Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream

Drunk Elephant has been one of my favorite brands since I discovered them in a subscription box in 2014. It took one look at the ingredients and I knew it was a special brand. Drunk Elephant has been a staple in my skincare routine for over three years, very shortly after their start. C-Firma and TLC Glycolic Night Serum have always been in my stash.

I always get so excited for a new launch. It was so funny three years ago I was writing about Drunk Elephant and people would say drunk who? Now it’s a major household name and for good reason. Their new launches are huge as they don’t happen that often. Founder Tiffany really takes the time to perfect a product versus just release one for the sake of it to make money. I love that about the brand.

I was so ecstatic, you have no idea, for the new Protini Polypeptide Cream–the get-sh*t-done megamino protein cream. It seemed much more up my alley than the Lala cream which was too heavy for me. I have been using this daily for almost six weeks now. Details per Drunk Elephant:

“Every day, I add protein powder to my smoothie for muscle support. I wanted a different kind of moisturizer that would do the same for my collagen…help maintain, create more and prevent breakdown of existing. Protini was born. Jam-packed with crazy levels of amino acids, signal peptides and safe, synthetic growth factors (the good kind), this dreami “get-sh*t-done” cream melts right into your skin to make it hydrated, bouncy and balanced. I’m hoping you’ll fall #drunkinlove!”

What it is

This breakthrough protein moisturizer combines an unprecedented array and concentration of signal peptides, growth factors, supportive amino acids and pygmy waterlily for visible and immediate improvement in the appearance of skin’s tone, texture and firmness.

What it is formulated to do

Protini’s proprietary formula delivers younger, revived-looking skin, almost from the first application. Lines, wrinkles and signs of sun-damage appear reduced; depleted skin feels strengthened and moisturized.

What else you need to know

Think of Protini™ in your Drunk Elephant skincare routine like adding a shot of protein to your smoothie. Abundant with proteins and nutrients, it replenishes and restores your skin back to a strong, healthy state.

Directions Apply morning and night to clean, dry skin for a vital dose of protein and replenishing moisture the skin needs to retain its youthful appearance. Tip: We like to mix it up so add a shot of Protini to any DE serum, cream or oil / Protini is formulated at the ideal pH level of 4.0.

Key Ingredients

9 signal peptide complex (growth factors) 9 signal peptides (made up of amino acids that form proteins in the skin) are cell-communicating and serve to bind moisture to skin, plump, firm and restore bounce to skin’s appearance, helping to boost skin’s self-renewal

pygmy waterlily stem cell extract excellent source of antioxidants and nutrients to replenish the skin; extremely moisturizing, soothing and calming; effective in supporting healthy, youthful looking skin

soybean folic acid ferment extract is a b vitamin that plays a central role in maintaining youthful, elastic skin; skin becomes actively thirsty for folic acid, especially after exposure to sun

acetyl glutamine an amino acid that is a skin-identical and skin-repairing ingredient that can be effective for reversing past damage; has an inhibitory effect on melanin production

Protini has a bouncy gel cream texture and is fragrance free. It’s not as heavy as a regular cream but it’s a more hydrating gel cream. It’s a gel cream-cream hybrid. I found it layers well with pretty much everything. No pilling. It absorbs for the most part in a few minutes and is nicely hydrating without being heavy or greasy. I love the airless pump jar hybrid container. No contamination ever.

I noticed immediate hydration and plumping of the skin after application. I have been using this daily for over five weeks and have noticed an increase in the elasticity of my skin. My skin just has this healthy, bouncy, plumped up & feels radiant when using this product. I actually stopped using this for one day and noticed the difference. That’s impressive.

Protini contains:

Glycerin a basic hydrator. Marula seed oil, not surprised as Drunk Elephant sells a marula oil. Marula oil is high in antioxidants, oleic acid or omega 9 fatty acids, as well as linoleic acid or omega 6. Soybean and folic acid fermentation extract. An interesting combo. I love anything fermented in skincare. This K Beauty trend is moving to the Western world. It’s supposed to make your skincare products more potent and absorbable.

