Drunk Elephant vs The Ordinary - Retinol Comparison
Is Drunk Elephant's $72 A-Passioni Retinol Cream worth it compared to The Ordinary's $7 Retinol 1% in Squalane? I tested both for 3 months to find out.
The Price Difference: 10x More Expensive
Let's address the elephant in the room: Drunk Elephant's retinol costs $72 for 1 oz, while The Ordinary's retinol is just $6.90 for 1 oz. That's more than 10 times the price. But does the luxury product justify the premium?
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni
The Ordinary Retinol 1%
3-Month Testing Results
I used Drunk Elephant on the left side of my face and The Ordinary on the right for 12 weeks. Here's what happened:
Weeks 1-2: The Adjustment Period
Drunk Elephant side: Minimal irritation. The cream texture felt luxurious and moisturizing. Slight tingling but no peeling or redness.
The Ordinary side: More noticeable irritation and flaking. The oil texture felt heavy initially. Had to buffer with moisturizer the first week.
Weeks 3-6: Visible Changes Begin
Both sides started showing similar improvements: smoother texture, fading dark spots, and reduced fine lines around my eyes. The Drunk Elephant side felt more comfortable during application, but results were nearly identical.
Weeks 7-12: Long-Term Results
Honestly? I couldn't tell the difference between the two sides anymore. Both showed significant improvement in skin texture, tone, and fine lines. The Ordinary side eventually adjusted to the formula with zero irritation.
The Verdict: Efficacy
Both products delivered virtually identical results after 12 weeks. The active ingredient (1% retinol) is the same concentration in both. The difference lies in texture, packaging, and supporting ingredients - not effectiveness.
Key Differences
Texture and Experience
Drunk Elephant: Luxurious cream that absorbs quickly. Feels like a treat to apply. Pleasant subtle scent. Elegant packaging makes you feel fancy.
The Ordinary: Oil-based serum that's heavier and takes longer to absorb. No fragrance (some find this clinical). Minimal dropper bottle packaging.
Gentleness During Retinization
Drunk Elephant wins here. The cream formula with peptides and passionfruit extract was gentler during the initial adjustment period. Less peeling and irritation in weeks 1-3.
However, by week 4, both products felt equally comfortable. If you can handle 2-3 weeks of extra flaking, The Ordinary catches up.
Who Should Buy Which?
Choose Drunk Elephant If:
- You're new to retinol and want the gentlest introduction
- You have very sensitive skin prone to irritation
- You value luxurious textures and sensory experience
- Budget isn't a concern and you want supporting ingredients like peptides
- You prefer cream formulas over oils
Choose The Ordinary If:
- You want effective retinol at the best price
- You can tolerate 2-3 weeks of adjustment period
- You prefer oil-based products or have dry skin
- You don't care about fancy packaging or fragrances
- You want to try retinol without a big financial commitment
My Honest Recommendation
Save your money and buy The Ordinary. Yes, Drunk Elephant feels nicer to use and causes less initial irritation. But after 12 weeks, my face looked identical on both sides. The $65 price difference isn't justified by a slightly cushier experience. Start with The Ordinary, and if you find the texture unbearable, then consider upgrading. For most people, The Ordinary's performance at $7 is unbeatable.