Review: Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

Drunk Elephant has been all the rage online lately, but with their steep price points it's hard to tell if the products are worth it.

After trying their super-hyped Babyfacial (which you can read my review on here) I decided to test out one of their other popular products: the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Acid Night Serum.

This is another chemical exfoliant, instead of a mask like Babyfacial, it comes in the form of a night serum. I've been seeing a ton of positive reviews of this product on Instagram and YouTube, so I had to try it for myself.

If you want to hear my thoughts on this product and if it's worth the cash, check out my review:

The Stats

Product

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum

Price

$90/ 1 oz (Sephora)

Active Ingredients

• Raspberry extract
• 12% AHA blend

Claims

"A 12 percent AHA/BHA serum for night that refines and resurfaces skin to reveal a smoother and more radiant complexion, while enhancing the performance of other products by clearing the way for maximum absorption." (via Sephora) 

*A Quick Sensitive Skin Disclaimer*

As I mentioned in my Babyfacial review, I’ve already acclimated my sensitive skin to glycolic acid from years of using Pixi’s Glow Tonic toner. So my skin is able to handle these products’ relatively high levels of AHA. However, if you have sensitive skin like me and have not yet acclimated your skin to chemical exfoliants, please proceed with caution. Always patch test any AHA product to test for sensitivity or allergic reaction, and work your way up to higher concentrations of acid by starting with lower doses. If you do decide to use this serum, start by using it once a week and see how your skin reacts. You do not want to damage your moisture barrier!

Now that's out of the way, let's get down to the review:

My Review

Price

The price for this serum is steep, I can't lie to you about that. $90 hurts me in my heart and my wallet. If you're on a budget, this probably isn't the serum for you. I would recommend going to Sephora and asking for a sample to test it out before taking the plunge. Drunk Elephant also often has travel-sized versions for way less $$, which is another good way to see if it's worth the money for you.

Application

This is a clear serum with a thin consistency that easily spreads and sinks into your skin. The first time I tried it, it stung a tiny bit upon application, but since using it regularly that has gone away.

Recommended Usage

I tend to use this serum about 2-3 times per week at night on freshly cleansed skin, depending on how my skin is feeling that week. I use 1 pump for my entire face. I'll always follow it up with a facial oil - usually my favorite rosehip seed oil.

Packaging

The packaging for all the Drunk Elephant products is fantastic and I love it. It's not only cute, but sanitary. The pump makes it easy to dispense the right amount of product without any risk of bacterial contamination. Plus it travels well too.

Results

The results for this product are amazing. When I wake up in the morning my skin is clear and glowing.

I'm in love with the Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos serum. It does an incredible job of giving my skin the radiant glow I'm after. I use it about 2-3 times per week at night, and when I wake up in the morning I feel like I truly live up to the “glow girl" name. My skin feels plump, glowing, and smooth every single time I use this product.

This product is also fantastic for breakouts. I recently went on a weekend trip to Portland, Maine and my skin broke out horribly. When I got home, I immediately did a face mask with the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, then followed up the next night with this serum. After only 2 days, my breakouts had subsided drastically. After a week and using this serum a couple more times, my skin was completely breakout-free and - here’s the real kicker - I had no serious acne scars.

As someone who has suffered acne and acne scarring for years, finding a product that helps reduce scarring has been like the search for the Holy Grail. I’m not sure if this is the Holy Grail product yet, but it definitely does a good job of alleviating acne and acne scars.

Even though the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos serum is pricey, I believe it’s worth the investment. Especially since I do not get facial treatments, it’s important for me to find really great products that can do the job of a professional facial at home. Those kind of results usually come with a price tag - for this serum, it’s a price I’m definitely willing to pay again.

Update as of 12.7.18:

After using this product regularly for several months now (usually 2-3 times per week) I can safely say that it's had a huge impact on my skin.

1. My breakouts are much less frequent
2. My skin is clearer and brighter
3. My acne scars have lessened.

Though the price is painful, if you pick this up during one of Sephora's sales it cuts the blow to your bank account a bit. Plus, a little goes a long way.

Honestly, I don't think I can live without this product now! It's become a staple of my skincare routine and is hands-down the best AHA serum I've ever tried. 

Topic: Drunk Elephant Skincare Review