Today’s post is about one of my favourite retinol products, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream. This cream should be used very carefully as it contains 1% retinol, but the results are definitely worth it.
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream claims and ingredients
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream combines 1% vegan retinol with nourishing, superfood-rich ingredients to fight fine lines and wrinkles and improve skin texture and colour without causing irritation or redness. It also contains vitamin F and a blend of soothing passionfruit, apricot, marula and jojoba oils to hydrate and restore the skin’s protective barrier, as well as derived from kale, physalis and xanthophylls antioxidants to protect against the harmful effects of free radicals.
Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Glycerin, Coco-Caprylate, Stearic Acid, Coconut Alkanes, Glyceryl Stearate, Niacinamide, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Pentylene Glycol, Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil, Retinol, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Cetyl Ethylhexanoate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Brassica Oleracea Acephala Leaf Extract, Brassica Oleracea Italica (Broccoli) Extract, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Chrysin, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Ceramide NP, Xanthophylls, Phytosphingosine, Phytosterols, Jojoba Esters, Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice, Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran) Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Carthamus Tinctorium (Safflower) Seed Oil, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Cetyl Palmitate, Trehalose, Lauric Acid, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Glucosamine HCL, Tocopheryl Acetate, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Pisum Sativum (Pea) 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
Drunk Elephant love formulas with lots of ingredients, and this cream is no exception. The key ingredients are:
- retinol at a 1% concentration – one of the most effective forms of vitamin A that reduces wrinkles, prevents the appearance of fine lines and helps fight breakouts. According to many studies, retinol significantly improves the condition of the epidermis and dermis, evens out the texture and colour of the skin, increases its elasticity, and also reduces the depth of wrinkles caused by prolonged exposure to the sun and free radicals. Retinol can cause irritation and formulas with a 1% concentration of this component are considered quite potent
- a mixture of three peptides, including the well-known Matrixyl 3000 complex – stimulate collagen synthesis, strengthens and tightens the skin, enhances the anti-ageing properties of retinol
- niacinamide – an anti-ageing component that reduces the depth of wrinkles, fights age spots, regulates sebum production, improves elasticity and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier
- physalis and kale extracts, xanthophyll, vitamin E, and vitamin C derivative – antioxidants that fight free radicals and restore the skin
- passion fruit, avocado, apricot, marula, safflower seed and jojoba oils – moisturize, nourish and soften the skin, and also protect against free radicals
- glycerin, linolenic and linoleic fatty acids, ceramides, phytosphingosine, and hyaluronic acid – moisturize the skin and restore its protective barrier
Packaging and texture
I used Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream in the original packaging when it first came out a few years ago, and back then the packaging was very different from other products of the brand. Now the product comes packaged in a standard plastic airless bottle with a twisted cap, which dispenses just the right amount of product (I’ve had some other brand’s products in the same package) and is convenient to use.
The texture of the product is creamy, with thicker consistency but very spreadable. It quickly sinks into the skin and does not cause any discomfort. It has some smell, but it is quite neutral and smells like soap to me.
How to use and my impressions
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream uses a relatively high dose of retinol, so it should be used with caution. Especially if you have had no previous experience with retinol and other vitamin A derivatives.
Drunk Elephant suggest applying a pea-sized portion of the cream in the morning or evening on a dry, clean face, avoiding the skin around the eyes. If desired, the product can be mixed with another cream or oil. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream should be started with 1-2 times a week, gradually increasing the frequency until 7 times a week. During the day, when using products with retinol, the skin must be protected with sunscreen. And cosmetics with vitamin A derivatives are discouraged during pregnancy and breastfeeding (though, it’s questionable for over-the-counter products).
The product leaflet also recommends for daycare that you mix this cream with C-Firma Fresh Vitamin C Day Serum (which should enhance the effect of retinol) and then apply Umbra Sun Protection Cream. For evening care, the product can be alternated every other day with T.L.C. Framboos Glycolic Night Serum or mixed and applied together. Retinol products and cosmetics with AHA usually work at different pH levels though, so I would not apply them at the same time. Furthermore, the skin can react to such a mix with irritation and hypersensitivity.
I started to introduce Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream into my skincare routine gradually because the first time I applied it I went too far with the amount and as a result, it caused noticeable flaking. Even though usually my skin does not react to over-the-counter retinol at all.
I applied the product in the evening only (retinol increases the sensitivity of the skin to the sun, so I don’t risk using it in the morning) alternating it with AHAs products. Such a routine is perfect for my combination-oily, insensitive skin and does not cause any irritation.
And for me, it became a game-changing product. Firstly, it really improves skin elasticity and density, making it softer, plumper, firmer and bouncier literally overnight (or, at least it feels so). Over time, it also evens out the texture of the skin – I tested the cream without acids and peels for a couple of weeks, and it’s remarkably good at smoothing the skin. Secondly, while using it I didn’t see any sign of new fine lines and wrinkles. While the already existing lines (mainly, between the eyebrows), have not become deeper and even faded a little bit.
Plus, I like the ingredients this cream uses – here we have retinol, the anti-ageing effect of which is confirmed by numerous independent studies, niacinamide, as well as peptides, which together help fight age-related skin changes. Whereas the ceramides and oils make the retinol less “harsh”, providing soothing properties to prevent irritation.
The cream costs £65 for 30ml and is available at:
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