Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 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
Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum
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
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
15% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
33 unique
Only in Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum
28 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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum's 5.9. Its formula features Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.4 here versus 7.9 for Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum. 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 summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum relies on Retinyl Linoleate, Retinol, and Centella Asiatica 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
Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 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
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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum?
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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum 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 Summer Fridays Midnight Ritual Retinol Renewal Serum?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.