Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel scores 8.8/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
A-Passioni Retinol Cream

Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.3 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Murad WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Murad WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
23% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
42 unique
Shared ingredients
14 in common
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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel scores 9.8 here versus 9.3 for Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream. 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 murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel relies on Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, and Ceramide Eop. 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
Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel 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 — Ceramide Np does the heavy lifting
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
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 Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel?
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 Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel 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 Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.