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Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil review

Is Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil worth the splurge?

5 years ago, I’d have said , “hell yeah!” Now, with so many cheaper dupes around, I’m not so sure. So, I’ve put it to the test.

Here’s the verdict:

What’s In Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil?

MARULA OIL

Most oils out there are full of crap. They contain a few drops of Argan oil, Marula oil, or whatever oil they claim to be, and fill up the rest of the formula with all kinds of synthetic stuff.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is different. It contains only ONE ingredient: 100% unrefined Marula oil.

Derived from the kernels of the fruits of the Marula trees (Sclerocarya birrea), Marula oil is loaded with oleic acid, a moisturising fatty acid that creates a barrier on the skin to slow down water loss and protect your complexion from environmental aggressors.

This is great news for dry skin. Your skin’ll soak up all the goodness and get soft and smooth again.

Oily skin? Stay away. As a rule, the higher the oleic acid content of an oil, the higher the chance it’ll give you a breakout. Don’t risk it.

P.S. Marula oil also has antioxidant properties that helps you fight free radicals and UV damage.

Related: What Are The Best Facial Oils For Dry Skin?

Texture

Lightweight. Oily. Takes a couple of minutes to fully absorb into the skin.

Fragrance

It’s fragrance-free.

How To Use It

It’s the last step of your skincare routine at night.

Need help creating the best skincare routine for you dry skin? Sign up to the newsletter below to receive the “Dry Skincare Routine Cheatsheet” (it includes product recommendations, too!).

Performance & Personal Opinion

I use facial oils at night. Sure, you could layer them under makeup, but I find them a little too greasy and prone to pilling in the daytime.

Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is the exception. It layers well under makeup and doesn’t feel greasy on once it has fully absorbed.

There’s no doubt it’s super moisturising. I have combination skin that just can’t decide what to do. T-zone is oilier, cheeks are drier. Come winter, everything dries up. Switch to summer and my t-zone pumps up oil production another notch.

I find this oil is great for my complexion during the winter time. It helps strengthens my skin’s protective barrier, so the cold winter weather don’t irritate or suck all the moisture out of it. Talking about moisture, this makes my skin so soft and smooth.

Now that we’re transitioning to warmer weather, the oil is still a good moisturising pick. But come summer, I’ll pack it away for a few months.

Oils high in linoleic acid are comedogenic. It didn’t make me breakout so far, but it’s not something I’d turn to when my skin tends to go into sebum overdrive, know what I mean?

Better safe than sorry, ladies.

Related: What To Do When Your Skincare Products Start To Pill Or Ball Up

drunk elephant virgin marula luxury facial oil

Who Is This For?

  • Dry skin
  • Sensitive skin

Who Is This NOT For?

  • Acne-prone skin
  • Oily skin

Packaging

The oil comes in a sleek white and yellow bottle with a drop applicator. It’s beautiful and practical.

Does Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil Live Up To Its Claims?

CLAIM TRUE?
Straight from the “pip” of the marula fruit, our Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is untouched by any chemical or fragrance, natural or synthetic and remains in its purest form. True. It contains only 100% unrefined Marula oil.
Like rehab for your skin, this wonder-working, luxury facial oil, high in critical antioxidants tocopherol (vitamin E), tochotrienol, antioxidant polyphenols, and rich in omegas 6 and 9, helps to moisturize, rejuvenate and nourish skin while restoring a youthful glow. True. Anything that moisturises skin plumps it up and makes it glow. All things that make it look younger.
Look for a noticeable reduction in the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, redness and blotchiness, with a marked improvement in skin’s elastic feel. Mostly true. Its moisturising properties plump up skin, so that fine lines and wrinkles look temporary smaller.
The protective barrier it creates protects it from environmental aggressors. Less irritation = less redness.
But it can’t do much for elasticity.

Price & Availability

$40.00-$72.00/£34.00-£61.00 at Cult Beauty, Sephora, and SpaceNK

Do You Need It?

It’s not a need. But if you have dry skin and prefer oils to moisturisers, it’s a good option to consider.

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Dupes & Alternatives

Ingredients

100% Unrefined Sclerocraya Birrea (Marula) Kernel Oil.

About Gio

Hi, I'm Gio. I'm a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is skin coach and writer on a mission to help you achieve your best skin day ever - every day. I bust skincare myths and debunk marketing jargon to help you figure out what's worth the splurge and what's best left on the shelf - using science, not hype. I also offer skincare consultations to help you create the best skincare routine for your unique needs.