Formulation Deep Dive
Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream is a high-potency, emulsion-based corrective treatment designed to deliver 1.0% Retinol for cellular turnover and dermal remodeling. The carrier system utilizes a sophisticated lipid-replenishing base of Coco-Caprylate, Coconut Alkanes, and plant-derived oils including Passiflora Edulis (Passionfruit) Seed Oil and Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil to mitigate the potential irritation often associated with pure Vitamin A. Active performance is driven by the synergistic combination of Retinol, Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) for barrier support, and a peptide complex featuring Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 and Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 to enhance structural protein synthesis. The formulation is stabilized through a robust rheology modifier network including Carbomer and Trideceth-6 Phosphate, and preserved with a multi-functional system of Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin, and Chlorphenesin to ensure long-term microbial integrity.
Formula Structure Overview
This formula has a 73% match with ingredients from our research database. Among the matched ingredients, the main functional themes identified are categorized as barrier support, emollient, moisturizer, and conditioner ingredients.
Reviewed Ingredient Coverage
73%
Water
GREAT
Purified water serves as the primary, high-quality solvent in most cosmetics.
Solvent
Glycerin
GREAT
To attract and retain moisture in the skin and hair, enhancing hydration and improving barrier function.
Hydrator
Moisturizer
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Soother
Barrier Support
Anti-Aging Agent
Solvent
Stearic Acid
GOOD
Thicken and stabilize emulsions, soften skin, enhance sensory richness, and form protective lipid films on skin and hair.
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Barrier Support
Emulsifier
Coconut Alkanes
GOOD
A coconut-derived emollient used for silky, weightless slip as a natural silicone alternative.
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Glyceryl Stearate
GOOD
To stabilize oil and water mixtures, enhance product texture, moisturize skin, and condition hair in cosmetic formulations.
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Emulsifier
Niacinamide
GREAT
To enhance skin and scalp health by improving barrier function, reducing inflammation, and providing antioxidant protection.
Hydrator
Moisturizer
Antioxidant
Strengthener
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Oil Control Agent
Tone Evener
Anti-Aging Agent
Caprylic/Capric triglyceride
GREAT
To provide emollient and moisturizing benefits, enhance product texture, and stabilize formulations.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Anti-Frizz Agent
Antioxidant
Barrier Support
Emulsifier
Solvent
Cetearyl Alcohol
GOOD
Stabilize and thicken emulsions while depositing a soft, emollient film that improves skin feel and hair manageability.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Barrier Support
Emulsifier
Pentylene Glycol
GREAT
To elevate cosmetic formulations by delivering efficient hydration, actives solubilization, enhanced texture, and supplemental antimicrobial support—thereby improving both performance and sensory quality.
Hydrator
Moisturizer
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Soother
Barrier Support
Solvent
Preservative
Passiflora Edulis Seed Oil
NOT RATED
Retinol
GREAT
To promote skin cell turnover, boost collagen production, reduce signs of aging, treat acne, and support scalp health and hair growth.
Exfoliant
Anti-Aging Agent
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
GOOD
To deeply moisturize, balance oil production, protect skin and hair from oxidative stress, and soothe inflammation.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Antioxidant
Detoxifier
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Oil Control Agent
Anti-Aging Agent
Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Seed Oil
GREAT
Provides deep hydration and lipid reinforcement to skin and hair, while delivering antioxidant defense and enhancing softness, shine, and resilience.
Hydrator
Moisturizer
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Antioxidant
Soother
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil
GREAT
To hydrate and soften skin and hair while strengthening the barrier and delivering antioxidant protection.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Antioxidant
Soother
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Cetyl Ethylhexanoate
GOOD
A light, oxidation-stable emollient ester used for a dry, silky skin feel and easy spreadability.
Emollient
Tripeptide-1 Palmitate
GREAT
Stimulate collagen synthesis, improve skin firmness, and support cellular repair mechanisms in skin and scalp formulations.
Strengthener
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Tone Evener
Anti-Aging Agent
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
GREAT
To modulate inflammation, promote collagen integrity, and enhance skin elasticity and firmness through peptide signalling pathways.
Texture Enhancer
Soother
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Anti-Aging Agent
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
GREAT
Deliver stable vitamin C activity to improve skin tone, stimulate collagen synthesis, and protect skin and hair from oxidative stress.
Antioxidant
Strengthener
Tone Evener
Anti-Aging Agent
Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil
GREAT
Hydrate and nourish skin and hair; deliver antioxidant protection and inflammation relief.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Conditioner
Antioxidant
Soother
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Linoleic Acid
GOOD
An essential omega-6 fatty acid that supports the look of a healthy skin barrier and softens skin.
Barrier Support
Emollient
Linolenic Acid
GOOD
An omega-3 essential fatty acid used for barrier support, softening and skin comfort.
Barrier Support
Emollient
Ceramide NP
GREAT
To restore and maintain the skin's natural barrier, enhance hydration, and improve hair strength and resilience.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Strengthener
Soother
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Phytosphingosine
GREAT
Phytosphingosine strengthens skin and scalp barriers, reduces inflammation, balances the microbiome, and supports anti-aging and anti-acne effects.
