Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser - Travel-Size Gel Face Wash - Clean Clinical Skincare - Cruelty-Free - Dermatologist-Tested - Free of Essential Oils, Silicones, and Fragrance Review
Our verdict
Drunk Elephant's Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser is a $36 gel wash free of essential oils, silicones, and fragrance, and its 4.7 star average from about 2,700 reviews makes it the highest rated cleanser in this lineup.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Buyers with sensitive or reactive skin who want a clean, minimalist cleanser without fragrance or essential oils, and who don't mind paying a premium for a well-known clinical skincare brand
Skip if
You're on a tight budget, since at $36 this is one of the pricier options here, or you want a cleanser with visible exfoliating acids built in
- Priced 80% above the category median ($19.99 across 238 tracked models)
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.7/5
4.7 average across 2,700 owner ratings
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Popularity4.1/5
2,700 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other women's everyday face care: moisturizers, face mists, facial kits, rollers, cleansing brushes and steamers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Drunk Elephant built its reputation on formulas that avoid a specific list of ingredients the brand considers unnecessary, and Beste No. 9 follows that same philosophy: no essential oils, no silicones, no added fragrance. At $36, it's positioned as a premium daily cleanser rather than a treatment product.
The gel relies on coconut-derived surfactants along with aloe extract and marula oil to clean without leaving skin feeling stripped, and the brand describes the result as clean and soft, never stripped. Marula oil, aloe extract, and cantaloupe extract are called out as the special ingredients supporting that gentle finish. It's listed as suitable for all skin types.
With close to 2,700 reviews and a 4.7 star average, this is the best reviewed cleanser in this category by rating, though monthly purchase volume tracked here is modest at 9 units. That combination suggests a smaller, dedicated buyer base rather than the highest turnover product in the lineup, but satisfaction among those who do buy it is very high.
Pros
- Highest rating in this category at 4.7 stars from roughly 2,700 reviews
- Free of essential oils, silicones, and added fragrance
- Dermatologist-tested formula
- Free of sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) per listed material features
- Suitable for all skin types
Cons
- At $36, it's one of the more expensive cleansers in this category
- No listed exfoliating acids, so it won't double as a chemical exfoliant
- Recent purchase volume is lower than the top-selling gels here
Performance notes
Coconut-derived surfactants form the cleansing base, generally considered gentler than sulfate-heavy surfactants, while marula oil and aloe extract are included to support the skin barrier and soften the feel of the cleanser during rinse-off. Cantaloupe extract rounds out the special ingredients list. Because the formula skips essential oils and fragrance, it's built to minimize the chance of irritation, which lines up with why it's positioned for sensitive skin.
What buyers say
A 4.7 star average across roughly 2,700 reviews is the strongest rating signal in this entire category, even though current monthly purchase volume is modest. That pattern suggests an established, loyal customer base rather than a newly trending product.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 good for sensitive skin?
Yes, it's formulated without essential oils, silicones, or added fragrance, which are common irritants for reactive skin, and it's listed as suitable for all skin types. The dermatologist-tested claim and 4.7 star rating both support its reputation as a gentle option.
Is this a good cleanser for someone starting a clean beauty routine?
It fits that goal well, since the brand's whole approach is built around excluding ingredients like essential oils and silicones. Combined with aloe extract and marula oil for a gentler finish, it's a reasonable starting point for simplifying a skincare routine.
Why is the purchase volume lower if the rating is so high?
A high rating and lower monthly volume can simply mean the product has an established, repeat customer base rather than being a newly viral item. At $36, it's also priced higher than some competitors, which naturally narrows the buyer pool even when satisfaction is strong.