SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 Versus Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3
Overview
Cool Features
They both contain retinoid
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, anti aging, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores, scar healing, dark spots and better texture
Free From
They both do not contain any parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain fragrances
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
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 26 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
About this product
About this product
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 26 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPropanediol
SolventDimethicone
Emollient
Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate
Emollient
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Dipropylene Glycol
MaskingAmmonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion StabilisingAllyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer
Emulsion StabilisingAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingHydrogenated Lecithin
EmulsifyingIsohexadecane
EmollientRetinol
Skin Conditioning
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Caprylyl Glycol
EmollientPolysorbate 20
Emulsifying
Isopropyl Myristate
Emollient
Sodium Citrate
BufferingBoswellia Serrata Gum
Masking
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Dimethiconol
Emollient
Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate
Bisabolol
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Sorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Citric Acid
Buffering
Propyl Gallate
Antioxidant
Water, Propanediol, Dimethicone, Cetearyl Ethylhexanoate, Alcohol Denat., Dipropylene Glycol, Ammonium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate, Allyl Methacrylates Crosspolymer, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Isohexadecane, Retinol, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Isopropyl Myristate, Sodium Citrate, Boswellia Serrata Gum, Polysorbate 80, Dimethiconol, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Bisabolol, BHT, Sorbitan Oleate, Citric Acid, Propyl Gallate
Water
Skin ConditioningCaprylic/Capric Triglyceride
MaskingGlycerin
Humectant
Isododecane
EmollientCyclodextrin
AbsorbentCetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingSorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
Squalane
Emollient
Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant
Retinal
Skin Conditioning
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin Conditioning
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil
Emollient
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningPentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningVanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Skin ConditioningHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
Emulsion StabilisingRubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
Skin Conditioning
Sodium Polyaspartate
HumectantTetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract
Masking
BHT
Antioxidant
Polyhydroxystearic Acid
Emulsifying
Disodium EDTA
Hydroxyacetophenone
Antioxidant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Alumina
Abrasive
Lonicera Caprifolium Flower Extract
Perfuming
Isostearic Acid
Cleansing
Lecithin
EmollientLonicera Japonica Flower Extract
Skin ConditioningPolyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
Emulsifying
Stearic Acid
Cleansing
Coumarin
Perfuming
CI 14700
Cosmetic ColorantWater, 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, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract, BHT, 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 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. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPhenoxyethanol 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.
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant and preservative.
As an antioxidant, it helps your body fight off free-radicals. Free-radicals are molecules that may damage your skin cells.
As a preservative, it is used to stabilize products and prevent them from degrading. Specifically, BHT prevents degradation from oxidation.
The concerns related to BHT come from oral studies; this ingredient is currently allowed for use by both the FDA and EU.
However, it was recently restricted for use in the UK as of April 2024.
Learn more about BHTIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 26 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
SkinCeuticals Retinol 0.5 26 ingredients
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 3 39 ingredients
It’s amazing, not greasy, absorbs really well and smells of cinnamon.
