Medik8
Crystal Retinal®Paula's Choice
10% Niacinamide BoosterA serum built around Vitamin E and Mineral sunscreen, for barrier repair and smoothing.
A serum built around Niacinamide and Vitamin C derivative, for hydration and barrier repair.
Brand price
GBP 45.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site
Brand price
USD 53.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

At a Glance

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

Key Ingredients

Mineral sunscreen1
Uses zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to absorb and scatter UV rays.
Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.

Benefits

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
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
Hydrating7
Boosts hydration and relieves dry, tight skin.
Acetyl Glucosamine, Beta-Glucan, Butylene Glycol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycerin, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate
Barrier Repair7
Strengthens and restores the skin's natural barrier.
Allantoin, Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract, Caprylyl Glycol, Glycerin, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Niacinamide, Panthenol
Reduces Irritation5
Eases discomfort and supports skin resilience.
Allantoin, Beta-Glucan, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract, Panthenol
Redness Reducing3
Soothes visible redness and calms irritation.

Concerns

May Trigger Acne3
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
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.
May Worsen Oily Skin4
May increase shine or excess oil.
Daucus Carota Sativa Seed Oil, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil, Squalane
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis3
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Emollient
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
2 / 1
- Fatty alcohol
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- May Trigger Acne
- May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Emollient
Emulsifying
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
Smoothing
0 / —
- Niacinamide
- Acne Fighting
- Barrier Repair
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- Even Tone
- Oil Control
- Pore Refining
- Redness Reducing
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Dark Spots
- Hydrating
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Skin Conditioning
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Boerhavia Diffusa Root Extract
Skin Protecting
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 →Phenoxyethanol
Antimicrobial, Preservative
Phenoxyethanol is the aromatic ether alcohol that conforms to the formula:
Learn more about Phenoxyethanol →Sodium Hyaluronate
Humectant, Skin Conditioning
Sodium Hyaluronate is a hyaluronic acid.
Learn more about Sodium Hyaluronate →Pentylene Glycol
Skin Conditioning, Solvent
1,2-Dihydroxypentane
Learn more about Pentylene Glycol →Ethylhexylglycerin
Deodorant, Skin Conditioning
Ethylhexylglycerin is the organic compound that conforms to the formula
Learn more about Ethylhexylglycerin →
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