Founder Tiffany Masterson was just trying to make a natural hand soap. She ordered a bag of marula oil on a whim.
The real story? The oil arrived smelling like popcorn butter — a sign of rancidity. She hunted down a fresh, virgin source instead. That stubbornness for purity became the brand’s entire DNA.
It’s a single-origin face oil. $78 for 30ml. Drunk Elephant claims it’s “biocompatible” — meaning your skin recognizes and uses it. Skeptical, but intrigued.
Virgin, Unrefined
Cold-pressed once to keep antioxidants intact.
Oxidation-Resistant
Naturally stable — doesn’t need added vitamin E to stay fresh.
Solo or Mixable
Wear it alone or blend with their creams. No silicones to mess with the formula.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
One ingredient: 100% *Sclerocarya birrea* (Marula) Kernel Oil. That’s it. No filler oils. It’s packed with omegas 6 & 9 and antioxidants.
- Oleic Acid: Softens and reinforces your skin barrier — but can be heavy for some.
- Linoleic Acid: Helps soothe and balance.
- Antioxidants (Tocopherols): Fight environmental free radicals — the reason it doesn’t turn rancid fast.
- Polyphenols: Calm redness. The press release calls it ‘anti-inflammatory,’ which is mostly true.
Photo: Nora Topicals / Unsplash
Texture is slick — not greasy, but substantial. Absorbs in about 90 seconds, leaves a soft, satiny finish. Not matte. You know you’ve put oil on.
Week 2: My dry patches vanished. Unexpected? It didn’t break me out. But it’s a *sealer* — you need a hydrating serum underneath or it just sits on top.
Photo: Linh Ha / Unsplash
Measurable change: my winter-dry skin stayed plush all day. No change: pore size, deep wrinkles. It’s a barrier fixer, not a miracle worker.
Photo: Daniel Barnes / Unsplash
It’s an exceptional oil. Overpriced? Probably. But it does exactly what it says — no frills, no fillers. The story is real.