Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs The Ordinary Buffet
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and The Ordinary Buffet scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
A-Passioni Retinol Cream
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Drunk Elephant WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
25% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
42 unique
Shared ingredients
14 in common
Only in The Ordinary Buffet
34 unique
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.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream brings Niacinamide, Retinol, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while the Ordinary Buffet relies on Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Pentapeptide-18, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1. 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 Buffet 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 — Acetyl Hexapeptide-8 does the heavy lifting
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 9.1, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream delivers strong value. The Ordinary Buffet sits at the budget level with a 8.9 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or The Ordinary Buffet?
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 Buffet 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 Buffet?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
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