Tula vs Drunk Elephant (The Definitive Guide)

Whether you’re a seasoned skincare aficionado or just starting out, Tula and Drunk Elephant are two brands that have probably crossed your radar at least once. You might even have a few of their products on your shelf right now.

Today, we will be comparing Tula vs Drunk Elephant and their best-selling moisturizers side-by-side to help you figure out which brand better suits you and your skin. Enjoy!

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Tula Dew Your Thing vs Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

In our everlasting search for the ultimate well-rounded moisturizer, we found Tula’s Dew Your Thing Moisturizing Gel Cream and Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Cream. Given that the quality of each is already implied, let’s see how they fare in a side-by-side comparison.

Tula begins by describing their solution as “a glass of water for your skin.” Well, with ingredients like probiotic extracts, apple, watermelon, and rice water, that couldn’t be more accurate. This lightweight gel cream hydrates, soothes signs of irritation, and works to give the dermis a firmer appearance. Tula also notes that Dew Your Thing is suitable for oily, combination, sensitive, balanced, and blemish-prone skin. Not to mention, it’s free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, dairy, and gluten.

Drunk Elephant’s Protini Polypeptide Moisturizer is a protein cream that’s loaded with impressive ingredients, too. Nourishing elements like peptides, amino acids, soybean folic acid ferment extract, and pygmy waterlily deliver immediate results for a more even skin tone, fewer fine lines and wrinkles, and a tauter look. According to Sephora, this cream of the crop… cream… is ideal for those of basically any skin type—normal, dry, combination, and oily. And because of Drunk Elephant’s take on the “Suspicious 6,” this formula (in addition to the rest of their products) is created without essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrances/dyes, or sodium lauryl sulfate. Hoorah for clean beauty!

Moreover, the cost of Drunk Elephant’s moisturizer ranges from ~$22 for a .5oz jar, while the 1.69oz jar is ~$43. Tula’s gel cream only comes in one size—1.7oz—with a price tag of ~$48. Well, if you are looking to save some coins, it appears that DE might be the better option for you. (And we love that Drunk Elephant’s jar comes in a smaller size for, you know, trial run purposes.)

In practice, when I integrated them into my skincare routine for a proper test, I observed some interesting nuances. Tula's gel cream was remarkably refreshing – its lightweight texture reminded me of a hydrating serum rather than a traditional moisturizer. I found it particularly soothing after a long day, with its cooling effect being a standout feature. It didn't just hydrate; it seemed to calm my skin, making it a go-to for days when my skin felt stressed or irritated.

On the other hand, Drunk Elephant’s Protini had a more robust, cream-like consistency that felt deeply nourishing. It was impressive how it seemed to instantly plump up my skin, making fine lines less noticeable. I also appreciated how it didn't leave any residue and was absorbed quickly, making it a reliable option even under makeup.

While both moisturizers were effective in hydrating and improving skin texture, Tula offered a soothing experience, ideal for sensitive or irritated skin, whereas Drunk Elephant provided a more intensive, rejuvenating treatment, great for addressing signs of aging and enhancing skin firmness.

Dew Your Thing Moisturizing Gel Cream by Tula

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Our rating: ★★★★★

Price: $$$$

Hydrates dry skin & improves skin smoothness.

What makes it special? Like a glass of water for your skin. This moisturizer is a powerful burst of hydration in a weightless gel texture that absorbs instantly with no greasy feel. Probiotic extracts & superfoods like apple, watermelon & rice water hydrate for firmer looking skin while prickly pear extract calms the look of irritation. This lightweight formula is non-comedogenic & won’t clog pores.

Which skin types? All skin types.

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Protini Polypeptide Cream by Drunk Elephant

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Our rating: ★★★★★

Price: $$$$

A protein moisturizer for immediate improvement in the appearance of skin’s tone, texture, and firmness.

What makes it special? This 2019 Byrdie Beauty Skincare Award, Harper’s Bazaar Anti-Aging Award, and Cosmetic Executive Women Beauty Awards winner is the ultimate clean moisturizer packed with proprietary technology like Signal Peptide Complex, and perfectly pH balanced to restore your skin’s barrier and reverse signs of aging. Clinical results show that after regular use, 100% of consumers reported that their skin felt replenished and nourished.

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This article was originally published on October 26th 2022, but it has been reviewed and updated with the latest available information on February 19th 2024 by Sara Mckay, MA.