Which Drunk Elephant moisturizer should you choose?

How do the moisturizers compare?

Drunk Elephant gives these moisturizers elaborate names, but choosing between them does not require learning the whole alphabet. These are the US product listings and prices; the Canadian Lala kit below is a separate purchase.1

Which texture makes sense for your skin?

For a dry face, start with Lala's cream texture; consider Bora Barrier if you specifically want the richest option. For a lighter feel, Protini is the gel cream choice. General moisturizer guidance favors gels or lotions for the face unless skin is very dry, when a cream can make more sense. A higher price does not mean better moisturizing: prioritize the ingredients and texture you will actually use.3

If your skin is oily, a lighter gel texture is a reasonable starting point rather than automatically choosing the richest cream. For combination skin, moisturize the dry areas rather than applying the same amount everywhere. Your forehead, nose and chin can need less moisturizer than your cheeks. These are general texture choices, not a promise that a particular Drunk Elephant formula will prevent clogged pores.4

What is Drunk Elephant whipped cream moisturizer?

Drunk Elephant's whipped cream moisturizer is Lala Retro, a refillable face cream for daily moisture maintenance. Lala's whipped cream describes its airy texture, not a new category of breakfast. Its formula includes glycerin, cholesterol, sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, plant oils and three ceramides. The US version comes in a 50 ml standard jar, a 15 ml size and a 50 ml refill.1

What do the ceramides do?

Ceramides are fats naturally found in the outer layer of skin. They help maintain the skin barrier, the protective surface that keeps moisture in and unwanted substances out. Skin replenishes its natural ceramides less quickly with age, which is one reason ceramides appear in moisturizers. Added ceramides help restore these fats and keep skin hydrated.5

Ceramides work alongside other moisturizing ingredients, rather than doing every job themselves. Humectants attract and bind water, emollients soften skin, and occlusives help keep moisture from escaping. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are ingredients that work well with ceramides. For dry skin, the combination of water attracting and moisture retaining ingredients matters more than finding one headline ingredient.35

What does Protini add?

Protini combines daily moisture with a focus on the appearance of firmness, texture and fine lines. Its nine signal peptides are made from amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, and help bind moisture to skin. Choose Protini if you want that focus in a lightweight gel cream rather than Lala's whipped texture. Protini comes in 15 ml, 50 ml and 100 ml sizes, plus a 50 ml refill.2

How should you apply Lala or Protini?

1. 1Cleanse your face. For dry skin, use a gentle cleanser and avoid rubbing your skin dry.
2. 2Follow Drunk Elephant's directions to apply to a clean, dry face. Use one pump of Lala; Protini's directions do not specify a pump count.
3. 3Apply morning and night. Both can be used daily or rotated with another Drunk Elephant moisturizer.
4. 4Include broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher in your daytime routine, along with shade and protective clothing.

For moisturizers generally, applying to damp skin helps trap water; ceramide moisturizer guidance suggests applying within three minutes of washing. Lala and Protini instead have brand directions specifying dry skin. Follow the product directions for these creams rather than treating the general damp skin advice as their label instructions.1245

Can you use them with vitamin C or retinol?

Drunk Elephant allows Protini alongside its C Firma vitamin C product. The brand also allows both Lala and Protini alongside, or mixed with, its A Passioni and A Gloei retinol treatments. If your skin is excessively dry, general dry skin care guidance advises stopping retinoid skincare products. For prescribed treatment, follow your dermatologist's plan rather than replacing it with a moisturizer or a brand mixing suggestion.126

How soon can you expect a difference?

Lala increases hydration immediately and over time. In an eight week consumer survey of 30 people, 93% agreed their skin felt softer and 93% agreed it felt smoother. Protini's eight week clinical study of 31 people reported improved texture in 93% and improved hydration in 90%. Immediate moisture and changes measured after weeks of use are different expectations; do not expect the full eight week result from one application.127

What if you have sensitive skin?

Lala and Protini are formulated without fragrance, dyes, essential oils, silicones or solvent alcohols. Both still contain plant derived ingredients. Fragrance free does not mean allergen free, and botanicals can cause problems for sensitive skin or people with allergies. Match the full ingredient list to any known allergies rather than relying on the fragrance free description alone.123

Tell a dermatologist if moisturizer causes burning, stinging or irritation. Get medical advice if dryness persists despite moisturizing, or becomes painful, cracked, bleeding or very irritating. Do not try to scrub away dry, peeling skin: exfoliating can strip away more moisture. Persistent dryness can need treatment beyond a richer cream.46

What is the Canadian Lala refill kit?

A Landscape of Lala is a Canadian set listed at C$113, containing a 50 ml limited edition jar and a 50 ml refill. The Canadian kit contains a jar and a refill, so the landscape is mostly more moisturizer. The brand states that refilling reduces plastic waste by 85% compared with buying another full size jar. This set is listed as out of stock.7

1. 1Remove Lala's cap and unscrew the pump.
2. 2Remove and recycle the empty inner jar.
3. 3Insert the refill pod into the outer jar and remove its film seal.
4. 4Immediately screw the pump back on tightly.