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Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum scores 9.0/9.8 vs Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® with 1% Encapsulated Retinol for Fine Lines & Wrinkles at 8.7/9.8. Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum wins for hydration.
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: June 2026
32 unique
10 in common
31 unique
Where Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum really shines is hydration efficacy, scoring 9.6 compared to Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® with 1% Encapsulated Retinol for Fine Lines & Wrinkles's 8.5. With Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, and Pentylene Glycol in its top ingredients, Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum brings Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine as actives, while shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® with 1% Encapsulated Retinol for Fine Lines & Wrinkles relies on Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Lactobacillus Ferment, and Retinol. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is better if you have
Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® with 1% Encapsulated Retinol for Fine Lines & Wrinkles is better if you have
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 9.0 overall score — you're getting more for a similar outlay.
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Shani Darden Skin Care Retinol Reform® with 1% Encapsulated Retinol for Fine Lines & Wrinkles is still a solid pick.
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.
Yes, they share common ingredients. Check the ingredient face-off section above for a detailed comparison.
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.
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© 2026 Gracie. All rights reserved. Data sourced from Open Beauty Facts (ODbL) and EU CosIng.