Naya

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Serum, Review

oldie but a goodie

Foreword

The year is 2024, yet many of us still have not found an alternative to the T.L.C. serum. In today's post, I will revisit this iconic product, see where it stands after so many years on the market, and whether or not you need it.

Curious? Then please keep on scrolling

My Skin: dry, sensitive

About the Product

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum (90 USD; Made in USA) - is described as a powerful AHAs/BHAs serum that lifts away dead cells, rejuvenates the skin, and improves the look of pores, breakouts, fine lines, and even wrinkles.

Packaging: easily recognizable, color-coded design. The twist-up mechanism allows for hygienic use and better product preservation. A standard bottle contains 30 ml/ 1 oz worth of serum. Although generally eye-catching and user-friendly, this design is bulky and less than ideal for traveling. I do not recommend pumping it out into a smaller container, as the formula will change after prolonged contact with air.

Recyclable ♻️

Formula: essentially, you look at a water-based formulation rich in Glycolic, Lactic, Salicylic, and Tartaric Acids with a splash of Glycerin (occlusive, hydrating layer). These four acids are the star players of the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum and they do all the heavy lifting. As you can see, the brand relies on a mix of AHAs and BHAs to ensure you get benefits not only on a surface level but also pores deep.

😊 PROS

A great mix of skin-loving ingredients known for their healing and barrier-strengthening purposes. Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil (aka Marula Oil) deserves a notable mention, as it is a fabulous antioxidant that softens fine lines, preserves moisture, and nourishes the skin. Besides, there is no alcohol, perfume, or silicones in the mix, which is great news for sensitive skin types.

☹️ CONS

Unless you are allergic to a certain ingredient, I think the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is a safe choice.

Vegan🌱 Cruelty-free🐇

Texture: a lightweight gel consistency. The serum applies and sets clear.

Scent: none.

Application: save the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum for night-time use only. Similarly to most actives, this product can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. A solid sunblock is a must.

If you are new to acids, be mindful of how much product you are using. Start small, use your serum once a week, and take it from there. Slight tingling is normal. Once your skin adjusts to the formulation, use the serum more frequently, however, still give it breaks to heal in between.

The T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum gives the best results when it is applied alone, directly onto dry skin. The brand suggests mixing it with the Virgin Marula Luxury Oil (an excellent product that I highly recommend to anyone with dry and sensitive skin) to ease the tingling. This is a good tip for beginners.

first impression

Once the tingling subsides, the skin feels lightly moisturized. The morning after is usually when you see the initial effect. Blemishes reduce in size, pores look smaller, and bumps flatten. The serum might leave you with some dry texture here and there (if your skin type is dry), so you might need to lift off superficial dead skin cells with a light exfoliant. I recommend Caudalie Deep Exfoliating Cleanser, which is quite gentle.

long-term use

Skin glows, with little to no texture in sight. Forehead bumps, congested pores, and post-inflammatory pigmentation practically disappear. While I can't say much about this product's effect on wrinkles, it does a pretty good job at evening out the skin tone, making skin smooth and clear.

Drunk Elephant TLC Framboos Glycolic Acid Serum Review

Who is this for?

If you are 25+ and want to dabble your feet in anti-aging waters, the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum could be an excellent choice for the skin's exfoliation. Even though it is a potent product, it does not aggravate or irritate the skin. Just stick to using it 1-2 times a week and you should be good to go. I would not suggest using it daily.

Suitable for most skin types, even sensitive.

Verdict

The price bites, but the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is still that girl. Over the years I have tried to "dupe" it an endless amount of times and I have yet to succeed. If I could only recommend one product by Drunk Elephant, this serum would be it. It lives up to its claims and is worth the hype. Now, the biggest elephant in the room is the fact that this formula is way too advanced for kids, and therefore should not be sold to them. I wish the brand would take more responsibility and add age-restricting labels to help navigate kids and their parents in the right direction. Aside from that, a beautiful, skin rejuvenating formula that stood the test of time and deserves an A+.