20 Drunk Elephant Dupes That Will Save You Money

If you are a big fan of Drunk Elephant skincare products, you probably know that the brand formulates its products with biocompatible ingredients that are healthy for the skin.

But their products can get pricey, so let’s take a look at the top 20 affordable Drunk Elephant dupes that range from serums and eye cream to moisturizers and face oil.

20 Best Drunk Elephant Dupes

Drunk Elephant formulates their products with active ingredients at ideal pH levels to be effective while respecting the skin barrier, which keeps moisture in and irritants out.

These Drunk Elephant dupes, or alternatives, are formulated for results but don’t come with a hefty price tag.

While they may not match Drunk Elephant ingredient for ingredient, they create many of the same skin benefits at affordable drugstore prices.

NOTE: Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher while using potent actives like AHAs and retinol and for a week after.

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It is formulated with 15% l-ascorbic acid (pure vitamin C), 0.5% ferulic acid, and 1% vitamin E to brighten, smooth, and firm the skin.

This vitamin C serum also contains pumpkin ferment and pomegranate extract, which provide a mild exfoliation that sweep away dead skin cells to improve skin texture and help the product penetrate better.

Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract brightens the skin, helping to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation and dark spots by inhibiting melanin (pigment) production in the skin.

Vitis vinifera (grape) juice extract and Indian gooseberry are antioxidants that protect the skin from oxidative stress and target the signs of aging.

Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer, a low-weight form of hyaluronic acid, penetrates deep into the skin for better hydration and plumping effects.

Paula’s Choice C15 Booster serum is filled with skin-loving actives.

Ferulic acid doubles vitamin E and ascorbic acid’s photoprotection abilities. Sodium hyaluronate (the salt form of hyaluronic acid) hydrates and moisturizes the skin.

A tripeptide speed ups cell renewal, helping to improve skin texture and skin tone.

Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) moisturizes and soothes the skin. Bisabolol, a component of chamomile, is soothing and helps reduce inflammation.

This Paula’s Choice vitamin C serum has an incredibly lightweight texture, almost like water, so it is lightweight and non-sticky on the skin.

Its featherlight texture works well with other skincare products and under makeup, too.

This Drunk Elephant dupe can be used alone or mixed with your favorite moisturizer or another serum.

The formula contains 10% AHA and 1% BHA in the form of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), plus salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid (BHA).

These acids provide a chemical exfoliation on the surface of the pores to clear away dead skin cells, dirt, and debris to reveal a brighter complexion with better clarity.

Salicylic acid works to unclog pores and reduce excess oil, acne, and breakouts.

The serum contains several plant extracts, including antioxidants raspberry fruit extract and horse chestnut extract, which protect the skin from damaging free radicals.

Virgin marula oil is another antioxidant that nourishes and moisturizes the skin.

Sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer is a form of hyaluronic acid that hydrates the skin at multiple levels, plumping the look of wrinkles and fine lines.

This Drunk Elephant Framboos dupe contains 8.05% glycolic acid, 1.04% lactic acid, and 0.10% salicylic acid for a slightly gentler exfoliation than Framboos Glycolic Night Serum.

Glycolic acid not only smoothes the skin but also stimulates collagen synthesis for improved skin elasticity and firmness. It also targets hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

Glycerin moisturizes, and sodium hyaluronate acts like a sponge to soak up moisture.

This lightweight serum works overnight, and by the morning, your skin will be smoother with improved clarity.

Compared to Framboos’ high price tag, this Framboos dupe is a steal!

Related Post: Good Molecules Skincare Review

It contains pro-vitamin B5, also known as panthenol, to moisturize the skin and support a healthy skin barrier.

Sodium hyaluronate hydrates and pineapple ceramides brighten, moisturize and smooth the skin.

Also included in this hydrating serum is a watermelon rind/apple/lentil complex (along with sodium PCA and sodium lactate), which is known as AquaCell.

Per the manufacturer, this complex is supposed to increase moisture and reduce fine lines.

