Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides vs Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides scores 8.5/9.8 and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores 8.7/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides
Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Paula's Choice WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Drunk Elephant WINSIngredient Transparency
Paula's Choice WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
21% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides
41 unique
Shared ingredients
11 in common
Only in Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
36 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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides scores 9.1 here versus 7.1 for Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment brings Retinol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, and Palmitoyl Oligopeptide as actives, while drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides relies on Caffeine, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, and Niacinamide. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Caffeine does the heavy lifting
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment 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 — Retinol does the heavy lifting
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 8.5, Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides is a decent pick. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment sits at the mid-range level with a 8.7 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
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-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides or Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment?
Based on ingredient analysis, Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment 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-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.