The Ordinary vs Drunk Elephant.
The budget science brand vs the premium clean-beauty brand. Is Drunk Elephant actually 10× better than The Ordinary?
The Ordinary
Retinol 1% in Squalane
$12 AUD · Retinol
The $12 retinol that works as well as anything. Squalane base, fragrance-free, no marketing tax.
Shop at Adore Beautyvs
Drunk Elephant
C-Firma Fresh Day Serum
$120 AUD · Vitamin C
Stabilised vitamin C in a cleaner-beauty format. Mix-to-activate for freshness. Premium sensory.
Shop at Sephora AUThe verdict
The Ordinary wins on value. Drunk Elephant on sensory.
For the raw actives (retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide), The Ordinary produces results indistinguishable from Drunk Elephant at one-tenth the price. Drunk Elephant wins on formula sophistication, texture, and the packaging/sensorial experience. If you want results, The Ordinary. If you want a routine that feels like a treatment, Drunk Elephant.
Side by side
| The Ordinary | Drunk Elephant | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price (AUD) | $12 | $88 |
| Formula complexity | Simple (one active) | Multi-active stacks |
| Sensory experience | Utilitarian | Luxurious |
| Fragrance-free | Yes | Mostly |
| Packaging | Functional | Premium/collectible |
| Delivery | Strong | Strong |
| Best for | Budget, simplicity, starting out | Established routine, sensory |
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