Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 Versus Dermalogica Smart Response Serum

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 Dermalogica Smart Response Serum .

Published on February 07, 2024

Overview

What they are

These products are both vegan and cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 4 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain exfoliants, hyaluronic acid 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 common allergens, 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.

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Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum

Serum British Brand United Kingdom

Serum American Brand United States

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

Shop

Buy Crystal Retinal 3

Shop

Buy Smart Response Serum

Starts at $145.00

Ingredient Info

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

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum 48 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

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum 48 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

AHA

Vitamin E

Exfoliators (2)

Niacinamide

Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating (4)

Good For Oily Skin

Redness Reducing

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores (2)

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots (2)

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening (4)

Concerns

Drying

May Worsen Oily Skin

Irritating (3)

Rosacea (2)

Eczema (2)

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Ingredients Compared

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

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum 48 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 • Glycerin • Coco-Caprylate/Caprate • Ppg-24-Glycereth-24 • Niacinamide • Butylene Glycol • 1,2-Hexanediol • Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2 • C18-36 Acid Triglyceride • Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate • Hydroxyacetophenone • Jojoba Esters • Olive Oil Decyl Esters • Phytosterols • Cornus Officinalis Fruit Extract • Hydrolyzed Wheat Flour • Sodium Mannose Phosphate • Phytosteryl Macadamiate • Hydrolyzed Beta-Glucan • Mimosa Tenuiflora Bark Extract • Ilex Paraguariensis Leaf Extract • Sea Salt • Ferula Galbaniflua Resin Oil • Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Extract • Citrus Aurantium Dulcis Peel Oil • Juniperus Virginiana Oil • Pelargonium Graveolens Flower Oil • Vetiveria Zizanoides Root Oil • Prunus Amygdalus Amara Kernel Oil • Chlorella Vulgaris Extract • Dipteryx Odorata Seed Extract • Lactic Acid • Bentonite • C12-18 Acid Triglyceride • Squalene • Tocopherol • Sodium Acetylated Hyaluronate • Mannose • Citric Acid • Hydrated Silica • Sodium Benzoate • Potassium Sorbate • Citronellol • Geraniol • Coumarin • Linalool • Limonene

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.

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.

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum contains this as ingredient number 1.

Glycerin

What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent

Community Rating: Loved

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 Glycerin

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.

Hydroxyacetophenone

What it does: Antioxidant

Community Rating: Liked

Hydroxyacetophenone is antioxidant and helps with skin conditioning.

Antioxidants help fight off free-radical molecules. These unstable molecules may damage your skin cells. By helping stabilize free-radicals, antioxidants may help in anti-aging.

Hydroxyacetophenone boosts the efficiency of other preservatives.

Learn more about Hydroxyacetophenone

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 28.

Dermalogica Smart Response Serum contains this as ingredient number 11.

Coumarin

What it does: Perfuming

Community Rating: Very Disliked