Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream for mature skin
Retinol
Xanthophylls
Niacinamide
Ceramide Np
Triple Peptide BlendHigh
- HighNormal Skin Fit
- HighEffectiveness
- HighSafety
One of the best serums for mature skin.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with mature skin: fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of firmness. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Excellent for your normal skin, this formula effectively targets wrinkles and fine lines with retinol and peptides, promoting collagen production and skin renewal. Niacinamide and glycerin further support your skin's barrier function and hydration, enhancing the anti-aging benefits.
- The inclusion of various seed and fruit oils, alongside ceramides, provides nourishing and emollient properties suitable for maintaining skin comfort.
- This product is safe for your skin, featuring a gentle formulation with no harsh ingredients and beneficial soothing components.
How to apply
- Use this serum in your PM routine. Start by applying it 3 times a week, and work up to daily use if your skin likes it.
- Apply this serum after your toner and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- You can apply the serum on dry skin for the best results against fine lines.
- Always do a patch test before your first use and avoid the sensitive eye area.
People Say
★4.2Overall rating based on 1.2k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, this 1% retinol cream is highly effective for improving skin texture and clarity, significantly reducing fine lines, acne marks, and dullness. Many users experience dramatic results, reporting smoother and clearer skin. However, a very high number of users note that this potent formula can cause significant irritation, peeling, and dryness, especially when first introduced, requiring careful application and ample moisturization. The packaging is also frequently criticized for its tendency to crack and leak.
Highlights
Smoother skin texture Mostly Mentioned
- “baby soft”
- “glass-like skin”
Severe irritation Mostly Mentioned
- “burning”
- “flaking”
- “compromised skin barriers”
Fades dark spots Often Mentioned
- “lightening acne scars”
- “hyperpigmentation”
- “sun damage”
High potency Often Mentioned
- “powerhouse”
- “one of the strongest non-prescription retinols”
Poor packaging Often Mentioned
- “metal tube often cracks”
- “leaks”
- “oozes product uncontrollably”
Little goes long way Sometimes Noted
- “pea-sized amount is sufficient”
- “tube last for several months”
Reduces fine lines Sometimes Noted
- “diminished forehead lines”
- “plumper skin”
High price point Sometimes Noted
- “cost steep compared to other retinol options”
Not for sensitive skin Sometimes Noted
- “too harsh for those with reactive or sensitive skin types”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “earthy”
- “plastic”
- “yeasty smell”
Sources: lovi.care, ulta.com, sephora.sg, kohls.com, influenster.com, cultbeauty.co.uk, and more
Questions and answers
What makes Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream a great fit for mature skin?
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a great fit for mature skin because it uses retinol and peptides to target fine lines and wrinkles while boosting collagen production. Niacinamide and glycerin help strengthen your skin barrier and keep it hydrated, while nourishing oils and ceramides maintain everyday comfort.
Which ingredients make this cream a good fit for mature skin?
Retinol and peptides make this cream a great fit for mature skin by smoothing fine lines and boosting collagen production. Niacinamide, ceramides, and nourishing plant oils further support your skin barrier and keep it soft and comfortable.
What does Retinol do for mature skin?
Retinol helps smooth out fine lines and wrinkles while improving overall skin thickness and firmness over time. It may also cause temporary dryness, scaling, or stinging as your skin gets used to it.
What do Xanthophylls do for mature skin?
Xanthophylls help mature skin by restoring collagen and elastin fibers that have been damaged by everyday stress. They improve firmness and help keep skin looking smooth and youthful.
Where does this cream go in a skincare routine for mature skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing. Using it at night helps avoid extra sun sensitivity while the retinol and peptides work to smooth fine lines and support skin renewal.
Can I use this cream with AHA, and in what order?
It is best to use this cream on different nights or avoid using it at the same time as AHA, because combining two strong treatments may cause your skin to become dry, red, or irritated. If you do use both in your routine, apply your AHA product first, let it dry completely, and then follow with this cream.
How often should I use this cream?
Use this treatment in your evening routine, starting slowly to let your skin adjust. It helps smooth fine lines and improve firmness while keeping your skin comfortable over time.
Can this cream clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for mature skin?
This cream is unlikely to clog pores, but the retinol inside may cause initial breakouts or skin purging as it speeds up skin renewal. Using it gradually helps your skin adjust while minimizing irritation.
