Gracie

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

✶
Drunk Elephant

A-Passioni Retinol Cream

serumpremium
9.1
VS
The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA
The Ordinary

The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

serumbudget
8.4

Score comparison

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.

2
3
Drunk Elephant wins 2
Tied 3
The Ordinary wins 0
9.1Drunk Elephant
+0.7vs
8.4The Ordinary

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Drunk Elephant WINS
8.7
5.5
Drunk Elephant
The Ordinary

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
The Ordinary

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.3
6.9
Drunk Elephant
The Ordinary

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
The Ordinary

Formulation Safety

TIE
8.8
9.0
Drunk Elephant
The Ordinary

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

✶ Our verdict
+0.7 lead

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.

✶
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
8.4The Ordinary

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.