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Medik8 Crystal Retinal vs Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule: which is better?

This matchup comes down to retinoid results versus soothing support, with one leaning toward acne and texture and the other toward redness and irritation.

The quick answer

Depends what you need

  • Rated higher: Crystal Retinal — 93 vs 87 nextscore
  • Better for redness/irritation: Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
  • More reviewed: Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule — 288 vs 81 verdicts

Medik8 Crystal Retinal is better for stepping up retinoid care and acne, while Skin1004 Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule is better for soothing redness and supporting a stressed barrier.

Choose Medik8 Crystal Retinal if

  • you want a retinoid with gradual strength options
  • you care about acne and texture improvements

Choose Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule if

  • you want a watery soothing ampoule
  • you mainly need help with redness or irritation

At a glance

Medik8 Crystal RetinalMadagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
$2.94/ml$0.20/ml
93 · 81 verdicts87 · 288 verdicts
—Redness/Irritation
—Centella/Cica

What Reddit says

Medik8 Crystal Retinal

What Reddit likes

  • Graduated strengths make retinoid ramp-up less chaotic
  • Usually gentler than tretinoin and many retinols
  • Can help acne, texture, and tone; studies back acne gains

Watch out for

  • Pricey, and the stronger levels get especially painful on the wallet
  • Sensitive skin can still sting, itch, or flare
  • The thicker cream texture feels heavy or too much for some
See the Reddit threads on Medik8 Crystal Retinal

Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule

What Reddit likes

  • Watery, fast-absorbing centella
  • Calms redness and irritation
  • Layers cleanly under actives and makeup

Watch out for

  • Can trigger closed comedones or whiteheads
  • Stings on wrecked barriers
  • Often reads as watery and underwhelming
See the Reddit threads on Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule
Compare full ingredient lists · 3 in common

In both · 3

  1. Water
  2. Glycerin
  3. Ethylhexylglycerin

Only in Medik8 Crystal Retinal · 38

  1. Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
  2. Isododecane
  3. Cetearyl Olivate
  4. Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
  5. Cyclodextrin
  6. Cetearyl Alcohol
  7. Sorbitan Olivate
  8. Tocopheryl Acetate
  9. Squalane
  10. Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer
  11. Hydroxyacetophenone
  12. 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
  13. Phenoxyethanol
  14. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose
  15. Sodium Hyaluronate
  16. Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate
  17. Rubus Chamaemorus Seed Oil
  18. Pentylene Glycol
  19. Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Seed Oil
  20. Retinal
  21. Alumina
  22. Isostearic Acid
  23. Lecithin
  24. Sodium Polyaspartate
  25. Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate
  26. Lonicera Japonica (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract
  27. Lonicera Caprifolium (Honeysuckle) Flower Extract
  28. Polyhydroxystearic Acid
  29. Disodium EDTA
  30. Stearic Acid
  31. Polysorbate 60
  32. Sorbitan Isostearate
  33. BHT
  34. Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract
  35. Dipteryx Odorata Bean Extract
  36. Coumarin
  37. Red 4
  38. Titanium Dioxide/CI 77891

Only in Madagascar Centella Asiatica Ampoule · 4

  1. Butylene Glycol
  2. Centella Asiatica Extract
  3. 1,2-Hexanediol
  4. Cellulose Gum

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