Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 vs Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner at 8.5/9.8. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream wins for active ingredients.
Head to head
A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
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
Paula's Choice WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
2% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
55 unique
Only in Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner
19 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner's 4.6. 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 6.6 for Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner. 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner relies on Salicylic Acid, Adenosine, and Allantoin. 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner sits at the mid-range level with a 8.5 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner?
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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner 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 Skin Perfecting 4% BHA Advanced Exfoliating Serum Toner?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.