Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum vs Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 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
1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.2 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
13% overlapOnly in Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum
35 unique
Only in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
34 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.
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 8.6 for Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum. 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 farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum relies on Ceramide Np, Tocopherol, and Retinol. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol 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 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
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: Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 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 Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 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 Farmacy 1% Vitamin A Retinol Serum 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.