Head to head
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6.
The bottom lineMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which should you pick?
Pick Crystal Retinal 6 if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Crystal Retinal 6 | Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane | Azelaic Acid, Isohexadecane, Vitamin E |
| Texture | A rich, cushiony cream that sinks in slowly. | A light, fast-absorbing texture that layers cleanly under the rest of your routine, with no greasy film. |
| Fragrance | Contains fragrance | None detected |
| Fungal-acne safe | Not likely | Not likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 47 listed | 17 listed |
| Price | ~€86 | ~€23 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneEither works
- Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
- Breakouts & congestionAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Dryness & dehydrationCrystal Retinal 6
- Sensitive, reactive skinAzelaic Acid Suspension 10%
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the cheaper of the two (~€23 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% better for fine lines & firmness?
For fine lines & firmness, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.
Which is cheaper, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%?
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is the cheaper of the two (~€23 vs ~€86).
Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% 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
- 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 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
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster