Drunk Elephant Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum vs Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Drunk Elephant Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum scores 8.7/9.8 and Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
9% overlapOnly in Drunk Elephant Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum
39 unique
Only in Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
38 unique
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.
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum brings Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine as actives, while drunk Elephant Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum relies on Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Allantoin, and Panax Ginseng Root Extract. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Drunk Elephant Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Glycerin
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum 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 Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum gets the nod here with its 8.9 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Drunk Elephant Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum or Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum?
Based on ingredient analysis, Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum scores higher overall. See the full score breakdown above for details on each attribute.
Do Drunk Elephant Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum and Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum 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 Amino Rain™ Glasswater Serum and Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.