Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask 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
Overnight Vitalizing Mask
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
Sulwhasoo WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient Transparency
Sulwhasoo WINSFormulation Safety
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient face-off
12% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
33 unique
Shared ingredients
6 in common
Only in Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask
46 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 Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask's 4.9. Its formula features Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Formulation Safety is another area of separation. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.0 here versus 8.0 for Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask. 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 sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask relies on Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, and Ophiopogon Japonicus Root 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
Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Butylene Glycol
- 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. Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask sits at the luxury 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 Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask 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 Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask?
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 Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask 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 Sulwhasoo Overnight Vitalizing Mask?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.