Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel at 8.8/9.8. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide wins for active ingredients.
Head to head

Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide

Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
Score comparison
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Murad WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Murad WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
19% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
27 unique
Shared ingredients
12 in common
Only in Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel
50 unique
Why Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide comes out ahead
Where Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide really shines is active ingredient strength, scoring 7.7 compared to Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel's 9.8. Its formula features Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel scores 9.8 here versus 9.4 for Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide. 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 murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel relies on Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ap, and Ceramide Eop. Both approaches have merit, but the positioning and supporting ingredients make the difference.
Best for your skin type
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
Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel 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 — Ceramide Np 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
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel is still a solid pick.


Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide or Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel?
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 Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide and Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel 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 Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide and Murad Nutrient-Charged Water Gel?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.