Side-by-side comparison

Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum vs Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment

Both serums contain Retinol and Peptides, but each adds something the other doesn't. Here's where they overlap and where they split.

2Shared hero actives
Kiehl's
Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum
SerumPremiumEvening only
Fine LinesRough TexturePhotoaging Prevention

A micro-dosed retinol serum with ceramide and peptide support designed for daily use with less irritation. A gentle daily-retinol approach for those who can't tolerate higher strengths; gradual, cumulative results.

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Paula's Choice
Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
SerumPremiumEvening only
Fine LinesPhotoaging PreventionRough Texture

A higher-strength 1% retinol treatment buffered with peptides, vitamin C and liquorice. A serious step-up retinol for experienced users targeting wrinkles and tone; introduce slowly and pair with barrier support.

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The verdict

Which should you choose?

Both contain Retinol and Peptides. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment adds Vitamin C. Pick the one whose extra matches what you're treating. Both sit in the Premium price tier.

The overlap

What they share

These hero actives appear in both formulas:

RetinolPeptides
The formulation

Ingredient stacks, side by side

Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Dimethicone~5–25%
  • Glycerin~3–10%
  • Retinol~2–6%
  • Ceramide NP~1.5–4%

Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment — top of the list

  • Aqua~50–80%
  • Cyclopentasilox…~5–25%
  • Glycerin~3–10%
  • Dimethicone~2–6%
  • Retinol~1.5–4%

● marks ingredients that appear near the top of both lists. Percentages are positional estimates from INCI order, not disclosed doses.

At a glance

The specs

Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose SerumPaula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment
CategorySerumSerum
Price tierPremiumPremium
Best forFine Lines, Rough Texture, Photoaging PreventionFine Lines, Photoaging Prevention, Rough Texture
Usage notesEvening onlyEvening only
Shared hero activesRetinol and Peptides
Questions

Common questions

Is the Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum or the Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment better?
It depends on what you're treating. Both contain Retinol and Peptides; Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment adds Vitamin C.
What's the difference between the Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum and the Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment?
Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum's hero actives are Retinol, Ceramides and Peptides. Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment's are Retinol, Vitamin C and Peptides.
Are the Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment dupes for each other?
Partly. They share Retinol and Peptides, but Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment's Vitamin C isn't in the other, so they aren't full substitutes.
Can I use the Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum and Paula's Choice Clinical 1% Retinol Treatment together?
There's no benefit to using two retinoids at once, and it raises the risk of irritation. Pick one.
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1 shared hero active

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