Disappointed: Drunk Elephant Lala Retro Whipped Cream review + dupes

What is it
This multifaceted rescue cream provides replenishing barrier support by reinforcing skin’s acid mantle and defending against the effects of everyday stressors. Lala Retro is a whipped dream-come-true for tired, dry skin.

How I use it
A pea sized amount twice a day as my moisturizer.

Best suited for
The light texture and matte finish will work for most skin types, however the inclusion of several comedogenic ingredients makes this not acne-prone skin friendly.

Things to note
Drunk Elephant prides themselves in being 6-free, so no silicone, essential oils, chemical UV filters, alcohol, or fragrance/dyes. They’re also cruelty-free, but despite their “clean” claims, none of their packaging is recyclable. The brand itself is also problematic and controversial to say the least.

Packaging
The full sized product comes in a non-recyclable airtight plastic jar with a pump dispenser and a pretty lavender lid. Good for hygiene and aesthetics, not so good for the environment.

Scent
No noticeable scent. If I sniff hard enough it smells sorta like playdough.

Texture
A fluffy light-to-medium weight cream. Unlike typical creams, this has no noticeable oily feel, yet it still takes a bit to fully absorb.

Finish
Matte/natural finish once absorbed.

Available For
$60 for 50ml on Sephora and CultBeauty

Ingredients Highlight

This has pretty much everything I’m looking for in a moisturizer: emollient + antixoidant rich oils + cholesterol + ceramides which are naturally part of our moisture barrier, and even a little hyaluronic acid to help draw moisture to the skin.

However it also contains several possible comedogenic ingredients, specifically Isopropyl Isostearate. I personally had no issues and did not break out, but if you’re acne prone I’d pass.

Usage Experience

Like I said, I expected this to be love at first use, but I am NOT a fan of the texture. As a cream made for dry skin, I expected this to be luxurious and rich, but sadly that was not the case.

Even if I ignore the textures, I actually didn’t find this cream that moisturizing. As a matter of fact, I had to mix in a separate facial oil to get that emollience and richness I’m used to and prefer in moisturizers. Definitely not a dream-come-true for my combo-dry skin, more like a disappointing reality.

The plus side of the lightweight texture is that it works well as a day moisturizer under makeup. No pilling or any issues at all. My skin didn’t feel uncomfortable, but it doesn’t give me that moisturized + plump feeling that I’m used to from a good moisturizer either.

All in all, incredibly underwhelming, especially considering the price. I finished my deluxe mini last month, and if I find it only average in the summer, I can only imagine how lack it’ll be in the winter when my skin gets real dry.

Lala Retro possible dupes

Paula’s Choice Omega+ Complex Moisturizer – $35/50ml
The texture and ingredients are both incredibly similar. I didn’t find this one moisturizing enough either, but Paula’s Choice is also much less expensive. Plus the brand is less problematic.

Cerave Moisturizing Cream – $16/539g
This doesn’t contain any plant oils, but you still get barrier restoring ceramides + cholesterol plus hyaluronic acid. There’s also petrolatum, an excellent occlusive to really lock that moisture in. Not as elegant of a formula but seriously look at the price!

Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream – $14/48g
Similar to the moisturizing cream but take out the petrolatum and add in peptides and niacinamide for the antiaging benefits!

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration – $34/170g
It has the same light and whipped texture, plus ceramides. However the FAB also includes colloidal oatmeal for soothing the skin plus shea butter + squalene to nourish.

Acure Radically Rejuvenating Whipped Night Cream – $19.99/50ml
You get that same whipped texture and marula oil, but instead of ceramides, the Acure features peptides + vitamin c + ferulic acid for some antiaging + antioxidant benefits.

Final Verdict