Founder Tiffany Masterson heard a story about elephants getting tipsy on fermented marula fruit. She named her brand Drunk Elephant on the spot.
The real hook? The oil is cold-pressed from the nut inside the fruit — not from the boozy pulp. So the elephants are wasted, but your face isn’t.
A 30ml bottle of Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil is $90. They claim it’s non-comedogenic and absorbs instantly. I needed to see if a single-ingredient oil could be that good.
Virgin, Cold-Pressed
Extracted without heat or chemicals to preserve antioxidants.
Suspended in MCT Oil
A lightweight carrier so it doesn’t just sit on top of your skin.
Oxidation-Resistant
Comes in opaque packaging — it won’t turn rancid in your bathroom.
Photo: Siora Photography / Unsplash
It’s 100% unrefined marula oil. That’s it. But that simplicity is the point — it’s packed with omegas and antioxidants that calm inflammation and reinforce your skin barrier.
- Omega-9 (Oleic Acid): Softens and soothes
- Omega-6 (Linoleic Acid): Helps repair barrier function
- Antioxidants (Tocopherols): Fights environmental damage
- Polyphenols: Calms redness and irritation
Photo: Gabriel Goncalves / Unsplash
The texture is shockingly light — like silk, not syrup. It disappears in 15 seconds, leaving a soft matte finish. No greasy film.
After two weeks, my skin felt more resilient. The surprise? It played nice with my retinol — zero irritation. But if you crave a heavy, cocooning oil, this isn’t it.
Measurably softer skin, less redness after washing. My makeup went on smoother. It didn’t magically erase fine lines or cure my hormonal breakouts — it’s a treatment oil, not a miracle.
It’s a beautifully engineered single-ingredient oil. You’re paying for purity and a sublime texture — not a long list of actives.