Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum can be helpful in tackling skin concerns overnight, as its cocktail of ingredients refine and retexturize the skin as you snooze.
To see if this product is actually worth your time and money, below is our detailed product review, carefully laying out all the ins-and-outs of this product before you purchase it.
Key Takeaways
- The Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum contains AHAs and BHAs, botanical extracts, and other ingredients to address signs of aging.
- This serum should only be used during the evening hours, as its active ingredients can cause the skin to be sun-sensitive during the daytime.
- Because this serum can cause a tingly sensation in the early stages of use, it's best to use it every other night until your skin becomes acclimated to it.
- If you aren't sure how your skin will respond to this product, it's best to consult a dermatologist.
T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
AHA and BHA Exfoliating Serum
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum
This cult-favorite exfoliating serum combines alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acid (BHA) with additional soothing ingredients to resurface, unclog pores, and improve overall skin tone.
This serum contains a blend of glycolic acid, lactic acid, and tartaric acid (AHAs), which exfoliate the surface of the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and dark spots. It also contains salicylic acid, which unclogs pores to minimize breakouts.
Pros
- Fragrance-free
- Vegan and cruelty-free
Cons
- May irritate sensitive skin
This serum contains additional ingredients that counteract the potentially irritating effects of the chemical exfoliators, including raspberry fruit extract and aloe leaf juice extract.
Serums are commonly used to target signs of aging [1]. Unlike moisturizers, serums are lighter and absorb quickly into the skin [1].
Facial serums formulas can incorporate different ingredients to address many skin concerns. Some common anti-aging ingredients include neuropeptides, vitamins C and E, and green tea [2].
At the same time, it's worth noting that anti-aging serums aren't limited to just using the ingredients above; there is a multitude of others out there that also soften lines and wrinkles.
Product Overview
Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum is a night serum that uses alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) and beta hydroxy acids (BHA) as main ingredients. These acids promote exfoliation, target fine wrinkles, and improve skin tone and texture.
In addition to acids, this serum also contains botanical extracts to provide antioxidative benefits to the skin. Marula oil, Buddleja Davidii Meristem Cell Culture, and Galactoarabinan are other ingredients added to the formula.
Claims
The Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum claims to eliminate dead skin cells, improve skin tone, and soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
The brand claims that the product can be used to even out skin tone on the face, chest, and back of the hands.
Product Ingredients
1. T.L.C. Framboos AHA Blend
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are the main attraction of the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum.
These acids include glycolic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and citric acids, which promote exfoliation.
In addition to shedding away dead skin cells, AHAs also serve as physical and immunological barriers to harmful external factors (pollutants) and prevent DNA breakage [3].
Additionally, AHAs boast the ability to smooth fine lines and wrinkles, deep-cleanse pores, and improve skin tone [4].
2. Salicylic Acid
This Drunk Elephant serum also incorporates salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) into its formula. Salicylic acid is the most commonly used BHA in skincare.
Salicylic acid has been used to treat skincare disorders such as acne vulgaris, melasma, and photodamage [5].
Unlike AHAs, salicylic acid is also known to be less irritating and is effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and improving overall skin texture [6].
3. Botanical Extracts
The Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum contains several botanical extracts in its formula. These including raspberry fruit, cactus, white tea leaf, and yeast extracts, which all provide different benefits to the skin.
First is the ability to shield the skin from damage. To be more specific, raspberry fruit extracts provide antioxidant and antioxidative properties to skin exposed to damaging UVB light [7].
Similarly, when used topically, white tea leaf extracts (which are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants) also boast the ability to protect the skin against UV damage [8].
Like white tea and raspberry fruit extract, cactus leaf extract (Opuntia ficus-indica) and yeast extract also contain properties that can improve skin health.
Since cactus fruit peel is rich in isorhamnetin (a type of flavonoid), it can improve skin barrier function [9]. Additionally, when fermented yeast extract is incorporated into cosmetic formulations, it can improve skin conditions [10].
How To Use
Here is how to use the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum:
- In the evening, apply some serum onto cleansed areas of skin including the face, chest, and backs of hands.
