Head to head

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster.

The bottom line

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster if you want the actives; Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

CelimaxThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterSerum · ~$22See every ingredient in The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster, decoded
Medik8Crystal Retinal 6Serum · ~€86See every ingredient in Crystal Retinal 6, decoded

Which should you pick?

Pick The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster if

  • you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
  • your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
  • your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance

Pick Crystal Retinal 6 if

  • it is the one you can get most easily or already trust

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterCrystal Retinal 6
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    97
  • Brightening / tone
    108
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    84
  • Anti-aging
    99

Side by side

The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterCrystal Retinal 6
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Niacinamide, RetinalGlycerin, Retinal, Squalane
TextureA light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film.A rich, cushiony cream that sinks in slowly.
FragranceNone detectedContains fragrance
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyNot likely
PregnancyOne cautionOne caution
Ingredients32 listed47 listed
Price~$22~€86

What's in one but not the other

Only in The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster

Only in Crystal Retinal 6

The molecule doing the work

The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening BoosterGlycerin
Crystal Retinal 6Glycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
  • Fine lines & firmnessEither works
  • Breakouts & congestionThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works
  • Sensitive, reactive skinThe Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is the cheaper of the two (~$22 vs ~€86).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 better for dark spots & uneven tone?

For dark spots & uneven tone, Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, brightening / tone, oil-control & blemishes), while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster if you want the actives; Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Which is cheaper, Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6?

Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster is the cheaper of the two (~$22 vs ~€86).

Can I use Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster and Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 together?

They are both serums, so you would normally pick one rather than layer both in the same step. You can keep both and alternate them (morning and night, or on different days) if you like variety, but you do not need two.

Compare it with…

All 28 comparisons
Chemical structure of GlycerinChemical structure of Glycerin