Versus

Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3 Versus Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

Serum
Eye Moisturizer
British Brand United Kingdom
American Brand United States

Updated on July 18, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both reef safe . They have a total of 6 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for dry skin and sensitive skin

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens or parabens

What's Inside

They both contain oils

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and see relevant ingredients

What's inside (and what isn't)

What's inside (and what isn't)

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Key Ingredients

Benefits

Concerns

Ingredients Side-by-side

found in both products
Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

Skin Conditioning, Solvent

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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water
Skin Conditioning

Butyrospermum Parkii Butter is a plant lipid from the fruit of the Shea Tree. It is an effective skin hydrator and emollient.

Emollients help soothe and soften your skin. It does this by creating a protective film on your skin. This barrier helps trap moisture and keeps your skin hydrated. Emollients may be effective at treating dry or itchy skin.

Shea butter is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants help fight free-radicals, or molecules that may harm the body. It is also full of fatty acids including stearic acid and linoleic acid. These acids help replenish the skin and keep skin moisturized.

While Shea Butter has an SPF rating of about 3-4, it is not a sunscreen replacement.

Shea butter may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Butyrospermum Parkii Butter
Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate
Preservative

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent 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.

Emollient, Masking, Skin Conditioning

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil is the oil derived from the seeds of a Sunflower. Sunflower seed oil is non-fragrant. It is an emollient, meaning it helps to soften the skin.

Sunflower seed oil contains many fatty acids. The fatty acids found in sunflower seeds include (from highest amount to least): linoleic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid, oleic acid, and linolenic acid.

These fatty acids help the skin create ceramides. Ceramides play a role in repairing the skin barrier.

Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil helps moisturize the skin. This in turn helps the skin look more rejuvenated and smoother.

Sunflowers are rich in vitamin E.

Historians believe Indigenous cultures of North America domesticated sunflowers before corn. Thus they relied on sunflower oil for a variety of uses. One such use is moisturizing skin and hair.

Sunflower seed oil may not be fungal acne safe. We recommend speaking with a professional if you have any concerns.

Learn more about Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil

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

When to use

39 Routines
8% use in am
92% use in pm
87% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->
612 Routines
45% use in am
55% use in pm
97% use every day
When to use See routines that use it ->

Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

Medik8 Crystal Retinal Ceramide Eye 3 47 ingredients

3.0 /5
from 1 rating
Absorbs Well (1) Expensive (1)
nasaye's avatar

nasaye

1 year ago
Review

Nice enough for evening routine. I don't see the retinal making any major difference.

#expensive
#absorbs well

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado 26 ingredients

3.8 /5
from 8 ratings
Works Well (3) Hydrating (3) Absorbs Well (3)
annikahowell's avatar

Annika Howell

11 months ago
Review

Have used this for a number of years and recently made a switch to Shisedo’s eye cream. I’ll be going back to Kiehls when I’ve finished it as it’s honestly the most nourishing eye cream out there. It doesn’t migrate into the eye and is super rich and hydrating. Just make sure your fingers are dry when applying otherwise it just slips around and doesn’t sink into the skin.

#great value
#hydrating
#absorbs well
#light scent
420plaenit's avatar

420plaenit

2 years ago
Review

It's good!
I like it! It was the first eye cream I've used that I've actually seen a difference in my dark undereye circles and even got rid of the thick and harsh lines as well. I've been using this since high school and I like it! I'm still looking for other eye creams because I do think that there is something better out there but this is a solid choice!