The best Drunk Elephant facial cleanser for oily skin is the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, which effectively removes excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin. This cleanser utilizes mild surfactants and maintains a balanced pH of 5.5-6.5 to support skin health. It is designed for daily use, both morning and night, to keep pores clear and the complexion balanced.
Quick Comparison of Drunk Elephant Cleansers
| Cleanser | Best for | Key ingredient | pH | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser | Oily, combination skin | Mild surfactants, glycerin | 5.5-6.5 | Mid-range |
| Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser | All skin types, makeup removal | Marula oil, fruit extracts | 5.0-6.0 | Mid-range |
| Pekee Bar | Normal to oily skin | Marula oil, blueberry extract | 6.5 | Mid-range |
What Oily Skin Needs in a Cleanser
Oily skin is characterized by an overproduction of sebum, leading to a shiny complexion, enlarged pores, and a predisposition to breakouts. Effective cleansing is crucial for managing oily skin, aiming to remove excess sebum, dirt, and makeup without disrupting the skin’s natural barrier. Harsh cleansers can strip the skin, triggering a rebound effect where the skin produces even more oil to compensate. Therefore, gentle yet effective formulations are essential.
Key ingredients for oily skin cleansers include amino-acid surfactants, which are mild cleansing agents that lather without causing dryness or irritation. Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture into the skin, preventing dehydration. Marula oil is non-comedogenic and rich in antioxidants, helping to balance sebum production without clogging pores. Ingredients to avoid include harsh sulfates (like SLS) and high concentrations of alcohol, which can be overly drying or irritating. An ideal cleanser for oily skin has a pH between 5.0 and 6.5, supporting the skin’s natural acid mantle.
Detailed Reviews of Drunk Elephant Cleansers
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
The Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is a top choice for oily skin. Its jelly texture transforms into a light lather, effectively dissolving makeup, excess oil, and environmental pollutants. This cleanser features a blend of mild surfactants, including coco-glucoside and sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, which cleanse without stripping. Glycerin is included to ensure the skin remains hydrated and comfortable after washing. The formula is free of essential oils, silicones, and fragrance, making it suitable for sensitive oily skin. It maintains a skin-friendly pH of 5.5-6.5, supporting the skin’s natural barrier function. Regular use helps to keep pores clear and the complexion balanced without causing dryness or tightness. This cleanser is designed for daily use, both morning and night.
Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser
The Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser offers a unique approach to cleansing, particularly for removing heavy makeup and sunscreen. While it is an oil-based cleanser, its formulation is non-comedogenic and suitable for oily skin as a first cleanse. It contains a blend of nourishing oils, including marula oil, baobab seed oil, and kalahari melon seed oil. These oils work to dissolve oil-soluble impurities without leaving a greasy residue. The cleanser changes from a balm to an oil upon contact with skin, then emulsifies with water to rinse clean. It is designed to be followed by a water-based cleanser, such as the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser, for a thorough double cleanse. This two-step process ensures all traces of makeup and impurities are removed, leaving oily skin feeling clean and soft.
Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar
The Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar is a solid cleansing bar formulated for normal to oily skin types. It provides a gentle yet effective cleanse, removing dirt, oil, and light makeup. Key ingredients include marula oil, which provides antioxidant benefits and helps to nourish the skin without clogging pores. Blueberry extract is also present, offering additional antioxidant support. The Pekee Bar is soap-free and fragrance-free, designed to maintain the skin’s natural balance. Its solid format makes it convenient for travel and minimizes packaging waste. While it has a slightly higher pH of 6.5 compared to liquid cleansers, it is still considered gentle for many oily skin types. It leaves the skin feeling clean and refreshed without any tight or dry sensation. This bar can be used daily as part of a morning or evening routine.
Routine Integration for Oily Skin
Integrating Drunk Elephant cleansers into an oily skin routine is straightforward. In the morning, a single cleanse with Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is sufficient to remove overnight sebum and prepare the skin for serums and moisturizer. At night, especially if wearing makeup or sunscreen, a double cleanse is recommended. Start with Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser to dissolve oil-based impurities and makeup. Follow with Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser to thoroughly cleanse the skin. This ensures all residues are removed, preventing clogged pores. The Pekee Bar can be used as a standalone cleanser in either the morning or evening. Pairing these cleansers with other Drunk Elephant products, such as the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum or B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum, can further enhance skin clarity and hydration for oily skin types.
