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Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid 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

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
Kiehl's Since 1851

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

serumpremium
9.3
VS
The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid
The INKEY List

360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid

serummid-range
8.8

Score comparison

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead, winning 2 of 5 attributes.

2
3
Kiehl's Since 1851 wins 2
Tied 3
The INKEY List wins 0
9.3Kiehl's Since 1851
+0.5vs
8.8The INKEY List

Scores last verified: July 2026

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Kiehl's Since 1851 WINS
9.4
7.5
Kiehl's Since 1851
The INKEY List

Irritation Risk

TIE
9.5
9.5
Kiehl's Since 1851
The INKEY List

Active Ingredient Strength

Kiehl's Since 1851 WINS
7.7
5.3
Kiehl's Since 1851
The INKEY List

Ingredient Transparency

TIE
8.5
8.5
Kiehl's Since 1851
The INKEY List

Formulation Safety

TIE
9.0
9.0
Kiehl's Since 1851
The INKEY List

Ingredient face-off

15% overlap
39Kiehl's Since 1851
6Shared
27The INKEY List

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 The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid's 5.3. 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 7.5 for The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid. 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 the INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid relies on Salicylic Acid, Zinc Pca, and Lactic Acid. 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

The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid 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. The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid sits at the mid-range level with a 8.8 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

Our verdict

✶ Our verdict
+0.5 lead

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid is still a solid pick.

9.3Kiehl's Since 1851
vs
8.8The INKEY List

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide or The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?

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 The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid 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 The INKEY List 360 Acne Clearing Serum with Dioic & Salicylic Acid?

The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.