Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM at 8.5/9.8. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide wins for formulation safety.
Head to head
Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
RETINOL SKIN CREAM
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
RETINOL WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient face-off
16% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
30 unique
Shared ingredients
9 in common
Only in RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM
48 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 formulation safety, scoring 9.0 compared to RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM's 7.5.
Active Ingredient Strength is another area of separation. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 7.7 here versus 6.5 for RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM. 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 rETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM relies on Arginine, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Germ Extract, and Royal Jelly Extract. 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
RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Ingredients (Inci): Water
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide comes in at premium pricing with a 9.3 score, which is solid value at that tier.
Our verdict
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM 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 RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM?
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 RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM 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 RETINOL RETINOL SKIN CREAM?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.