Drunk Elephant's new mask is the exfoliator my sensitive skin has been looking for

The vacations are officially here, and as magical as a time of year can be, it's more likely than not that everyone is feeling a little burnt out in at least one area of their life. Perhaps that exhaustion is evident in your random packing or in some of the names that remain on your shopping list. Personally, the hustle and bustle of the vacations is evident in my skin, which has felt dull, textured, and overall jaded throughout the month. Lucky for me, Drunk Elephant's new mask, the Bright, cheerful face (68 $) is there to save the day.

The brand

You're probably familiar with Drunk Elephant's clean philosophy and brightly colored packaging, but you may not know the story behind the brand's unique name. "The name is rooted in a myth," states the brand's website. "The story goes that elephants love to eat the fallen fruit of marula trees (they do), and the natural alcohol content of the fermented marula fruit then intoxicates them (it doesn't)."

Fruit oil is the brand's flagship ingredient, moisturizing the skin with its fatty content while protecting it from environmental aggressors with its antioxidant properties. Yet Drunk Elephant relies on more than just the oils found in nature. The brand knows the importance of maintaining skin's pH and nourishing it with excellent ingredients, which is why they are committed to using well-researched ingredients and refraining from what they call the "six suspects," consisting of ingredients they would never include in their formulas.

The formula

As its name suggests, the Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial acts to brighten and even out your complexion by minimizing hyperpigmentation, reducing breakouts and acne scars and soothing redness. This formula features 10 % of Azelaic Acid and 1 % of Salicylic Acid, which work together to remove dead skin cells, smooth skin and clear pores. Judging by the formulaAzelaic acid is ideal for people with sensitive skin, as it not only lightens dark spots and reduces breakouts, but can also help treat rosacea. Additionally, the 1 % salicylic acid content of this formula is lower than the 2 % concentrations common on the market, making it a great way to try the ingredient if you are on the sensitive side.

Yet exfoliation without proper follow-through can wreak havoc on the moisture barrier. Fortunately, Bouncy Brightfacial is enriched with marula, chia, fermented green tea, pumpkin seed oil, ceramides and fatty acids that work together to lock moisture into the skin. In addition, niacinamide helps brighten skin tone and provide antioxidant protection while that tocotrienols also protect the skin against free radicals.

My opinion

Honestly, my relationship with exfoliation reminds me of the chaotic situations I endured in my early 20s. While I love my initial dance with harsh acids and abrasive scrubs, the aftermath is directly damning to my sensitive complexion, which always seems to get red, dry, and irritated (essentially a broken heart for the skin). As a result, I am always on the lookout for products that remove dead skin cells while being gentle on the skin. my redness-prone skin, so I was excited to try the Drunk Elephant Bouncy Brightfacial.

The brand recommends applying 2 to 3 pumps of this mask as the last step in your skin care routine. daily or nightly skin care for lock in moisture. After using this cream every night for three weeks, I noticed a significant increase in the overall smoothness of my skin. The fine lines on my forehead have diminished dramatically and my cheeks have an almost lifted effect that I can attest to from the lack of dead skin cells that previously dulled their glow. With this formula's gentle approach to exfoliation and its heavy dose of moisture, I was able to remove dead skin cells while supporting my dry, sensitive skin. It wasn't what I expected to achieve this busy holiday season, but my new glow is the gift that keeps on giving.