So the founder saw elephants eat fermented marula fruit and get tipsy. That’s the whole origin story for Drunk Elephant.
The real magic? The oil is cold-pressed from the nut inside the fruit — not the pulp the elephants eat. So it’s clear and stable, not rancid.
A 30ml bottle is $72. I tried it because they claim it’s non-comedogenic — most oils break me out instantly.
Virgin, Cold-Pressed
Unrefined, so all the antioxidants stay intact.
Sourced Directly
From a women’s collective in Namibia — traceable.
Shelf-Stable
No added fragrance oils that can spoil it.
Photo: Lora Seis / Unsplash
It’s 100% *Sclerocarya birrea* (Marula) seed oil. That’s it. No filler oils. The fatty acid profile is mostly oleic acid — which is why it sinks in so fast.
- Marula Oil: High in omeges 6 & 9 for barrier repair
- Tocopherols (Vitamin E): Natural antioxidant protection
- Phenolic Compounds: Fights environmental damage
- Sterols: Soothes irritation
Photo: pmv chamara / Unsplash
Texture is thin and slick — not greasy-thick. Absorbs in under a minute. Leaves a soft, satin finish, not an oil slick.
After two weeks, my skin felt more resilient. Less reactive. But I still needed a separate moisturizer on dry days — it’s not hydrating, just emollient.
My barrier improved — no more tightness. Redness calmed down. Zero breakouts, which is a miracle. Did it erase fine lines? No. But my makeup stopped clinging to dry patches.
It’s a brilliantly simple, effective oil. Overpriced? Maybe. But I’ve never found a dupe that feels this clean and disappears this fast.