Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Versus Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 versus Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream .

Published on August 03, 2022

Overview

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, dry 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.

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Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream

Serum British Brand United Kingdom

Facial Treatment French Brand France

Serum

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

Facial Treatment

Facial treatments are specially designed to treat a skin concern. Acne treatments and anti-aging products are common examples of facial treatments.

Price

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 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

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients

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 (2)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Acne Trigger (2)

Irritating

Rosacea

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Peptides (2)

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging

Dark Spots

Scar Healing

Acne Fighting

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating

Rosacea

Eczema

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Ingredients Compared

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

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream 19 ingredients

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

Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Paraffinum Liquidum • Glyceryl Stearate • Peg-100 Stearate • Squalane • Propylene Glycol • Microcrystalline Wax • Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • BHT • Caprylyl Glycol • Carbomer • Disodium EDTA • Oleoyl Dipeptide-15 • Oleoyl Tetrapeptide-31 • Acid Red 33 • Retinal • Tocopheryl Glucoside • Triethanolamine

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are

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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.

Water

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 3 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 1.

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

What it does: Masking, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

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 Triglyceride

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Avène RetrinAL 0.05% Cream contains this as ingredient number 2.

Squalane

What it does: Emollient, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

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.