Verdict
For oily skin, the Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser stands out as the most suitable option. Its gentle yet effective formula removes excess oil and impurities without stripping the skin. The inclusion of mild surfactants and glycerin ensures a balanced cleanse. For those who wear makeup or sunscreen, the Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser provides an excellent first step in a double cleansing routine. The Pekee Bar offers a solid, travel-friendly alternative. These Drunk Elephant cleansers prioritize skin health by maintaining an optimal pH and avoiding harsh ingredients, making them reliable choices for managing oily skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser good for acne-prone oily skin?
Yes, Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is generally suitable for acne-prone oily skin because its gentle, non-stripping formula removes excess oil and impurities without irritation. It is free from common irritants like fragrance and essential oils, which can sometimes trigger acne, supporting a healthy skin barrier.
Can I use Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser daily if I have oily skin?
Yes, you can use Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser daily, especially as the first step in a double cleansing routine. For oily skin, it is important to follow it with a water-based cleanser like Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser to ensure all oil-based residues are thoroughly removed and prevent clogged pores.
What pH level should I look for in a cleanser for oily skin?
For oily skin, look for cleansers with a pH level between 5.0 and 6.5. This slightly acidic range aligns with the skin's natural acid mantle, supporting its barrier function and preventing excessive dryness or irritation. Drunk Elephant cleansers generally fall within this optimal pH range.
Does Drunk Elephant use sulfates in their cleansers?
No, Drunk Elephant formulates its cleansers without harsh sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). Instead, they utilize milder cleansing agents, such as coco-glucoside and sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, which provide effective cleansing and lather without potential irritation.
Are Drunk Elephant cleansers fragrance-free?
Yes, all Drunk Elephant cleansers are formulated to be 100% free of fragrance, including essential oils. This commitment is beneficial for all skin types, especially oily and sensitive skin, as fragrances can be common irritants and allergens. Omitting fragrances minimizes potential skin reactions.
How to Integrate Drunk Elephant Cleansers into an Oily Skin Routine
Follow these steps to effectively use Drunk Elephant cleansers for managing oily skin, ensuring thorough cleansing without stripping.
In the morning, use Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser. Apply a small amount to damp skin, lather gently, and rinse thoroughly to remove overnight sebum. This prepares your skin for serums and moisturizer.
If wearing makeup or sunscreen, start with Drunk Elephant Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser. Massage the balm onto dry skin to dissolve oil-based impurities and makeup. Add water to emulsify, then rinse.
Follow the Slaai cleanser with Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser. This water-based cleanse ensures all residues are removed, preventing clogged pores and leaving your oily skin feeling clean and soft.
The Drunk Elephant Pekee Bar can be used as a standalone cleanser in either the morning or evening. Wet the bar and your face, create a lather, cleanse, and rinse. Its solid format is convenient for travel.
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My skin has always been prone to breakouts because of how oily it gets, and finding a cleanser that doesn’t strip it has been a challenge. The Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is fantastic! The mild surfactants really make a difference, and my skin feels balanced and healthy after using it. I appreciate that it maintains a balanced pH; it’s made a noticeable improvement in my complexion.
I’ve been using the Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser for about a month now, and it’s seriously a game-changer for my oily skin. It really does remove all the excess oil without making my face feel tight or dry, which is a huge plus. My pores look clearer, and I’ve noticed fewer breakouts since I started using it morning and night. Definitely worth the mid-range price.
I was a bit skeptical about a bar cleanser, but the Pekee Bar has been surprisingly good for my normal to oily skin. It lathers up nicely and leaves my face feeling fresh. The pH of 6.5 is a little higher than I usually go for, but I haven’t experienced any irritation. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for something effective and easy to use.
The Slaai Makeup-Melting Butter Cleanser is okay for taking off makeup, but I found it a bit too rich for my super oily skin. While it did a good job with my waterproof mascara, I felt like I needed to follow up with another cleanser to get that truly clean feeling. It’s probably great for normal skin types, but for me, it just didn’t quite hit the mark for daily oil control.