Pam Delian The Pioneer Versus Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

See how these products line up with your preferences

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Pam Delian The Pioneer versus Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 .

Last updated on January 05, 2024. Published on December 25, 2023

Overview

What they are

These products are both serums. They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain retinoid 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 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.

Try a different comparison

Pam Delian The Pioneer

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3

Serum Hungarian Brand Hungary

Serum British Brand United Kingdom

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 The Pioneer

Shop

Buy Crystal Retinal 3

Ingredient Info

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

Pam Delian The Pioneer 14 ingredients

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 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

Pam Delian The Pioneer 14 ingredients

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients

Notable Ingredients

Retinoid

Vitamin E

Benefits

Hydrating

Good For Oily Skin

Skin Texture

Reduces Large Pores

Anti-Aging (2)

Dark Spots

Scar Healing (2)

Acne Fighting

Brightening

Concerns

Drying

Irritating (2)

Rosacea

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

Join our community

Build your routine, track which ingredients work for you, and much more with your free account.

Join SkinSort

Ingredients Compared

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

Pam Delian The Pioneer 14 ingredients

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients

Water • Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride • Pentylene Glycol • Glyceryl Stearate • Cyclodextrin • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate • Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil • Sodium Polyacrylate • Tocopherol • Retinal • Caprylyl Glycol • Phenoxyethanol • Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract • Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract

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

Ingredients Side-by-side

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

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

Loading ingredients...

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

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 1.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 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

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 2.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 2.

Pentylene Glycol

What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent

Community Rating: Mixed

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 Glycol

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 3.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 18.

Cyclodextrin

What it does: Absorbent

We don't have a description for Cyclodextrin.

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 5.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Mixed

Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil is an oil and isn't fungal acne safe.

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 7.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 21.

Retinal

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

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 Retinal

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 10.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 13.

Phenoxyethanol

What it does: Preservative

Community Rating: Very Disliked

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.

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 12.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 30.

Lonicera Japonica Flower Extract

What it does: Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Loved

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 Extract

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 13.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 35.

Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract

What it does: Perfuming, Skin Conditioning

Community Rating: Liked

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 Extract

Pam Delian The Pioneer contains this as ingredient number 14.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 contains this as ingredient number 32.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.