Head to head
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6.
The bottom lineMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% if
- you are dealing with breakouts and oiliness
- your barrier feels stressed and needs the support
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
What each delivers
Side by side
| Crystal Retinal 6 | Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane | Niacinamide 10%, Zinc PCA, Pentylene Glycol |
| 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 | Likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 47 listed | 11 listed |
| Price | ~€86 | ~€6 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
Both share
No active in common.
Only in Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneEither works
- Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
- Breakouts & congestionNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Dryness & dehydrationCrystal Retinal 6
- Sensitive, reactive skinNiacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%?
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€86).
Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% 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 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
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster