Medik8 r-Retinoate® Day & Night vs Dr.Althea 0.1 Gentle Retinol Serum

Medik8

Dr.Althea

A serum built around Vitamin C derivative and Vitamin C, for barrier repair and smoothing.

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

Serum

29 ingredients

32 ingredients

Brand price

GBP 149.00 · checked 8 Oct 2026 · brand's site

Brand price

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

No retailer listed yet

Brand country not recorded

Brand from South Korea

At a Glance

They come out differently on Pore-clogger-free and Cruelty-free; those rows are shaded. Tap any answer to see why.

Fatty alcohol1
Waxy fatty alcohols used as emollients and thickeners; unrelated to drying alcohol.
Cetearyl Alcohol
Vitamin E1
Tocopherols — fat-soluble antioxidants.
Tocopheryl Acetate
Vitamin C derivative (stable)2
Stable derivatives of ascorbic acid.
3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Hyaluronic acid1
Hyaluronic acid and its salts; a humectant that binds water to the skin.
Sodium Hyaluronate

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

May Trigger Acne1
Can clog pores or trigger breakouts.
Cetearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis8
May feed the yeast involved in seborrheic dermatitis.
Canola Oil, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Isononanoate, Cetearyl Olivate, Heptyl Undecylenate, Sorbitan Olivate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Trideceth-10
May Worsen Keratosis Pilaris1
May clog follicles or strip skin prone to keratosis pilaris.
Cetearyl Alcohol
May Worsen Oily Skin1
May increase shine or excess oil.
Canola Oil

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

Show highlights for:

Aqua
Solvent
0 / —
Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
Antioxidant
- Fatty alcohols (Malassezia)
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin C derivative (stable)
- Antioxidant
- Brightening
- Dark Spots
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Heptyl Undecylenate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (in both products)
Occlusive
1 / 1
Methylpropanediol
Solvent
0-1 / —
Polylactic Acid
Abrasive
Cetearyl Olivate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Sodium Polyacryloyldimethyl Taurate
Emulsion Stabilising
Cetearyl Isononanoate
Emollient
- Fatty esters (glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 stearate)
- May Worsen Seborrheic Dermatitis
Distarch Phosphate
Anticaking
0-1 / —

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
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

These ingredients are found in both products.

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

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 →
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 →
Disodium EDTA
Chelating, Viscosity Controlling
Disodium dihydrogen ethylenediaminetetraacetate
Learn more about Disodium EDTA →