Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition vs Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum scores 8.9/9.8 vs Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition at 8.4/9.8. Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum wins for active ingredients.
Head to head
Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Score comparison
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
Kiehl's WINSIngredient face-off
18% overlapOnly in Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition
55 unique
Shared ingredients
12 in common
Only in Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
30 unique
Why Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum comes out ahead
Where Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 7.8 compared to Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition's 5.7. Its formula features Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Formulation Safety is another area of separation. Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum scores 9.0 here versus 8.0 for Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum brings Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine as actives, while fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition relies on Niacinamide, Tocopherol, and Lactobacillus. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
- 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
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition is still a solid pick.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition 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 Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition 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 Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Travel-Size Start'r Set: Oily + Combo Skin Edition 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.