Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide vs Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide scores 9.3/9.8 vs Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen at 8.4/9.8. 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

SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
Score comparison
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead, winning 1 of 5 attributes.
Scores last verified: July 2026
Attribute battle
Hydration Efficacy
Tower 28 Beauty WINSIrritation Risk
TIEActive Ingredient Strength
Kiehl's Since 1851 WINSIngredient Transparency
TIEFormulation Safety
TIEIngredient face-off
23% overlapOnly in Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide
30 unique
Shared ingredients
9 in common
Only in Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen
30 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 Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen's 6.0. Its formula features Niacinamide, Acetyl Dipeptide-1 Cetyl Ester, and Adenosine in high positions, signalling meaningful concentrations.
Hydration Efficacy is another area of separation. Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen scores 9.8 here versus 9.4 for Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide. 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 tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen relies on Allantoin, Bisabolol, and Ceramide Ap. 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
Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen is better if you have
- Sensitive skin — the low-irritation formula keeps things gentle
- Dry or dehydrated skin that craves moisture, thanks to Cholesterol
- Anyone who prefers clean, well-vetted formulations
Value comparison
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide comes in at premium pricing with a 9.3 score, which is solid value at that tier.
Our verdict
Kiehl's Since 1851 Micro-Dose Anti-Aging Retinol Serum with Ceramides & Peptide edges ahead with a slightly stronger formulation, but Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen 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 Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen?
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 Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen 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 Tower 28 Beauty SOS FaceGuard SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen?
The key differences are in their active ingredients and formulation approach. Check the attribute battle above for a detailed breakdown.