Drunk Elephant vs Summer Fridays.
Two of the most-Instagrammed premium skincare brands in the AU market. Drunk Elephant leads on actives and the 'biocompatible' positioning; Summer Fridays leads on hydration and the editorial-aesthetic brand voice.
Two of the most-Instagrammed premium skincare brands in the AU market. Drunk Elephant leads on actives and the 'biocompatible' positioning; Summer Fridays leads on hydration and the editorial-aesthetic brand voice. Both brands are reviewed independently in The Glow's archive — see the Drunk Elephant review and the Summer Fridays review for the full editorial breakdown of each. The comparison below is the head-to-head across the dimensions that matter most when cross-shopping.
Head-to-head.
| Criterion | Drunk Elephant | Summer Fridays | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Glow score | 8.4/10 | 8.0/10 | Drunk Elephant |
| Category position | Cult premium | Cult premium | Tie (different positions) |
| Price tier | Premium ($45–$110) | Premium ($45–$110) | Tie |
| Australian retail availability | Mecca, Sephora AU | Mecca, Sephora AU | Tie |
| Brand voice | Drunk Elephant's established brand register | Summer Fridays's established brand register | Tie (preference) |
| Best single product | See full review | See full review | Tie |
| Editorial verdict | Buy with confidence | Buy with confidence | Drunk Elephant |
Pick by.
- First-time buyer in this category
- Drunk Elephant — higher overall Glow score in this comparison.
- Sensitive skin
- Read the individual reviews for sensitivity notes on each brand.
- Budget priority
- The lower-priced brand in your local retailer wins on raw budget — but check value-for-formulation in our individual reviews.
- Premium / result-led shopper
- Drunk Elephant — the higher Glow score reflects formulation depth and brand credibility at the premium tier.
- Easiest to find in Australia
- Both have established AU distribution.
Frequently asked questions.
- Drunk Elephant or Summer Fridays — which is better?
- Drunk Elephant scored 8.4/10 and Summer Fridays scored 8.0/10 in The Glow's testing. They are very close. Both are credible buys. Choose by category position, price tier, and brand voice — see the head-to-head table above for the full breakdown.
- Where can I buy Drunk Elephant and Summer Fridays in Australia?
- Drunk Elephant: see our Drunk Elephant review for current AU stockists. Summer Fridays: see our Summer Fridays review for current AU stockists. Both are widely available in Australia through their respective retail channels.
- Is Drunk Elephant or Summer Fridays better value?
- Value depends on what you're optimising for. Per-ml pricing, formulation depth at the price point, and longevity of use all factor in. The 'value' answer is rarely the cheapest — it's the product that earns its price tier. See our individual reviews for the editorial value-for-money score on each brand.
- Can I use both Drunk Elephant and Summer Fridays?
- Yes — they're typically not in direct conflict at the routine level. Most users have at least 2–3 different brands across their routine for category-specific reasons. Mixing brands is the norm in evidence-based skincare.