Is this cream fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
Yes, it has no fragrance and no drying alcohol. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, which soften the skin.
What the research says
Topical 0.4% retinol significantly increased epidermal thickness, dermal vascularity, and extracellular matrix production by stimulating keratinocyte proliferation, endothelial cell proliferation, and fibroblast activation in naturally aged human skin compared to vehicle.
International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 2017Emulsions containing ceramides 1 and 3 improved skin hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss in sodium lauryl sulfate-irritated skin of fifteen healthy Asian women compared to a control emulsion.
International Journal of Dermatology, 2008A peptide complex stimulated basement membrane protein expressions and significantly improved skin wrinkles at all five measured sites after two weeks in 22 healthy Asian female volunteers older than 40 years.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2019Topical bakuchiol 0.5% applied twice daily compared with retinol 0.5% applied daily significantly decreased wrinkle surface area and hyperpigmentation with no statistical difference between the compounds in 44 patients over 12 weeks, while retinol users reported more facial skin scaling and stinging.
The British Journal of Dermatology, 2019Silicone particles encapsulating retinol increased its half-life by 9-fold and yielded 12-23% lower skin irritation in human subjects compared to Microsponge particles while maintaining biological activity.
Journal of Controlled Release, 2018Topical stabilized retinol treatment induced HAS gene expression and increased hyaluronic acid production in human skin in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo compared to vehicle.
Archives of Dermatological Research, 2017Combined oral and topical administration of lutein and zeaxanthin provides the highest degree of antioxidant protection in human skin compared to individual routes.
Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, 2007Solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers, and nanoemulsions successfully delivered lutein dermally with minimal systemic absorption while protecting the active against UV degradation compared to lutein powder.
International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2011Lutein reduced skin inflammatory responses including IL-6 from LPS-treated macrophages, COX-2 from IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha-treated HaCaT cells, and MMP-9 in UV-irradiated keratinocytes by inhibiting the AP-1 pathway through suppression of p38 and JNK activation.
Mediators of Inflammation, 2013Topical post-laser application of human adipocyte-derived mesenchymal stem cell media combined with niacinamide significantly improved wrinkle index, melanin index, patient satisfaction, and investigator esthetic improvement scores compared to vehicle cream in patients with aging skin.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2021Topical nicotinamide prevented solar-simulated UV-induced immunosuppression in healthy volunteers, and men experienced immunosuppression at solar-simulated UV doses three times lower than those required for women.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2008Topical 5% niacinamide applied twice daily for 12 weeks reduced fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmented spots, red blotchiness, and skin sallowness, and improved skin elasticity compared to vehicle control in 50 female white subjects with facial photoaging.
Dermatologic Surgery, 2005A multi-modal methodology combining MALDI-MSI, in vivo RCM, echography, and histology revealed age-related decreases in extracellular matrix and epidermal-dermal junction proteins and undulation depth, while a blend of palmitoyl oligopeptide and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7 improved subepidermal low-echogenic band thickness, density, and extracellular matrix structure compared to placebo.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2015Chronomodulated daytime application of baicalin and nighttime application of palmitoyl tripeptide-1 synergistically improved skin luminance by 16.29%, nasolabial fold depth by -36.35%, and firmness by 24.35% in 30 female participants.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026Grafting cell-surface binding motifs RGD and sOtx2 onto tripeptide-1 (GHK) to form RGD-GHK and sOtx2-GHK enhanced anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic, and anti-aging efficacy compared to the non-targeting peptide GHK in cells and skin models.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Coconut Alkanes, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Caprylic Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Retinol, Jojoba Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca Kernel Oil Apricot Kernel Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Chrysin, Persea Gratissima Oil Avocado Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Ceramide Np, Xanthophylls, Phytosphingosine, Phytosterols, Jojoba Esters, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Rice Extract Rice Bran Extract, Glycine Soja Oil Soybean Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Lauric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Olea Europaea Oil Fruit Olive Oil Fruit, Glucosamine Hcl, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coco-Caprylate Caprate, Pisum Sativum Extract, Tocopherol, Bambusa Vulgaris Stem Extract Leaf, 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
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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Co-founder, CEO and CTO
PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
Medical Board
Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Medical Board
Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, SCS, IFSCC member
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Medical Board, Medical Advisor
Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
Medical Board
Dermatology and diagnostic consultant
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Victoria Derkova, MS
Medical Board
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetic development technologist
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