Founder Tiffany Masterson was just trying to soothe her daughter’s eczema. She slathered on some marula oil from a friend’s trip to South Africa.
The skin calmed down overnight. That was the lightbulb — the entire “biocompatible” philosophy of Drunk Elephant was born from a single, desperate mom-hack.
It’s a single-origin face oil. $78 for 30ml. The claim? One oil, 100% pure, that doesn’t just sit on top of your skin.
Cold-Pressed
Extracted without heat to keep the antioxidants intact.
Virgin Grade
The first press — like extra virgin olive oil for your face.
Biocompatible
Their term for “your skin recognizes and uses it.” Not just slick.
Photo: Kaeme / Unsplash
That’s the whole point. The ingredient list is one line long. *Simmondsia Chinensis (Marula) Seed Oil.* No fillers, no fragrance, no “blend.”
- Virgin Marula Oil: 8x the vitamin C of an orange — fights free radicals
- Omega-6 & 9: Reinforces your skin’s moisture barrier
- Antioxidants (Tocopherols): Protects against environmental damage
- Nothing Else: The purity is the point.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
Texture is light gold, slips on like liquid silk. Absorbs in under 60 seconds — no greasy film. Smells faintly nutty, like raw seeds.
Week 2: My nighttime moisturizer started pilling. The oil was hydrating enough on its own. I was using too much product.
Photo: Evangeline Sarney / Unsplash
My dry patches vanished. Makeup applies evenly. Did it cure wrinkles? No. But my skin looks plumped and calm — less reactive.
Photo: Poko Skincare / Unsplash
It’s a brilliant, no-BS product. But the cult is bigger than the bottle. You’re buying the origin story.