Gracie

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid 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
The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
The INKEY List

360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

serummid-range
8.8

Score comparison

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

2
3
Drunk Elephant wins 2
Tied 3
The INKEY List wins 0
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Drunk Elephant WINS
8.7
7.5
Drunk Elephant
The INKEY List

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
The INKEY List

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.3
5.3
Drunk Elephant
The INKEY List

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
The INKEY List

Formulation Safety

TIE
8.8
9.0
Drunk Elephant
The INKEY List

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 7.5 for The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid. 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 the INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid relies on Salicylic Acid, Zinc Pca, and Lactic Acid. 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

The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid 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

At premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream delivers strong value. The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid sits at the mid-range level with a 8.8 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
8.8The INKEY List

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?

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 The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid 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 The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?

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