Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum

What the experts use it for.

The concerns the experts tie this product to, in their own words. Paid and founder takes don't count.

Skin barrier support3 experts

“Similar to the CeraVe one, it also has ceramides which help to restore the skin barrier, moisturize and basically protect your skin while you're still having those benefits of retinol.”

Doctorly, watch at 4:54

Clogged or visible pores1 expert

“Retinoids like this one by Kiehl's, which is their skin renewing daily micro dose serum, are important because they're going to help accelerate your cellular turnover of your skin cells so they don't stick together as much and they don't create the appearance of enlarged pores.”

Dr. Shereene Idriss, watch at 16:47

Rosacea1 expert

“Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is really good if you have very sensitive skin, rosacea, and you're not sure if you can tolerate a retinol or if you're a beginner.”

Dr. Daniel Sugai, watch at 16:01

Irritated or reactive skin1 expert

“I started using this year, really loved it, and it [...] probably used it for several months without any signs of irritation at all and it would get on my eyelids I wouldn't get irritated from it which is fascinating for me because I have very sensitive eyelids.”

Doctorly, watch at 4:54

Crepey skin1 expert

“But if you have an inflamed skin barrier, you're prone to dry skin, [...] and you're trying to find other things that help with the look of crepey skin or wrinkles, it's probably one you'd want to look for.”

Dr. Shereene Idriss, watch at 13:49

What the gurus are saying.

Every take we've logged from this product's reviews across YouTube. Click any row to watch the moment they said it.

All takes Yay takes Nay takes Mixed takes Hide sponsored

Dr. Shereene Idriss

1.73M subs

✓Yay

"This is their retinol, which is a daily microdose serum, and this is actually a light retinol. So it's good for a beginner."

All 6 takes from Dr. Shereene Idriss

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"At $65, Kiehl's micro-dose retinol has ceramides. The retinol percentage isn't disclosed, so you can assume it's probably on the lighter side. But if you have an inflamed skin barrier, you're prone to dry skin, [...] and you're trying to find other things that help with the look of crepey skin or wrinkles, it's probably one you'd want to look for."

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"This is their retinol, which is a daily microdose serum, and this is actually a light retinol. So it's good for a beginner."

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"If you want something a little bit stronger, Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum at $65 is a gentle formula, but it's tried and true for people who use retinol. Not necessarily for beginners, but something you may want to check out."

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"Kiehl's Micro-Dose Retinol is, I believe, around 0.1%, though they don't disclose it. [...] It has retinol, peptides and ceramides in it and it's a very great beginner's retinol product, the lightest one I found at Sephora."

How to Get Clear Pores from a Dermatologist! | Dr. Shereene Idriss

"Retinoids like this one by Kiehl's, which is their skin renewing daily micro dose serum, are important because they're going to help accelerate your cellular turnover of your skin cells so they don't stick together as much and they don't create the appearance of enlarged pores."

Let’s Get Intimate: Peptides | Dr. Shereene Idriss

"This is for those who are more advanced in the skincare game who are not quite ready for [...] a prescription retinoid but want more from the retinol. Kiehl's is the one I would go for because it's 0.1 percent over the counter, and it has a certain type of peptide called acetyl dipeptide-1 cetyl ester, which is composed of tyrosine and arginine."

The Style and Beauty Doctor

222k subs

✓Yay

"That one's really nice too because it slowly introduces the retinol to your skin."

Dr. Vanita Rattan

1.23M subs

✓Yay

"This is going to be very hydrating. The next ingredient is niacinamide, which is a lovely combination because it strengthens the skin barrier, which is exactly what you want to do when you're using an irritating ingredient. [...] Plus, they added adenosine, which is anti-inflammatory. [...] I actually don't like a lot of products from Kiehl's, but they got it right with this particular product. I would say it's great for beginners to intermediate, but it is quite expensive at £72."

Dr. Daniel Sugai

723k subs

✓Yay

"There's also a micro do serum for those who are beginners those are both really good"

All 3 takes from Dr. Daniel Sugai

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"There's also a micro do serum for those who are beginners those are both really good"

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"Kiehl's is great, they make a micro-dose retinol with peptides. I like peptides because it helps signal collagen production, so you see that in the Kiehl's micro-dose Retinol Serum."

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"Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is really good if you have very sensitive skin, rosacea, and you're not sure if you can tolerate a retinol or if you're a beginner. It has a very small percentage of retinol but also has a peptide to help with anti-aging purposes. It helps with self-signaling and increasing collagen production. One pump gives you that pea-size amount, all you need there."

Nipun Kapur

413k subs

✓Yay

"This is for advanced users and the Kiehl's formula is also fabulous. The good news with Kiehl's is that you get it pretty much everywhere in the world, and it's my recommendation number five, technically affordable. This is like $30, so it is the most affordable of this entire list."

Lab Muffin Beauty Science

864k subs

✓Yay

"If I wanted to use a retinol, the Kiehl's Micro Dose is enough to have an effect but it's not enough to cause any issues, so that's also a perfect beginner retinoid. It has ceramides to replenish your skin as it works."

Top Pick: beginner retinoid

Dr Alexis Stephens

582k subs

✓Yay

"A great product that pairs the neural peptides with retinol is the Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum. It has acetyl dipeptide-1 acetyl ester, which can help to decrease some of those muscle movements while giving you all the benefits of a retinol."

Doctorly

3.59M subs

✓Yay

"One of our favorite starter retinols is the Kiehl's Micro Dose Retinol, which slowly releases over time micro dose amounts of retinol so you don't get that irritation. If you're looking for a starter retinol, that's a really good place to start."

What the evidence says.

Independent of what the gurus think, this is what the published research supports about the main active ingredients here.

Frequently asked.

What is Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum?

A lightweight daily retinol serum with micro-dose retinol, ceramides, niacinamide, and peptides designed to gently introduce retinol to the skin while supporting the skin barrier.

Is Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum worth it?

Yes. All 8 gurus who reviewed it give it their stamp of approval, for a Guru Score of 89%.

What is Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum's Guru Score?

Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum holds a Guru Score of 89%. That is our read on how warmly the experts talk about it, based on the verdicts of 8 expert reviewers we have collected. It is also Guru Certified, our mark for products that hold broad approval across many expert reviewers.

Who is Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum best for?

Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is generally suited to dry skin and mature skin.

What is Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum good for, according to the experts?

In their reviews, experts say Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum is good for skin barrier support (3 experts), clogged or visible pores (1 expert), rosacea (1 expert), irritated or reactive skin (1 expert) and crepey skin (1 expert).

Is Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum good for skin barrier support?

3 experts who reviewed Kiehl's Retinol Skin-Renewing Daily Micro-Dose Serum say it is. Doctorly put it this way: “Similar to the CeraVe one, it also has ceramides which help to restore the skin barrier, moisturize and basically protect your skin while you're still having those benefits of retinol.”