Interview with Tiffany Masterson [Founder and Chief Creative Officer – Drunk Elephant]: Listen To Your Skin

Did you know that Drunk Elephant takes its name after the African legend telling that elephants “get drunk” when they eat the fruits of marula oil? 

We met and interviewed Tiffany Masterson, the founder of the brand, who, tired of only finding products on the market that weren’t good for her skin, created her empire founded on recipes of skincare smoothies, with funny and colorful packaging and a loyal community. 

Tiffany believes that “skin is skin,” and that all the skin types, consequently, work in the same way, with the acid mantle that has a fundamental role: the most important thing is, therefore, to respect them without damaging them, therefore using biocompatible ingredients.

Drunk Elephant represents a revolution in the skincare world thanks to the abandonment of layering: goodbye layering and… welcome smoothie! Thanks to its ingredients of light molecular weight, all Drunk Elephant products can be mixed together to create your own “custom recipes.”

On the occasion of the release of the new A-Gloei Maretinol Oil, Tiffany told us about the product, which is a treatment containing vegan retinol, virgin oil of marula, and ceramides, suitable for even the most sensitive skin types.

Let’s talk about the first year in Italy for Drunk Elephant. How did it go?

Launching in Italy was truly a dream come true for me. We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and interest from Italy since our launch, and just thrilled with how well Drunk Elephant has been received.  

A-Gloei Maretinol Oil. How would you describe this new product in one word? 

Can I have two words? A-Gloei is a beginner’s retinol. Since virgin marula oil is so good at moisturizing and soothing the skin, it’s the perfect delivery vehicle for retinol, which is a powerhouse ingredient, highly effective at increasing cell turnover and targeting the signs of aging while reducing inflammation and acne. 

What are its main benefits? And how would you recommend applying it? 

A-Gloei is a gentle, 5% retinol, which clarifies, refines, and smooths uneven, blemished, textured, or aging skin. It also evens out tone, reducing discoloration and boosting skin’s natural glow. The ceramides in A-Gloei help replenish the skin barrier and improve elasticity.  Antioxidant- and omega-rich virgin marula oil (which makes up 95% of the formula!) replenishes essential moisture and reduces the appearance of redness, bringing skin back to its healthiest, most youthful state.

If you are new to retinol, the best way is to ease in.

Start by using A-Goei once or twice a week, gradually increasing frequency to every other night, then every night as tolerated.

Apply two or three drops in the morning or at night to a clean, dry face, or mix with any Drunk Elephant moisturizer or serum. Always avoid the eye area—at least not without mixing A-Gloei into your eye cream, I would recommend that you not apply it undiluted to the eye area—, and if you are using A-Gloei during the day be sure to follow with sunscreen. Also keep in mind that all retinol products are not recommended for use by pregnant or nursing mothers.

Retinol has a “bad reputation” as a skin sensitizer, so it’s usually not recommended for sensitive skin types: how is the A-Gloei Maretinol Oil different?

By combining a lower dosage of retinol (0.5% vs. the 1.0% of our A-Passioni) and combining it with soothing, antioxidant-rich marula oil, we made A-Gloei to be a gateway retinol. I essentially wanted to sneak retinol in the line at a lower level to make it ideal for anyone who is just getting used to retinol and wants to start building up their tolerance.

“…We made A-Gloei to be a gateway retinol. I essentially wanted to sneak retinol in the line at a lower level to make it ideal for anyone who is just getting used to retinol and wants to start building up their tolerance….”

What’s your skincare routine? And how do you include A-Gloei in it? 

I always listen to my skin to guide me on what my skincare routine is from day to day. I have every Drunk Elephant product on my counter. I reach for whatever the day has called for and based on how my skin feels. If it’s extra cold, I reach for F-Balm and Marula Oil. If I have heavy makeup, I reach for Slaai followed by Lala and TLC Framboos. I cleanse more with Beste in the summer when I tend to have little makeup and loads of sunscreen (I do wear it every day though but I’m not usually outside all day during the winter). In the morning, I’m pretty committed to A-Gloei, C-Firma, B-Hydra and O-bloos all mixed together, applied and topped with Umbra Tinte. I also have formulations that are not yet released that I’m always testing out to make sure they fit in the line and to make sure I cannot live without them. My hope is for people to reset their skin to a normal state and then use their favorite products to address their issues, whatever they are (hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, hormonal acne, etc).

People have different needs and live in different climates.

My goal with Drunk Elephant is to provide a wide array of great choices. Always listen to your skin and you won’t go wrong.

What’s your favorite kind of texture in skincare? 

I can’t choose! You’ll find serums, oils, and creams at Drunk Elephant, and they all have meaning to me and place within the collection. I formulate new products based on what I feel like is missing in my routine.  I think each one brings something important to the line and I wouldn’t want to be without any of them, but then again I developed each Drunk Elephant based on my own desires and wishes as a consumer, so they all fit in and make sense. Just as our bodies require a balanced diet of nutrients to maintain good health, our skin needs a daily balance of both hydration and moisture to be at its strongest. The texture, as well as how much you apply, much is something you can fine tune to your particular situation.