Head to head
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum.
The bottom lineMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, anti-aging), while La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum if
- you want the more affordable option
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
Pick Crystal Retinal 6 if
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
What each delivers
Side by side
| Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum | Crystal Retinal 6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Pro-vitamin B5, Hyaluronic acid | 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 | Contains fragrance | Contains fragrance |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | No flagged actives | One caution |
| Ingredients | 32 listed | 47 listed |
| Price | ~$40 | ~€86 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
Both share
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneCrystal Retinal 6
- Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinHyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum is the cheaper of the two (~$40 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum 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 brightening / tone, anti-aging), while La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum or Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6?
La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum is the cheaper of the two (~$40 vs ~€86).
Can I use La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated 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 28 comparisons
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening 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 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