Allies of Skin Retinal 0.05% & Peptides Repair Night Cream Versus Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20
Updated on February 19, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid and Vitamin E
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances and oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Allies of Skin Retinal 0.05% & Peptides Repair Night Cream 49 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20 39 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Allies of Skin Retinal 0.05% & Peptides Repair Night Cream 49 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
Humectant
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Emollient
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingPropanediol
SolventPunica Granatum Seed Oil
Emollient
Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate
Skin ConditioningSodium Stearoyl Glutamate
CleansingSodium Acrylates Copolymer
Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate
Antimicrobial
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters
Skin Conditioning
Beta-Glucan
Skin Conditioning
Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract
Skin Conditioning
Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment
Skin Conditioning
Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract
Antimicrobial
Ubiquinone
Antioxidant
Epigallocatechin Gallate
Antioxidant
Madecassoside
Antioxidant
Asiaticoside
Antioxidant
Ceramide NP
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
Arginine
Masking
Glycolipids
Skin ConditioningOrnithine
Skin ConditioningRetinal
Skin Conditioning
Bisabolol
Masking
Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract
AntiseborrhoeicLecithin
EmollientOxidized Glutathione
EmollientTocopherol
Antioxidant
Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil
Emollient
Gluconolactone
Skin Conditioning
Levulinic Acid
Perfuming
Biotin
AntiseborrhoeicPalmitoyl Tripeptide-5
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1
Skin Conditioning
Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Skin Conditioning
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningLonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Sodium Polyacrylate
AbsorbentPotassium Sorbate
Preservative
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
Citric Acid
Buffering
Sodium Gluconate
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin
MaskingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingWater, Glycerin, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Propanediol, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Methylsilanol Hydroxyproline Aspartate, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Sodium Acrylates Copolymer, Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Jojoba Esters, Beta-Glucan, Centella Asiatica Leaf Extract, Saccharomyces/Xylinum/Black Tea Ferment, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Ubiquinone, Epigallocatechin Gallate, Madecassoside, Asiaticoside, Ceramide NP, Panthenol, Arginine, Glycolipids, Ornithine, Retinal, Bisabolol, Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract, Lecithin, Oxidized Glutathione, Tocopherol, Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil, Gluconolactone, Levulinic Acid, Biotin, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-5, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Potassium Sorbate, Butylene Glycol, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate, Pentylene Glycol, Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin, Carbomer
Retinal 0.2%
Skin Conditioning
Hyaluronic Acid
Humectant
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alumina
Abrasive
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
EmollientLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Coumarin
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantRetinal 0.2%, Hyaluronic Acid, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Isododecane, Cyclodextrin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Sorbitan Olivate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Sodium Hyaluronate, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Pentylene Glycol, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Sodium Polyaspartate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, BHT, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Hydroxyacetophenone, Titanium Dioxide, Phenoxyethanol, Alumina, Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Stearic Acid, Coumarin, CI 14700
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.
A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.
As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.
Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.
Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.
In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.
This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinThis ingredient is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
It helps thicken a product's formula and makes it easier to spread by dissolving clumping compounds.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid.
While there is an assumption Caprylic Triglyceride can clog pores due to it being derived from coconut oil, there is no research supporting this.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric TriglycerideCloudberry seed oil is rich in vitamin C, citric acid, malic acid, vitamin C, and beta-carotene.
Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are the gold-standard class of anti-aging ingredients.
Retinal has many benefits as other retinoids: improve skin texture, reduce large pores, reduce the effects of aging, reduce the visibility of dark spots, heal scars, and fight acne.
Studies show retinal may work at a faster rate than retinol due to its structure.
All retinoids have to be converted into retinoic acid before starting to work. Some retinoids take several steps of conversion before binding. Retinal is only one step away, making it more potent.
Like other retinoids, retinal may be irritating. It is best to ease into using this ingredient frequently.
Using the 'ramp up' method, start by using retinol once a week. This gives your skin time to adjust and decrease irritation. Once you feel ready, you can slowly increase the frequency of retinol use.
Using retinoids will increase sun-sensitivity in the first few weeks of use. Though studies show retinoids increase your skin's natural SPF with continuous use, it is best to always wear sunscreen and sun-protection.
Learn more about RetinalLecithin is a term for a group of substances found in the cell membranes of plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of phospholipids.
This ingredient has emollient and emulsifying properties.
As an emollient, lecithen helps soften the skin and creates a barrier to keep moisture in.
As an emulsifier, it also helps prevent water and oil ingredients from separating. Lecithin can also help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin.
This is because the phospholipids in lecithin produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.
Depending on the source of this ingredient, lecithin may not be fungal acne safe. This is because some sources of lecithin come from soybean oil, which may feed the malassezia yeast that feeds fungal acne.
We recommend reaching out to the brand you are purchasing from to inquire about the source of their lecithin.
Learn more about LecithinLonicera Japonica Flower Extract comes from the honeysuckle flower.
Honeysuckles have skin protecting, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains many antioxidants, such as luteolin, caffeic acid, loniflavone, and chlorogenic acids.
This honeysuckle is native to East Asia and used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever and inflammation.
Learn more about Lonicera Japonica Flower ExtractThis Honeysuckle flower extract comes from the Italian honeysuckle. It is an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and fragrance.
Both this and the Japanese Honeysuckle are rich in a natural paraben that give it antimicrobial property. They are effective in inhibiting bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Honeysuckle contains flavonoids and saponins. Both of these components are natural antioxidants that can help soothe the skin.
As most flowers do, honeysuckle has a natural fragrance.
Learn more about Lonicera Caprifolium Flower ExtractPentylene glycol is typically used within a product to thicken it. It also adds a smooth, soft, and moisturizing feel to the product. It is naturally found in plants such as sugar beets.
The hydrophilic trait of Pentylene Glycol makes it a humectant. As a humectant, Pentylene Glycol helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. This can help keep your skin hydrated.
This property also makes Pentylene Glycol a great texture enhancer. It can also help thicken or stabilize a product.
Pentylene Glycol also acts as a mild preservative and helps to keep a product microbe-free.
Some people may experience mild eye and skin irritation from Pentylene Glycol. We always recommend speaking with a professional about using this ingredient in your routine.
Pentylene Glycol has a low molecular weight and is part of the 1,2-glycol family.
Learn more about Pentylene GlycolIngredient Ratings
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