Bubble, paper, clay, peeling, overnight, peel-off – the modern face mask has taken many forms over the years. (Not to mention the entirety Miscellaneous Kind of mask that I hope we’ve all worn too.) Still, despite their evolution, and whether you’re acne-prone, suffer from dryness, or are more oily, the end goal of using it is the same: brighter, clearer, better looking skin. That’s the focus of Drunk Elephant’s latest launch, the Bouncy Brightfacial Mask ($68, available at Sephora.com from 5.12.), which should give your face the ring light effect.
It’s the third face mask in Drunk Elephant’s lineup – following strong predecessors Babyfacial and Waterfacial – but it’s the brand’s first treatment to harness the power of today’s hottest skincare ingredient: azelaic acid.
“It’s a really interesting ingredient with a lot of great properties, so I wanted to create a whole new formulation around it,” says the founder Tiffany Masterson says POPSUGAR. “We always go as high as we can with our active ingredients, but at a low molecular weight and a safe pH so that it’s effective but not irritating.” That’s why the team created Bouncy Brightfacial, among other things, with 10 percent azelaic acid plus Salicylic Acid (to loosen dirt and grime from pores), Diglucosyl Gallic Acid and Glutathione (to brighten), and Marula Oil and Ceramides (to hydrate).
In recent years, azelaic acid in particular has been identified on the market as a workhorse that exfoliates just as well as other popular acids like AHAs and BHAs, albeit more gently and therefore better tolerated by sensitive or damaged skin. It’s also said to treat a variety of skin issues, from dark spots and hyperpigmentation to redness.
Image source: POPSUGAR Photography / Kelsey Castañon
“It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that are great for acne-prone skin, as it can help soothe and reduce pimples,” says the dermatologist Maria Sommerlad, MBBS, MRCP. This also makes it a solid treatment for rosacea: “Papulopustular rosacea is associated with red bumps and pus-filled blemishes, and regular use of azelaic acid helps reduce associated redness and swelling with minimal risk of side effects.”
For anyone with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Dr. Sommerlad states that azelaic acid can also help fade stubborn stains. “It may improve hyperpigmentation by inhibiting tyrosinase, the enzyme crucial for the production of melanin.”
As a result, Masterson assures that the Bouncy Brightfacial works on all skin types and can be used as a final step to your existing skincare regimen or paired with the brand’s C-company for “a brightening win-win.” The formula is meant to be left on rather than rinsed off, but how (and how often) you use it is entirely up to you. “We’re big on ‘smoothies’ – mixing products based on what your skin needs that day – so you can customize them. Some people need more moisture, some less. Some people want more exfoliation, some not as much, depending on their age or concerns.”
Because it’s designed to work well with other acids and skin treatments, you don’t have to replace a skincare step to make room for it in your routine either. “You can apply it as the top layer of your smoothie at night; You can mix it with your other products during the day; You can use it just twice a week if you like; it’s even gentle enough that you can use it twice a day,” says Masterson. “That’s the thing, it’s very versatile.”
Now to the all-important question: is it too good to be true? We were dying to find out, so we asked four POPSUGAR editors with different skin types – from oily and acne-prone to dry skin and beyond – to put Drunk Elephant’s Brightfacial Masque to the test for a whole month. Read on for our unfiltered reviews.