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
A-Passioni Retinol Cream

Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Drunk Elephant WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Drunk Elephant WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
25% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
42 unique
Shared ingredients
14 in common
Only in Mother Science Retinol Synergist Anti-Aging Treatment Serum with Malassezin + 0.3% Encapsulated Retinol
15 unique
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
It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.

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.