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This Is the Only Face Serum That Makes Me Look Better Overnight

It’s been five years since I first started using Drunk Elephant’s Framboos Glycolic Night Serum—and let me tell you, my skin has gone through some changes in those years. From a face full of acne to the first signs of aging, it’s been there for me through it all.

Formulated with a 12 percent AHA/BHA blend (specifically lactic, tartaric, citric and salicylic acid) along with horse chestnut and white tea to help soothe skin, the lightweight gel absorbs quickly and makes everything look a bit smoother and brighter the next morning.

In the beginning, I used the serum every night. (One to two pumps of serum, followed by a squeeze of moisturizer.) This simple combo seemed to keep my skin clear and happy, so I stuck to it for a solid couple of years. Then, sometime in my late 20s, I noticed my cheeks were getting a bit red and sensitized so I dialed back to using it only two to two to three times a week. I more or less stick to this same schedule now.

Anytime I look a bit ashen and dull—or I start breaking out on my forehead (courtesy of my new bangs), I smooth on this serum and wake up in a better state. It’s one of the few products that I feel confident about recommending to my friends (and total strangers on Instagram) when they ask me for skin-care advice—which can be a lot of pressure if you think about it because a) products aren’t cheap b) everyone’s skin is different. Therein lies the beauty of this serum: It works magic on both my 65-year-old mom and my 31-year-old best friend.

And hey, if you’re still unsure about plunking down $90 for a serum, you can trial it along with a sample size of their cult marula facial oil for a more palatable $28. Let me know how it goes!


Jenny Jin Headshot Vertical 2023

Beauty Director

Jenny Jin is PureWow’s Beauty Director and is currently based in Los Angeles. Since beginning her journalism career at Real Simple magazine, she has become a human encyclopedia of...