Head to head
Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 vs The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
Same comparison whichever way you searched it: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6.
The bottom lineMedik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free.
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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
- plump, lasting hydration is what you want
- fine lines and firmness are the goal
- you want more actives working at once
Pick Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% if
- dark spots, dullness or an uneven tone are your focus
- your skin is sensitive or reacts to fragrance
- you want the more affordable option
What each delivers
Side by side
| Crystal Retinal 6 | Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Serum | Serum |
| Key actives | Glycerin, Retinal, Squalane | Vitamin C (LAA), Squalane, Isononyl Isononanoate |
| 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 | No flagged actives |
| Ingredients | 47 listed | 15 listed |
| Price | ~€86 | ~€6 |
What's in one but not the other
Only in Crystal Retinal 6
Both share
Only in Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
The molecule doing the work
Better for…
- Dark spots & uneven toneVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
- Fine lines & firmnessCrystal Retinal 6
- Dryness & dehydrationCrystal Retinal 6
- Sensitive, reactive skinVitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€86).
Ready to pick one?
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Common questions
Is Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 or The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% better for dark spots & uneven tone?
For dark spots & uneven tone, The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the stronger pick by our read of the two formulas. Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% are close on what they deliver, so it comes down to your skin: The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the kinder pick for sensitive or reactive skin since it is fragrance-free. The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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 Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%?
The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% is the cheaper of the two (~€6 vs ~€86).
Can I use Medik8 Crystal Retinal 6 and The Ordinary Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% 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 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
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (Original Formulation)
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 (with Ceramides)
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Suractivated Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Eucerin Anti-Pigment Dual Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Caffeine Solution 5% + EGCG Eye Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs The Ordinary Multi-Peptide + HA Serum
- Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2% vs Celimax The Vita A Retinal Shot Tightening Booster