologist, and These Are the Best Drunk Elephant Products for Dry Skin’

Drunk Elephant launched in 2012 with six skin-care products, meant to work together as a simplified routine that every skin type could benefit from.  Nine years later, the brand has 21 skin-care SKUs that go well beyond the basics, which means that we’re now able to turn to the brand for help targeting ultra-specific needs, including the dry, dehydrated skin that winter weather has left so many of us to deal with.

Whether you’ve got naturally dry skin or not, cold air is your skin barrier’s sworn enemy. It sucks the moisture that your skin needs to stay healthy, which means it’s important to replenish the supply with hydrating topicals. To do this, Lucy Chen, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami, recommends doubling down on ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides, and that’s where the best Drunk Elephant products for dry skin come in. Scroll through for Dr. Chen’s favorite hydrating formulas, the combination of which will keep winterized skin quenched until spring.

Best Drunk Elephant products for dry skin

Drunk Elephant C-Firma Vitamin C Day Serum — $78.00

Antioxidants should be a non-negotiable in anyone’s a.m. regimen, and this serum is a great pick for dry skin, thanks to the fact that it’s both protective and hydrating. Derms love it because it offers a “trifecta of antioxidants” through a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, and ferulic acid, which work together to defend against UV damage and pollution and nourish the skin all day long. Pumpkin and pomegranate enzymes are also in the mix, which act as exfoliants and stimulate cell turnover, helping to strengthen your skin in the long run.

Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum — $48.00

As the name promises, this serum delivers exactly the intensive hydration that dry skin needs. It’s formulated with hyaluronic acid, which derms agree is the star ingredient of any dry skin routine. “When hyaluronic acid is topically applied, it helps to hydrate the skin and acts as a humectant to maintain this hydration,” says Dr. Chen. Hyaluronic acid has the ability to hold 1,000 times its weight in water, and draws hydrating ingredients into your skin and keeps them from escaping. This serum is great for layering on under your moisturizer because it pulls it deep into your skin, allowing it to penetrate further and deliver hydration at every level.

Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer — $60.00

A few years back, Drunk Elephant added plant-based ceramides to its cult-fave moisturizer formulation to up the ante on its skin-strengthening super powers. Ceramides are lipids that occur naturally in your skin, and act as the glue that holds your skin cells together. According to Dr. Chen, factors like age and sun damage can reduce the effectiveness of your skin’s own ceramides, which is why supplementing them with topicals is so important. “Ceramides support the skin,” she says. “When used effectively in skin care, they’ll help reinforce your skin barrier and increase hydration.” The moisturizer pairs its ceramides with six African oils that are packed with omega fatty acids, plus antioxidant-rich green tea. It’s got a whipped, marshmallowy texture that strikes the perfect balance of being light enough to use in the morning and creamy enough to use at night.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Face Oil — $68.00

When your usual moisturizer isn’t quite cutting it, a facial oil might be just what you need for added hydration. While the oil itself won’t hydrate your skin, it will act as an occlusive, sealing in the ingredients you’ve layered on underneath it. This one is made from virgin marula oil, which is lightweight and sinks into your skin quickly so that it won’t leave behind an annoying greasy residue. It’s non-comedogenic, which means it won’t cause breakouts, and is rich in polyphenols that offer supreme antioxidant protection.

To learn more about the best ingredients for dry skin, check out the video below.

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