I mostly ignored Drunk Elephant’s Anti Pollution Sunshine Serum when it first came out because I didn’t think it was for me. Then I got to thinking: it’s bronze; I’m basically bronze. It’s only going to complement my skin, right? Right I was. Also, I have been on the search for a tinted moisturizer for my skin tone for forever and I thought this might do the trick (it didn’t).
 |
| D-Bronzi applied all over face |
 |
| With Flash |
 |
| D-Bronzi applied only on cheeks on top of Charlotte Tilbury Beach Stick in Es Vedra (taken with iPhone X) |
My skin type
Oily and imperfect. I have fading dark acne scars and tiny icepick-like scars on my cheeks.
What it’s supposed to do
From the brand: A chronopeptide that mimics the antioxidant benefits of vitamin D, omega-rich virgin marula and black currant seed oils, along with vitamin F (fatty acids), immediately replenish the delicate balance that supports a healthy barrier function of skin, while a concentrated mix of protective antioxidants boosts skin’s defenses against pollution and environmental stressors…all delivered with a bronzy finish. D-Bronzi’s just-got-back-from somewhere glow flatters every complexion.
I honestly don’t know what any of that means, and if it actually means anything at all 🤷. I bought this solely for the bronze.
Ingredients
Water, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Glyceryl Oleate Citrate, Mica, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract, Lecithin, Acetyl Tetrapeptide-17, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Sorbitan Isostearate, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Maltodextrin, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Magnolia Officinalis Bark Extract, Glutamylamidoethyl Imidazole, Colloidal Platinum [nano], Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Sorbic Acid, Caprylyl Glycol, Boron Nitride, Hexylene Glycol, Polysorbate 60, Ethylhexylglycerin, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), CI 77499 (Iron Oxides), Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
How I use it
I’ve used this three ways: all over my face by itself, as a tinted moisturizer; just on my cheeks as a bronzer; and underneath foundation. My favorite way to use it is just on my cheeks with blush.
All over my face: This is the method you see in the photos. While this is my favorite way to use it, I think the brand is right when it says it’s too concentrated to use on its own and you should mix it in with other facial products. I was, however, pleasantly surprised when I first put it on and that glow pushed through! Something else pushes through, though and that is my acne scars. I thought from the thickness of the serum, it would adequately cover my scars but it doesn’t. In fairness, that’s not what it’s for either. Regardless, I love the way it looks on my skin when I wear it that way, I just don’t prefer how it looks as the day progresses.
As a bronzer, just on my cheeks: In the last photo above, I am wearing the serum just on my cheeks and I love it this way. I apply it with a stippling brush or a dense medium sized brush for maximum blending.
Underneath foundation: This method didn’t really do anything for me; I couldn’t even see any bronze after applying foundation. I suppose had this in mind as an illuminating primer. I really love the Lorac one and thought this could be similar. It isn’t.
What I like about it
I loooooooove the bronze on my skin tone and I love the smell; it smells like chocolate! When I wear it just on my cheeks, it stays all day and complements whatever blush I am wearing perfectly. This is a uniqur product to my collection and I am happy I took a chance on it.
What could be better
One downside to this serum is that by midday, my skin attempts to get oily and it makes the serum look weird on my skin. Not exactly shiny, but something like that. I definitely need to powder blot when I use this.
I’m not confident this has any skincare benefits and the ‘environmental stressor, anti-pollution’ claim is frankly a turn-off. It should be noted, however, that didn’t stop me from buying it! I just think it’s an annoying marketing ploy and they could have done without it. Like, who is going to be able to tell whether or not environmental stressors are having less of an effect on their skin? And what’s anti-pollution anyway? Meh.
Joy Factor
Where to indulge
-XX
If you enjoyed this post, you should add me on Bloglovin so you never miss another.