This anti-aging serum strengthens the skin’s natural moisture barrier and is ideal for dehydrated, dry, mature, and even sensitive skin.

Madecassoside from the Centella Asiatica plant has healing properties and can also inhibit melanin production in the skin, helping to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation and discoloration.

La Roche-Posay Prebiotic Thermal Water contains vitamins and minerals that nourish your skin.

Sodium hyaluronate, the salt form of hyaluronic acid, hydrates the skin, and vitamin E offers antioxidant benefits.

This B-Hydra dupe hydrates and moisturizes without an unnecessarily high price tag.

It offers a serious resurfacing power that is perfect for tackling the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, pores, and dullness, thanks to the very high 25% concentration of AHAs.

Salicylic acid exfoliates the surface of the skin as well as in the pores to reduce excess pore-clogging sebum (oil), which helps to reduce breakouts and redness.

Matcha (green tea leaf), milk thistle, pomegranate, and apple extracts offer antioxidant benefits.

Chickpea flour brightens the skin, and pumpkin ferment extract provides a mild exfoliation and offers antioxidant photoprotection.

While it is formulated at a pH to improve effectiveness while minimizing redness and sensitivity, this treatment is potent and may not agree with all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

This rinse-off weekly treatment is formulated to reduce congestion, textural irregularities, blemishes, uneven skin tone, and the signs of aging.

The alpha-hydroxy acid mix is comprised of glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acids, while salicylic acid is the beta hydroxy acid in the formula.

This peel also contains hyaluronic acid crosspolymer for multi-level hydration, vitamin B5 to soothe the skin.

Black carrot offers antioxidant benefits, and a Tasmanian pepperberry derivative reduces the irritation that comes along with high concentration acid use.

The Babyfacial dupe has an even higher concentration of exfoliating acids and is less than 1/10 of the price of Drunk Elephant.

Please note that this product is only intended for experienced users of acid exfoliation and is not intended for sensitive skin.

For more on how to use The Ordinary peeling solution, please see this post, and for what to use on your skin after the peel, please see this post.

Related Post: CeraVe Skin Renewing Nightly Exfoliating Treatment Review

Its long list of potent actives includes an 8 Peptide blend to help reduce the signs of aging and multiple antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, an enzyme that protects from free radical damage.

Ubiquinone is an antioxidant that increases coenzyme Q10 in the skin, which helps to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Ceramides help the skin retain water and support a healthy skin barrier, while sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer hydrates the skin at multiple levels. Cucumber soothes the skin.

It contains the vitamin C derivative 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid, a stable and penetrating vitamin C derivative that protects the skin from free radical damage and helps to improve fine lines and uneven skin tone.

This Drunk Elephant eye cream dupe is a lightweight gel-cream and also contains Olay’s Amino Peptide (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4) to help smooth fine lines and wrinkles and firm the skin.

Niacinamide (vitamin B3) provides multiple benefits as it works to smooth wrinkles and fine lines and fade hyperpigmentation. It also helps boost ceramide production for a healthy skin barrier.

This Olay eye cream is lightweight, absorbs easily, and works well under makeup.

Retinol is the star over-the-counter anti-ager that protects the skin from photoaging and increases collagen synthesis and cell turnover for smoother and firmer skin.

Kale, winter cherry, and xanthophylls (carotenoids) are antioxidants that help protect the skin against environmental aggressors and oxidative stress.

This retinoid cream also contains a triple peptide blend to support the effects of retinol.

Vitamin F contains fatty acids that, along with a blend of passionfruit, apricot, marula, and jojoba oils, provide moisture and replenish the skin.

The effects of retinol are boosted by niacinamide and Olay’s naturally derived plant extract (Tropaeolum Majus Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract), which smooth, brighten, and strengthen your skin’s natural moisture barrier.

This Olay retinol cream also contains Amino Peptide (palmitoyl pentapeptide-4), which works to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.

Olay does not disclose the amount of retinol in this silky retinol moisturizer, but this drugstore dupe is POTENT and an excellent affordable alternative to Drunk Elephant’s A-Passioni Retinol Cream.

