Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 at 9.0/9.8. 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
Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50
Score comparison
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
TIEIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
22% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
28 unique
Shared ingredients
11 in common
Only in Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50
38 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 Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50's 6.8. Its formula features Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
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 paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 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
Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 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
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 9.3, Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide delivers strong value. Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 sits at the mid-range level with a 9.0 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.
Our verdict
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 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 Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50?
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 Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50 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 Paula's Choice Mini Must-Haves with 2% BHA Exfoliating Toner, Foaming Cleanser, & SPF 50?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.