This Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser review leaves no stone unturned.
I already knew that Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser probably wouldn’t work for me. I have chronically dry skin, sue me!
But the skincare enthusiast in me just had to pick up something from Drunk Elephant anyways.
Even though my dry skin wasn’t a huge fan, your skin might love Drunk Elephant Beste. Hey, it might end up being your favourite gel cleanser!
Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser

Drunk Elephant Beste is an innovative jelly cleanser with a blend of mild surfactants. Plus, the nourishing oil boosts your skin’s acid mantle to promote healthy pH levels.
No. 9 Jelly Cleanser Ingredients
Key drunk elephant ingredients
Drunk Elephant Beste includes:
- Glycerin (a skin identical humectant)
- Cantaloupe fruit extract
- Citric acid
- Linoleic acid
- Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
Trust me, you need mild surfactants, fatty acids, and critical antioxidants to maintain a healthy skin barrier.
Other Drunk Elephant Ingredients
Generally, I prefer products with short, clean lists and only ingredients that are necessary. There are a bunch of other ingredients in Drunk Elephant Beste:
- Sclerocarya birrea seed oil
- Sodium hydroxide
- Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate
- Sodium benzoate
- Sodium methyl oleoyl taurate
- Sodium chloride
These are mostly used to keep the gel consistency and promote the gentle lather of this fresh soy cleanser.
There are plenty of mild cleansing agents, but not really essential oils. To be clear, this isn’t exactly the most gentle formula though.
Morning or Night?
You can use it for either, but it might be too harsh for your morning cleanse. Figure out what works for you.
No. 9 Jelly Cleanser Night usage
Drunk Elephant Beste includes a bunch of cleansing agents including coconut based surfactants rich in fatty acids.
Makeup removal power
No. 9 Jelly Cleanser dissolves even stubborn makeup sunscreen and oils. It should be gentle enough to remove eye makeup too.
So yes, the No. 9 Jelly cleanser has a mild surfactant blend with makeup dissolving emollients for even stubborn makeup!
Plus, the cantalupensis fruit extract helps soothe your skin after being covered in makeup all day.
How to Use It
The cleansing process for Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is simple:
- Apply to wet skin
- Gently massage in the product
- Work up a gentle lather
Drunk Elephant Beste Pricing
I’m not in the Drunk Elephant fan club because I think a lot of their products are overpriced even if they leave your skin soft.
And yeah, Beste No. 9 is a bit overpriced at $16 for 5 ounces.
Affordable alternatives to No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
Vanicream Gentle Cleanser

My personal favorite is Vanicream. It’s is a budget-friendly option that is formulated specifically for sensitive skin.
I’ve found that most people love this cleanser regardless of their skin type.
Stratia Velvet Cleansing Milk

If you’re looking for something more upscale, this one is great for maintaining hydration levels and works for many skin types.
I far prefer the mild surfactants in this cleanser than other Drunk Elephant cleansers. Plus, it’s great for a morning cleanse!
Check out my Velvet Cleansing Milk Review!
Who is Drunk Elephant No. 9 Jelly Cleanser good for?
One thing I will say is the No. 9 Jelly Cleanser did a good job of cleansing my skin and removing makeup.
It would idea for people that wear a lot of makeup, have oily skin, or live in a hot and humid climate. You’ll appreciate a cleanser that can really get a deep clean and remove excess oil.
However, for me, the trade-off of excessively dry skin was just not worth it, even when using a good moisturizer.

Should you try Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser?
Overall, while I can see how Drunk Elephant’s Jelly Cleanser is a good choice for someone with oily skin, I don’t think it’s the best option for most people.
If you have dry/sensitive skin or prefer hydrating cleansers, I recommend looking elsewhere.
While it does have some good features, the drying effects on my skin just aren’t worth it for me.
While you’re here, check out my Drunk Elephant Moisturizer Review.
Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Drunk Elephant No.9 Jelly Cleanser live up to the hype?
I was excited to try this cleanser, as I heard great things about Drunk Elephant from friends. But man, I was disappointed by it.
Beste No. 9 is a bit thicker than some of the other gel cleansers I’ve used in the past. It still spread easily on my skin and lathered up lightly when I added water though.
Does Drunk Elephant No. 9 Jelly Cleanser overstrip your skin?
When I rinsed it off, I immediately noticed that my skin felt tight. As someone with dry skin, I usually prefer creamy cleansers that are more hydrating.
So Beste No. 9 is just way too stripping for me.
Despite the dryness, I didn’t notice any irritation or redness after using the cleanser. Some people with more sensitive skin might experience this though.
Would you repurchase Drunk Elephant Beste?
I didn’t get any breakouts, but the overall feeling of my skin was too uncomfortable after cleansing.
I wouldn’t purchase Drunk Elephant Jelly Cleanser again.