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Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream vs Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide

Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream scores 9.1/9.8 and Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.

Head to head

✶
Drunk Elephant

A-Passioni Retinol Cream

serumpremium
9.1
VS
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
Kiehl's Since 1851

Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide

serumpremium
9.3

Score comparison

These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.

1
3
1
Drunk Elephant wins 1
Tied 3
Kiehl's Since 1851 wins 1
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
9.3Kiehl's Since 1851

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Kiehl's Since 1851 WINS
8.7
9.4
Drunk Elephant
Kiehl's Since 1851

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Drunk Elephant
Kiehl's Since 1851

Active Ingredient Strength

Drunk Elephant WINS
9.3
7.7
Drunk Elephant
Kiehl's Since 1851

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Drunk Elephant
Kiehl's Since 1851

Formulation Safety

TIE
8.8
9.0
Drunk Elephant
Kiehl's Since 1851

Why these two are neck and neck

These two serums take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.

Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.4 here versus 8.7 for Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide brings Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine as actives, while drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream relies on Niacinamide, Retinol, and Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.

Best for your skin type

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

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide 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

Both sit in the premium bracket, so value comes down to formulation quality. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide gets the nod here with its 9.3 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict

It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.

✶
9.1Drunk Elephant
vs
9.3Kiehl's Since 1851

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream or Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide?

Based on ingredient analysis, Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.

Do Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream and Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide share ingredients?

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

What's the main difference between Drunk Elephant A-Passioni Retinol Cream and Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide?

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