Peptides decrease inflammation and stimulate collagen production for firmer, more elastic skin. They also help to reduce skin roughness and wrinkles.

Epidermal Growth Factors help heal and renew the skin. Amino acids moisturize the skin and support a healthy skin barrier.

Pygmy waterlily stem cell extract is a moisturizing antioxidant, while soybean folic acid ferment extract, a B vitamin, helps with skin elasticity.

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It is formulated with Olay’s Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-4, a fragment of collagen Type 1 that is supposed to reduce fine lines, and wrinkles and improve your skin’s texture in a similar way that retinol does.

Glycerin moisturizes, and niacinamide (vitamin B3) targets the signs of aging, dark spots, and uneven skin tone while replenishing the skin barrier.

It also helps to balance sebum production and can help improve acne. Panthenol (pro-vitamin B5) moisturizes the skin.

The Drunk Elephant moisturizer dupe is rich but not sticky or greasy. This Protini dupe plumps your skin, just like Drunk Elephant, for firmer, smoother skin.

This version contains 2X as much Collage Peptide as the original Collagen Peptide 24 Moisturizer.

In my drugstore skincare dupes post, I suggest not one but two additional dupes for Protini, so be sure to check it out.

The texture is rich without feeling heavy or too occlusive.

It also contains sodium hyaluronate crosspolymer for multi-level hydration.

Fermentoil green tea seed extract is an antioxidant and moisturizer. Plantain leaf extract is anti-inflammatory and soothing.

Phytosphingosine is a lipid that offers anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial benefits.

This cushiony cream is formulated with macadamia oil, rich in moisturizing fatty acids.

This Korean moisturizer contains multiple apothecary herbs, such as antioxidant and soothing oat kernel extract and marigold extract, plus hydrating comfrey leaf extract.

This Drunk Elephant moisturizer dupe is formulated to release a burst of moisture when applied to the skin. Just like Lala, it provides deep moisture and absorbs easily without any stickiness for soft, smooth skin.

To read about my other pick for a Drunk Elephant Lala dupe, be sure to check out my post on drugstore skincare dupes.

It moisturizes and plumps the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

This oil is different from other marula oils because Drunk Elephant uses a proprietary raw, cold-press extraction and filtration process when formulating this oil.

The end product is a concentrated and pure marula oil that absorbs quickly and contains skin-protective antioxidants.

Is it worth the high price tag? Only you can decide.

It is rich in moisturizing fatty acids like oleic acid and linoleic acid. It also contains antioxidants to protect the skin from oxidative stress.

The Ordinary Marula Oil hydrates, smoothes, and nourishes the skin at a fraction of the cost of Drunk Elephant.

This Drunk Elephant marula oil dupe is lightweight but deeply moisturizing and can be used on the hair as well as the skin.

Related Post: The Ordinary Dupes for Luxury Skincare Products

Green tea leaf and vitamin C provide antioxidant protection, while shea butter, cranberry seed oil, and virgin marula oil moisturize the skin. Beeswax acts as an emollient.

• Organic Coconut Oil: Rich in moisturizing amino acids and vitamin E.
• Organic Beeswax: forms a protective barrier on the skin to keep moisture in.
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Powder: Organic matcha tea powder from Japan provides protective antioxidant benefits.

You can use this moisture stick/Lippe dupe on your lips and other dry spots for a boost of moisture.

Try it under your eyes to reduce the look of dark circles and puffiness.

Drunk Elephant calls this serum “Sunshine in a bottle”, and it’s a best-selling product that gives you a gorgeous bronze glow.

Vitamin F (fatty acids) supports a healthy skin barrier while raw, unrefined cocoa powder contains good-for-your-skin polyphenols, which are antioxidants that fight free radical damage.

Platinum peptide acetyl tetrapeptide-17 helps firm your skin and reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines. Chronocyclin, a chronopeptide, mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D.