- Follow with a moisturizing, nighttime product (oil, cream, etc.) of your choice to replenish the skin with moisture.
- AHAs and BHAs can cause the skin to become sun-sensitive. To shield your skin from sun damage, simply wear (and reapply) sunscreen during the daytime hours.
When to Apply
Because this product can cause a tingling sensation during the first days of application, you'll want to use this serum every other night until your skin becomes acclimated to it.
Similarly, since the AHAs and BHAs in the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum can cause sun-sensitivity, you'll want to only use this serum in the evening hours. Wearing it during the daytime (without sunscreen) only increases your risk for sun damage.
Other Tips
1. Avoid contact with the eye area
Since this serum contains powerful active ingredients, you'll want to ensure that the serum avoids contact with the eye area.
Even the smallest amount of product can cause ocular irritation if you aren't careful, making it important to only apply the serum onto the areas (face, chest, and backs of hands) recommended by the product instructions.
2. Use with a moisturizing product
Because the AHAs and BHAs inside the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum exfoliate the skin, you'll want to make sure you use a moisturizing product to keep your skin plump and smooth.
To do this, the brand website recommends using a hydrating product (like the Drunk Elephant Virgin Marula Oil) to help replenish moisture. However, if you don't have this Drunk Elephant product on hand, feel free to use any other moisturizing night cream of your liking.
3. Discuss your usage habits with a dermatologist
While the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum does contain botanical extracts, the product formula may be too abrasive on sensitive skin.
To see if your skin can tolerate this serum, consult with a board-certified dermatologist first. A good dermatologist will be able to evaluate the product's ingredients carefully and see if they are safe for use on your skin.
What to expect
Results from any skincare product can vary from person to person.
However, users can expect to experience a tingling sensation during the early stages of use. This eventually disappears once your skin adjusts to the product.
At the same time, there are instances when tingling can be indicative of something more serious. If irritation occurs it's best to contact your physician (or dermatologist) immediately.
What Dermatologists Think
1. Dr. Scott Paviol, MD
"While glycolic and salicylic acids tend to get a lot of attention, this serum features Tartaric acid, an AHA exfoliant most prominent in wine; this acid moisturizes the skin, promotes healing, and provides antioxidant protection leaving you with nothing short of a glow from within," Dr. Paviol says [11].
2. Dr. Susan Bard, MD
"Glycolic acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate off the top layer of skin cells by loosening the bonds between the cells," says Dr. Bard. "This helps bring new skin cells to the surface, improving dullness and pigmentation as a result [12]."
3. Dr. Dr. Anna H. Chacon, MD, FAAD
"Yes, I would certainly use this product on my own skin," Dr. Chacon says. "The ingredients used in the formula (alpha and beta hydroxy acids) help to resurface the keratinocytes and rejuvenate. Additionally, glycolic acid is a known skin brightener, and is useful in helping mature skin unclog pores [13]."
How do you use the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum?
In the evening hours, apply the serum carefully onto cleansed areas of the skin including the face, chest, and backs of hands. Follow with a moisturizing product and avoid contact with the eye area.
Should I wear sunscreen when using this product?
Yes. While this serum is used in the evening hours, AHAs can increase your risk of developing sun damage [4]. To shield your skin from harmful UV rays, simply apply (and reapply!) a sunscreen product with at least SPF 30 throughout the day.
Can sensitive skin types use this product?
Always consult with a board-certified dermatologist before you proceed to use this product. This way, you can prevent any irritation and potential allergic reactions that can occur.
The Bottom Line
If you are looking to tackle signs of aging as you snooze, the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum can be a suitable product choice, as it contains AHAs and BHAs, botanical extracts, and other beneficial ingredients.
However, there are some considerations worth keeping in mind before purchasing this product. For starters, the serum contains active ingredients that can make the skin sun-sensitive during the daytime. With that being said, you'll only want to use this serum at night, while wearing sunscreen in the daytime to reduce your risk for photodamage.
If you aren't sure how your skin will respond to this product, it's best to consult with a physician or board-certified dermatologist before using it.
