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Drunk Elephant’s C-Firma Day Serum’s had a slight reworking since we first reviewed it, but the good news is that it’s still an excellent, fragrance-free vitamin C treatment.
This serum’s packaging remains the same – an opaque bottle with a pump dispenser that shields its light- and air-sensitive ingredients from exposure to both. The texture is still slightly oily initially but sinks into skin quickly, leaving it looking plumped and restored with no stickiness (making it a suitable option for all skin types).
As far as the formula goes, not much has changed; in fact, the biggest difference is a slight re-arrangement of some of the ingredients. This still contains a high amount of antioxidant vitamin C (15% ascorbic acid), which research shows improves the look of dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles – as well as improves skin’s elasticity. It’s joined by vitamin E and ferulic acid, which help boost its effectiveness, as well as other antioxidant non-fragrant plant extracts (including two forms of licorice, which also help brighten skin), plus some anti-irritants.
All said, C-Firm Day Serum remains one of the better vitamin C options available, so it still gets a big thumbs up from us.
- Absorbs quickly with no sticky residue.
- Contains a high amount of vitamin C that can improve signs of aging and discolorations.
- Has a good mix of antioxidants and anti-irritants.
- Packaged to protect its light- and air-sensitive ingredients.
- Fragrance free.
- None.
This revolutionary serum, jam packed with a potent antioxidant complex of l-ascorbic acid, ferulic acid and vitamin E, plus other formula-supportive enzymes and antioxidants, helps neutralize pollution, environmental stressors and the damaging effects of free radicals while replenishing lipids and visibly reducing the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles. Uniquely formulated with pumpkin ferment extract and pomegranate enzyme, C-Firma™ enzymatically dissolves dead surface skin cells. Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer quickly penetrates skin and provides intense hydration. The result is a noticeably diminished appearance of photo damage, replaced by incredible radiance and luminosity.
Drunk Elephant At-A-Glance
Drunk Elephant, based out of Los Angeles, California, was started in 2012 by former skincare executive Tiffany Masterson. As their website describes, Masterson developed the brand out of a desire to create natural-themed formulas that were truly effective. Beyond effectiveness, Masterson wanted to leave out what wasnt effective - primarily fragrance. We concur, because fragrance isn't skincare.
We were pleasantly surprised by this stance, as in our experience, the inclusion of an abundance of fragrance is where many natural-themed brands seem to go wrong, along with using too few beneficial ingredients or formulas. Fragrance, whether from essential oils or synthetic perfumes, is never helpful for skin because over the long term, it can cause damage that holds any skin type back from being its healthy best.
As for the brands unconventional name, Drunk Elephant is in reference to anecdotes that African wildlife, including elephants, partake on the fallen, fermented fruit of the marula tree, an indulgence that leads to intoxication.
Drunk Elephant avoids using ingredients like non-mineral sunscreen actives, silicones, and parabens, even though countless studies have indicated these ingredients are safe (Journal of the Academy of Dermatology, 2013 and Skin Therapy Letters, 2013). Regardless, were just happy that the line has made it a focal point to use what research has been shown improves skin concerns like sun damage, breakouts and signs of aging, and leave out everything else. They're also using some novel yet potentially exciting ingredients in many of their formulas.
Drunk Elephant line is a small line, but tends to make each product count, or at least puts an unconventional twist on the norm. Overall, we came away impressed with most of its products and (usually) smart packaging.
Many of the formulas include the ingredient marula oil, which is an ingredient the brand favors due to the fact it contains an array of beneficial fatty acids, calming agents, and antioxidants (Journal of Food Lipids, 2004 and Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2014). It's a good ingredient, but there are many excellent non-fragrant plant oils, including coconut, jojoba, sunflower, and more, of which have similar benefits, meaning marula oil isn't the best out there, just one good oil among many.
Though the price tags are absolutely on the higher end, if you decide to to splurge on some key items, this is a good line to do so!
For more information, visit the brand at www.drunkelephant.com.
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