Dr.Althea 0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum vs Medik8 Crystal Retinal®

Dr.Althea

0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum

Medik8

Crystal Retinal®

A serum built around Panthenol and Retinoid, for barrier repair and smoothing.

A serum built around Vitamin E and Mineral sunscreen, for barrier repair and smoothing.

Serum

32 ingredients

47 ingredients

Brand price

USD 23.90 · checked 26 Sept 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

GBP 45.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

No retailer listed yet

Brand from South Korea

Brand country not recorded

At a Glance

They come out differently on Fragrance-free, EU-allergen-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Key Ingredients

Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopherol
Bakuchiol1
A plant-derived ingredient studied as a retinol alternative.
Bakuchiol
Panthenol (provitamin B5)1
Provitamin B5 — a humectant and soother.
Panthenol
Retinoid1
Vitamin A derivatives that speed cell turnover.
Retinol

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Titanium Dioxide
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Sunscreen1
Any ingredient acting as a UV filter.
Titanium Dioxide
Face oil1
An oil formulated to be used on the face.
Squalane

Benefits

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Butylene Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Glyceryl Acrylate/Acrylic Acid Copolymer, Panthenol, Tocopherol
Barrier Repair10
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Bakuchiol, Borago Officinalis Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Dibutyl Adipate, Glycerin, Glycine Soja Oil, Panthenol, Sodium Polyacrylate, Tocopherol
Reduces Irritation4
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Panthenol, Salvia Sclarea Extract
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.
Allantoin, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Salvia Sclarea Extract

Hydrating6
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glycerin, Sodium Hyaluronate, Sodium Polyaspartate, Squalane, Stearic Acid
Barrier Repair13
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Glycerin, Isododecane, Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Squalane, Stearic Acid, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
Anti-Aging1
Softens lines and helps skin look youthful.
Retinal
Smoothing10
Refines rough or uneven texture.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Isododecane, Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer, Retinal, Squalane, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract

Concerns

May Trigger Acne4
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis5
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Glycine Soja Oil, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris4
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Glycine Soja Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Oleate, Tocopherol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Glycine Soja Oil

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis14
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Olivate, Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Isostearic Acid, Lecithin, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Polysorbate 60, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Sorbitan Olivate, Stearic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris3
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol, Sorbitan Isostearate, Stearic Acid
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Squalane

Ingredients Side-by-side

Show highlights for:

Water
Skin Conditioning
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Butylene Glycol
Humectant
1 / 0
- Hydrating
Dibutyl Adipate
Emollient
1,2-Hexanediol (in both products)
Skin Conditioning
Panthenol
Skin Conditioning
0 / 0
- Panthenol (provitamin B5)
- Barrier Repair
- Hydrating
- Reduces Irritation
Glycine Soja Oil
Emollient
3 / 0
- Plant oils and butters (coconut, olive, shea)
- Plant or mineral oil
- Barrier Repair
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Oily Skin
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (in both products)
Occlusive
1 / 1
Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (in both products)
Occlusive
1 / 1
Glycerin (in both products)
Humectant
0 / 0
- Possibly animal-derived
- Hydrating
Isododecane
Emollient
Cetearyl Olivate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer (in both products)
Anticaking
Cetearyl Alcohol
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
PPG-12/SMDI Copolymer
Emollient
Sorbitan Olivate
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Tocopheryl Acetate
Antioxidant
0 / 0
- Vitamin E
- Antioxidant

Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

Glycerin
Denaturant, Fragrance, Hair Conditioning, Humectant, Oral Care, Perfuming, Humectant, Skin Protecting, Solvent, Viscosity Controlling
Glycerin may be plant, synthetic or animal depending on the supplier.
Learn more about Glycerin →
1,2-Hexanediol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
We don't have a description for 1,2-Hexanediol yet.
Learn more about 1,2-Hexanediol →
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Fragrance, Perfuming, Occlusive, Solvent
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride is the mixed triester of glycerin and caprylic and capric acids.
Learn more about Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride →
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Emulsion Stabilising, Viscosity Controlling
Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium hydroxyethyl acrylate and acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
Learn more about Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer →
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
Anticaking, Emulsion Stabilising, Film Forming, Opacifying, Viscosity Controlling
Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer is a copolymer of sodium acrylate and sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate monomers
Learn more about Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer →
Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →
Sorbitan Isostearate
Emulsifying
Sorbitan Isostearate isn't fungal acne safe.
Learn more about Sorbitan Isostearate →