Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 and Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin scores 9.6/9.8 — a near-tie where your skin type decides the winner.
Head to head

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

BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin
Score comparison
These two are neck and neck — just 0.3 points apart.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Torriden WINSIngredient Transparency
Torriden WINSFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
13% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
34 unique
Only in Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin
32 unique
Why these two are neck and neck
These two toners take different paths to a similar destination. Both formulas include solid hydrating ingredients, and the overall scores reflect that — the gap here is genuinely slim.
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 7.4 for Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin. That difference comes down to how each formula is built — the ingredient list tells the story.
Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin brings Gluconolactone, Niacinamide, and Centella Asiatica Extract as actives, while kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide relies on Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine. 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
Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Propanediol
- Targeting specific concerns like aging or uneven tone — Gluconolactone does the heavy lifting
Value comparison
At premium pricing with a score of 9.3, Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide is a decent pick. Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin sits at the mid-range level with a 9.6 score — the higher investment pays off in formulation quality.
Our verdict
It's a close call — both products score within 0.3 points of each other. Your choice depends on your specific skin concerns.


Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide or Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin?
Based on ingredient analysis, Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin 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 Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin 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 Torriden BALANCEFUL 5D Cica Complex AHA Pore Refining Toner for Clear, Smooth Skin?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.