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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream versus Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum .

Published on October 08, 2022

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 15 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain ceramides, exfoliants, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, retinoid, Vitamin C and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture

Free From

They both do not contain any common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Facial Treatment American Brand United States
Serum American Brand United States

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Shop

Buy A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream

Starts at $74.00
Shop

Buy Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum

Starts at $65.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid
Peptides (3)

Benefits

Hydrating (6)
Good For Oily Skin (2)
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores (2)
Anti-Aging (5)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (5)
Acne Trigger (3)
Irritating (2)
Eczema

Notable Ingredients

AHA
Retinoid
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Exfoliators (2)
Niacinamide
Ceramides
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin (3)
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (3)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores (3)
Anti-Aging (7)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (6)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (5)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (3)
Rosacea (3)
Eczema (4)
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

WaterGlycerinCoco-CaprylateStearic AcidCoconut AlkanesGlyceryl StearateNiacinamideCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideCetearyl AlcoholPentylene GlycolPassiflora Edulis Seed OilRetinolSimmondsia Chinensis Seed OilSclerocarya Birrea Seed OilPrunus Armeniaca Kernel OilCetyl EthylhexanoatePalmitoyl Tripeptide-1Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf ExtractBrassica Oleracea Italica Extract Ascorbyl TetraisopalmitateChrysinPersea Gratissima OilLinoleic AcidLinolenic AcidCeramide NPXanthophyllsPhytosphingosinePhytosterolsJojoba EstersPhysalis Pubescens Fruit JuiceStearyl GlycyrrhetinateOryza Sativa ExtractGlycine Soja OilCarthamus Tinctorius Seed OilPalmitoyl Hexapeptide-12Cetyl PalmitateTrehaloseLauric AcidSodium Hyaluronate CrosspolymerOlea Europaea Fruit OilGlucosamine HclTocopheryl AcetateCoco-Caprylate/CapratePisum Sativum ExtractTocopherolBambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem ExtractPhenoxyethanolCaprylyl GlycolCarbomerTrideceth-6 PhosphateN-HydroxysuccinimideCeteareth-20Sodium HydroxideLaureth-23Steareth-20PropanediolChlorhexidine DigluconatePolysorbate 20Trisodium Ethylenediamine DisuccinateChlorphenesinPotassium SorbateEthylhexylglycerin

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying
Community Rating: Disliked

Glyceryl Stearate is a mix of glycerin and stearic acid.

Glyceryl Stearate is used to stabilize the mixing of water and oil ingredients. By preventing these ingredients from separating, it can help elongate shelf life. It can also help thicken the product's texture.

As an emollient, it helps soften skin and supports barrier-replenishing ingredients.

In cosmetics, Glyceryl Stearate is often made from vegetable oils or synthetically produced. The human body also creates Glyceryl Stearate naturally.

Learn more about Glyceryl Stearate

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 6.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 7.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.

4
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Mixed

Pentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.

The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.

This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.

Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.

Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.

Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.

Learn more about Pentylene Glycol

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 41.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Retinol is a form of Vitamin A and proven to help with anti-aging.

It promotes collagen production, increases new cell turnoever, and protects your skin as an antioxidant.

Retinol boosts collagen production and increases cell turnover. This makes retinol effective in removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, and reducing the appearance of pores.

Retinol is less effective when exposed to sun. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent.

Using retinol and retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.

We recommend speaking with a medical professional about using this ingredient during pregnancy.

Retinol may cause irritation in some people, so be sure to patch test. Experts recommend 'ramping up' retinol use: start using this ingredient once a week and work up to using it daily.

Read about Tretinoin

Learn more about Retinol

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.

6
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

This ingredient is the fixed oil extracted from seeds of the desert shrub Jojoba. It is more commonly known as jojoba oil. The seed oil is liquid wax ester from the plant. It is non-comedogenic.

Jojoba oil does not contain fragrance and has many fatty-acids, making it a great soothing ingredient. Jojoba contains Vitamin E, a great moisturizing ingredient. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant. Antioxidants help protect your skin against free-radical damage. This may help in anti-aging.

Jojoba seed oil is a humectant, meaning it helps draw moisture from the air. This helps keep your skin hydrated.

While jojoba has antibacterial properties, it is only able to kill some bacteria. It has also been shown to help in wound healing. Indigenous cultures have used jojoba as a moisturizer and to help treat burns.

It is found to be similar to natural human skin sebum, so it has a great effect on dry skin. Jojoba oil may even help with regulating sebum production.

