Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 versus The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion .
Last updated on March 15, 2024. Published on March 20, 2024
Overview
What they are
These products are both vegan and cruelty-free . They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain exfoliants, 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 harsh alcohols, parabens, silicones or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 47 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
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 🎉
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 🎉
Oil Free
This product is free of oils 🎉
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 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 47 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 4 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.
Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 47 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
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 • Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate • 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 • BHA • 1,2-Hexanediol • Coumarin
Water • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Propanediol • Pentylene Glycol • Hydroxyapatite • Retinal • Cetylhydroxyproline Palmitamide • 4-T-Butylcyclohexanol • Hydroxyphenyl Propamidobenzoic Acid • Ergothioneine • Biosaccharide Gum-1 • Bisabolol • Brassica Campestris Sterols • Zingiber Officinale Root Extract • Butylene Glycol • Isohexadecane • Hexyldecanol • Maltodextrin • Caesalpinia Spinosa Gum • Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 • Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer • Stearic Acid • Isoceteth-20 • Polysorbate 60 • Ascorbyl Palmitate • Tocopherol • Lactic Acid • Sodium Lactate • Sodium Hydroxide • Ethylhexylglycerin • Phenoxyethanol • Chlorphenesin
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 WaterMedik8 Crystal Retinal 10 contains this as ingredient number 1.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 1.
This is a synthetic polymer. It helps improve the texture of products by adding thickness and gel-like feel.
It is also an emulsifer, meaning it prevents ingredients such as oil and water from separating. It also helps evenly disperse other ingredients.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 contains this as ingredient number 14.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 21.
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 10 contains this as ingredient number 15.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 31.
Stearic Acid is a fatty acid. It is an emollient, emulsifier, and texture enhancer.
As an emollient, stearic acid helps soften skin. It aids the skin's protective barrier by preventing water loss. It also provides a gentle cleansing effect without stripping away natural oils.
Stearic acid may also be used to enhance the texture of products. It can add volume and stabilize ingredients such as water and oil. This can help water and oil ingredients from separating.
Sources of stearic acid include animal or vegetable fats/oils such as coconut or shea. It can be naturally found in butter, cocoa butter, shea butter, vegetable fats, and animal tallow.
This ingredient may not be Malassezia folliculitis, or fungal-acne safe.
Learn more about Stearic AcidMedik8 Crystal Retinal 10 contains this as ingredient number 28.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 22.
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 10 contains this as ingredient number 29.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 30.
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 RetinalMedik8 Crystal Retinal 10 contains this as ingredient number 34.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 6.
Polysorbate 60 is used to help stabilize products. It is a surfactant and emulsifier. These properties help keep ingredients together in a product. Surfactants help reduce surface tension between ingredients with different states, such as liquids and solids. Emulsifiers help prevent oils and waters from separating.
Polysorbate 60 is sorbitol-based and created from the ethoxylation of sorbitan. Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction used to add ethylene oxide. Sorbitan is a the dehydrated version of sorbitol, a sugar found in fruits.
In this case, the 60 comes from reacting 60 units of ethylene oxide with sorbitan.
Polysorbates are commonly used in medicine and foods.
Learn more about Polysorbate 60Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 contains this as ingredient number 40.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 24.
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 GlycolMedik8 Crystal Retinal 10 contains this as ingredient number 42.
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion contains this as ingredient number 4.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 47 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10 47 ingredients
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion 32 ingredients
GemKelly
This is a very effective product at an incredible price point. It has a bright lemon yellow colour that will stain your skin for the night, as well...
This is a very effective product at an incredible price point. It has a bright lemon yellow colour that will stain your skin for the night, as well as your pillowcases, but washes out. I use it every second night and have seen significant improvement in the fine lines on my face since I started using it about 4 weeks ago. One and a half pumps does my whole face. I've experienced no retinization symptoms from either retinoid emulsions that I've used from The Ordinary, and prior to the using them I had never used a retinoid, and I believe that the emulsion is an effective yet gentle delivery method.
I really like the pump that the Retinal 0.2% is sold in. The product is light safe and doesn't need to be kept in the fridge.
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Medik8 Crystal Retinal 10.
See 6 alternativesWe haven't detected any alternatives for The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion.