Please note that these Drunk Elephant bronzing drops are formulated to be a mixer and are much too concentrated to be used alone. Add a drop or more to serums, moisturizers, or oils for an all-over glow on your face and/or body.

The drops contain superfine, light-reflecting pigments to help you get your glow on while reducing the look of uneven skin tone.

The base of the drops is sweet almond oil, a natural emollient that nourishes, conditions, and moisturizes your skin.

The lightweight serum contains the peptide polyglutamic acid. This acid is related to hyaluronic acid but has more powerful water-binding properties.

This Drunk Elephant bronzing drops dupe also contains blackberry extract, which is filled with antioxidants and helps strengthen your skin barrier. Vitamin E offers antioxidant protection.

Choose from the shades Sheer Golden or Sheer Bronzed. Both shades work on most skin tones and can even be mixed together.

Unlike Drunk Elephant, you can wear the drops alone, as the formula is buildable. You can also mix it with foundation or other face makeup for a beautiful glow with a soft-focus finish.

As a bonus, this Drunk Elephant dupe can easily be found at Target, so you don’t have to hunt around and try to find D-Bronzi Drops in stock.

Related Post: Versed Skincare Review

BONUS: Another Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi Drops Dupe

D-Bronzi Anti-Pollution Sunshine Drops is often sold out, so here is another affordable alternative that is easier to find:

This Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi dupe comes in four shades for light, medium, and deep skin tones and can be worn alone or under/over makeup.

You have a choice of shades that will provide different looks, from a muted shimmery glow to a deep bronze glow.

Plus, it’s a multi-tasker and has many different uses:

• Luminous primer
• Lightweight full-face foundation
• Highlighter
• Contour
• Full body luminizer

For more D-Bronzi alternatives, be sure to check out my post on the best Drunk Elephant D-Bronzi dupes.

The cleansing balm also contains antioxidant-rich fruit extracts to protect, nourish, and moisturize your skin.

This fragrance-free cleanser transforms from an oil to milk with the addition of water and gently cleanses while leaving your skin soft and smooth.

Soothing plant extracts like purple ginseng and turmeric extract contain antioxidants (like Drunk Elephant) to help protect your skin from environmental stressors.

This gentle cleansing balm is formulated with plant-based esters to help remove impurities without drying out your skin, leaving it feeling clean and hydrated.

The serum targets fine lines, enlarged pores, and sun damage for more radiant skin.

It is made with 10% lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that gently exfoliates the skin to reveal a smoother, brighter complexion.

Snow mushroom extract, sodium hyaluronate, and sodium PCA boost hydration while antioxidant-rich vitamin and plant oils soothe inflammation and moisturize your skin.

What signs of aging does it target? Think fine lines, uneven skin tone, irregular skin texture, and dullness.

You get the same 10% lactic acid concentration as Drunk Elephant but for less money.

Ingredients like Panax ginseng and red algae repair and detoxify for a brighter complexion, while a hyaluronic acid complex, ceramide NP, and mushroom extract hydrate and strengthen your skin barrier.

Retinol is a powerful ingredient in skincare that has been proven to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation.

Marula oil is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids to nourish and hydrate your skin. Ceramides help to strengthen your skin barrier and prevent moisture loss.

A nice anti-aging retinol oil, but for $72, the price is a bit steep.

The serum comes in a base of squalane, an oily liquid that resembles our skin’s own natural oils and is great for hydration and to offset the dryness that can come along with retinol products.

The retinol serum also contains Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) seed oil, a wax ester that is also similar to our skin’s natural oils. Jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, so it shouldn’t clog your pores.

Lycopersicum (Tomato) fruit extract and Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract are added for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

So, it’s not just a great Drunk Elephant retinol dupe in terms of price but also in terms of ingredients!

This The Ordinary is more lightweight than Drunk Elephant’s marula oil base but should provide similar results at a small fraction of the price.

This powerful combination of ingredients works to promote collagen production and improve skin elasticity while reducing puffiness and loss of firmness around the eye area.

An impressive formula, but you don’t have to pay so much to get similar results.