Although jojoba oil is non-comedogenic, we recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient if you have any concerns.

Jojoba oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Jojoba is native to the southwestern US.

Learn more about Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.

7
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

Ceramide NP is a type of ceramide.

Ceramides are intercellular lipids naturally found in our skin that bonds dead skin cells together to create a barrier. They are known for their ability to hold water and thus are a great ingredient for dry skin.

Ceramides are an important building block for our skin barrier. A stronger barrier helps the skin look more firm and hydrated. By bolstering the skin ceramides act as a barrier against irritating ingredients. This can help with inflammation as well.

If you would like to eat ceramides, sweet potatoes contain a small amount.

Read more about other common types of ceramides here: Ceramide AP Ceramide EOP

Learn more about Ceramide NP

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 26.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 24.

8
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is created from fatty coconut alcohol, caprylic acid, and capric acid.

It is a lightweight emollient. Emollients create a thin barrier on the skin to trap moisture in. This helps keep your skin hydrated and soft.

Once applied, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate is absorbed quickly and leaves a silky feel.

Coco-Caprylate/Caprate may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Coco-Caprylate/Caprate

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 44.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 37.

9
What it does: Antioxidant, Masking, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopherol (also known as Vitamin E) is a common antioxidant used to help protect the skin from free-radicals and strengthen the skin barrier. It's also fat soluble - this means our skin is great at absorbing it.

Vitamin E also helps keep your natural skin lipids healthy. Your lipid skin barrier naturally consists of lipids, ceramides, and fatty acids. Vitamin E offers extra protection for your skin’s lipid barrier, keeping your skin healthy and nourished.

Another benefit is a bit of UV protection. Vitamin E helps reduce the damage caused by UVB rays. (It should not replace your sunscreen). Combining it with Vitamin C can decrease sunburned cells and hyperpigmentation after UV exposure.

You might have noticed Vitamin E + C often paired together. This is because it is great at stabilizing Vitamin C. Using the two together helps increase the effectiveness of both ingredients.

There are often claims that Vitamin E can reduce/prevent scarring, but these claims haven't been confirmed by scientific research.

Learn more about Tocopherol

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 46.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.

10
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 48.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 46.

11
What it does: Buffering
Community Rating: Mixed

Sodium Hydroxide is also known as lye or caustic soda. It is used to adjust the pH of products; many ingredients require a specific pH to be effective.

In small amounts, sodium hydroxide is considered safe to use. However, large amounts may cause chemical burns due to its high alkaline.

Your skin has a natural pH and acid mantle. This acid mantle helps prevent harmful bacteria from breaking through. The acid mantle also helps keep your skin hydrated.

"Alkaline" refers to a high pH level. A low pH level would be considered acidic.

Learn more about Sodium Hydroxide

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 54.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.

12
What it does: Solvent
Community Rating: Liked

Propanediol helps absorb ingredients into your skin, boosting their benefits. It can act as an emollient, making your skin softer. Propanediol can help products last longer by boosting the properties of preservatives within the formulation.

Propanediol is not likely to cause sensitivity and considered safe to use.

It is derived from corn or petroleum with a clear color and no scent.

Learn more about Propanediol

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 57.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.

13
What it does: Emulsifying
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Polysorbate 20 is made by combining ethoxylation of sorbitan, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It is a mild cleansing agent, surfactant, and emulsifier.

As a surfactant, it helps collect dirt and oils for washing. Emulsifiers prevent oils and water from separating.

Polysorbate 20 also adds scent to a product. Since it is made using sorbitol, it has a sweet scent. Sorbitol can also be found in fruits such as apples and peaches.

The lauric acid used to create Polysorbate 20 is often derived from coconuts.

Polysorbate 20 may not be fungal acne safe.

Learn more about Polysorbate 20

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 59.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 30.

14
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Disliked

Potassium Sorbate is a preservative used to prevent yeast and mold in products. It is commonly found in both cosmetic and food products.

Potassium sorbate is potassium salt derived from sorbic acid. Sorbic acid is a natural antibiotic and effective against fungus.

Potassium sorbate and sorbic acid can be found in baked goods, cheeses, dried meats, dried fruit, ice cream, pickles, wine, yogurt, and more.

Potassium sorbate is often used with stronger preservatives.

Learn more about Potassium Sorbate

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 62.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 35.

15
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 63.

Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum contains this as ingredient number 43.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

35% are loved or liked
19% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
11% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
15% have no rating yet

Usage

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Peter Thomas Roth Even Smoother Glycolic Retinol Resurfacing Serum.

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