Head to head

Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum

Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum 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 The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick.

Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently.

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum keeps clear of pregnancy-flagged actives, while Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 carries one that is best paused in pregnancy.

Medik8Crystal Retinal 6Serum · ~€86See every ingredient in Crystal Retinal 6, decoded
The OrdinaryMulti-Peptide + HA SerumSerum · ~€21See every ingredient in Multi-Peptide + HA Serum, decoded

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 Multi-Peptide + HA Serum if

  • your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
  • you want the more affordable option
  • you are pregnant or breastfeeding

What each delivers

HydrationBarrierBrighteningOil-controlAnti-aging
Crystal Retinal 6Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
  • Hydration
    1010
  • Barrier repair
    77
  • Brightening / tone
    83
  • Oil-control & blemishes
    43
  • Anti-aging
    96

Side by side

Crystal Retinal 6Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
TypeSerumSerum
Key activesGlycerin, Retinal, SqualaneGlycerin, Crosslinked sodium HA, 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 likelyNot likely
PregnancyOne cautionNo flagged actives
Ingredients47 listed51 listed
Price~€86~€21

What's in one but not the other

The molecule doing the work

Crystal Retinal 6Glycerin
Multi-Peptide + HA SerumGlycerin

Better for…

  • Dark spots & uneven toneCrystal Retinal 6
  • Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
  • Dryness & dehydrationEither works
  • Sensitive, reactive skinMulti-Peptide + HA Serum

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€21 vs ~€86).

Ready to pick one?

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Common questions

Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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 Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is the simpler, more pared-back pick. Reach for Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 if you want the actives; The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum if you want fewer ingredients doing less, gently. The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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 Multi-Peptide + HA Serum?

The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum is the cheaper of the two (~€21 vs ~€86).

Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA 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…

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Chemical structure of GlycerinChemical structure of Glycerin