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CLEANSER Editorial review

Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 Jelly Cleanser Review

A jelly gel cleanser as marketed to lift makeup, excess oil, and daily grime at a skin-friendly pH around 5.5—built around mild surfactants, glycerin, and cantaloupe fruit extract. Here’s who it fits, who should skip, and how to use it without overthinking.

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Quick verdict

Frame it as a fragrance-free jelly cleanser for everyday grime + light-to-moderate makeup—not a miracle wash ranking. If you like gel textures, a non-stripping pH story as marketed, and Drunk Elephant’s “no fragrance / essential oils” approach, Beste No. 9 is a natural shortlist pick. Prefer cream foam or soy gel instead? See our cleansers guide.

Who it’s for / who should skip

Good fit if…

  • You want a jelly gel cleanser with a non-stripping pH story as marketed (~5.5)
  • You prefer fragrance-free and essential-oil-free cleansers
  • You’re removing daily SPF, light makeup, and excess oil
  • You’ll use a pea-to-dime amount and rinse thoroughly

Consider skipping if…

  • You only like cream or milky cleanser textures
  • You want the lowest-cost drugstore wash
  • You need one balm/oil step alone for heavy waterproof makeup
  • Budget stress outweighs the prestige cleanser ritual

Key details as marketed

Texture & positioning: Drunk Elephant markets Beste™ No. 9 as an innovative jelly cleanser that removes makeup, excess oil, and daily grime—formulated at a skin-friendly pH of about 5.5, and commonly described as free of essential oils, silicones, and fragrance. Standard size commonly listed as 150 ml / 5 fl oz (midi ~60 ml / 2 fl oz).

Key ingredients (as listed by brand / major retailers):

  • Mild surfactant blend — coconut-derived cleansers positioned to dissolve makeup and oils while supporting barrier feel
  • Glycerin — humectant marketed to replenish hydration lost during cleansing
  • Cantaloupe (Cucumis melo cantalupensis) fruit extract — antioxidant/soothing support as marketed
  • Supporting oils & calming agents — marula seed oil, aloe, linoleic/linolenic acids, and dipotassium glycyrrhizate appear on published INCI

Ritual tip: Squeeze into palm, massage over wet or dry skin, add water to lather, rinse well, pat dry. Brand pages often suggest nightly use or alternating with other cleansers. Avoid getting jelly in the eyes; rinse with water if contact occurs. Follow with treatments and moisturizer as usual.

We stick to publicly marketed positioning and labeled ingredients. We omit unverified clinical percentages we cannot independently confirm here.

Tradeoffs & alternatives

Honest tradeoffs: Prestige cleanser price for a rinse-off step; jelly texture is polarizing; heavy waterproof mascara may still want an oil/balm first cleanse. Confirm Amazon seller and size (standard vs midi) before checkout.

If you want something different: Soft cream rice cleanser → TATCHA Rice Wash. Makeup-friendly soy gel → Fresh Soy Face Cleanser. Matching moisturizer → Drunk Elephant Protini. More cleanser context → cleansers category.

FAQ

Who is Drunk Elephant Beste No. 9 for?

Shoppers who want a fragrance-free jelly gel cleanser as marketed to remove makeup, excess oil, and daily grime at a skin-friendly pH around 5.5—especially if they like a playful jelly texture.

Who should skip Beste No. 9?

Anyone who prefers cream or milky cleansers only, wants the absolute cheapest wash, or needs a dedicated balm/oil as their sole heavy waterproof-makeup remover without a second cleanse.

What size is standard Beste No. 9?

Drunk Elephant commonly lists a standard size of 150 ml / 5 fl oz, plus a midi around 60 ml / 2 fl oz. Confirm the Amazon listing variant before purchase.

How should I use Beste No. 9?

As commonly directed: squeeze into palm, massage over wet or dry skin, add water to lather, rinse well, and pat dry. Use nightly or alternate with other cleansers as preferred.

How does LumiSkinReview handle Amazon links?

As an Amazon Associate, LumiSkinReview earns from qualifying purchases. See our affiliate disclosure for details.

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