Beauty 101: Drunk Elephant vs Pacifica Ceramide Creams

I am not someone who has ever indulged in the beauty dupe world. Most of the time it seems like no two products are alike; if it's a lipstick shade, it's never exact and foundations are so specific to the person it's hard to compare two. Also, I am someone who loves buying expensive beauty products. It is my privilege to show, yes, but if I want a specific makeup item, I want that item for a reason; for the beautiful packaging, quality, fun marketing, and the brand name. 

I don't think I personally have ever come across a dupe in my collection... until now.

Years ago I purchased the cult classic Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Moisturizer with Ceramides and my skin loved it. Over the years, my skin has gotten more sensitive and dry; my under eyes puff up and crack while dry patches pop up all over my skin. I need to be more careful with what I put on my face while also moisturizing and really letting my skin soak up all the hydration it needs.

That's why I fell in love with this Drunk Elephant moisturizer. It healed my skin's barrier, hydrated, and didn't irritate me. It felt like my skin was drinking a glass of water... but, it's a $60 moisturizer. I can spend a lot of money on makeup but moisturizers that are expensive are an eye-brow raiser for me. 

Ceramide cream isn't hard to come by in the beauty world but I didn't do a good job at searching high and low for one. Until one showed up on my doorstep.

I've been getting PR from Pacifica Beauty for a while and when I was given the chance to try their Vegan Ceramide Barrier moisturizer, I had a hunch that it would be very similar to my beloved Drunk Elephant.

Well, I was completely right.

These two creams are nearly identical in almost every single way. It's pretty amazing...

How Are They Different

Let's get into the differences before we end on a positive note. The main difference is the consistency of the product. The Drunk Elephant one is much thicker than the Pacifica moisturizer but I don't think that really affects how they perform. It's almost like Lala Retro just holds its shape better while Pacifica is a little more watery. 

Drunk Elephant Texture on the right (on the DE cap)
Pacifica on the left

The other difference is obviously the packaging. Drunk Elephant's packaging is unique and was one of the first like this that I've seen...where you press down on the top of the tub and the cream dispenses, versus the Pacifica one that is just a standard jar you put your fingers into. I've never had a problem with the jar packaging and I'm not someone who gets grossed out by dipping your fingers into the product but if you are, then you might want to stick with the Lala Retro.

How Are They The Same

I don't think I've ever come across two products that are so similar in performance. I could moisturize with both on the same night (on either side of my face) and not be able to tell the difference. When it comes to blending into the skin, even though Drunk Elephant is thicker, it still sinks into the skin immediately. Neither leaves a white cast nor a greasy residue... they don't irritate my skin, they moisturize and help keep ecezma at bay. 

I have to say, I am so impressed by the Pacfica cream and I don't think I will be repurchasing the Drunk Elephant one. I don't see the purpose in spending $60 on a moisturizer that works just as well as one from the drugstore.

I have some more inexpensive beauty dupes coming up so stay tuned! 

What are your favorite beauty dupes?
xoxo
B