How to use Drunk Elephant retinol serum

How do you apply A Passioni?

1. 1Test a little on a small area before your first facial application. Wait a couple of days and check for marked redness or itching before adding retinol to your routine.
2. 2Wash with a gentle cleanser and pat your face dry. Do not scrub.
3. 3Spread a pea sized amount in a thin layer across your face, avoiding the eye area. Keep retinol out of your mouth and nose.
4. 4Finish with a facial moisturizer that does not clog pores. Drunk Elephant also allows A Passioni to be mixed with its creams or oils, and tells you to mix it with B Hydra for the first few applications.
5. 5Use broad spectrum sunscreen during the day. Add shade and protective clothing rather than relying on sunscreen alone.

How often should you use it?

Start A Passioni once or twice a week, then gradually increase to every other night and eventually every night as tolerated. There is no fixed deadline for increasing frequency. Drunk Elephant permits morning or night application, but general dermatology guidance favors nighttime use with sun protection during the day. Bedtime is the straightforward choice.14

Can you mix it with moisturizer?

Yes. Drunk Elephant's mixing recipes pair A Passioni with Protini Cream or Lala Retro. Another combines A Passioni, B Hydra and Bora Barrier. The brand calls these mixtures skincare smoothies, which is an elaborate name for putting skincare in your palm. Mix the chosen products in your hand and apply them together. These combinations are optional ways to apply the cream, not a shopping list you must complete.2

When should you expect results?

General retinol guidance puts visible improvement at several weeks, with changes in wrinkles usually taking several months. A Passioni's clinical results were measured after eight weeks in 31 people, with improvements reported in firmness, lines and texture. Treat those timings as a reason to judge progress over weeks, not the morning after application. The skincare calendar moves more slowly than the product names suggest.13

Who should be careful?

Retinol is used for uneven tone, pigmentation and texture, but a 1% formula is not the gentlest starting point. General dermatology guidance favors the lowest strength available for beginners. People with dry skin, skin allergies, or substantial redness and inflammation should discuss alternatives with a dermatologist. For darker skin tones, irritation can trigger dark marks, so starting slowly and moisturizing matter. Do not use retinoids during pregnancy. Drunk Elephant also advises against retinol while nursing.14

What should make you stop?

Retinol can cause temporary dryness, peeling, redness, itching or burning. Do not increase frequency while your skin is irritated. If you develop a skin reaction, gently wash the product off and stop using it. A cool compress or petroleum jelly can help soothe the area. See a dermatologist if the reaction is severe and these measures do not relieve it. If you are using retinol for acne, deep, painful spots or scarring also warrant medical care.356

Does Drunk Elephant have retinol?

Yes. A Passioni contains 1% retinol, and A Gloei is listed as a 0.5% vegan retinol oil. B Hydra is a hydration serum, not the retinol product in these combinations. A Passioni's pea sized facial dose should not be treated as the directions for A Gloei.12