One bottle of Drunk Elephant's $80 at-home "facial" has lasted me over a year - here's how it's helped my skin

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• Drunk Elephant's award-winning at-home facial, the T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, is expensive at $80. Normally, I'd never spend that on a luxury skincare product.
• I tried it, though, and it's hard to stop using. My skin is smoother, firmer, is a more even tone, and has a noticeable glow for days after using.
• You may not need an $80 at-home facial, but, if you're open to it, this is a great option. Plus, one bottle has lasted me over a year with weekly use.

I love an expensive skincare product sample that ends up as a letdown. You tried it, it failed, and now you can save your money without worrying that you're missing out on something you really can't afford anyway.

Drunk Elephant's T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial ($80) is not one of those products. Don't get me wrong - $80 is the kind of price tag that my (very wise) grandmother would be scandalized by - but it's not a letdown.

The Sukari Babyfacial is meant to be a pro-level, at-home facial that you can do in 20 minutes. Smart AHA and BHA ingredients slough off dead skin while antioxidants and oils hydrate new cells, and, once removed, your skin feels softer, cleaner, and looks brighter, clearer, and more evenly toned. In other words, it resurfaces your face like a peel.

If you've looked into AHA/BHA skincare, the results sound more scientific than miraculous. AHAs (Alpha Hydroxy Acids) break down the glue that holds dull cells together, urging along the natural shedding process. They work best on surface-level skin concerns like lightening dark spots. BHAs (Beta Hydroxy Acids) penetrate further into your skin, and those address deeper issues like ongoing acne by dissolving sebum and dead skin and stabilizing the pore's lining. The combination is like a one-two punch.

Babyfacial's supporting roles go to other powerful ingredients. Drunk Elephant is known for its dream-team blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic, citric, and salicylic acids. Powerful antioxidants like matcha, apple fruit, and milk thistle calm and hydrate, and non-fragrant plant oils replenish moisture and nourish the new layer of skin cells. Chickpea flour brightens and balances the skin without over-drying, and pumpkin ferment bumps up enzymatic action. Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3 or niacin, is a "cell-communicating" ingredient that's included to brighten and tone skin for a healthier look and feel.

In person, though, the Sukari Babyfacial is just a really effective resurfacing - there's no other way to put it. I smear a small dollop (a little goes a long way) across my clean, dry face and set a timer for 20 minutes. Unlike my other Holy Grail mask, this one doesn't restrict your facial movement at all, so you can go about your business as usual while it works. The initial tingling/stinging that's typical for an enzymatic peel isn't terrible and quickly dissipates, though it takes getting used to. Once I wash it off, my skin is extremely soft, firmer, more evenly toned, and noticeably brighter. At 23, I'm not concerned with fine lines, but the few I do have seem noticeably faded, and my skin altogether feels more elastic. The stubborn dark spots I have are also lighter after use, and at least for me, the after-glow sticks around for a few days.

It's recommended you follow with Drunk Elephant's Virgin Marula Luxury Facial Oil ($72) to stave off dryness, but I started opting for cheaper substitutes once my sample ran out. This is one corner you can probably cut.

It's not hard to tell why the at-home facial won Allure's Best of Beauty award in 2017, or why it consistently remains in the top 10 bestsellers at Sephora even now and even despite its high price. The price isn't great at $80, and most people probably don't need a 20-minute at-home facial they can pop on once a week. But if you've got the budget and you've been considering it, the Babyfacial makes good on its claims. And it's cheaper than scheduling your own facial in a spa. Plus, for what it's worth, it lasts a long time: one bottle has lasted me for over a year - even with consistent use (about once per week with the occasional lapse).

If it's not in the budget, you can get somewhere similar with the DIY Aztec Clay Mask ($10.95) and apple cider vinegar. The combination is harsher and more drying - and my skin is horror movie red for a bit after using - but it works wonders for acne and textural issues. In my experience, that is more effective for acne than improving elasticity, gently encouraging natural cell processes, or producing a glow - perks that fall in Babyfacial domain.

All in all, the T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial may be expensive, but if the benefits of smoother, firmer, and more even skin that has a noticeable glow for a few days post-use are worth it to you, you'll probably find it was money well-spent.

T.L.C. Sukari Babyfacial, available on Sephora, $80

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