Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum vs Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum scores 8.9/9.8 and Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum scores 8.9/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.0 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Kiehl's WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
14% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
36 unique
Shared ingredients
6 in common
Only in Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum
26 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.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum scores 7.8 here versus 6.4 for Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum. 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 peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum relies on Niacinamide, Zinc Pca, and Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
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
Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 8.9, Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is a decent pick. Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum sits at the mid-range level with a 8.9 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
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: Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum or Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 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 Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum and Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment 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 Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum and Peace Out Salicylic Acid Acne Treatment Serum?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.