Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 vs The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA at 8.4/9.8. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream wins for hydration.
Head to head
A-Passioni Retinol Cream

The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA
Score comparison
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Drunk Elephant WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Drunk Elephant WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
23% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream
43 unique
Shared ingredients
13 in common
Only in The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA
19 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 The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA's 5.5. 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 6.9 for The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA. 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 The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA 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 The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA 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 The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA sits at the budget level with a 8.4 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 The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA is still a solid pick.

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?
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 The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA 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 The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.