Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and the product featured was provided for review.
When it comes to retinol in skincare, I'm a complete novice. A few of my friends often gush about the amazing results they see but due to common side effects such as peeling and dryness, I'd been hesitant to dip my toe in the arena. However, when I saw that Drunk Elephant has released their own retinol cream, I was convinced to give it a go as I've thoroughly enjoyed the majority of the products in their lineup (read my reviews for some of them here). So how was my experience with the A-Passioni Retinol Cream ($92 CAD for 30 ml)? Read on to find out......
Formulated without what Drunk Elephant refers to as the “Suspicious 6” (essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrance/dyes, and SLS), the A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a smoothing face cream formulated with 1% vegan retinol (aka Vitamin A). Also containing a triple peptide blend that firms and strengthens and vitamin F that decreases sensitivity, the milky yellow-colored cream has a lightweight, non-greasy texture that's easy to spread and mix with other oils or creams (ex. B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel).
The product is packaged in a squeezable aluminum tube that's quite honestly a pain in the butt to use. Each time I open the screw-on cap, the cream immediately oozes out and will only stop when I replace the cap, giving me minimal control on how much product is dispensed. As a result, quite a bit of cream crusts on the inside of the cap, which is just wasteful. I presume Drunk Elephant chose the packaging to preserve the integrity of the ingredients (retinol degrades when exposed to air and light) but user-friendliness greatly suffers as a result.
As retinol can cause irritation and peeling, Drunk Elephant advises a specific application regimen for those new to the ingredient. To start, apply a pea-sized amount or less to clean, dry face, initially once or twice a week, gradually increasing to every other night, and then eventually to every night as tolerated. I incorporated A-Passioni into my skincare routine as per Drunk Elephant's directions but instead of applying directly onto my face, I've been mixing it with my nightly moisturizer (Drunk Elephant's Lala Retro Whipped Cream) to reduce the product's intensity. As a result, I've not experienced any stinging, dryness, or peeling but have nevertheless been seeing a noticeable result.
At 26, I am starting to get some faint fine lines around my eyes so the wrinkle-reduction effect is hard to quantify. However, since incorporating A-Passioni into my routine, my overall complexion has become smoother and more radiant. Now, as this is my first time trying retinol, I don't know how this product compares to others on the market. The $95 CAD price tag is undoubtly steep (Deciem offers 1% retinol for only $6.70 CAD), but given that I only use the tiniest smidge nightly and have been seeing great results with no side effects, this is definitely a product I would recommend to those who are interested in retinol and don't mind paying more for a clean, high-quality formulation. Do you use retinol in your skincare? What's your favorite retinol product? Share with me in the comments below!
Availability:
Drunk Elephant is available in stores and online at Sephora and www.drunkelephant.com.
Formulated without what Drunk Elephant refers to as the “Suspicious 6” (essential oils, drying alcohols, silicones, chemical sunscreens, fragrance/dyes, and SLS), the A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a smoothing face cream formulated with 1% vegan retinol (aka Vitamin A). Also containing a triple peptide blend that firms and strengthens and vitamin F that decreases sensitivity, the milky yellow-colored cream has a lightweight, non-greasy texture that's easy to spread and mix with other oils or creams (ex. B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel).
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| Drunk Elephant | A-Passioni Retinol Cream |
As retinol can cause irritation and peeling, Drunk Elephant advises a specific application regimen for those new to the ingredient. To start, apply a pea-sized amount or less to clean, dry face, initially once or twice a week, gradually increasing to every other night, and then eventually to every night as tolerated. I incorporated A-Passioni into my skincare routine as per Drunk Elephant's directions but instead of applying directly onto my face, I've been mixing it with my nightly moisturizer (Drunk Elephant's Lala Retro Whipped Cream) to reduce the product's intensity. As a result, I've not experienced any stinging, dryness, or peeling but have nevertheless been seeing a noticeable result.
 |
| Drunk Elephant | A-Passioni Retinol Cream |
Availability:
Drunk Elephant is available in stores and online at Sephora and www.drunkelephant.com.
