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Spring is the perfect time to banish dull winter skin, and get your glow on.
But, it’s no surprise in-salon facials are pricey and, for many of us right now, not a luxury we can afford, but there’s an alternative out there giving professional treatments a run for their money, if you believe the reviews.
Step forward, Drunk Elephant’s TLC Sakuri Babyfacial.
First launched in 2002, the product is an AHA/BHA ‘facial’ that aims to resurface your skin to reveal ‘clarity, improved skin texture and tone and a more youthful-looking radiance.’
The reviews are certainly glowing (pun intended), so we wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
On Boots’ website alone there are over 1,000 five-star ratings, with lots of positive comments from customers who say the facial has transformed their skin.
One reviewer said: ‘I used to have big clogged pores that never went away and cells that just wouldn’t quit, I would also pick at my bumps so much they would scab. All of that went away once I used Sukari Babyfacial. Results were not only accurate, but fast. This truly is the Perfect product.’
While another posted: ‘I LOVE how efficient this product is! It clears up my skin powerfully without causing any sensitivity.’
Metro’s Mel Evans tries the Drunk Elephant TLC Sukari Babyfacial
When this product crossed my desk I felt I better take one for the team (it’s a hard life) and see if it really lived up to the hype.
First things first: I’m instructed to apply an even layer to clean, dry skin and leave for 20 minutes before washing off, so I do this over my lunch break and settle in to eat while it works its magic.
As someone with relatively sensitive skin, I was expecting to get to 10 minutes, maybe, before needing to wash it off, with some reviews saying they felt a burning sensation almost immediately. I approached with caution.
The consistency is a little grainy, but I tried not to buff it too much, and it goes on clear despite coming out of the tube a light brown colour.
I was pleasantly surprised that, despite it not going down well with everyone, I made it to 20 minutes with nothing but a faint tingle on my temple and cheeks, with the tingling intensifying when I added water to wash it off (so beware, it seems to react to water).
With a name like Babyfacial, I really was expecting the first layer, minimum, of my skin to be melted away but I have to say, all layers remain intact.
Perhaps I didn’t put on a thick-enough layer (I really went thin, just in case). Still, my skin certainly feels a little softer and after following up with the brand’s facial oil I’m rocking a real glow. It remains to be seen if that will last long-term.
I’ll definitely keep using it once a week to see if over time it makes more of a difference.
The product contains a range of AHA and BHAs, including glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric and salicylic acid blended with soothing milk thistle, matcha tea and apple.
AHA stands for Hydroxy Acids and BHA is short for Beta Hydroxy Acids. These acids exfoliate your skin by sweeping away dead skin cells and can penetrate much deeper than a more traditional scrub.
However, some people can be sensitive to AHAs and BHAs so, as Drunk Elephant suggests, it’s best to leave the facial on for a shorter amount of time when you first try it, and work your way up if your skin doesn’t react.
The company does say the facial has an ‘ideal’ PH level of 3.5 and that you won’t, therefore, have to worry about any redness or irritation.
But many experts also recommend not applying retinol or Vitamin C to your face directly after or even the same day as your skin will be more sensitive than normal.
For the same reason, make sure you use a high-factor sun cream the same day.
It’s also important you don’t overuse exfoliants like the Babyfacial – once a week, as Drunk Elephant recommend, is about right.
Look, it’s not cheap, at £59.50, for a product you use once a week, but it doesn’t take an accountant to calculate you’d pay a lot more for regular salon facials so if it does the job over the long-term, as customers claim, the higher cost would arguably be worth it in the long run.
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