Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum versus Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 .
Last updated on September 25, 2023. Published on August 14, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 12 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 oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Facial Treatment
Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.
Serum
Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.
Ingredient Info
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 47 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:
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 47 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
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Benefits
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Concerns
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Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
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Benefits
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Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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.
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 47 ingredients
Water • Caprylic Acid • Oleyl Erucate • Glycerin • Triheptanoin • Cyclodextrin • Cetearyl Olivate • Sorbitan Olivate • 2-Hydroxyethyl Acrylate • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Allantoin • Retinal 0.1% • Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil • Panthenol • Citric Acid • Tocopheryl Acetate • Disodium EDTA • Pentylene Glycol • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol
Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Glycerin • Isododecane • Cetearyl Olivate • Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Cetearyl Alcohol • Ppg-12/Smdi Copolymer • Sorbitan Olivate • Tocopheryl Acetate • Titanium Dioxide • Squalane • Eclipta Prostrata Extract • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Phenoxyethanol • Cyclodextrin • Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose • Sodium Hyaluronate • Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate • Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract • Alumina • Isostearic Acid • Lecithin • Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate • Disodium EDTA • Hydroxyacetophenone • Polyhydroxystearic Acid • Stearic Acid • Ethylhexylglycerin • 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid • Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil • Sodium Polyaspartate • Climbazole • Retinal • Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract • Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract • Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract • Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil • Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil • Polysorbate 60 • Sorbitan Isostearate • Pentylene Glycol • Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract • Decylene Glycol • BHT • 1,2-Hexanediol • Coumarin
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 WaterGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 1.
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 GlycerinGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 3.
We don't have a description for Cyclodextrin.
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 6.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 16.
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 OlivateGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 7.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 5.
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 OlivateGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 8.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 9.
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 RetinalGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 12.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 34.
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 13.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 38.
Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.
One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.
Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.
Learn more about Tocopheryl AcetateGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 16.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 10.
Disodium EDTA plays a role in making products more stable by aiding other preservatives.
It is a chelating agent, meaning it neutralizes metal ions that may be found in a product.
Disodium EDTA is a salt of edetic acid and is found to be safe in cosmetic ingredients.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 17.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 25.
Pentylene 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 help thicken or emulsify a product. Emulsifiers help stabilize a product. It does this by preventing certain ingredients from separating.
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 GlycolGeek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 42.
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.
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 29.
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.
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 20.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 15.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 47 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 47 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum 20 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 47 ingredients
DocMack
This product contains Retinaldehyde (Retinal) but a very low percentage so the results will take time to show. So far, a month and half of use, and...
This product contains Retinaldehyde (Retinal) but a very low percentage so the results will take time to show. So far, a month and half of use, and I have avoided any irritation. I did follow the instructions on how to gradually introduce the product and I still have not gone beyond using it 3 to 4 times a week. Overall I am happy with it.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Geek & Gorgeous 101 A-Game 10 0.1% Retinal Serum.
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