# Medik8 Crystal Retinal vs The Ordinary Retinal 0.2%.

> Two retinaldehyde serums with very different price points and starting points: a six-step strength ladder against a single high-strength emulsion.

- Canonical: https://thecastindex.com/beauty/vs/medik8-crystal-retinal-vs-the-ordinary-retinal
- Author: Kaiser Khan (Founder & Editor)
- Published: 2026-09-25
- Updated: 2026-09-25
- Option A: [Medik8 Crystal Retinal](https://thecastindex.com/beauty/medik8-crystal-retinal)
- Option B: [The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion](https://thecastindex.com/beauty/the-ordinary-retinal-02-emulsion)
- Method: desk research from published formulas, specifications and brand/retailer information — not lab or hands-on tested

## The verdict

**Should I buy Medik8 Crystal Retinal or The Ordinary Retinal 0.2%?**

Choose Medik8 Crystal Retinal if you are new to retinoids or want a graduated route: six strengths from 0.01%. Choose The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% if you already tolerate retinoids and want high-strength retinal cheaply — £15.20 for 15ml, against £104 for 30ml of Medik8’s equivalent 0.2% strength. Both are evening-only.

## Side by side

| Specification | Medik8 Crystal Retinal | The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Format | Retinal night serum | Retinal serum emulsion |
| Finish | Serum | Light emulsion |
| Retinoid | Retinaldehyde, 0.01%–0.24% across six strengths | Retinaldehyde, 0.2% |
| Size | 30ml per strength | 15ml |
| At 0.2% strength | Crystal Retinal 20: £104 for 30ml | £15.20 for 15ml |
| Supporting ingredients | Hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, squalane, vitamin C derivatives | Synthetic oat analogue, hydroxyapatite |
| Fragrance | “No artificial fragrance”, but coumarin, tonka bean and vanilla extracts are listed | No fragrance on the ingredient list |
| Starting schedule | Twice a week for two weeks, alternate nights for two, then nightly | Once a week, building to twice a week |
| Aimed at | First-time to expert users, one strength at a time | Experienced retinoid users |
| Pregnancy guidance | Medik8 advises avoiding vitamin A | Not tested in pregnancy; speak to a doctor |
| Guide price | from £45 | £15.20 |

Prices are UK guide prices from the brand’s official page or a named UK retailer, checked 2026-09-25; they may have changed.

## Choose Crystal Retinal if

- You are new to retinoids and want to start at a very low strength
- You like a clear path — finish a tube, then move up
- You want a 30ml bottle
- You prefer a single brand routine with written build-up steps

## Choose Retinal 0.2% Emulsion if

- You already use a retinoid comfortably
- You want 0.2% retinal for £15.20
- You prefer a formula with no fragrance on the ingredient list
- You are happy with a low-frequency schedule of once or twice a week

## What they have in common

- Both use retinaldehyde (retinal), one step closer to retinoic acid than retinol
- Both are evening treatments, with sunscreen the next morning
- Both are vegan, according to the brands
- Neither is covered by the EU’s 0.3% retinol limit, which applies to retinol and its esters, not retinal

## How we compared

This comparison is desk research. We lined up the two products’ published formulas, ingredient lists, sizes, directions and UK prices from official pages or named UK retailers on 25 September 2026. Neither product was tested in a laboratory or worn by our editors for this page.

There is no overall score. Two well-made products can suit different skin, budgets and routines, so the verdict is framed as “choose this if”. Brand claims are reported as brand claims, and no brand paid to be compared.

## Questions

### Is The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% the same strength as Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20?

Both are 0.2% retinaldehyde by stated concentration. The supporting formulas, sizes and directions differ, so the products are not interchangeable one-for-one.

### Which is better for a retinoid beginner?

Medik8 Crystal Retinal, because the range starts at 0.01% and asks you to finish a tube before moving up. The Ordinary positions its 0.2% emulsion for experienced users.

### Can I use both together?

No. The Ordinary says not to combine its retinal with other retinoids, and layering two retinal serums increases the risk of irritation. Choose one.

### Which is better value?

At the same 0.2% strength, The Ordinary costs about £1 per ml and Medik8 Crystal Retinal 20 about £3.47 per ml. Medik8’s lower strengths cost less, from £45 for 30ml.

## Sources

- [Medik8 Crystal Retinal — official product page](https://www.medik8.com/products/crystal-retinal)
- [The Ordinary Retinal 0.2% Emulsion — official product page](https://theordinary.com/en-gb/retinal-02-emulsion-100646.html)
- [Medik8 — Crystal Retinal 24 strength](https://www.medik8.com/pages/new-strength-formula-crystal-retinal-24)
- [American Academy of Dermatology — Retinoid or retinol?](https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/retinoid-retinol)
- [EUR-Lex — Regulation (EU) 2024/996 on vitamin A in cosmetics](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32024R0996)

## Related best-of guides

- [Best retinol & retinal serums](https://thecastindex.com/beauty/best/best-retinol-serums)