Head to head
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) is the simpler, more pared-back pick.
Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 | Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Likely |
| Pregnancy | One caution | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 47 listed | 17 listed |
| Price | ~€86 | ~€8 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
Both share
Only in Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
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 (Original Formulation)
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation) is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (Original Formulation)?
The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) is the cheaper of the two (~€8 vs ~€86).
Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) 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 (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
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 2% Emulsion
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Geek & Gorgeous A-Game 10
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation) vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster