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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% versus Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream .

Last updated on October 27, 2023. Published on November 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 13 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain hyaluronic acid, 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 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 Polish Brand Poland
Facial Treatment American Brand United States

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

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
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 E
Hyaluronic Acid (4)

Benefits

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

Concerns

Drying (2)
May Worsen Oily Skin (4)
Acne Trigger
Irritating (3)
Rosacea
Eczema (2)

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
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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

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 1.

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

2
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 2.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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 Alcohol

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 5.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 9.

4
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

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 6.

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

5
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

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 7.

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

6
What it does: Cleansing, Emulsifying, Emulsion Stabilising, Masking
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.

As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.

Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.

Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.

This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.

Learn more about Stearic Acid

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 8.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 4.

7
What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Glycine Soja Oil comes from the soybean. Glycine Soja is native to eastern Asia.

Soybean oil is an emollient. It is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids including palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids.

As an emollient, the fatty acids in soybean oil helps keep your skin soft and hydrated. It does so by creating a film on top that traps moisture in.

Soybean oil is also rich in vitamin E, a potent antioxidant. Vitamin E is also anti-inflammatory and provides a soothing effect.

Studies show soy may help fade hyperpigmentation from UVB. It does so by disrupting the melanin process from UVB induced skin inflammation.

This ingredient may not be malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne, safe.

Soybeans are rich in proteins and are part of the legume family. Foods made with soybeans include tofu, soymilk, edamame, miso, and soy sauce.

Learn more about Glycine Soja Oil

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 9.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 34.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Loved

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 Retinol

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 10.

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

9
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer is a type of hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is modified version of hyaluronic acid.

The structure of Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer allows it to stay in the skin's top layer for a longer period of time. This allows for even more hydration and humectant action than hyaluronic acid.

These are some other common types of Hyaluronic Acid:

Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 21.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 40.

10
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 25.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni™ Retinol Cream contains this as ingredient number 43.

11
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

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 28.

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

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

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 29.

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

13
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.

Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25% contains this as ingredient number 32.

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

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

38% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
16% have no rating yet
35% are loved or liked
21% have mixed ratings
33% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 19 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Nacomi Next Level Retinol 0.25%.

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