Head to head
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6.
The bottom lineMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, anti-aging), while The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
- you want the more affordable option
- you are pregnant or breastfeeding
What each delivers
Side by side
| Crystal Retinal 6 | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid 2%, Crosslinked sodium HA |
| 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 | 23 listed |
| Price | ~€86 | ~€10 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
Both share
Only in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneCrystal Retinal 6
- Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinHyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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 The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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 Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€86).
Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) 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 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
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides) vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster