Gracie

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum scores 9.1/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

✶
Drunk Elephant

A-Passioni Retinol Cream

serumpremium
9.1
VS
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
Farmacy

1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum

serumpremium
9.1

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.

1
4
Drunk Elephant wins 1
Tied 4
Farmacy wins 0
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
9.1Farmacy

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

TIE
8.7
8.6
Drunk Elephant
Farmacy

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
Farmacy

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.3
5.9
Drunk Elephant
Farmacy

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
Farmacy

Formulation Safety

TIE
8.8
9.0
Drunk Elephant
Farmacy

Why these two are neck and neck

These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream brings Niacinamide, Retinol, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum relies on Ceramide Np, Tocopherol, and Retinol. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
  • Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide does the heavy lifting

Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Value comparison

Both sit in the premium bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream gets the nod here with its 9.1 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.

✶
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
9.1Farmacy

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum?

Based on ingredient analysis, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream and Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream and Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.