Retinal, also known as retinaldehyde, is combined with ginseng extract, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and a tripeptide to help stimulate collagen and elastin production, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, and brighten dark circles.

The serum contains 2% Retinal Liposome, which encapsulates the retinal molecule to stabilize it and blend it with natural lipids and oils.

Retinal converts directly to retinoic acid in your skin and is more effective than retinol, typically with fewer side effects.

Ginseng root extract at a 10% concentration is a potent antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the visible signs of aging, like photodamage and skin roughness.

The formula contains coconut-based surfactants, virgin marula oil, glycerin, and antioxidant-rich cantaloupe extract to nourish and protect your skin.

The jelly cleanser contains Byoma’s Tri-Ceramide Complex of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids, along with antioxidant-rich licorice root and green tea extracts to soothe, protect, and nourish your skin.

This gentle formula is fragrance-free and won’t strip your skin, yet leaves your skin feeling clean and refreshed.

Marula, chia, fermented green tea, and pumpkin seed oils work with ceramides, niacinamide, tocotrienols, and fatty acids to support a healthy skin barrier.

The masque reduces the look of blemishes and discoloration, hyperpigmentation, and acne scars for brighter, more even-looking skin.

The cream-like formula contains 10% azelaic acid to brighten skin, reduce the look of blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots, and improve overall skin texture.

No, it doesn’t contain salicylic acid, but you can pair it with The Ordinary Salicylic Acid 2% Solution, and you’ll pay less than $20 for both!

The spray balances your skin’s acid mantle and microbiome and defends against environmental stress. It also hydrates and moisturizes your skin.

This essence moisturizes, strengthens, and protects your skin barrier for a healthier, more radiant complexion.

The essence also contains antioxidants (green tea extract), amino acids, and sodium PCA, just like Drunk Elephant, to further nourish and protect your skin.

Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3, helps brighten and even out skin tone, and adenosine helps improve skin firmness and elasticity.

If you really love the spray aspect of Drunk Elephant, just pour this Mizon Essence in a spray bottle, and viola, you now have your own easy-to-use and affordable sake spray!

The sunscreen is boosted by multiple antioxidants, including astaxanthin, grape juice, and sunflower shoot extract, to reduce the look of photoaging and protect your skin.

Raspberry seed and marula oils moisturize your skin and help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

This non-irritating mineral sunscreen is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

The lightweight formula is non-greasy and leaves a minimal white cast.

Antioxidants like grapeseed oil and vitamin E help to protect your skin from free radicals and environmental stressors.

The formula contains acetyl glucosamine, sodium hyaluronate (sodium salt of hyaluronic acid), and glycerin to hydrate and moisturize your skin.

The fragrance-free formula is suitable for all skin types.

The cleansing bar supports moisture retention and helps your skin feel firmer and more elastic.

The bar cleanser gently removes dirt, oil, and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural oils.

It also contains 5% CeraVe Moisturizing Cream plus CeraVe’s MVE Technology which gradually releases moisturizing ingredients over 24 hours.

Ideal for normal to dry skin, the formula is non-comedogenic, so it shouldn’t clog your pores.

Best Drunk Elephant Dupes: Affordable & Effective

While these Drunk Elephant dupes don’t have the exact same formulas as Drunk Elephant, they will nourish, hydrate, moisturize, and smooth your skin in the same way without breaking the bank.

For more drugstore skincare dupes, don’t miss these posts:

Sunday Riley Good Genes Drugstore Dupes from The Ordinary and The Inkey List

Creme de la Mer Dupes

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream Dupes

Clinique Moisture Surge Dupes

Tatcha The Water Cream Dupes

Tatcha The Dewy Skin Cream Dupes

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion Dupes

Glossier Milky Jelly Cleanser Dupes

Glossier Futuredew Dupes

Brazilian Bum Bum Cream Dupes

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream Dupes

SkinCeuticals Triple Lipid Restore Dupes

Paula’s Choice BHA Dupes

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