Head to head
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1%.
The bottom lineMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Adapalene Gel 0.1% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
- you want the more affordable option
Pick Crystal Retinal 6 if
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want more actives working at once
What each delivers
Side by side
| Adapalene Gel 0.1% | Crystal Retinal 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Adapalene | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane |
| Texture | A 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. |
| Fragrance | None detected | Contains fragrance |
| Fungal-acne safe | Likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | One caution |
| Ingredients | 8 listed | 47 listed |
| Price | ~€17 | ~€86 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Adapalene Gel 0.1%
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneCrystal Retinal 6
- Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
- Breakouts & congestionAdapalene Gel 0.1%
- Dryness & dehydrationCrystal Retinal 6
- Sensitive, reactive skinAdapalene Gel 0.1%
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the cheaper of the two (~€17 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 does more across the board (it leads on hydration, barrier repair, brightening / tone), while Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6?
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% is the cheaper of the two (~€17 vs ~€86).
Can I use Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% 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 48 comparisons
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medicube PDRN Pink Peptide Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Medik8 Liquid Peptides
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Torriden DIVE-IN Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Beauty of Joseon Glow Deep Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs iUNIK Beta Glucan Power Moisture Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs The Ordinary GF 15% Solution
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
- Adapalene Gel 0.1% vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum
- 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
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs CeraVe Skin Renewing Retinol Serum