Conditioner
Soother
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Microbiome Balance Agent
Barrier Support
Oil Control Agent
Anti-Aging Agent
Phytosterols
GOOD
Barrier-identical plant sterols used to support the moisture barrier and soothe the look of skin.
Barrier Support
Soother
Physalis Pubescens Fruit Juice
NOT RATED
Stearyl Glycyrrhetinate
NOT RATED
Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil
GOOD
To hydrate and condition skin and hair while supplying antioxidant support and enhancing barrier function.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Antioxidant
Soother
Barrier Support
Oil Control Agent
Carthamus Tinctorium (Safflower) Seed Oil
NOT RATED
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12
GOOD
A lipidated signal peptide used to support the appearance of firmer, smoother skin.
Anti-Aging Agent
Cetyl Palmitate
GOOD
A waxy emollient ester used to soften skin and give creams, balms and sticks smooth structure and a velvety finish.
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Trehalose
GREAT
To deliver deep, sustained hydration and barrier fortification while providing antioxidant protection and formulation stability — ensuring skin and hair remain supple, resilient, and balanced.
Hydrator
Moisturizer
Texture Enhancer
Antioxidant
Soother
Microbiome Balance Agent
Barrier Support
Lauric Acid
GOOD
Serve as a fatty acid-based cleansing, emulsifying, and barrier-supporting component to improve skin and haircare product performance.
Texture Enhancer
Cleansing Agent
Soother
Microbiome Balance Agent
Barrier Support
Oil Control Agent
Emulsifier
Hyaluronic Acid Crosspolymer
GREAT
Provide deep and sustained hydration; enhance skin barrier function; improve skin texture and elasticity.
Hydrator
Moisturizer
Texture Enhancer
Barrier Support
Anti-Aging Agent
Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil
GOOD
Provide an emollient, antioxidant-containing lipid phase that enhances skin comfort and hair manageability.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Conditioner
Cleansing Agent
Antioxidant
Barrier Support
Solvent
Glucosamine HCL
NOT RATED
Tocopheryl Acetate
GOOD
Protect skin and hair from oxidative damage, support barrier integrity, and enhance product texture and conditioning performance.
Moisturizer
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Antioxidant
Anti-Aging Agent
Coco Caprylate/Caprate
GOOD
To condition and soften skin and hair while improving the sensory feel, spreadability, and moisture retention of cosmetic formulations.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Texture Enhancer
Conditioner
Barrier Support
Solvent
Pisum Sativum (Pea) Peptide
GREAT
To enhance skin hydration and elasticity, promote even skin tone, and improve hair strength and volume.
Hydrator
Antioxidant
Strengthener
Soother
Anti-Inflammatory Agent
Barrier Support
Tone Evener
Anti-Aging Agent
Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
GREAT
To provide antioxidant protection, moisturize and condition the skin and hair, support the skin’s barrier function, soothe irritation, and protect against environmental damage.
Moisturizer
Emollient
Conditioner
Antioxidant
Soother
Barrier Support
Anti-Aging Agent
Optiphen™
GOOD
To inhibit microbial growth in cosmetic formulations and help maintain product safety and integrity.
Texture Enhancer
Preservative
Carbomer
GOOD
High-efficiency gel former and viscosity builder that stabilizes emulsions and suspends actives/pigments.
Texture Enhancer
Cleansing Agent
Emulsifier
Trideceth-6 Phosphate
NOT RATED
N-Hydroxysuccinimide
NOT RATED
Ceteareth-20
GOOD
To emulsify oil and water phases, stabilize formulas, improve texture and sensorial feel, and facilitate delivery of actives in both skincare and haircare products.
Texture Enhancer
Emulsifier
Solvent
Sodium Hydroxide
GOOD
A strong alkali used at trace levels as a pH adjuster — to neutralize acids, set a formula’s target pH and activate gelling agents such as carbomer.
Propanediol
GREAT
Improve hydration, solubilize actives, enhance texture and absorption, support barrier function.
Hydrator
Emollient
Barrier Support
Solvent
Chlorhexidine Digluconate
NOT RATED
Polysorbate 20
GOOD
To stabilise oil-in-water or water-in-oil mixtures, reduce interfacial tension, solubilise lipophilic actives, and improve formulation texture and performance in skin and hair care systems.
Texture Enhancer
Cleansing Agent
Emulsifier
Solvent
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
GOOD
A biodegradable EDTA-alternative chelator that stabilizes and helps preserve water-based formulas.
Chelating Agent
Chlorphenesin
GOOD
A mild, stable cosmetic preservative used to broaden and reinforce a preservative system.
Preservative
Potassium Sorbate
GOOD
Functions as a preservative (antimicrobial), protecting water-containing formulations primarily against yeasts and molds, with weaker activity against bacteria. Its activity is pH-dependent and strongest in acidic systems (effective below roughly pH 6, optimal near pH 4.4), so it is used in low-pH products and is commonly paired with a second preservative such as sodium benzoate for broad-spectrum coverage.
Preservative
Ethylhexylglycerin
GOOD
A multifunctional additive that boosts preservative efficacy, provides deodorant activity, and conditions skin with a light, non-greasy feel.
Preservative
Microbiome Balance Agent
The information provided in this review is based on internal research and publicly available sources. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical, legal, or regulatory advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. Users are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult appropriate professionals before making decisions based on this information.
