Head to head
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum.
The bottom lineCeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes), while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 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
Side by side
| Skin Renewing Retinol Serum | Crystal Retinal 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Ceramide 3, Niacinamide | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane |
| Texture | A rich, cushiony cream that sinks in slowly. | A rich, cushiony cream that sinks in slowly. |
| Fragrance | None detected | Contains fragrance |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | One caution |
| Ingredients | 37 listed | 47 listed |
| Price | ~€18 | ~€86 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
Both share
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneEither works
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Breakouts & congestionSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinSkin Renewing Retinol Serum
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 better for breakouts & congestion?
For breakouts & congestion, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum does more across the board (it leads on barrier repair, oil-control & blemishes), while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum if you want the actives; Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6?
CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€18 vs ~€86).
Can I use CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum 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 46 comparisons
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
- Skin Renewing Retinol Serum vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster