Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 versus Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum .
Published on November 11, 2023
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free serums. They have a total of 8 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
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 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.
Price
Ingredient Info
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum 33 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 🎉
Contains Alcohol
Ingredients in this product that are types of alcohol:
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:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
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
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum 33 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 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:
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Concerns
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.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum 33 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 • Phosphatidylcholine • Pentylene Glycol • Asiaticoside • Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract • Hippophae Rhamnoides Extract • Chlorella Vulgaris Extract • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-38 • Chrysanthemum Parthenium Extract • Niacinamide • Dimethyl Sulfone • Lactic Acid • Panthenol • Pyridoxine Hcl • Fulvic Acid • Prunus Serotina Bark Extract • Retinal • Hydroxyproline • Beta-Glucan • Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil • Cinnamomum Camphora Bark Oil • Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Fruit Oil • Rosa Damascena Flower Oil • Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract • Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract • Hydroxypropyl Cyclodextrin • Cyclodextrin • Alcohol • Xanthan Gum • Sodium Hydroxide • Benzyl Alcohol • Potassium Sorbate
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 3 contains this as ingredient number 1.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum 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 GlycerinMedik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 3.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 2.
We don't have a description for Cyclodextrin.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 5.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 28.
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 3 contains this as ingredient number 13.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 18.
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 3 contains this as ingredient number 18.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 4.
Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 21.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 21.
This Honeysuckle flower extract comes from the Italian honeysuckle. It is an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and fragrance.
Both this and the Japanese Honeysuckle are rich in a natural paraben that give it antimicrobial property. They are effective in inhibiting bacteria, yeast, and mold.
Honeysuckle contains flavonoids and saponins. Both of these components are natural antioxidants that can help soothe the skin.
As most flowers do, honeysuckle has a natural fragrance.
Learn more about Lonicera Caprifolium Flower ExtractMedik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 32.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 25.
Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract comes from the honeysuckle flower.
Honeysuckles have skin protecting, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains many antioxidants, such as luteolin, caffeic acid, loniflavone, and chlorogenic acids.
This honeysuckle is native to East Asia and used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat fever and inflammation.
Learn more about Lonicera Japonica Flower ExtractMedik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 35.
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum contains this as ingredient number 26.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum 33 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum 33 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum 33 ingredients
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 6 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3.
See 6 alternativesOur Dupe Finder has found 3 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Osmosis Beauty Calm Gentle Retinal Serum.
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