Head to head

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6.

The bottom line

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 does more across the board (it leads on brightening / tone, anti-aging), while Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6Medik8Crystal Retinal 6Serum · ~€86See every ingredient in Crystal Retinal 6, decoded
Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterVichyMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterSerum · ~€22See every ingredient in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster, decoded

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
  • you want more actives working at once

Pick Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if

  • your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
  • you want the more affordable option
  • you are prone to fungal acne (malassezia)

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Crystal Retinal 6Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    77
  • Brightening / tone
    83
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    41
  • Anti-aging
    92

Side by side

Crystal Retinal 6Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Retinal, SqualaneGlycerin, Hyaluronic acid
TextureA 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.
FragranceContains fragranceNone detected
Fungal-acne safeNot likelyLikely
PregnancyOne cautionNo flagged actives
Ingredients47 listed14 listed
Price~€86~€22

What's in one but not the other

Only in Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Nothing the other doesn't also have.

The molecule doing the work

Crystal Retinal 6Glycerin
Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid BoosterGlycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneCrystal Retinal 6
  • Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works
  • Sensitive, reactive skinMinéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster

Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the cheaper of the two (~€22 vs ~€86).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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 Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster?

Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster is the cheaper of the two (~€22 vs ~€86).

Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and Vichy Minéral 89 Hyaluronic Acid Booster 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.

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