Today, we bring you another edition of “does this product actually deliver results” with before and after comparison photos of the Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Night Serum after using it for two weeks!
Product Background
Drunk Elephant has exploded as a luxury skincare favorite lately, with its colorful bottles dominating influencer #shelfies. Despite the often high price tag, their high potency formulas receive rave reviews.
The Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Framboos™ Glycolic Resurfacing Night Serum derives its wow factor power from a blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids and Beta Hydroxy Acids, aka AHAs and BHAs. Read below to see what these ingredients do for your skin:
Hero Ingredients:
- T.L.C. Framboos™ AHA Blend
(G) glycolic plus (T) tartaric, (L) lactic, and (C) citric acids) exfoliates built-up dead skin cells, resurfacing dull, uneven skin for a smoother, brighter, more even-looking complexion.
- Salicylic Acid (BHA)
Loosens sebum to unclog pores while soothing skin.
All those acids to say, this serum delivers intense chemical exfoliation and luminosity!
The product is certified clean at Sephora, and has a hefty price at $90 for the standard 1 ounce tube. So naturally, I wanted to know if it’s actually worth the price and delivers results.
Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Night Serum: Before and After
I used this product in my nightly routine for two weeks and took progress photos to document changes. Through the process, I was exercising ~3 times a week and eating without restriction.
My skincare routine consisted of a niacinamide serum in the morning and then at night Green Clean balm cleanser, Drunk Elephant Glycolic Acid serum, and Mad Hippie Eye Cream.
I started this toward the end of my exercise and acne experiment, so my skin started like this.
Before First Application (Day 1)

I decided to start using this serum after feeling the dull pain that signals the impending entrance of a pimple. Knowing the powerful blend of AHA and BHA could be acne fighting, I though this might help keep the zit at bay. After my first application, I didn’t notice any significant improvement in my skin but continued to incorporate the serum into my nightly routine.
Second Application (Day 3)

On Day 3, said pimple became inflamed and irritated. Later, I applied the night serum before bed. I hoped that the strong acids would fight the blemish. In my experience, pimples of this nature are a 3-5 day battle until inflammation and size began to vanish.
Third Application (Day 4)
DAY 4 Skin
Woohoo! Day 4 was the day that sold me on the efficacy of this product. Upon waking up, the pimple was all but healed. Surprisingly, I’ve never had a blemish have a turnover cycle as fast as this one.
While I exercised frequently during this week, I think the combination of better circulation from workout and the powerful serum sped up the acne healing process immensely.
Fourth Application (Day 7)
DAY 7 Skin
Not only did the night serum make the healing process relatively fast but also it helped re-texturize my skin (see later.) After that, there were no visible traces of the blemish.
Fifth Application (Day 10)
DAY 10 Skin
With no new acne this week, I began noticing a subtle improvement in the texture of my skin during the second week of use. My skin felt soft to the touch, and the bumps from old acne seemed less intense than before.
Sixth Application (Day 12)
DAY 12 Skin
Overall, from Day 10 onward, my skin felt smoother and looked glowier!
After Application (Day 14)
My skin is a happy camper after two weeks of consistent use: hydrated, smooth, and happy!
Conclusion
In short, I would buy this serum again and again. While the visible changes weren’t very intense, the texture transformation before and after using the T.L.C. Glycolic Night Serum was impressive. With a week’s usage I felt a shift in my skin’s smoothness and texture alongside the lightening of old acne scars.
In summary, this high end product is definitely a luxury, with its high price and small quantity, but it certainly delivers results. When I would wake up after a PM application, my skin always felt incredibly soft. Undoubtedly, this serum will be a new staple in my skincare shelf. A win for the books!