Head to head
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum 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 Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye 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 Crystal Retinal 6 if
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
Pick Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum 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
Side by side
| Crystal Retinal 6 | Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane | Glycerin, Hyaluronic acid, Lactic acid |
| 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 | 25 listed |
| Price | ~€86 | ~€10 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
Both share
Only in Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneCrystal Retinal 6
- Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
- Dryness & dehydrationEither works
- Sensitive, reactive skinCaffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
Affiliate links, so a purchase sends us a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Glow Simplified earns from qualifying purchases. We make and sell nothing here, so the verdict above never bends toward a sale.
Common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum 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 Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum 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 Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum?
The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€10 vs ~€86).
Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum 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 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 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
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster