Head to head
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6.
The bottom lineMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 does more across the board (it leads on hydration, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which should you pick?
Pick Crystal Retinal 6 if
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
- you want the more affordable option
- you prefer a simpler, more minimal formula
What each delivers
Side by side
| Crystal Retinal 6 | Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane | Squalane, Jojoba Oil, Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate 5% |
| 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 | One caution |
| Ingredients | 47 listed | 10 listed |
| Price | ~€86 | ~€19 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
Both share
Only in Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneCrystal Retinal 6
- Fine lines & firmnessEither works
- Dryness & dehydrationCrystal Retinal 6
- Sensitive, reactive skinGranactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 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 hydration, brightening / tone), while The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
Which is cheaper, Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane?
The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane is the cheaper of the two (~€19 vs ~€86).
Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane 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 24 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 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 Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Crystal Retinal 6 vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster