Which is better: Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide or The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?

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 Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA 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 Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?

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

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA at 8.4/9.8. Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide wins for hydration.

Kiehl's Since 1851

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

serumpremium

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 hydration efficacy, scoring 9.4 compared to The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA's 5.5. With Glycerin, Butylene Glycol, and Pentylene Glycol in its top ingredients, Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide delivers stronger moisture-binding capability.

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 6.9 for The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA. 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 Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA relies on Glycolic Acid, Salicylic Acid, 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 Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA is better if you have

Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
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 Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA sits at the budget level with a 8.4 score — the extra cost doesn't translate to better scores here.

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

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

The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Irritation Risk

Active Ingredient Strength

Ingredient Transparency

Formulation Safety

Ingredient face-off

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

Shared ingredients

Only in The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

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

Best for your skin type

Value comparison

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide or The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?

Do Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide and The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA share ingredients?

What's the main difference between Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide and The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?

Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

Head to head

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

The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

Score comparison

Attribute battle

Hydration Efficacy

Irritation Risk

Active Ingredient Strength

Ingredient Transparency

Formulation Safety

Ingredient face-off

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

Shared ingredients

Only in The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA

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

Best for your skin type

Value comparison

Our verdict

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide or The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?

Do Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide and The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA share ingredients?

What's the main difference between Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide and The Ordinary The Resurface & Hydrate Set with Hyaluronic Acid Serum + AHA?