Gracie

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum scores 8.8/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

✶
Drunk Elephant

A-Passioni Retinol Cream

serumpremium
9.1
VS
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum
Summer Fridays

Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum

serumpremium
8.8

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.3 points apart.

2
3
Drunk Elephant wins 2
Tied 3
Summer Fridays wins 0
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
8.8Summer Fridays

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Drunk Elephant WINS
8.7
7.9
Drunk Elephant
Summer Fridays

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
Summer Fridays

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.3
5.9
Drunk Elephant
Summer Fridays

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
Summer Fridays

Formulation Safety

TIE
8.8
9.0
Drunk Elephant
Summer Fridays

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 7.9 for Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal 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 summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum relies on Retinyl Linoleate, Retinol, and Centella Asiatica Extract. 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

Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

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

✶ 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
8.8Summer Fridays

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal 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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal 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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum?

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