Drunk Elephant

Overall Rating:

Poor

Location:

USA

about the brand

Drunk Elephant is a skincare brand known for its "clean-clinical" approach, focusing on products free from what they call the "Suspicious 6" ingredients.

certifications

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Drunk Elephant

Brand Rating & Evaluation

Overall Rating:

Poor

Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (Avoid) to 5 (Top Choice). See How We Rate

The Shifting Gaia rating evaluates brands based on sustainable practices, ingredients and materials, and social responsibility, among others. These are a few factors influencing this brand's score:

sustainability practices

Drunk Elephant has made some efforts toward sustainability, notably with its recyclable packaging initiative. However, the brand’s sustainability strategy remains limited. Many of its products, like the Littles and Midi sizes, contain packaging that is only partially recyclable, with a few items explicitly noted as non-recyclable on its site. While the brand is transparent about its use of high-quality ingredients like marula oil—sourced responsibly in alignment with local regulations in Namibia—its general sustainability efforts lack concrete environmental impact targets and broader third-party certifications.

Despite efforts to source sustainably, Drunk Elephant does not provide extensive information on carbon reduction or water conservation measures, areas critical to minimizing environmental impact in the skincare industry.

ingredients & materials

Drunk Elephant prides itself on using non-toxic, biocompatible ingredients, avoiding the "Suspicious 6" that could irritate or damage the skin. This commitment to skin health has made it popular among clean beauty advocates. However, Drunk Elephant includes both natural and synthetic ingredients, which can be somewhat contradictory for consumers expecting entirely natural products. Notably, the brand is free from parabens and synthetic fragrances, but it does use some synthetic preservatives and stabilizers like phenoxyethanol, which can cause irritation for sensitive users.

social responsibility

Drunk Elephant is certified cruelty-free by PETA and Leaping Bunny, with no animal testing across its product development or supply chain. This is a strong ethical commitment, especially as it does not operate in markets requiring animal testing.

However, Drunk Elephant is not fully vegan; some products contain animal-derived ingredients, which limits its inclusivity in ethical beauty circles. Additionally, Drunk Elephant does not have verified fair trade certifications for its suppliers, which raises questions about labor standards and the broader social responsibility framework within its supply chain