Folic acid or B9 is vitally important in cell development and tissue growth. Anyone who has been pregnant or is trying knows taking folic acid orally reduces the effects of birth defects by leaps and bounds. In skincare it helps improve skin barrier function and can help moisture retention. The natural antioxidants present in folic acid also help with oxidative stress. White Water Lily extract is anti-inflammatory and helps heal wounds.

Peptides: sh-Oligopeptide-1 a synthetic peptide consisting of the amino acids lycine, glycine and histidine. Increases renewal of the skin and slow thinning of the skin. sh-Oligopeptide-2, sh-Polypeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-9, sh-Polypeptide-11 are epidermal growth factors. Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14 a copper peptide for collagen production. Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate. I can’t find more on this beyond it’s a product obtained by the reaction from palmitic acid and Hexapeptide-15. I’m OK with not knowing more. Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 a key ingredient to Matrixyl 3000 & a regenerating peptide. Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 for collagen synthesis.

What are peptides and why does everyone talk about them? Peptides are short chains of amino acids (building blocks of the body). They’re short proteins. Essentially they send signals to the brain. That’s the easiest way to think of it. You apply them topically to send signals, hence signal peptides, to tell your body to say produce more collagen. That’s why everyone loves peptides.

Read all kinds of scientific details on peptides HERE.

Amino Acids (Building blocks of proteins for collagen synthesis): Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Aspartic Acid. Acetyl Glutamine is an amino acid sugar that has been said to reduce melanin in skin cells.

Sodium hyaluronate is the salt of hyaluronic acid. They are not the same thing. Sodium hyaluronate has an ultra low molecular weight that is able to penetrate the dermis to be absorbed unlike the larger version hyaluronic acid. The dermis layer of the skin is about 70% water. It also uses half of your body’s natural hyaluronic acid allotment. The amount of hyaluronic acid found naturally in the body decreases with age. So adding some sodium hyaluronate is hydrating considering it can penetrate the dermis.

Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid and omega 6. It’s anti-inflammatory, retains moisture and maintains cell membrane health. Linolenic acid can be either a-linolenic acid (omega 3 fatty acid) or y-linolenic acid (omega 6 fatty acid). It’s also anti-inflammatory.

As you can see Protini is a peptide loaded, collagen stimulating, anti-aging powerhouse. It’s packed full of peptides, amino acids and hydrators to soothe and plump up your skin. The biggest difference in my skin I noticed was an increase in elasticity. Elasticity is that bouncy, hydrated, firmer feel my skin has when it’s plumped up. My skin was less dry, irritated and just all around happier while using this cream. My skin feels stronger and healthier.

Protini does help plump up some of my fine lines and they lessened with time. It’s not going to erase them as it’s not botox, but it will plump your skin enough to get rid of a few fine lines. This is great for all age spans, younger people will love the bouncy feel, those of us needing more can pair it with retinol for a full on anti-aging routine.

This lighter gel cream texture it will be perfect for me on spring and fall mornings or summer nights when I need a lightweight cream. It wasn’t enough for me this winter even for day use. It layers well so adding an oil and cream over was easy. I would think of this as an extra hydrating peptide supplement to add into your routine. Don’t think of Protini as just as a hydrating gel cream. This is so much more than that. Get sh*t done.

Ingredients

Water/Aqua/Eau, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Bacillus/Soybean/ Folic Acid Ferment Extract, Nymphaea Alba Root Extract, sh-Oligopeptide-1, sh-Oligopeptide-2, sh-Polypeptide-1, sh-Polypeptide-9, sh-Polypeptide-11, Copper Palmitoyl Heptapeptide-14, Heptapeptide-15 Palmitate, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Acetyl Glutamine, Coconut Alkanes, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Aspartic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Lecithin, Butylene Glycol, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium Lactate, Sodium PCA, PCA, Sorbitan Isostearate, Carbomer, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbate 60, Lactic Acid/Glycolic Acid Copolymer, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Xanthan Gum, Isomalt, 1,2-Hexanediol, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol, Sodium Benzoate, Phenylpropanol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Symphytum Officinale Callus Culture Extract