Is The Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream Too Strong For You?

Last Updated on April 5, 2026 by omgbart

Only if you're a retinoid newbie.

Were I to credit a single ingredient for most visibly improving my skin over the years, prescription strength retinol would be it. Tazarotene, to be exact. I first learned about Tazorac from Jean Godfrey-June in her book ‘Free Gift With Purchase’ back in 2006. Within days I booked a derm visit, scored a prescription, and have been raving about it ever since. Eventually two things happened: my insurance stopped covering it at $300 per tube out of pocket, and a number of brands brought genuinely impressive over the counter options to market.

The Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream is one of the best of those options.

The Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream sits at 1% retinol, which clinical research suggests performs comparably to prescription tretinoin in real-world use, with considerably less irritation. That is a meaningful claim for an over the counter formula and the results reflect it. If prescription retinoids have felt too aggressive in the past, this is the logical next step down.

What’s in it?

The formula uses a 1% concentration of a vegan vitamin A derivative, equivalent to approximately 0.1% tretinoin, which is the prescription strength most people know as Retin-A. The retinol works to smooth skin texture, correct uneven tone, and deliver the kind of overall radiance that reads as genuinely youthful rather than just well moisturized.

Supporting the active are maracuja, avocado, and jojoba oils, which keep the formula nourishing without compromising potency. A triple peptide blend addresses elasticity. Niacinamide refines pores. Vitamin F, which is linoleic acid, strengthens and plumps the skin barrier. Pea, broccoli, and husk-tomato extracts round out an ingredient list that reads like a very well-considered anti-aging strategy.

How do you use it?

Drunk Elephant positions A-Passioni as morning or evening compatible, which is unusual for a 1% retinol. It can be cocktailed with a face oil, moisturizer, or hydrating serum. I apply it on clean dry skin and follow with a face oil as the last step of my evening routine. I have also tried it under sunscreen in the morning and it wore well, which I would never attempt with Tazorac. A-Passioni is considerably more flexible.

There is barely any scent to it. The slightly yellow hue is natural and expected from a vitamin A formula. It absorbs in seconds. The metal tube is a considered packaging choice since it protects retinol from air and light exposure, both of which degrade the active over time.

Will you peel?

You should not and most likely will not. I used A-Passioni every night for two weeks without redness or irritation. When I skipped layering an oil over it to test single variable results, I woke up with some light flaking around the mouth and forehead. That is easily managed by moisturizing afterward, which I recommend as a rule with any retinol, particularly during colder months.

Final thoughts

Start slow and build up to daily use. Do not expect overnight results and be consistent and patient. The visible improvement in your skin will be noticeable but it may take a few weeks to arrive. My first genuine moment of realising my skin looked significantly better happened after three months of nightly application.

Always wear broad spectrum sunscreen during the day when using retinol. Vitamin A does not exfoliate in the traditional sense but it accelerates cell turnover, and that freshly revealed skin needs protection.

$76 (30ml tube) at Sephora.com, Ulta.com or drunkelephant.com.

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