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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 versus Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum .

Last updated on July 28, 2023. Published on October 13, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both serums. They have a total of 5 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid, Vitamin C 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 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 need an update? Let us know.

Serum British Brand United Kingdom
Serum French Brand France

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Serum

Serums are highly concentrated with ingredients to provide skin with benefits. They should be used after cleansing and before moisturizing.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E
Exfoliators
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
May Worsen Oily Skin (2)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid
Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating (2)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (4)
Reduces Irritation (2)
Skin Texture (3)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (4)
Dark Spots (3)
Scar Healing (4)
Acne Fighting
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Drying
Irritating (2)
Eczema
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

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 Water

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

2
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 15.

Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.

3
What it does: Emollient, Emulsifying, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Disliked

Lecithin is a term for a group of substances found in plants, animals, and humans. They are made up of mixture of fatty acids. These fatty acids usually are a mixture of phosphoric acid's choline ester connected to stearic, oleic, and palmitic acids. Most lecithins are created from plant ingredients scuh as sunflower.

Lecithin is an emollient. Emollients help 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 help ingredients be better absorbed by the skin. The phospholipids in Lecithin can produce liposomes. Liposomes help other ingredients get through the skin barrier.

Learn more about Lecithin

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 23.

Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum contains this as ingredient number 15.

4
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

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 EDTA

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 25.

Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum contains this as ingredient number 29.

5
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

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.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 contains this as ingredient number 29.

Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum contains this as ingredient number 19.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

32% are loved or liked
17% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
13% have no rating yet
38% are loved or liked
10% have mixed ratings
45% are disliked or very disliked
7% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1 47 ingredients

5.0 /5
from 2 ratings
Works Well (1)
DocMack's avatar

DocMack

4 months ago · Unsure Skin
Review

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.

Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum 29 ingredients

Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum hasn't been rated yet.
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Alternatives

Our Dupe Finder has found 5 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Medik8 Crystal Retinal 1.

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Our Dupe Finder has found 8 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Dermaceutic Laboratoire Activ Retinol 0.5 Age Defense Serum.

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