Last Updated on May 8, 2026 by omgbart
The Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial has been in my rotation since 2017. I reviewed it at launch and called it the most effective resurfacer in my skincare arsenal. Nine years later I stand by that. Drunk Elephant has released a lot since then. The Babyfacial remains the one I keep coming back to.
What is in the Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial?
This is a weekly mask, not a daily product. The distinction matters. The acid concentration is serious: 25% Alpha Hydroxy Acids combined with 2% Salicylic Acid. Put those numbers on a clinical peel and you are in professional territory. Put them in a jar at Sephora and suddenly everyone has access to a weekly resurfacing treatment that actually works.
The AHAs — Tartaric, Lactic, and Citric — work on the surface. Salicylic Acid goes inside the pore. Together they address texture, congestion, radiance, and tone in twenty minutes. The botanical support cast is what stops it from being aggressive: Aloe Vera, Apple Extract, Green Tea Leaf Powder, Maracuja and Marula Oils, Milk Thistle, Pomegranate Extracts. It is a serious formula wearing a very approachable one. That combination is harder to pull off than it looks.
What actually changed in the new Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial formula
I compared both labels side by side. The acid concentrations are unchanged. The pH holds at 3.5. The marula oil, the ferment complex, the botanical base are all still there. But enough has changed that this is a genuinely different formula wearing the same name.
Butylene Glycol now sits second on the new INCI list, right after glycolic acid. At this concentration it functions as both a humectant and a penetration enhancer, helping drive the acid actives deeper into the skin. The same 25% AHA should work more efficiently than it did before. That is not a minor change.
Tartaric Acid now appears as a standalone ingredient. In the original it was implied within the acid blend, the T in T.L.C., but never listed explicitly. Its presence here suggests a higher concentration or a structural change in how the acid blend is assembled.
Tocopherol is new. Pure vitamin E, working synergistically with the acid complex to neutralise free radicals during exfoliation and support barrier repair post-rinse. The old formula had no dedicated antioxidant. Now it does.
The camellia has been swapped. Camellia Oleifera, the conditioning oil-producing camellia from the old formula, is replaced by Camellia Sinensis, which is green tea, rich in EGCG. The old camellia was conditioning. The new one is actively protective. It is an upgrade.
Niacinamide is gone. At pH 3.5, niacinamide converts to nicotinic acid, which causes flushing. Its removal is a correction, not a downgrade.
Dextrin, Polydextrose, and Amylopectin are also gone. These were the polysaccharide thickeners that gave the original its dense, paste-like texture. Without them the formula is thinner and more fluid, which is why Drunk Elephant now instructs you to warm it between the palms before applying. This is the trade-off for better penetration. Do not mistake the lighter texture for a weaker formula.
How To Use it
Once a week, evenings only. Apply a thin layer to cleansed dry skin and leave it on for twenty minutes. You will notice tingling immediately. That is normal and expected at this concentration. It is not uncomfortable. As the formula dries the texture firms slightly on the skin.
The tingling starts almost immediately. That is normal at this concentration. It is not uncomfortable, for the record. Just noticeable. As the formula dries, the texture firms slightly on the skin, which is also normal and slightly satisfying.
And speaking of texture… I find the updated formula to be richer and creamier with a more user-friendly grip to the skin.
Rinse thoroughly after twenty minutes and follow with a moisturiser immediately. Do not skip SPF the following morning. AHA treatments accelerate cell turnover and leave skin temporarily more vulnerable to UV damage. Take no chances by skipping SPF!
If you also use Framboos at night, that is your daily maintenance. The Babyfacial is the weekly reset. Do not run both on the same night. That is not a smoothie worth making.
Results
The morning-after effect is real, and it is one of the few things in skincare I can say that about without qualification. Skin looks like you slept well, drank water, and made good decisions. One application does that. The deeper work on uneven tone and sun damage takes four to six weeks of consistent weekly use. The difference at that point is not subtle. It is the kind of improvement other people notice before you do.
Still worth it in 2026?
At $80 for 50ml this is not cheap for a weekly-use product. But there is nothing at this price point that delivers the same combination of AHA concentration, BHA support, and non-irritating botanicals in one formula. If you have not tried this yet, I genuinely do not know what you are waiting for.
The $80 bottle (50ml) will last months – available at drunkelephant.com, sephora.com, ulta.com or boots.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you use the Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial?
Once a week. The 25% AHA concentration is too strong for more frequent use. Weekly application gives your skin adequate recovery time while still delivering consistent results.
Can you use the Sukari Babyfacial with retinol?
Not on the same night. Both are active treatments. Use the Babyfacial on one evening per week and keep your retinol for the remaining nights. The combination used simultaneously will overload the skin.
Is the Drunk Elephant Sukari Babyfacial good for sensitive skin?
It is more tolerable than the acid concentration suggests, but sensitive skin types should proceed carefully. Start with ten minutes rather than the full twenty and build up gradually. If you experience prolonged redness or discomfort, reduce frequency to every two weeks.
Does the Sukari Babyfacial help with hyperpigmentation?
Yes. The AHA blend addresses surface-level pigmentation and sun damage with consistent use. Results are visible after four to six weeks of weekly application. Follow with SPF the next morning to protect the new skin cells.
What do you apply after the Sukari Babyfacial?
A moisturiser immediately after rinsing. Drunk Elephant includes a travel-size Virgin Marula Oil in the kit, which is a logical pairing. Any non-active, hydrating moisturiser works. Avoid applying additional acids, retinol, or vitamin C directly after the treatment.
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