Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum versus Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream .
Published on March 03, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 11 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, retinoid 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 harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Price
Ingredient Info
HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum 31 ingredients
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream 63 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
- Coco-Caprylate
- Stearic Acid
- Coconut Alkanes
- Glyceryl Stearate
- Cetearyl Alcohol
- Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
- Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil
- Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil
- Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil
- Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
- Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
- Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate
- Persea Gratissima Oil
- Linoleic Acid
- Linolenic Acid
- Jojoba Esters
- Glycine Soja Oil
- Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil
- Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
- Cetyl Palmitate
- Lauric Acid
- Olea Europaea Fruit Oil
- Coco-Caprylate/Caprate
- Polysorbate 20
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum 31 ingredients
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream 63 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum 31 ingredients
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream 63 ingredients
Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice • Squalane • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil • Glycerin • Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil • Water • Avena Sativa Bran Extract • Cyclodextrin • Acacia Senegal Gum • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Alcohol • Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil • Phospholipids • Retinal • Vitex Agnus-Castus Fruit Extract • Retinol • Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract • Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract • Crocus Chrysanthus Bulb Extract • Tocopherol • Lecithin • Ethylhexylglycerin • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Extract • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Xanthan Gum • Pentylene Glycol • Maltodextrin • Phenethyl Alcohol • Sodium Benzoate
Water • Glycerin • Coco-Caprylate • Stearic Acid • Coconut Alkanes • Glyceryl Stearate • Niacinamide • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Alcohol • Pentylene Glycol • Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil • Retinol • Simmondsia Chinensis Seed Oil • Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil • Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil • Cetyl Ethylhexanoate • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 • Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract • Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Chrysin • Persea Gratissima Oil • Linoleic Acid • Linolenic Acid • Ceramide NP • Xanthophylls • Phytosphingosine • Phytosterols • Jojoba Esters • Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice • Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate • Oryza Sativa Extract • Glycine Soja Oil • Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil • Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 • Cetyl Palmitate • Trehalose • Lauric Acid • Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer • Olea Europaea Fruit Oil • Glucosamine Hcl • Tocopheryl Acetate • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Pisum Sativum Extract • Tocopherol • Bambusa Vulgaris Leaf/Stem Extract • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Carbomer • Trideceth-6 Phosphate • N-Hydroxysuccinimide • Ceteareth-20 • Sodium Hydroxide • Laureth-23 • Steareth-20 • Propanediol • Chlorhexidine Digluconate • Polysorbate 20 • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate • Chlorphenesin • Potassium Sorbate • Ethylhexylglycerin
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
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 OilHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 13.
Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil is the oil expressed from the seeds of the Marula plant. In South Africa, Marula is called "an elephant's favorite treat".
Marula seed oil is a non-fragrant oil. It is rich in fatty acids, such as oleic, linoleic, palmitic, stearic, and more. These fatty acids help hydrate the skin.
Other components of marula seed oil include vitamin E and antioxidants such as flavonoids.
Antioxidants may help reduce the signs of aging. This is because they help fight free-radical molecules. If left unchecked, free-radical molecules may damage your skin cells and DNA.
Learn more about Sclerocarya Birrea Seed OilHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 14.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.
Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil is oil from the kernels of the Apricot, Prunus armeniaca L., Rosaceae. This oil is non-fragrant and non-volatile.
Apricot Kernel Oil is an emollient and helps soften skin. This is due to its fatty acid components. Some of these fatty acids include linoleic and oleic acid.
Apricot Kernel Oil also has antioxidant properties from Vitamins A, C, and E. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells. Besides being antioxidants, these vitamins provide plenty of skin benefits as well.
Learn more about Prunus Armeniaca Kernel OilHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 15.
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 WaterHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 8.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.
Retinol is a gold-standard ingredient for anti-aging. It is a form of Vitamin A and belongs to the class of retinoids that also includes tretinoin.
Why is retinol famous?
It has the most scientific studies backing up its skin benefits out of all the non-prescription ingredients.
Retinol is proven to:
This is why retinol is effective at removing wrinkles, fading dark spots, treating acne, and reducing the appearance of pores.
Studies show retinol is less effective when exposed to UV. Be sure to look for appropriate packaging to keep your retinol potent (similar to Vitamin C).
Using retinol or any retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few months. 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 RetinolHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 12.
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 TocopherolHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 46.
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.
HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 23.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 63.
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 GlycolHoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 10.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum 31 ingredients
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream 63 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum 31 ingredients
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream 63 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
HoliFrog Moonbeam Retinol Treatment Serum 31 ingredients
Lapaki
HoliFrog offers some great products, so I decided to try their retinol serum (2.5% encapsulated retinaldehyde). The formula is very gentle and...
HoliFrog offers some great products, so I decided to try their retinol serum (2.5% encapsulated retinaldehyde). The formula is very gentle and didn't cause any irritation. However, unfortunately, it caused my skincare to pill when used with certain product combinations.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream 63 ingredients
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