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COSRX The Vitamin C… vs Drunk Elephant A-Pas… — Which Is Better? | Gracie

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COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum vs Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.0/9.8 vs COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum at 6.7/9.8. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream wins for active ingredients.

Head to head

COSRX

The Vitamin C 23 Serum

serumbudget

6.7

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Ingredients

Niacinamide
Retinol
Hyaluronic Acid
Salicylic Acid

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Drunk Elephant

A-Passioni Retinol Cream

serumpremium

9.0

Score comparison

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream takes this one, winning 3 of 5 attributes.

COSRX wins 0

Tied 2

Drunk Elephant wins 3

11COSRX

1Shared

56Drunk Elephant

Only in COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum

10 unique

Ascorbic Acid Water Ethyl Ascorbyl Ether Panthenol Sodium Lactate 2-Hexanediol Sodium Hyaluronate Allantoin Tromethamine Ethyl Hexanediol

Shared ingredients

1 in common

Propanediol

Only in Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream

55 unique

Water/Aqua/Eau Glycerin Coco-Caprylate Stearic Acid Coconut Alkanes Glyceryl Stearate Niacinamide Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Cetearyl Alcohol Pentylene Glycol+45 more

Why Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream comes out ahead

Where Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 9.3 compared to COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum's 4.1. Its formula features Niacinamide, Retinol, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.

Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 8.7 here versus 3.9 for COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream brings Niacinamide, Retinol, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 as actives, while cOSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum relies on Ascorbic Acid and Allantoin. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Niacinamide does the heavy lifting

Value comparison

At budget pricing with a score of 6.7, COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum is a decent pick. Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream sits at the premium level with a 9.0 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

+2.3 lead

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream wins this comparison with a meaningfully stronger ingredient profile and overall score.

6.7COSRX

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9.0Drunk Elephant

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum or Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream?

Based on ingredient analysis, Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum and Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream share ingredients?

Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.

What's the main difference between COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum and Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.

Full analysis: COSRX The Vitamin C 23 Serum→Full analysis: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream→

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