Gracie

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides vs RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides scores 8.5/9.8 and RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM scores 8.5/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides
Drunk Elephant

A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides

eye-carepremium
8.5
VS
RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
RETINOL

RETINOL SKIN CREAM

moisturiser
8.5

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.

2
2
1
Drunk Elephant wins 2
Tied 2
RETINOL wins 1
8.5Drunk Elephant
vs
8.5RETINOL

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

RETINOL WINS
6.8
9.8
Drunk Elephant
RETINOL

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
RETINOL

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.1
6.5
Drunk Elephant
RETINOL

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
RETINOL

Formulation Safety

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.0
7.5
Drunk Elephant
RETINOL

Why these two are neck and neck

These two eye-cares 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 6.5 for RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides brings Caffeine, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, and Niacinamide as actives, while rETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM relies on Arginine, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Germ Extract, and Royal Jelly Extract. 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

RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM is better if you have

  • Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
  • Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Ingredients (Inci): Water
  • Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Value comparison

Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides comes in at premium pricing with a 8.5 score, which is solid value at that tier.

Our verdict

✶ 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.

8.5Drunk Elephant
vs
8.5RETINOL

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides or RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM?

Based on ingredient analysis, Drunk Elephant A-Shaba Complex Retinol Eye Serum with Caffeine + Copper Peptides 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 RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM 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 RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.