About a year ago I had one of my routine monthly facials. Having one this often helps to keep my skin glowing and looking younger. What I didn’t know was what was to come. I got home and later that evening after I washed my face my eyes started to itch. The next morning I woke up to swollen eyes…nearly shut! I freaked out, went into the restroom and washed my face. Immediately, under my eyes started to burn. I wasn’t sure what was going on. Over the course of 2 weeks my eyes were grossly swollen and my skin was dry and cracking. It goes without saying that was a terrible two weeks. It was so bad that I missed Aaron’s family Thanksgiving. That puts the degree of my look into perspective.
Months later I decided to get a Hydra-facial from Anti-Age Institude. These are facials I’ve been getting for years and have highly recommended even to this day. Knowing Hydra-Facials have never caused any sort of reaction in the past I figured my skin was safe. After the facial I went home and maintained my normal skin routine. I could not believe it when I woke up the next morning to eyes swollen, again. At this point all I could think was that there was a reaction between the facial and the product I was using.
As a blogger I get gobs and gobs of product to try and review for you all but this reaction couldn’t continue. So, I threw all the product away. Every last bit went into the trash. That’s when I started researching for new product. I had to keep my skin clean and thought organic had the safest route. While at Sephora I stumbled upon Drunk Elephant. One of my girlfriends had told me about this line in the past. She mentioned her success story with D.E.
To be honest I was a little leery because my skin was still inflamed from the facial several days before this. Only thing I could do was to give it a try and see what happened.
It took my skin a few days to calm down. But once it did, I did not look back on any off that product I tossed out. I think my skin was over treated. The previous product was causing my skin to be drier than it should have been…which caused me to be somewhat addicted to it. Without it my skin felt uncomfortable.
Now it’s been 7 months and I am still using DE. With all the questions I get asked from you all about my skin I felt it was really important to share this with you this experience. Now you know that reasoning behind all the Instastory and Snapchat allergy testing. It was pertinent to know what was causing that reaction, as to void it again. Turns out the allergy is what’s call Balsam of Peru.
Balsam of Peru is a fragrant resinous liquid harvested from trees grown in Central America. Not commonly used today, balsam of Peru may still be found as a fragrance, avor, or antibacterial ingredient. Balsam of Peru contains a mixture of many sub- stances related to cinnamon, vanilla and clove fragrances, and flavorings. –T.R.U.E Test
While online it says it is NOT commonly used…I beg to differ. What I found out is that it’s in quite a lot of product use in my every day life. This includes perfume, tomatoes, citrus, chocolate, gum, scented candles, pesticides, WINE (just kill me now), and other things SUCH AS FACIALS! It’s in the orange or citrus and/or the acid peel portion of the Hydra-Facial. How wild is that? To say it isn’t “commonly used today” is not the case for me. I use all at least one of thees listed in my everyday routine.
Here are some of the points that stand out to me about D.E.
- No Fragrance is used
- No harsh chemicals
- Less is more when it comes to ingredients in products
- pH and toxicity levels are paid close attention to
It’s my desire as a blogger to share what works best with me as organically as possible. And even more exiting is that much D.E. is giving me one box of Littles (a travel size set) to GIVEAWAY to one of my followers. All I ask is that you share this post with someone who is interested in skin care and leave your comment below. Don’t forget to leave your email as well so that I can email you if you win.
Love y’all.
I’ve been wanting to try DE for awhile now! Love your thoughts on the brand!!
I have been waiting for this post!! Thank you for sharing! Went to dinner tonight with a girlfriend I hadn’t seen in a while and her skin was glowing and she said she had been using drunk elephant too! Will absolutely be trying this soon and sharing with my mom and sister!
That’s awesome to know. I really am happy with DE! Let’s start a Drunk Elephant revolution.
I was just checking them out at Sephora yesterday while traveling in Las Vegas for work! Their products sound great! I am really eager to try!
This is amazing! will be trying this out for sure!
I’m sorry you had to go through this experience but I’m glad you found a product that works for you! It’s really frustrating how difficult/time consuming it is to understand every ingredient used in order to find good wholesome products. I can’t wait to try DE! Thanks for sharing.
I love trying new skincare products and have heard great things about a lot of these products from friends, so I’ve sent them the link to check this out too! 🙂
My email is contactbeautyandtheleast@gmail.com
Very interesting I’m curious to try out this product! Donelsonkelly@gmail.com
I have always struggled with my skin as well with allergies and sensitive skin. I am not the best with beauty products and generally just get frustrated when it doesn’t turn out as expected. I usually don’t know what works and just go off of what I’ve heard from others. Thanks for your posts and recommendations for those of us who struggle and get overwhelmed when it comes to beauty products!
You’re welcome. If you use it let me know.
Thanks for posting! I’m looking for something new and I appreciate the fact that you only share product that you stand behind!!!
You’re so welcome.
So funny that I just saw this post. I was just at Sephora this week and saw the DE line. I was very interested and read all about it. After reading your post, I definitely I’m going to try DE!! Thank you for sharing your experience!!
Ive bee dying to try this brand!! I hope I can win the giveaway!
this product amazing, Will absolutely be trying this soon and sharing with MY cute sister!
Need to try it, thanks for sharing!
Hugs Bella, http://nouw.com/bellss // Instagram: bellaskoog
HI Ashlee! Thanks for sharing. I also had a facial treatment, but this one left hyper pigmentation on my face, I’ve worked really, really hard to restore my skin. I think it’s great for you to remind people of the importance of knowing what’s in our skin care. Thanks again for this post! elleglamd@gmail.com
I have been so curious about DE and love that the founder is from Houston!! 🙂
I have extremely sensitive skin & I’m always looking for organic products to help ! I’ve tried so many things & most have made my Rosacea worse. I just emailed this blog post to my friend that sells a very expensive skincare line , I tried their soothe line for 3 months & it broke me out . I’m going to go read more about DE brand & see if I can try it ! Would love to win , thanks for the chance . XOXO
I have never heard of this brand before but would love to try it! I’ve really been trying to use more natural products lately! Just so many harsh chemicals in so many things now!
Sharing this with my mom! Love their Lala cream and new Umbra Tinte. I am eager to give their serums a try!!