Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 vs The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening at 8.2/9.8. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream wins for hydration.
Head to head
A-Passioni Retinol Cream

AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening
Score comparison
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: June 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Drunk Elephant WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Drunk Elephant WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
16% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
47 unique
Shared ingredients
9 in common
Only in The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening
12 unique
Why Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream comes out ahead
Where Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 8.7 compared to The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening's 3.7. With Glycerin, Pentylene Glycol, and Phytosphingosine in its top ingredients, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.3 here versus 6.5 for The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening. 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 Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening relies on Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, 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 Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening 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. The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening sits at the budget level with a 8.2 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 The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening is still a solid pick.

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening?
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 Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening 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 Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% High-Strength Peeling Solution for Brightening?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.