spa at home anyone?
Foreword
As much as I love skincare, I haven't met "my" dermatologist yet (oops!), so spa at home it is. And today's guest star is probably one of the most popular products in this category - in this post, we will be discussing T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial. Is it worth your time and money?
Curious? Then please keep on scrolling
My Skin: dry, sensitive
About the Product
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask (80 USD; Made in USA) - is described by the brand as a "pro quality" facial, that combines a mix of AHAs and BHAs. It claims to resurface the skin, and improve its texture and tone over time.
Packaging: signature Drunk Elephant white + color-coded design. The mask comes in a chubby cylindrical plastic container with a pump. It does include a mini stopper that will protect the product from accidentally leaking. You get 50 ml/ 1.69 fl oz of product. As of now the T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask comes with a complimentary mini-sized Marula Oil.
Formula: in case you are new to it, it is worth noting that AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) and BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) are two kinds of chemical exfoliators. While they might be similar in some ways, the key difference is that the BHAs go deeper into the sebaceous glands to draw out impurities and unclog pores (as well as help with acne and sun damage).
In the case of Drunk Elephant we get around 25% of AHAs (Glycolic, Tartaric, Lactic Acids) and 2% of Salicylic Acid. The brand also highlights Chickpea Flour as a brightening and skin balancing component. Glycolic Acid is the second ingredient after Water, which means its content is the highest out of all acids. You also get some Aloe, Grape, and Apple Extracts blended into the mix.
Cruelty-free🐇
Texture Image Source: Drunk Elephant
Texture: as you can see from the image above, the T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask has a thicker creamy and slightly grainy consistency. It looks beige, but once you sheer it out it appears clear. You won't notice grainy particles once the product is applied. The texture spreads out with ease.
Scent: no added fragrance.
Application: similar to most exfoliating acids or skin resurfacing actives, they are best applied at night or overnight. The T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask on the other hand is a rinse-off mask that you only leave on for 20 minutes over dry/clean skin. You then rinse it off and follow up with your usual skincare products.
You will feel a tingling sensation upon/during/after the use of this product. It solely depends on how familiar your skin is with AHAs and BHAs in general. I find that my skin slightly tingles every time I use this product, even though I am experienced with chemical exfoliants. The sensation goes away eventually (even quicker if you apply a skin soothing cream afterward).
I do recommend avoiding any other acids/actives on days when you plan to use this mask, especially if you have sensitive skin. Patch test it first and if all goes well, limit your use to one time per week only. Set an alarm. I use a pea-sized amount (1 full pump, maybe a half) twice a month, which is even less than what Drunk Elephant suggests.
first impression
The skin might appear slightly flushed at first, but the sensation calms down once you follow up with your soothing skincare products. The skin texture is noticeably smooth and fresh looking. In my case, there was no irritation or peeling.
long-term use
Over time there is more texture improvement, I am talking little to no dry patches, bumps, or clogged pores. I find that with regular use my skin breaks out less. I can't say whether or not this mask helped with the sun damage (I have a few spots here and there), but it did speed up the fading process of any freshly forming post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Skin becomes more glowy and radiant.
Verdict
This might not be my favorite product from the line, but I do appreciate The T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial AHA + BHA Mask for what it does. I do prefer the T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum, which I have been using for many moons now and can't recommend it enough if you are struggling with skin texture issues. While both are on a very pricey side, you might want to go with the mask though, because you get more product for less (and with moderate use, one bottle will last you a long time). I think that if you are AHAs/BHAs beginner, you might want to build skin tolerance to them with some mild formulations first. If you are an experienced user of acids and want that extra clear and smooth baby skin in a bottle (perhaps over two weeks), you might really enjoy this product. All in all, it does live up to its claims and it is fair to give it B+.
More online:
sephora.com (USA)
cultbeauty.co.uk (World)
Purchased product; full disclaimer here
