Gracie

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol 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
Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol
Mother Science

Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol

serumluxury
9.1

Score comparison

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

2
3
Drunk Elephant wins 2
Tied 3
Mother Science wins 0
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
9.1Mother Science

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Drunk Elephant WINS
8.7
7.8
Drunk Elephant
Mother Science

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
Mother Science

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.3
6.4
Drunk Elephant
Mother Science

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
Mother Science

Formulation Safety

TIE
8.8
9.0
Drunk Elephant
Mother Science

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.

Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 8.7 here versus 7.8 for Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream brings Niacinamide, Retinol, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol relies on Retinol, Tocopherol, and Ceramide Np. 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

Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol is better if you have

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

Value comparison

At premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a decent pick. Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol sits at the luxury level with a 9.1 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

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
9.1Mother Science

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol?

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 Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol 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 Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol?

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