Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 vs Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment at 8.7/9.8. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream wins for active ingredients.
Head to head
A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment
Score comparison
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
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
11% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
50 unique
Shared ingredients
6 in common
Only in Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment
17 unique
Why Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream comes out ahead
Where Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 9.3 compared to Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment's 6.7. Its formula features Niacinamide, Retinol, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 8.7 here versus 6.8 for Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment. 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 paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment relies on Niacinamide, Acetyl Glucosamine, and Ascorbyl Glucoside. 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
Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream delivers strong value. Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment sits at the mid-range level with a 8.7 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
Our verdict
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment?
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 Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment 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 Paula's Choice Clinical Niacinamide 20% Treatment?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.