Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum versus Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 .
Published on January 29, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 10 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, 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 oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum 23 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Not Reef Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not reef safe:
Contains EU Allergens
Ingredients in this product that are EU allergens:
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum 23 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum 23 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Water • Squalane • Glycerin • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • Retinol • Retinal • Allantoin • Crocus Sativus Stigma Extract • Pseudozyma Epicola/Avocado Oil Ferment Extract • Tocopherol • Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract • Oryza Sativa Bran Extract • Cetearyl Alcohol • Helianthus Annuus Extract • Hydroxyapatite • Dextrin • Carbomer • Sodium Gluconate • Phenoxyethanol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Sodium Hydroxide
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Glycerin • Isododecane • Cyclodextrin • Cetearyl Alcohol • Cetearyl Olivate • Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Sorbitan Olivate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Squalane • Sodium Hyaluronate • Retinal • 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 • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract • BHA • 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 Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Squalane is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. It's an oily liquid that occurs naturally in certain types of fish and plant oils.
Because squalane boosts hydration in the skin, it also comes with plenty of benefits: it is an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage. Squalane is also found to have a detoxifying effect when applied.
Squalane comes from squalene, which occurs naturally within the sebum of our skin. It is one of the oils our skin produces to keep itself hydrated. Squalane is the hydrogenated version of squalene and has a longer shelf life.
Research shows that squalane is non-irritating (even at 100% concentration).
In general, it's a fantastic ingredient. It does a great job at hydrating the skin, and it's suitable for those with sensitive skin.
The source of squalane may impact malassezia / fungal acne. This is because olive oil derived squalane can contain impurities such as fatty acids and plant waxes. Sugarcane derived squalane is recommended for anyone with malassezia concerns.
Is squalane vegan? This depends on the source. Squalane can be derived from both plants and animals. Most squalane used in skincare comes from plants.
Please note: the source of squalane is only known if disclosed by the brand. We recommend reaching out to the brand if you have any questions about their squalane.
Read more about squalene with an "e".
Learn more about SqualaneBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 11.
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 GlycerinBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 3.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is an emollient, solvent, and texture enhancer. It is considered a skin-softener by helping the skin prevent moisture loss.
Within a product, Caprylic Triglyceride can thicken the product and make spreadability easier by dissolving clumping compounds. An added benefit of Caprylic Triglyceride is its antioxidant properties.
Caprylic Triglyceride is made by combining glycerin with coconut oil, forming a clear liquid. Caprylic Triglyceride has not been found to be toxic for human use in concentrations under 50%.
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 TriglycerideBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 2.
Cetearyl Olivate is an emulsifier and texture enhancer. It is derived from the fatty acids of olive oil and Cetearyl alcohol, and is biodegradable.
As an emulsifier, it is used to prevent oils and waters from separating. It can also
Manufacturers use the name Olivem 1000. This ingredient has been found to preserve the natural microbiome of skin. Having a healthy microbiome helps keep our skin healthy and protects against harmful bacteria. This ingredient is grouped with Sorbitan Olivate under the name Olivem 1000.
Learn more about Cetearyl OlivateBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 5.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 7.
Sorbitan Olivate is created from the fatty acids in olive oil and sorbitol.
Sorbitan Olivate is an oil in water emulsifier. It helps stabilize a product by preventing oils and waters from separating. Sorbitan Olivate also helps hydrate the skin.
Manufacturers sell sorbitan olivate under the name OliveM 1000. OliveM 1000 a multifunctional ingredient. It is self-emulsifying. According to a manufacturer, OliveM 1000 does not disrupt natural skin biome.
Learn more about Sorbitan OlivateBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 9.
Retinal is a form of retinoid. Retinoids are a group of vitamin A compounds with anti-aging and acne fighting benefits.
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. 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 daily. It is best to avoid mixing other active ingredients if you have sensitive skin.
Learn more about RetinalBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Cetearyl alcohol is a mixture of two fatty alcohols: cetyl alcohol and stearyl alcohol. It is mainly used as an emulsifier. Emulsifiers help prevent the separation of oils and products. Due to its composition, it can also be used to thicken a product or help create foam.
Cetearyl alcohol is an emollient. Emollients help soothe and hydrate the skin by trapping moisture.
Studies show Cetearyl alcohol is non-toxic and non-irritating. The FDA allows products labeled "alcohol-free" to have fatty alcohols.
This ingredient is usually derived from plant oils such as palm, vegetable, or coconut oils. There is debate on whether this ingredient will cause acne.
Due to the fatty acid base, this ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis safe.
Learn more about Cetearyl AlcoholBiossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 6.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 30.
Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.
You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum contains this as ingredient number 22.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 17.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum 23 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum 23 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 35 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Biossance Squalane + Retinol Night Serum.
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