Gracie

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

✶
Drunk Elephant

A-Passioni Retinol Cream

serumpremium
9.1
VS
Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum
Peace Out

Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum

serummid-range
8.9

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.

2
3
Drunk Elephant wins 2
Tied 3
Peace Out wins 0
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
8.9Peace Out

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Drunk Elephant WINS
8.7
6.0
Drunk Elephant
Peace Out

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
Peace Out

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.3
6.4
Drunk Elephant
Peace Out

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
Peace Out

Formulation Safety

TIE
8.8
9.0
Drunk Elephant
Peace Out

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 6.0 for Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum. 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 peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum relies on Niacinamide, Zinc Pca, and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate. 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

Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum 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. Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum sits at the mid-range level with a 8.9 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
8.9Peace Out

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum?

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 Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum 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 Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum?

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